How To Feed A Loon

  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Asian
    • Breads and Doughs
    • Cajun / Creole / Louisiana
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Comfort Food
    • Delectable Desserts
    • Entrees / Mains
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Pizza
    • Rubs, Spices and Sauces
    • Soups & Salads
    • Sides
    • Seafood
    • Southern
    • Mexican / Tex-Mex / Cal-Mex
    • Thanksgiving
    • Vegetarian
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Web Stories
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • **Premium Access**
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Grilling
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
×
Home » Recipe Index » Comfort Food

Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

Published: Mar 20, 2022 · Modified: Mar 2, 2025 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

342 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Bluesky
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
An overhead view of a wok filled with orange chicken with a wooden spoon inserted in the side.
A pair of chopsticks holding up a piece of fried orange chicken over a plate of the same.

We all love to indulge in a delicious guilty pleasure every now and then.

There is something irresistible about a dish that is a little sweet, a little tangy, a little saucy, and a whole lot of crunchy. This dish takes the fast-food chain’s classic dish and turns the dial up in a big way.

An overhead view of a wok filled with orange chicken with a wooden spoon inserted in the side.

How To Make Orange Chicken From Scratch

As is the case with many Asian-inspired dishes, it’s important to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

This dish is no exception.

EXPERT TIP: If you don’t have a wok, no problem. The dish can easily be prepared in a cast-iron skillet or any pot that can handle high heat.

How To Make Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken

When we set out to make this iconic dish even better (a tall order, we know), we knew we had to start with the chicken. It needed to be extra chicken.

A two-stage dredge does the trick. We’ll start with a wet flour batter to dredge the chicken pieces in and then a second dry seasoned flour will produce extra crispy chicken

EXPERT TIP: When adding water to the flour to make the wet batter, be sure it’s ice cold. Add iced water to a large measuring cup and then pour into another 1-cup measuring cup, holding the ice back. This is a similar approach to making amazing tempura. The wet batter should have the consistency of pancake batter.

A fork being used to dredge chicken pieces in a wet batter in a pan and then those pieces dredged in flour.

Dredge all of the chicken pieces first while your oil is heating up.

We highly recommend using a candy thermometer to ensure you’ve reached an oil temperature of 350°F to 360°F.

EXPERT TIP: Fry the chicken in batches, you don’t want to overcrowd the oil. Use a spider or a couple of forks to move the chicken pieces around in the oil. This will keep the pieces from sticking to each other.

A kitchen spider holding up pieces of fried chicken nuggets over a wok filled with hot oil.

How To Serve

Once you’ve created the amazing orange chicken sauce and then coated the extra-crispy pieces of fried chicken with it, you’ll be tempted to eat them all right from the wok.

However, we love to serve the dish over perfectly steamed rice.

NOTE: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to several days, but this dish is best when served piping hot right from the wok.

An overhead view of a black dinner plate filled with white rice topped with orange chicken with a pair of chopsticks on the side of the plate.

Other Classic Chinese Dishes

Here are a few of our other favorite Asian-inspired dishes that you will love making at home:

  • Homemade Egg Rolls
  • Pork Dumplings in Peanut Sauce
  • Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
  • Sesame Chicken
  • Best Chicken Fried Rice

In the meantime, don’t you want to sink your teeth into this classic dish?

A black dinner plate filled with white rice topped with orange chicken and garnished with chopped scallions.

Folks, if you love Orange Chicken from Panda Express as much as we do, then you are going to flip for this dish.

Super crispy fried chicken pieces in a deeply flavorful orange syrupy sauce that are just unbelievable.

You may never order out again. Well, that’s a stretch. But, seriously, this orange chicken will change your life. It’s honestly that good!

A pair of chopsticks holding up a piece of fried orange chicken over a plate of the same.

Ready to make the best homemade take-out dish this side of, well, you know where? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!

A black dinner plate filled with white rice topped with orange chicken and garnished with chopped scallions.

Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

If you love orange chicken from Panda Express, then you are going to absolutely flip for this dish. Extra crispy chicken in a deeply flavorful orange sauce. Truly amazing.
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Chinese / American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 763kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

  • 1 Wok or sturdy pot that can handle high heat

Ingredients

For the Sauce

  • ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoon orange juice
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoon water

For the Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup water ice cold
  • 2½ cups flour divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • Vegetable oil for frying and then for stir-frying.

Finishing

  • 1 tablespoon ginger fresh, minced
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon scallions chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Make the Sauce

  • In a medium bowl, mix together all of the sauce ingredients until fully combined. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken and Stir-Fry

  • In a medium bowl or pan, mix together 1½ cups of flour with the cold water and egg. Stir until a batter forms (it should have same consistency as pancake batter).
  • In another bowl, pan, or platter, mix together 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  • Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in your wok to 350°F.
  • Working in batches, coat the chicken pieces in the wet batter and then dredge in flour. Set aside. Finish the remaining chicken.
  • Working in batches, fry the battered chicken in the oil until golden brown and very crispy. Carefully remove from the oil with a spider or metal tongs and let drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Carefully discard all of the oil from the wok and clean out with a paper towel. See NOTES.
  • Heat 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat in your wok.
  • Add the ginger and garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Stir constantly.
  • Carefully pour in the reserved sauce and stir frequently. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  • Add all of the fried chicken pieces and stir to fully coat. Serve at once over rice.

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance.  If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.  
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for chicken thighs.
You can fry the chicken up in a separate pot or deep-fryer and then cook the sauce in the wok or sturdy skillet.  Discard of any oil responsibly (don't pour down the kitchen sink!). 
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Reheat in the microwave for about 1 minute.  This dish is best served piping hot right out of the wok!
We love serving this over Steamed Rice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 107g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 1819mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

More Comfort Food

  • A white dinner plate filled with a serving of cube steak with mushroom gravy resting on a bed of mashed potatoes with braised green beans off to the side.
    Cube Steak with Mushroom Gravy
  • A white bowl filled with shrimp lo mein with cashews garnished with chopped scallions on top and two brown chopsticks resting side by side on the edge of the bowl.
    Shrimp Lo Mein with Cashews
  • A pork burger topped with creamy coleslaw on a homemade pretzel bun with Carolina mustard sauce oozing from the underneath the patty with kettle chips scattered around the burger.
    Pork Burgers with Pretzel Buns
  • A skillet filled with one-pot chili mac with a layer of melted cheddar cheese over the the surface with colorful checkered napkins near the pan and two glasses of iced tea nearby.
    One-Pot Chili Mac

Comments

  1. Ellen Smith Barnes says

    March 08, 2024 at 8:22 pm

    4 stars
    Amazing taste & texture but VERY messy.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 09, 2024 at 10:49 am

      We hope you enjoyed it! It’s definitely one our favorite dishes to make!

      Reply
  2. KenZ says

    January 30, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. Just the right combination of ingredients to make this a favorite.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      January 31, 2023 at 4:25 pm

      Hi Ken! Yay! We are so so happy you made the orange chicken and had such success with it! That is definitely one of our all-time favorites! Thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! That means the world to us! Stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  3. wonderfulcook.com says

    December 07, 2022 at 12:45 am

    5 stars
    Restaurant quality! I am so happy with the flavor! My new go-to recipe for orange chicken! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 08, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Woo hoo! We are so so happy you made the orange chicken and loved it! Thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! We appreciate that so very much! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  4. Dave says

    July 14, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    Super delicious and another winner and keeper with my better half, Greg! Thanks to you both!

    Reply
  5. Patti says

    March 23, 2022 at 9:11 pm

    Thank you so much for your prompt reply! The chicken was awesome but we didn’t have nearly enough sauce. When I make it again I will double it.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 24, 2022 at 3:41 pm

      Ahh!! We are glad you enjoyed the chicken and we hope you try it again and if you love that sauce…double it!! It is a yummy sauce! Thanks for letting us know!!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  6. Patti says

    March 23, 2022 at 6:50 pm

    Making this tonite! Do u use table salt or kosher?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 23, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Woo hoo!! We usually use Kosher salt, but if you go with table salt (which is totally fine), use a little less than what is called for. Have fun and please let us know how it turns out!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
4.75 from 4 votes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!

Kris & Wesley (The Loon) live for fun, food, and fabulousness. "How to Feed a Loon" is a celebration of just that. Come join us on this joyous culinary ride.

More about us

Father's Day Cookout

  • Three grilled chicken leg quarters on an oval platter surround by grilled lemon halves and fresh herbs.
    Best Grilled Chicken
  • A straight-on view of grilled vegetables with Italian dressing all resting on a large bamboo oval platter.
    Grilled Vegetables with Italian Dressing
  • Black and bleu burger on a white plate
    Rockin’ Black and Bleu Burger
  • Lamb lollipops in a white bowl
    Lamb Lollipops
  • A grilled whole beer-can chicken sitting on a cutting board next to a carving knife and a bowl of BBQ sauce
    Grilled Beer-Can Chicken with BBQ Sauce
  • A straight-on view of a grilled balsamic glazed pork chop that is sitting next to a pile of roasted vegetables with another plate of the same in the background.
    Grilled Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

Popular Recipes

  • best-ever chicken salad recipe
    Best-Ever Chicken Salad
  • A white soup filled with roasted tomato basil soup next to sliced grilled cheese sandwiches.
    Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
  • Mahi Mahi tacos on a wooden table in a taco holder
    Amazing Mahi Mahi Tacos
  • A lemon wedge being squeezed onto a platter of chicken francese
    Chicken Francese
  • Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe
    Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
  • Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder on a platter with a side of gravy
    Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 How to Feed a Loon • This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, we may receive a commission in return. How To Feed a Loon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

342 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.