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I’ve the secret ingredient that makes this copycat Panda Categorical orange hen style precisely like the actual deal. It’s a easy improve that provides you that daring, signature taste. When you attempt it, you’ll see why mine stands out over others!

Overhead shot of Panda Express orange chicken in a skillet.

The Purpose This One Truly Tastes Proper

  • The Secret Ingredient Makes All of the Distinction: As a substitute of watered down orange juice, my recipe makes use of orange extract for a extra concentrated taste.
  • Crispy Hen That Stays Crispy: A easy coating and frying methodology offers you that signature crunch, even after tossing it within the sauce.
  • Make It a Full Takeout Night time at Dwelling: Pair this with my copycat chow mein and Beijing beef to create a whole takeout-style meal!

Panda Categorical Orange Hen Substances

Overhead shot of labeled Panda Express orange chicken ingredients. Overhead shot of labeled Panda Express orange chicken ingredients.
  • Hen: Boneless skinless hen thighs are a should! It retains the hen from drying out and is what Panda Categorical makes use of.
  • Cornstarch: I take advantage of it to coat the hen an assist thicken the sauce.
Overhead shot of labeled orange sauce ingredients. Overhead shot of labeled orange sauce ingredients.
  • Orange Extract: The SECRET ingredient! It’s even listed within the substances on their web site. Many copycat recipes use orange juice, however a Panda Categorical chef claims they don’t.
  • Orange Zest: This provides a pop of orange taste! Use roughly to your liking.
  • Distilled Vinegar: A number of copycat recipes use rice vinegar. Distilled vinegar is listed within the substances on their web site, so distilled white vinegar it’s!

How one can Make Panda Categorical Orange Hen

I’ve at all times been a Panda Categorical woman, and at all times a fan of their orange hen. I’ve been testing this copycat recipe for some time and am so excited to share it with you. It’s as scrumptious as it’s straightforward! Make some broccoli, honey walnut shrimp and fried rice to go along with it!

  1. Coat: Place the hen items in a big ziplock bag, then sprinkle the hen with garlic salt. Crack an egg on prime of the hen, then therapeutic massage it in together with your hand to coat the hen. Add the cornstarch and all-purpose flour on prime of the hen, then seal the bag and shake to coat the hen nicely.
  2. Make Orange Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, add sugar, distilled vinegar, soy sauce, orange extract, cornstarch, garlic, ginger paste, pink pepper flakes, and orange zest, and whisk till mixed.
  3. Prepare dinner: In a big skillet or wok, add the oil and warmth over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil is sizzling sufficient, add the coated hen, and cook dinner for 7-8 minutes, or till cooked via and browned. Take away the hen from the skillet and put aside.
  4. Thicken Sauce: Return to the skillet over medium-high warmth and add the orange sauce. Whisk and warmth the sauce for 3-5 minutes, or till the sauce is bubbly and barely thickened.
  5. Mix: Add the cooked hen again to the skillet, then toss it within the sauce to coat completely. Warmth the sauce with the hen for about 2 minutes. The sauce will thicken extra because it sticks to the hen. Garnish Panda Categorical Orange Hen with pink pepper flakes and serve over rice.

Alyssa’s Professional Tip

Don’t Skip This Step! Heating the sauce and hen collectively for a couple of minutes on the finish actually helps the sauce persist with the hen.

Should Have Instruments For This Recipe

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  • Place 1 ½ kilos boneless skinless hen thighs in a big ziplock bag. Sprinkle the hen with ½ teaspoon garlic salt. Crack 1 giant egg on prime of the hen and therapeutic massage it in together with your hand to coat the hen.

  • Add ½ cup cornstarch and ½ cup all-purpose flour on prime of the hen. Seal the bag and shake to coat the hen nicely.

  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk collectively 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup distilled vinegar, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 ½ teaspoons orange extract, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon ginger paste, ½ teaspoon pink pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon orange zest.

  • In a big skillet or wok, add ⅓ cup canola oil or vegetable oil and warmth over medium-high. As soon as the oil is sizzling sufficient, add the coated hen. Prepare dinner for 7-8 minutes, or till cooked via and browned. Take away the hen from the skillet and put aside.

  • Returning to the skillet over medium-high warmth, add the orange sauce. Whisk and warmth the sauce for 3-5 minutes, or till the sauce is bubbly and barely thickened.

  • Add the cooked hen again to the skillet. Toss the hen within the sauce to coat it nicely. Warmth the sauce with the hen for about 2 minutes. The sauce will thicken extra because it sticks to the hen. Garnish with pink pepper flakes and serve over rice.

Leftover Directions

  • Fridge: For those who do have leftovers, retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
  • Reheating: Heat within the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Energy: 727kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 38gFats: 27gSaturated Fats: 5gPolyunsaturated Fats: 12gMonounsaturated Fats: 7gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 208mgSodium: 1278mgPotassium: 494mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg

Diet data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

Plated Panda Express Orange chicken on a bed of white rice. Plated Panda Express Orange chicken on a bed of white rice.

What to Serve on the Facet

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