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Home » Recipes » Copycat » Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat

Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat

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Recipe Cost $9.10
Recipe Serving Cost $1.52
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
This Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving! via @easybudgetrecipes

This Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving!

Finished Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe with text overlay for Pinterest.

One of my sons has LOVED Panda Express Orange Chicken since he was about 3 years old. He even began eating it with chopsticks and it was just about the cutest thing ever. Fast forward to 5 kids later and it is, no joke, super expensive to take them all out to eat! 

One of our biggest monthly expense is food. We are constantly reviewing our budget and looking for ways to decrease our monthly food bill. One of the easiest ways to do this is to cut back on eating out.

Sure, we’ll cut back on eating out, but we don’t want to cut back on the delicious food we get when eating out. So what is the solution to this problem you ask?

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Copycat recipes! You can make the same great tasting food at home for a better price. Our orange chicken recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. Our chow mein recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make.

This means you can serve your family one of their favorite meals for just $13.36! 

Can I get a woot, woot! 

The Copycat Orange Chicken Recipe we are sharing with you today will satisfy those cravings you get for Chinese takeout. It is a little sweet, a little spicy, a little crunchy, and dripping in orange sauce.

We dredge it in a flour and cornstarch mixture before frying it to make it extra crispy. Mmmmm, is your mouth watering yet?  

A fork picking up a piece of Panda Express Orange Chicken.

Is Orange Chicken Spicy?

Orange Chicken does have a little spice to it but it would not win any competitions for the spiciest dish out there! In comparison to other Chinese-American dishes, General Tso’s chicken is known for being spicy. 

What is orange chicken sauce made of?

Our sauce is made of the following ingredients: red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger root, sugar, brown sugar, orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, water, oil, cornstarch, and sesame oil. 

A pile of Panda Express Orange Chicken on top of white rice.

How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe:

  1. First, make the sauce. 
  2. Next, make the chicken by dipping pieces of chicken into the prepared egg mixture, and then into the flour. 
  3. Then, fry the chicken in oil in small batches. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Repeat with the remaining chicken. 
  4. Finally, add the fried chicken into the sauce and stir until completely coated in the sauce and serve. 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

  • Ages 2-3: Let them help you measure out the ingredients for the sauce. 
  • Ages 4-5: Let them help you measure and mix the ingredients for the egg and flour mixtures. They can also help line the baking sheet with paper towels. 
  • Ages 6-8: Teach your kiddo to dip the chicken in the egg and flour mixtures. Have them help you take the temperature of the oil with an instant-read thermometer. Teach them safety when frying food in oil. 
  • Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 
  • Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

A spoon lifting up pieces of Panda Express Orange Chicken.

The flavor and Recipe Variations:

  • If you like an extra flavor kick, then add orange zest to the sauce.
  • If you like the orange sauce on the spicier side, then add in more red pepper flakes. 

What to Serve with Orange Chicken:

  • Serve over rice or with our copycat chow mein. 

More Copycat Recipes:

  • Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
  • Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
  • Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo

How long is this good for:

  • Serve: You can keep this recipe at room temperature for up to 2 hours before you need to refrigerate it. 
  • Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 
  • Freeze: It’s best to freeze the fried chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe bags. Frozen this way they will keep for 3 months. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan until warmed through. For the chicken, place it in a 400 degrees F oven for 15 minutes or until crisp and heated through. 

Overhead picture of the finished Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe.

How much will this Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken cost:

RECIPE COST: $9.10

PRICE PER SERVING: $1.52

  • 1 egg – $0.10
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt – $0.01
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs – $5.84
  • 1 pinch black pepper – $0.01
  • 3 cups + 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil – $1.53
  • 1/2 cup + 3 Tablespoons cornstarch – $0.29
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour – $0.05
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes – $0.02
  • 2 garlic cloves – $0.12
  • 2 teaspoons ginger root – $0.01
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar – $0.24
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar – $0.12
  • 2/3 cup orange juice – $0.27
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar – $0.11
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce – $0.18
  • 1/4 cup water – $0.00
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil – $0.20

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

Cook’s Tools:

  • slotted spoon
  • wok
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • medium mixing bowls
  • large bowl
  • instant-read thermometer

A bowl full of finished orange chicken.

Close up picture of orange chicken with a slice of orange.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
5 from 21 votes

Copycat Orange Chicken

Recipe Cost $9.10
Recipe Serving Cost $1.52
This Copycat Orange Chicken recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Keyword: chicken, copycat recipe
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 576kcal
Author: Easy Budget Recipes Original!

Equipment

  • slotted spoon
  • wok
  • measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • medium mixing bowls
  • large bowl
  • instant-read thermometer

Ingredients

FOR ORANGE SAUCE:

  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons ginger root peeled and minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ⅔ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil

FOR CHICKEN:

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1inch pieces
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

MAKE SAUCE:

  • Preheat 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil in a large saucepan or medium pot over medium-high heat.
  • Once the oil is simmering, add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
    Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the hot oil and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Whisk in brown sugar, granulated sugar, and orange juice. Cook while stirring often until the sugars are almost all dissolved, about 2-4 minutes.
  • Whisk in vinegar and soy sauce.
  • In a small bowl whisk together water and cornstarch until it makes a paste. Then, whisk the paste into the sauce.
  • Cook and stir the sauce until it thickens to the consistency of syrup (it will thicken more as it cools).
  • Whisk in the sesame oil.
    Cook the sauce until thickened to the consistency of syrup.

PREP FOR FRYING:

  • In a shallow bowl or pie plate whisk together egg, salt, pepper, and 1 Tablespoon of oil.
  • In a second shallow bowl or pie plate whisk together cornstarch and flour.
  • Pour the oil into a large pan or wok. Heat the oil over high heat until it registers 375 degrees with an instant-read thermometer.
  • Line a baking sheet with 3-4 layers of paper towels.

FRY CHICKEN:

  • Place a ⅓ of the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, and then dredge the chicken in the flour mixture.
  • Add the chicken to the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Move chicken to paper towel-line baking sheet to drain.
  • Repeat the process with the remaining chicken, frying in 2 more batches.

FINISH THE ORANGE CHICKEN:

  • Transfer the chicken to the sauce and stir to coat.
    Add the chicken to the sauce and stir until combined.
  • Serve with chow mein or white rice.
    Serve the orange chicken over a bed of white rice or with chow mein.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 1277mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you love this recipe?We'd love to hear from you follow us on Instagram @EasyBudgetRecipes and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

This Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat recipe is crispy, flavorful, and a little bit tangy. It tastes just like the Panda Express dish. This recipe serves 6 and costs $9.10 to make. That’s just $1.52 per serving!

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Related

Filed Under: $10 Recipes, Copycat, Main Dish Tagged With: all-purpose flour, black pepper, boneless skinless chicken thighs, brown sugar, cornstarch, egg, garlic cloves, ginger, granulated sugar, orange juice, red pepper flakes, salt, sesame oil, soy sauce, vegetable oil, water, white vinegar

Previous Post: « Panda Express Chow Mein
Next Post: Mexican Fruit Salad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Bellamy

    May 14, 2020 at 9:21 am

    Oh Yum!! I think I could even do this!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:31 am

      Katie, you definitely can!

  2. Renee Goerger

    May 14, 2020 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    This tastes just like the original and I love how it’s saving me $$! Thanks for the yummy recipe!

    Reply
  3. Shana Lenoir

    May 14, 2020 at 10:44 am

    Omg I LOOOOOVE orange chicken!!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:44 pm

      So glad you found our recipe!

  4. Denay DeGuzman

    May 14, 2020 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    Orange chicken is one of our favorite Chinese entrees! I love making this easy recipe at home. It’s definitely a money saver too!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:43 pm

      It is one of my favorites too! Enjoy!

  5. Barrie

    May 14, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    My kiddo loves Panda Express! I’ll have to make this next week for dinner.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:43 pm

      Your kiddo will be thrilled! Enjoy!

  6. Soraya M

    May 14, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    I can not wait to make this at home. My family is going to love it.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:42 pm

      Yay! Can’t wait!

  7. Bobbi schrieber

    May 14, 2020 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    This looks AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:42 pm

      Thank you so much!

  8. elly

    May 15, 2020 at 7:55 am

    5 stars
    That looks amazing I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:40 pm

      You are going to love it!

  9. Deanna

    May 15, 2020 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious. Way better than take out!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:40 pm

      Way better than take out!

  10. Marina

    May 15, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! Cannot wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:38 pm

      We would love to hear back from you once you try it!

  11. Maren

    May 15, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds amazing

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:37 pm

      We love it!

  12. Emily Flint

    May 15, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love the idea of making this at home, and saving money!! Thanks for posting.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:36 pm

      Saving money while eating yummy food is always a win-win!

  13. Sula

    May 15, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful! This is my guilty pleasure for sure!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:32 pm

      That’s a good guilty pleasure to have!

  14. Lathiya

    May 15, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    5 stars
    I love panda Express orange chicken and this recipe is a definite keeper.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 15, 2020 at 10:31 pm

      Thank you!

  15. Chef Dennis

    May 16, 2020 at 12:47 am

    5 stars
    Hmm yum! This Panda Express Orange Chicken is mouthwatering! I can’t wait to have a taste.

    Reply
  16. Leslie

    May 16, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love orange chicken from panda express! What a lifesaver that you have created this! AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 16, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      So glad you love it as much as we do! Enjoy!

  17. Amy

    May 16, 2020 at 11:55 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! My family would love this! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 12:16 am

      Hi Amy, it makes for a great family meal! Thanks for stopping by!

  18. Jaclyn Mercer

    May 17, 2020 at 10:32 am

    Will absolutely have to try this. We love orange chicken but have a lot of food allergies so we have to be careful when ordering out. I much prefer to make my own!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 12:15 am

      Copycat recipes are perfect for those with allergies. We have a couple allergies in our family too so I love how much more control we have when we make it ourselves.

  19. Melissa Storms

    May 18, 2020 at 7:13 am

    This sounds fantastic.My son was just talking about craving orange chicken. I think this may be for dinner tonight, I actually have everything required on hand.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Melissa, that is great you already have everything on hand. It must be meant to be!

  20. Connie Headley

    May 18, 2020 at 8:39 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is so spelled out . I have never seen one like it. Even down to how you how long you could keep in fridge or in freezer. It looks great but normally I like the General Tso’s Might have to try and make this. or look for the other one .

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Connie, we think you will enjoy this one just as much as Geberal Tso’s!

  21. Katie Bellamy

    May 20, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    You make this sound so easy! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 21, 2020 at 10:38 pm

      Katie, it really is easy! Enjoy!

  22. Ron Weinberg

    May 22, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    WHEN YOU USE REAL WHITE MEAT FROM THE CHICKEN & NOT COMMERCIAL CHICKEN THEN YOU HAVE A DISH!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 23, 2020 at 9:25 am

      Agreed!

  23. Iva Tomic

    May 25, 2020 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    You should have your cookbook. I would buy it. Chicken looks so good.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 25, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      Iva that is our dream! Thank you!

  24. Tawnie Kroll

    September 23, 2020 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    SO much better than Panda! omg I am soo happy I found this recipe. This will be on rotation in our house now!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 24, 2020 at 9:57 am

      That’s awesome Tawnie! Thanks for stopping by.

  25. Angela

    September 23, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    This is better than Panda Express!! I absolutely loved it and my family did too! Definitely will make again. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 24, 2020 at 9:56 am

      Thanks so much for your review Angela. So happy your family loved it!

  26. Jamie

    September 23, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! This is just like the real version and I love how I can make it at home so I know exactly what goes in it. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 24, 2020 at 9:56 am

      Yes Jamie! It is so much better to make it at home!

  27. Jacque Hastert

    September 23, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    5 stars
    This was way better than anything I have ever had at Panda Express! I can’t believe how flavorful it was and how simple it was to create at home.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 24, 2020 at 9:55 am

      So happy you enjoyed it Jacque!

  28. Michelle

    September 24, 2020 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    Omg. This is my favorite at Panda Express! I can’t wait to try it at home!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 24, 2020 at 9:54 am

      You are going to love it!

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Beth, Jill, and Jess of Easy Budget Recipes

We’re Beth, Jill, and Jess, and we’re the team of sisters-in-law behind Easy Budget Recipes!

Combined, we have over 50 years of cooking, meal planning, and budgeting experience. Each of our recipes serves at least six people, and we have broken down the cost of every recipe for you so that it’s easier to budget your shopping list every week!

We’re so glad that you’re here. Find out more ABOUT US!

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