Panda Express Orange Chicken


Recipe

I dunno if this really tastes the same, never compared it. It's an alarming amount of sugar. I cut it by at least half if not totally and it's still good idk. Sesame oil is too expensive, so I had always used peanut oil, but I got a bottle of sesame for my birthday this year, so we'll see. I also add orange oil or substitute the water for the juice of the orange.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 2 tbsp oil divided, plus more for frying
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup flour

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 10 tablespoons sugar
  • 10 tablespoons white vinegar
  • zest of 1 orange

Finish

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger root minced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp hot red chili pepper crushed

Steps

  • To make the sauce combine the 1 tablespoon cornstarch, rice wine, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar and orange zest.
  • To coat the chicken add the egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil into a bowl and whisk together in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch and flour and mix well.
  • In a large frying pan or a wok, heat oil in a wok 375 degrees.
  • Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture.
  • Fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp.
  • Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
  • When you are done with the chicken, drain most of the oil from the pan (leave about a tablespoon).
  • Add the ginger, garlic and crushed red peppers, cooking for about 10 seconds.
  • Add the orange sauce and bring to boil
  • Turn off the heat, and add cooked chicken and stir until well mixed.

(https://dinnerthendessert.com/panda-express-orange-chicken-copycat/)