If you have ever craved that tangy, sweet, and irresistibly crispy bite of your favorite takeout, you are going to fall head over heels for this Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe. It combines the perfect balance of bold orange zest, sticky caramelized sauce, and tender chicken bites that practically melt in your mouth. Making this dish at home means you control the freshness, the flavor, and the fun — plus, it delivers all the joy of Panda Express’s beloved classic without ever leaving your kitchen. Trust me, once you make this recipe, it will soon be your go-to comfort meal that friends and family rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to capturing that authentic taste. Each component is simple yet essential, working together to build layers of flavor, vibrant color, and the perfect texture you want from this iconic dish.
- 2 pounds fully cooked chicken chunks: Using pre-cooked lightly breaded chicken chunks adds convenience and a crisp, golden base for the sauce.
- 4 servings Basmati rice: This fragrant rice provides a fluffy, aromatic bed for the saucy chicken.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps thicken the sticky orange sauce to just the right consistency.
- ¼ cup rice wine: Adds a subtle depth and balance to the sauce’s brightness.
- ¼ cup water: Used to dissolve the cornstarch for smooth sauce texture.
- ½ cup orange juice: Freshly squeezed is best but bottled works well — this infuses the sauce with vibrant citrus flavor.
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil: Brings a nutty aroma that rounds out the sauce perfectly.
- ½ cup soy sauce: Adds salty umami punch, essential for that signature orange chicken flavor.
- ½ cup granulated white sugar: Sweetens the sauce to balance acidity.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Provides rich molasses notes and sticky texture.
- Zest of two oranges: Brightens the sauce with fresh citrus oils; save a pinch for garnish.
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger root: Gives a warm, spicy undertone that’s key in Asian-inspired dishes.
- 6 cloves minced garlic: Adds savory depth and an irresistible aroma.
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional): For a hint of heat to spark up the flavor profile.
- Chopped green onion tops (optional): Perfect for a fresh, mild crunch as a garnish.
- Sesame seeds (optional): Add a nutty crunch and beautiful finish.
How to Make Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup and place the fully cooked chicken nuggets evenly across it. Cooking them at this temperature ensures they get crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside — that contrast is essential for our dish.
Step 2: Bake the Chicken until Golden
Follow the cooking directions for your chicken nuggets, baking them until they are golden brown and deliciously crisp. This step is all about creating that crunchy texture that holds up beautifully when tossed in the luscious orange sauce.
Step 3: Whisk the Sauce Base
While the chicken is baking, grab a medium saucepan and whisk together the cornstarch, rice wine, and water until smooth. This mixture forms the glossy, thick base for our sauce and ensures it clings perfectly to every piece of chicken.
Step 4: Add Flavorful Ingredients to Sauce
Next, pour in the orange juice and add the sesame oil, soy sauce, both sugars, orange zest, minced ginger, and garlic. Give everything a good mix so those bold flavors marry and begin working their magic together.
Step 5: Bring Sauce to Boil and Simmer
Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally. This simmering step thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavors, creating that perfectly sticky glaze for the chicken.
Step 6: Toss Chicken in the Orange Sauce
When your chicken nuggets are crisp and hot out of the oven, transfer them directly into the saucepan. Toss everything thoroughly until every bite is coated with that irresistible orange glaze, making your Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe truly come to life.
Step 7: Serve Over Fluffy Rice
Finally, scoop generous portions over warm, fluffy basmati rice. This pairing balances the vibrant sauce with a soft, comforting grain that soaks up every bit of flavor, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
How to Serve Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing touches make all the difference. Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the chicken to add texture, freshness, and beautiful presentation. Keep some orange zest aside and scatter a little on top for a pop of citrus brightness that amps up the visual and flavor appeal.
Side Dishes
This dish shines beautifully when paired with simple sides like steamed broccoli or snap peas for a fresh crunch. Alternatively, a light Asian slaw or even stir-fried vegetables complement the sweet and savory notes perfectly without overwhelming the star of the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress at your next dinner? Serve your orange chicken family-style in a large, colorful bowl surrounded by bowls of assorted garnishes and sides so everyone can customize their plate. Another fun idea is skewering chicken chunks after tossing in sauce and grilling lightly for a smoky twist. The possibilities are endless when you make your own Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftover orange chicken to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe longer, it freezes well. Just spread baked chicken and cooled sauce on a lined tray separately to flash freeze, then transfer to freezer bags. It should keep well for up to 2 months without losing its vibrant flavor.
Reheating
When reheating, the best method is to warm the chicken and sauce gently in a skillet over medium heat until hot and sticky. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the breading soggy. Reheating this way revives the crispiness and keeps the flavors vivid.
FAQs
Can I use raw chicken to make this recipe?
You can, but this particular recipe relies on fully cooked chicken nuggets to save time and achieve a perfect crispy texture quickly. If you use raw chicken, you’d need to bread and fry or bake it first before tossing in the sauce.
Is it possible to make the sauce less sweet?
Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of both granulated white sugar and brown sugar by half, then adjust to taste. The orange juice provides natural sweetness, so Balancing sugars to your preference is easy.
Can I substitute orange juice with something else?
Fresh orange juice is ideal for authentic flavor, but you can substitute with bottled juice or a mixture of orange marmalade and water for a similar tangy sweetness.
What can I use instead of basmati rice?
Any long-grain white rice, jasmine rice, or even brown rice works perfectly to serve alongside the orange chicken, adapting to your dietary needs or what’s on hand.
How do I make this recipe spicier?
Add more red chili flakes to the sauce or serve with a side of sliced fresh chilies. You can also mix in a touch of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to pack an extra punch of heat.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so rewarding about nailing that restaurant favorite right in your own kitchen, and this Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe does exactly that with sunshine citrus, crispy chicken bites, and a sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and addictive. It’s quick, satisfying, and perfect for any night of the week — so grab your ingredients and get ready to wow your taste buds and your loved ones alike. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered takeout!
Print
Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe recreates the popular restaurant dish at home with crispy baked chicken chunks coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. The sauce is made with fresh orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, simmered to a sticky glaze. Served over fluffy basmati rice, this easy oven-baked dish is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Rice
- 2 pounds fully cooked chicken chunks (e.g. Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks)
- 4 servings basmati rice, cooked
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup rice wine
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Zest of two oranges (reserve a small portion for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger root
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped white onion green tops
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken chunks until crispy and golden brown.
- Prepare Chicken for Baking: Place the fully cooked chicken nuggets on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading them out evenly for even crisping.
- Bake Chicken Nuggets: Bake the chicken nuggets according to their package instructions, making sure they become crisp and golden brown for the best texture.
- Make Sauce Base: While the chicken bakes, whisk together cornstarch, rice wine, and water in a medium saucepan until smooth to form the base for the orange sauce.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: To the saucepan, add orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, granulated white sugar, brown sugar, orange zest, minced ginger, garlic, and optional red chili flakes. Stir to combine.
- Boil Sauce: Bring the sauce mixture to a boil over medium heat, ensuring all sugars dissolve and flavors meld.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce the heat to a simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken and become sticky while stirring occasionally until it reaches a glaze consistency.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Once the chicken nuggets are fully baked and crispy, add them to the saucepan and toss to coat them evenly with the sticky orange sauce.
- Serve: Serve the orange chicken hot over cooked basmati rice, garnishing with reserved orange zest, chopped green onion tops, and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Using fully cooked chicken chunks shortens cooking time and simplifies preparation.
- Baking the nuggets instead of frying keeps the dish lighter and easier to prepare.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest enhance the authentic orange flavor.
- Optional chili flakes add a spicy kick; omit if you prefer milder flavor.
- Garnishes like sesame seeds and green onion tops add texture and visual appeal.
- Adjust sugar quantities slightly to balance sweetness to your taste.
