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Family Kitchen
Orange Chicken: Take-Out Inspired Cooking that Tastes Just Like the Original
If you hop on over to Panda Express today, and present this coupon, you’ll get a free taste of the restaurant’s new Kobari Beef. If, however, you’re more of a traditionalist, preferring to stick close to the tried and true Pandra favorites, then this recipe is for you. From time to time, I play host to crazy-mad cravings for orange chicken, and decided it was high time I discover a like-the-original replica of the recipe, rather than slapping down a cool 7 bucks everytime I wanted a bite. Darling, this recipe delivers. The sauce is gloriously thick and sticky with a hint of spice. You’re going to adore it, I guarantee.
Just-Like-Panda-Express Orange Chicken
1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, uncooked
3 well beaten eggs
2 T. milk
1 c. cornstarch
Salt & Pepper to taste
Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, coat in cornstarch, then dip again in egg mixture. (It’s really important to follow that order! Egg-cornstarch-egg. Doing so creates a tempura-like batter. Fry in oil heated over a medium or medium-high stove, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove and allow to cool on a paper towel before transferring to a cookie sheet. To cook, make sure chicken pieces are in a single layer on cookie sheet, coat with orange sauce and bake according to directions below.
Orange Sauce
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. catsup
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. orange juice concentrate
2 T. white vinegar
1 T. dried chives
1 T. red pepper flakes
1 T. sliced almonds
In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, catsup, honey, orange juice concentrate, chives and red pepper flakes. Stir together over medium heat and bring just to a boil. Drizzle sauce over fried chicken. Bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring often to coat the chicken with the glaze. Remove from oven when glaze is no longer puddled around the chicken, it should be sticky and fully coating the chicken. Garnish with chives or chopped scallions, red pepper flakes, orange zest, and sliced almonds. Serve immediately over sticky rice.
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11 Comments
[...] the Panda Express Facebook Page. Not looking for a free meal and a bit more traditional? Check out Brooke’s Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe. [...]
Panda Express: Free Kobari Beef 9/29 Only! | The Family Kitchen commented on Sep 29 10 at 3:12 pmSarah commented on Oct 03 10 at 9:45 amThis is the perfect weekend dinner — delicious. Thank you Brooke. One question: what’s catsup — I’m not from here so haven’t heard of it before.
Donna commented on Oct 08 10 at 10:54 amI’ve made this a few times and it’s a total hit with family and friends!
Lynn commented on Oct 08 10 at 3:58 pm1/2 CUP of soy sauce, is that correct? Ugh, I made this last night and it was SO SALTY I had to throw it away.
mangiabella commented on Oct 09 10 at 10:29 ami’m in heaven! and my hubs will be too, who doesn’t love orange chicken?!! in the past I’ve opted for trader joe’s quick version for a meal in a pinch….not any more! thanks brooke!
JC commented on Mar 22 11 at 2:32 pmI was excited to find this recipe but I have to say this is a poorly written with awkward instructions…not what you want in a recipe.
The first thing I noticed was in the sauce ingredients its lists 2T vinegar but in the instructions…no mention of the vinegar.
Also there are really no instructions on how to make the mentioned ‘egg mixture’. Yes, maybe most people would know what to do, but there are beginner cooks out there and I like clear, orderly instructions when trying a recipe for the first time. Otherwise, how do you know if you completed it correctly?I had to look for other Panda Express orange chicken copycat recipes to find clear instructions to complete this properly with the right ingredients.
Hopefully it turns out well..,it’s in the oven now.
I just had to say better clarification is needed her..how about some editing?
C commented on Apr 15 11 at 3:53 amWho in the hell is going to bread, deep fry, cook sauce, bake, and glaze? Imagine the clean up! Also.. the soy sauce, “catsup” and honey alone cost more than a single order of ready-to-eat orange chicken from Panda. This is why the fast food industry is so successful. No one in their right mind would go through (and pay) all of that for something you can get in about 5 1/2 mins for less $$. The ONLY way I can see doing it is if it’s 3am, there’s a 24 hr. grocery store nearby, and I am EXTREMELY pregnant. *rolls eyes*
Chaya commented on May 04 11 at 3:01 amDespite all the b2tchy comments, I enjoyed this! It was nice. (I did reduce the soy to 1/4c tho.) But I must say something:
1. Catsup is an alternive term for ketchup.
2. Who in the hell doesn’t have at least soy sauce and ketchup in their pantry? I mean, the US eats ketchup (and ranch) more than they drink water! And honey? A lot of people have honey. You’re just bitching to bitch.Either way – enjoyed!
Hen commented on Jan 05 12 at 5:14 pmI normally would not make comments. But some of the above comments were beyond rude. If you choose to eat out then it is your choice. This is a nice alternative for people who have a family of 4 or larger and cannot afford to dine out. Thank you for the person who submitted this recipe. For taking the time, not only to come up with the recipe but also to share this recipe. I applaud you. In looking at the ingredients it all appears to be basic staples of my kitchen. I look forward to trying it. I understand if you have fixed this and would like to give a review, good or bad, Or to give the cost opinion. But to roll eyes, be dowright ugly and nasty? Uncalled for.
Sayward commented on Feb 19 12 at 10:55 pmI just made this recipe and my lovely boyfriend and I both think it is BAD@SS.
I had MORE FUN making this recipe and loving on my boyfriend than I would have driving to themall and buying some $7.00 BS off a styrofoam plate. Believe it or not, there ARE people in this world who ENJOY cooking and ENJOY experimenting with new foods. Get over it. You were ruthlessly rude for NO REASON.
Point made.
Anyway, this recipe turned out very well. I did not have Orange Juice Concentrate, so I used 1c of Orange Juice from Concentrate, and the juice of one half of an orange. I also added approx. 1tsp. of finely diced orange peel. I lessened the soy sauce as I too was afraid of it being too salty. I added a pinch of fresh ginger and 3 cloves of garlic, simply because we’re garlic FIENDS. All in all it turned out excellent and we are very pleased.
My tip to anyone trying this for the first time ( as I wax)
READ and REREAD the directions. Take your time. This is not a meal that can happen in 30 mins on a first run. Also, don’t be afraid to try the sauce before you put it on the chicken. You can adjust your seasonings to your liking, and start out with HALF the soy sauce, build up until you find a measure of salt you prefer.
HAVE FUN WITH THIS! DON’T CRY ABOUT IT.
Alyssa commented on Mar 17 12 at 9:25 pmMade this recipe this evening and I was disappointed. It has potential, though. I would add LESS soy sauce… maybe a couple tablespoons, NOT 1/2 CUP! It came out waaayyy too salty. I would add more honey, maybe more ketchup, or what I’m going to do next time some brown sugar. Other than that, I’ll make it again.
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