Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired)
Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) features crispy, tender thigh pieces coated in a glossy orange glaze that balances bright citrus with soy, brown sugar, and a gentle kick of heat. Each bite is sticky, tangy, and richly savory, especially over hot steamed rice. It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner for weeknights or casual gatherings when you want takeout flavors at home.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 14 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 50 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 35
- Heart Health
- 48
- Metabolic
- 27
- Digestive
- 31
- Inflammatory
- 36
- Performance
- 36
- General Wellness
- 1
Whisk flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, salt, and white pepper together in a large bowl. Add the egg, water, and 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil, then stir to combine (the mixture will be a sticky batter). Add the chicken pieces to the batter and toss well to coat. Let the chicken rest in the refrigerator while the oil heats.
- 2
Pour peanut oil into a deep saucepan to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 375 degrees C (190 degrees F).
- 3
Meanwhile, to make the sauce: Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon canola oil and 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crushed red pepper, ginger, and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the brown sugar, orange juice, vinegar, and soy sauce; bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.
- 4
Combine 3 tablespoons cold water with 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl and stir until the cornstarch dissolves. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and keep warm while the chicken cooks.
- 5
Working in batches, carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. The oil temperature will drop when the food is added. Cook the chicken at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack set over paper towels. Bring the oil temperature back up to 365 to 375 degrees F (185 to 190 degrees C) and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- 6
Return the sauce to medium heat; add a little water if needed if the sauce becomes too thick. Once hot, add the cooked chicken pieces and toss well to coat. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and the orange zest, then serve over hot cooked rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Calories 864.91 kcal High 43%
- Protein 40.38 g Good Source 81%
- Carbohydrate 126.19 g 46%
- Total Fat 19.99 g High 26%
- Saturated Fat 4.77 g High 24%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 173.65 mg High 58%
- Sodium 442.79 mg Moderate 19%
- Dietary Fiber 2.79 g Low Source 10%
- Total Sugars 10.68 g --
- Added Sugars 1.66 g Low Source 3%
- Calcium 15.29 mg Low Source 1%
- Iron 6.64 mg Good Source 37%
- Potassium 164.27 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 13.59 mcg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin C 5.62 mg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin D 0.16 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Peanuts 🥜
- Eggs 🥚
- Soy 🌱
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Sesame
- Corn 🌽
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Restaurant Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) is made with 20 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 40 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Brown Sugar, and Cornstarch. Each serving provides about 864.91 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Brown Sugar, Cornstarch, Eggs. The full list of 20 is above.
- How long does it take to make Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired)?
- About 40 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 864.91 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 20 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) healthy?
- Restaurant-Style Orange Chicken (Panda Express Inspired) has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 864.91 calories and 40.38 g of protein, or 81% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 442.79 mg (19% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.77 g (24% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Peanuts, Eggs, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Sesame, Corn, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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