This easy orange chicken recipe brings the sweet and tangy flavors of your favorite takeout dish straight to your kitchen. With crispy chicken coated in a delicious orange sauce, it’s made with simple ingredients that deliver bold flavor. Serve over rice for the perfect homemade meal that’s sure to impress.
I have always enjoyed orange chicken from Panda Express. But instead of driving to pick it up, I thought I would make it myself. After some experimenting in the kitchen, I recreated that same delicious balance of crispy chicken and zesty sauce but with a homemade twist.
Making Panda Express at Home with the Classic Orange Flavor
If you love the bold, citrusy flavor of Panda Express orange chicken, this homemade version is a must-try. The sauce is packed with fresh orange zest, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness to replicate that signature taste. You can control the ingredients, making it a fresher and better option.
Many will Love this Recipe just like the Takeout
This recipe captures everything people love about takeout orange chicken: crispy, flavorful, and coated in a rich, glossy sauce. It’s easy to customize, whether you like it extra saucy, spicier, or with a lighter touch of sweetness. Best of all, you get that same delicious experience without leaving your kitchen, even having it with a homemade side like onion rings chips.
Using an Air Fryer to Cook the Chicken
Using an air fryer for orange chicken gives you that crispy, golden texture without the need for deep frying. It uses hot air circulation to cook the chicken evenly, making it crunchy on and juicy. It is a mess-free option, cutting down on oil while still delivering all the deliciousness of takeout-style orange chicken.
Your Easy-Peasy Guide to Cook Orange Chicken Recipe
Enjoy a delicious homemade orange chicken with this simple guide. Coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, this dish offers the perfect balance of flavor and crunch, all cooked to perfection.
Kitchen Must-Haves
- Air Fryer: An air fryer gives your orange chicken a crispy, golden coating without deep frying. It uses hot air circulation to cook evenly while keeping the inside juicy.
- Tongs: Tongs make flipping and handling the chicken easy without making a mess. They ensure that the chicken is even cooked and help coat the chicken evenly with sauce.
- Bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for coating the chicken with egg, cream, and breadcrumbs. It keeps everything contained and makes cleanup simple.
Grab these Ingredients
- Chicken Breast (boneless): A boneless chicken breast is lean, tender, and perfect for absorbing flavors. It cooks quickly in the air fryer, making it an easy protein choice.
- Egg: A beaten egg helps bind the breadcrumbs to the chicken for a crispy coating. It also adds a bit of richness to the texture.
- Cream (heavy type): Heavy cream adds moisture and helps create a crisp, golden crust. It enhances the flavor while keeping the chicken juicy inside.
- Bread Crumbs: Bread crumbs provide a crunchy coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. They add texture and help hold the sauce better.
- Olive Oil: A light drizzle of olive oil helps achieve a golden, crispy finish. It also adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: These simple seasonings enhance all the other flavors in the dish. A little goes a long way in balancing taste.
- Sauce for Orange Chicken: The star of the dish, orange sauce gives the chicken a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. It caramelizes beautifully when tossed with crispy chicken.
- Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds add a nutty crunch and a hint of earthiness. They make the dish look even more appetizing.
- Green Onions: Green onions bring a fresh, slightly sharp contrast to the sweet orange sauce. They add color and a mild oniony bite to the final dish.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Make Orange Chicken with Orange Sauce
First: Gather Your Ingredients
Begin by collecting all the necessary ingredients for your chicken dish. Prepare the chicken by cutting it into bite-sized pieces to make the cooking process quicker. Having everything ready will make the process much smoother and hassle-free.
Second: Set Up Dry and Wet Coatings
In one bowl, combine your dry ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream for the wet coating. These two mixtures will create the perfect crispy exterior for your chicken.
Third: Coat the Chicken Pieces
Dip each chicken piece into the wet mixture first, followed by the dry coating, making sure it’s evenly covered. Repeat this for all chicken pieces, ensuring no part is left uncovered. This double-coating technique ensures a golden and crispy finish.
Fourth: Air Fry the Chicken
Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil for an extra crispy texture. Set the air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) and cook the chicken for 10 minutes.
Five: Flip and Coat with Sauce
After 10 minutes, flip the chicken pieces to ensure they are evenly browned and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes. Once fully cooked, pour your homemade orange sauce over the chicken, coating each piece. Top with sesame seeds and green onions for added flavor and a fresh finish.
Handy Tips for Tasty Wins:
- Perfect Crispy Coating: For extra crispiness, coat the chicken before frying. Double-fry the chicken for a super crispy texture.
- Balancing the Sauce: If the sauce is too sweet or tangy for your liking, adjust it by adding a bit of soy sauce for saltiness or honey for extra sweetness. Taste as you go to get the perfect balance of flavors.
- Making it Ahead of Time: You can prep and coat the chicken, storing it in the fridge until ready to fry. This allows you to save time on busy days and enjoy a freshly cooked dish.
Your Questions, My Answers
What are the Pairings to Try with this Popular Recipe?
Orange chicken pairs wonderfully with simple fried rice from cauliflower, crispy veggies, or a fresh side of kale and Parmesan salad. You can also try serving it with tofu noodles soup or a light citrusy slaw to complement the zesty sauce. Add a side of garlic green beans or sautéed broccoli for a complete meal.
To store leftover orange chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan on low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. Be sure to separate the sauce from the chicken to maintain crispiness.
How to Freeze Crispy Chicken with Orange Chicken Sauce?
Place the cooked chicken in an airtight container and freeze the sauce separately. When ready to enjoy, reheat the sauce in a pan and drizzle it over the chicken to keep it crispy. This will help maintain the texture of the chicken while still allowing you to enjoy the flavor of the sauce.
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Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Piece Chicken Breast boneless
- 1 Piece Egg beaten
- 1 Tablespoon Cream heavy type
- 1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Sauce for Orange Chicken prepared
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds as topping
- 3 Tablespoons Green Onions finely chopped, for topping
Video
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and measure out breadcrumbs, egg, and cream so everything is within reach before cooking.
- Mix breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in one bowl, and whisk egg with heavy cream in another to create your coating stations.
- Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs until evenly covered for a crisp, golden exterior.
- Arrange coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray lightly with oil, and cook at 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken, cook another 5–10 minutes, then toss with orange sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
- Perfect Crispy Coating: For extra crispiness, coat the chicken before frying. Double-fry the chicken for a super crispy texture.
- Balancing the Sauce: If the sauce is too sweet or tangy for your liking, adjust it by adding a bit of soy sauce for saltiness or honey for extra sweetness. Taste as you go to get the perfect balance of flavors.
- Making it Ahead of Time: You can prep and coat the chicken, storing it in the fridge until ready to fry. This allows you to save time on busy days and enjoy a freshly cooked dish.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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