Our easy Copycat Orange Chicken has all of the big orange flavor AND the signature crunchy texture of your favorite take-out dish but without the take-out bill! You can make this in about an hour and have a delicious dinner on the table, made with ingredients you can pronounce in your very own kitchen. Don’t be intimidated by the relatively long ingredient list, most of what’s on it you can find in your fridge and pantry already.

Copycat Orange Chicken Recipe

This Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken is one of my “go-to” recipes to get the job done when I’m craving take-out, but not the huge bill.

It costs a fortune to feed this crew when it doesn’t come from our own kitchen, so when I want to save a few bucks and cook a homemade meal that ALL the kids will actually eat (for once), I make this!

Don’t let the ingredient list scare you.

Everything is really common.

You can even skip the orange extract if you don’t have it, but I think it adds an extra kick to the flavor of this. 

There is nothing hard or complicated about this, and you can customize the sauce to your own preferences. You want it spicy? Toss in some extra chili pepper or some Sriracha.

I love using my wok to do this kind of frying. It is easy to get out of the pan, and maintains a pretty even temperature all through the oil. If you don’t have a wok, any non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron pan will work.

Make some Egg Rolls with this dish!

Orange Chicken Shopping List

Want to know what you need to pick up from the store? Check out this list. Make sure to refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the amounts and specifics.

• Chicken
• Egg
• Salt & Pepper
• White pepper
• Oil
• Cornstarch
• Flour
• Orange zest
• Gourmet Garden ginger stir-in paste (or fresh ginger)
• Gourmet Garden chunky garlic stir-in paste (or fresh garlic)
• Gourmet Garden lightly dried chili peppers (or red chili flakes)
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• White vinegar
• Orange extract (optional)
• Freshly squeezed orange juice
• Green onions

Make my Miso Brown Butter Udon sometime too!

How to make Orange Chicken at home

Orange chicken is one of my favorite dishes at Panda Express, and this recipe is one of the best homemade copycats I’ve ever tried. 

The crispy breading and sticky sweet orange sauce are the perfect mix. If you want to get an exact copy, use the Panda Express bottled Orange Chicken sauce.

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Serve with our Miso Soup!

Orange Chicken FAQ

Is Orange Chicken the same as Sesame Chicken?

Basically. The breading is the same, but the big difference here is the flavors in the sauce.

If you are looking for sesame chicken, I have a wonderful sesame chicken recipe I’d love you to check out! That version isn’t breaded, but it is super delicious and a slightly lighter version than its breaded and fried cousin.

Why does orange chicken taste so good?

For me, it is the combination of the crunchy breading over the tender chicken, and the citrusy savory sauce coating everything is like icing on this umami cake. I love this dish SO much. It is easily one of my favorites to order at Panda Express, and one of the family’s favorites for me to whip up at home. We don’t fry at home very often, so when I make this it is a special treat.

What’s the difference between orange chicken and general tso chicken?

Orange Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken are both popular Chinese-American dishes, often found on menus in Chinese restaurants in the United States. While they share some similarities, there are notable differences between the two dishes:

Orange Chicken features crispy fried pieces of chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange-flavored sauce. The sauce is made with ingredients like orange zest, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and often includes a hint of chili or red pepper flakes for a mild heat.

General Tso’s Chicken consists of deep-fried chicken pieces that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, much like orange chicken. However, the sauce is rich, slightly sweet, and has a stronger savory and umami flavor profile. It’s typically made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, vinegar, and garlic, and often includes red pepper flakes for a more pronounced heat.

The main differences between Orange Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken lie in their flavor profiles, sauce textures, heat levels, and the specific ingredients used in their respective sauces. Both dishes are beloved for their combination of crispy fried chicken and flavorful sauces, making them staples in Chinese-American cuisine.

If you like these dishes, you’ll love this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken too!

How about our Smoked Asian Chicken Salad?

More great recipes to enjoy!

• These Blackstone Teriyaki Meatballs are a delicious blend of ground pork with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other Asian-inspired spices for a savory and authentic teriyaki flavor. Perfectly grilled on a Blackstone griddle, these meatballs make a mouthwatering addition to any party or gathering.
• Tender and juicy Blackstone Pineapple Chicken is chicken breast marinated in a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce and cooked right on a Blackstone griddle. The combination of flavors is a tropical vacation for your taste buds, and the Blackstone griddle adds a delicious char and flavor to the dish.
• Fresh and flaky salmon is mixed with traditional poke ingredients like toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and green onions, then formed into patties and lightly pan-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside. These Poke Salmon Cakes are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional crab cakes.
• Large, succulent shrimp are marinated in a sweet and spicy chili sauce and grilled on a Traeger grill, imparting a delicious smoky flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness and heat of the marinade. These Traeger Sweet Chili Shrimp are perfect for a summer BBQ or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
• This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is quick to get on the table and budget-friendly. and will quickly become a family favorite!
• If you’ve never tried a Spicy Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry, you don’t know what you’re missing out on! This uses our homemade Spicy Chili Garlic Stir Fry Sauce, which can be used with almost any protein/vegetable combination in your stir fry.