Mia Patel
Panda Express has long been a staple of American fast food, serving Chinese-inspired dishes to millions. Among their vast menu offerings, one item has long been a fan favorite: Orange Chicken. Created in the early 1980s by Panda Express co-founder Chef Andrew Cherng, the dish combines savory flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger with the sweetness of orange juice. While the recipe is a closely guarded secret, attempts to replicate it have been made, with varying degrees of success. The key to a great homemade version lies in achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. Over the years, Panda Express has introduced variations, including a plant-based option and a spicier version. Despite some complaints of a decline in quality, Orange Chicken remains an iconic symbol of Panda Express's culinary prowess.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipe | Cut chicken into 1x1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, stir egg, salt, pepper, and oil. Mix well and set aside. In another bowl, stir cornstarch and flour. Dip chicken into egg mixture, then flour mixture. Heat oil in a wok or deep fryer to 350-375˚F. Fry chicken for 3-6 minutes until golden brown. Combine soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest. Add ginger, garlic, red chili pepper flakes, and green onions. Stir-fry until fragrant. |
| Taste | Tangy, flavorful, sweet, and spicy. |
| Availability | Available at Panda Express locations across the US. |
| Customization | Panda Express accommodates customizations and substitutions. |
| Recipe secrecy | Panda Express has not revealed its recipe, citing it as a trade secret. |
| Popularity | Orange Chicken is an iconic, beloved dish and a cultural phenomenon among Panda Express customers. |
| Calories | 392kcal |
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What You'll Learn
The recipe for Panda Express orange chicken
While Panda Express has never publicly released its recipe for orange chicken, there are several "copycat" recipes available online. The key to a great homemade orange chicken lies in achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, so feel free to experiment and tweak ingredients and cooking methods to suit your personal taste preferences.
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Egg
- Salt
- White pepper
- Oil
- Cornstarch
- Flour
- Soy sauce
- Orange juice
- Brown sugar
- Orange zest
- Gingerroot
- Garlic
- Crushed red chilli pepper flakes
- Green onions
- Sesame oil
- Rice
- Sesame seeds
Method
- Cut chicken into 1x1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together egg, salt, pepper, and oil. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, stir together cornstarch and flour.
- Heat oil in a wok or deep fryer to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dip chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Add chicken to the wok in small batches and fry for 3 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove chicken from oil and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
- To make the sauce, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the skillet and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in brown sugar, orange juice, vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir until dissolved. Pour this mixture into the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil again and then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce and toss well to coat.
- Stir in sesame oil and orange zest and serve over hot cooked rice.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
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The history of the dish
The history of Panda Express' Orange Chicken dates back to the early 1980s when co-founder Chef Andrew Cherng created the recipe as a unique twist on traditional Chinese cooking. The dish was an instant hit, with customers flocking to Panda Express locations across the country to taste the magic of Orange Chicken. Over the years, it became an integral part of Panda Express's identity and a cultural phenomenon, with enthusiasts raving about it on social media.
Chef Andrew Cherng's innovative approach blended the savory flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger with the sweetness of orange juice, creating a dish that was both familiar and exotic. The result was a wok-seared delight of crispy and juicy chicken pieces smothered in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce. The key to the success of this dish lay in achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors.
The recipe for Panda Express' Orange Chicken is a closely guarded secret, with the company considering it their trade secret. This has led to a lot of speculation and attempts to reverse-engineer the recipe by enthusiasts and high-profile chefs or food bloggers. While some have claimed to have replicated the taste, others have found it challenging to get the same distinct flavor.
The popularity of Panda Express' Orange Chicken has led to it becoming a staple on the menu, alongside other dishes like Beijing Beef and Kung Pao Chicken. In recent years, however, loyal customers have noticed a decline in the quality and consistency of the dish, with complaints about changes to the sauce and the overall taste. Despite this, Panda Express' Orange Chicken remains an iconic symbol of the chain's culinary prowess.
In addition to the classic Orange Chicken, Panda Express has also introduced variations such as the Beyond Original Orange Chicken, a plant-based option that offers the same addictive flavor. The chain has also experimented with spice levels, introducing a Hot Orange Chicken that includes dried chilies for a slight burning sensation.
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The cultural phenomenon of orange chicken
Orange chicken has become a cultural phenomenon at Panda Express, with a passionate fan base and a mysterious recipe that has kept customers guessing for years. The dish was created in the early 1980s by Panda Express co-founder Chef Andrew Cherng, who wanted to put a unique twist on traditional Chinese cooking. The result was an instant hit, and orange chicken soon became an integral part of the Panda Express identity.
The recipe is a closely guarded secret, with the company taking extensive measures to protect its intellectual property. This has only added to the allure of the dish, with high-profile chefs and food bloggers attempting to reverse-engineer the recipe, and customers speculating about the ingredients. The key to the dish's success seems to lie in the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours, with a tangy, zesty orange sauce and crispy chicken pieces.
Over the years, Panda Express has occasionally changed the recipe, causing uproar among its loyal fan base. Some enthusiasts have complained that the sauce has become overly sweet and syrupy, while others have praised the addition of spice to the dish. Despite these changes, orange chicken remains a beloved menu item, with customers continuing to rave about it on social media and sharing photos and reviews.
The popularity of orange chicken has also led to the creation of plant-based alternatives, such as the Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, which was introduced in 2022 to cater to those looking for a vegetarian option. This dish also received a positive response, with customers enjoying the addictive flavour they know and love in a plant-based form.
In conclusion, the cultural phenomenon of orange chicken at Panda Express can be attributed to the unique and addictive flavours of the dish, the mystery surrounding its recipe, and the passionate fan base that has helped to spread its popularity through word-of-mouth and social media.
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The decline in quality and consistency of the dish
For over three decades, Panda Express has been a staple of American fast food, serving Chinese-inspired dishes to millions. Among its vast menu offerings, one item has long been a favorite: Orange Chicken. This beloved dish, a wok-seared delight of crispy and juicy chicken pieces smothered in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce, has become an iconic symbol of Panda Express’s culinary prowess.
However, in recent years, fans of the Orange Chicken have noticed a decline in the quality and consistency of the dish. Social media forums and review sites are filled with disgruntled fans lamenting the changes to their beloved dish. Some common complaints include changes to the sauce. Many fans claim that the once-tangy and sweet Orange Chicken sauce has become overly sweet and syrupy, overpowering the flavors of the chicken.
The exact recipe for Panda Express's Orange Chicken is a closely guarded secret, and the company has taken extensive measures to protect its intellectual property. While some have attempted to reverse-engineer the recipe, they have not been able to replicate the exact taste. This could have contributed to the decline in quality and consistency, as small changes to the recipe can have a significant impact on the final product.
Additionally, Panda Express may have made changes to the ingredients or preparation methods to reduce costs or streamline production, which could also contribute to the perceived decline in quality. It is also possible that the recipe has remained the same, but due to the natural variation in ingredients or cooking techniques, the consistency of the dish may vary from location to location or between different cooks.
Furthermore, taste preferences may have changed since the dish was first introduced, and what was once considered a sweet and tangy sauce may now be perceived as overly sweet by modern palates, which prefer more balanced or savory flavors. Competition from other restaurants offering similar dishes or plant-based alternatives could also have contributed to the perceived decline in quality, as customers now have more options to choose from.
To conclude, the decline in quality and consistency of Panda Express's Orange Chicken can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changes to the recipe, variations in ingredients or cooking techniques, evolving taste preferences, and increased competition in the market. While the exact reasons may remain a mystery, it is clear that the dish has not lived up to its former glory in the eyes of many loyal customers.
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The secret recipe
The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, and seasoned with salt and white pepper. It is then coated in a batter of egg, water, oil, cornstarch, and flour, and deep-fried until golden brown. The sauce is a combination of soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest, with aromatics like ginger, garlic, and chilli pepper flakes. The fried chicken pieces are then coated in this sauce.
Some home cooks have suggested using chicken thighs, as this is what Panda Express uses, and that the key to a great orange chicken is achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours. The sauce should be tangy and not too sweet, with a slight spiciness.
Despite the efforts of enthusiasts to reverse-engineer the recipe, Panda Express has kept the exact specifications a secret, ensuring their product remains unique. This has only added to the mystique of the dish, with customers continuing to speculate and dream up their own recipes.
While the true recipe remains a secret, home cooks can experiment with their own versions, tweaking ingredients and methods to suit their tastes and coming closer to replicating the iconic dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Panda Express Orange Chicken is a Chinese-inspired dish consisting of crispy and juicy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce.
To make Panda Express Orange Chicken, you will need to cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, coat them in a batter of egg, flour, and cornstarch, and then deep-fry or shallow fry until golden brown. The sauce is made by combining soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest.
Orange Chicken has been a staple on the Panda Express menu for over three decades. It was created in the early 1980s by co-founder Chef Andrew Cherng, who blended savory flavors with the sweetness of orange juice. It has become an iconic dish that is loved by customers.
While Panda Express has not revealed their secret recipe, some customers have noticed a decline in the quality and consistency of the Orange Chicken in recent years. There have been complaints about changes to the sauce, with some claiming it has become overly sweet and syrupy.
Yes, Panda Express introduced a plant-based version of their signature Orange Chicken called "Beyond The Original Orange Chicken." It was initially launched as a limited-time offering, but it may expand to additional locations if consumer enthusiasm continues.
