Panda Express orange chicken is one of the most popular dishes at the famous American Chinese fast food chain. It features crispy battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce. But what exactly is in this addictive chicken dish? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts of Panda Express orange chicken.
Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Panda Express orange chicken are:
Chicken
Panda Express uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for their orange chicken. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, battered and fried until crispy before being tossed in the signature orange sauce.
Batter
The crispy coating on the chicken starts with a simple batter. The batter is made with flour, water, eggs, baking powder and seasoning. This basic batter helps seal in the chicken’s juices while also creating a crispy exterior when fried.
Orange Sauce
The orange sauce is what really makes this dish stand out. It has a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy flavor. The sauce is made with:
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Orange juice
- Orange zest
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Chili paste
- Brown sugar
- Cornstarch
When combined, these ingredients create the unique flavor profile loved by millions of Panda Express fans. The sauce perfectly balances sweet and sour notes with a hint of spice.
Nutrition Facts
Now let’s look at the nutrition information in a single serving of Panda Express orange chicken:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 460 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 80mg |
| Sodium | 930mg |
| Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 16g |
| Protein | 17g |
As you can see, a single serving of orange chicken contains quite a bit of fat, sodium and cholesterol. This is expected from fast food fried chicken coated in sauce. But Panda Express prepare their dish by frying rather than deep frying, which reduces some of the fat. The protein from the chicken also helps balance out the nutritional value.
Allergens
Panda Express orange chicken contains the following major allergens:
- Wheat – from the batter
- Eggs – from the batter
- Soy – from the soy sauce in the sauce
Those with food allergies, especially to wheat, eggs or soy, should avoid this dish. There is also a small chance of cross-contact with other allergens during preparation and cooking in the kitchen.
Ingredients List
Here is the full list of ingredients in Panda Express orange chicken, in order from most to least:
- Chicken breast with rib meat, water, seasoning (soybean oil, sugar, isolated soy protein, salt, sodium phosphate, potassium chloride, natural flavor [botanical source], sodium pyrophosphate, xanthan gum, extractives of paprika), sodium phosphates.
- Batter: Water, wheat flour, soybean oil, isolated soy protein, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate), salt, soybean oil, dried egg whites, xanthan gum, extractives of paprika.
- Sauce: Sugar, soybean oil, chili paste (red chili, soybean oil, salt, garlic), rice vinegar, soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt, sugar), orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, modified food starch, garlic, ginger, orange peel.
As you can see, the main ingredients are limited and straightforward. This keeps the orange chicken relatively simple in terms of flavors while focusing on the key components.
Cooking Process
Here is an overview of how Panda Express makes their famous orange chicken:
- Cut chicken breast and thigh meat into bite-sized cubes
- Marinate chicken in a blend of seasonings
- Toss chicken in batter and fry in soybean oil until golden brown and crispy
- Heat orange sauce in woks over high heat
- Add fried chicken pieces and toss to coat in sauce
- Serve immediately or hold in a warming tray until ready to serve
The chicken is fried for a relatively short time, just until the batter becomes crispy and browned. This prevents the chicken from becoming dried out or greasy. Tossing the fried chicken in the sauce helps absorb more flavor. The high heat also allows the sauce to caramelize slightly for a richer taste.
Secret Sauce Ingredients?
Many people wonder if there are any secret or unexpected ingredients used in making Panda Express orange chicken sauce. According to all available information, there are no unusual or surprising ingredients. The sauce relies on common Asian flavors like soy sauce, ginger, garlic and chili. The recipe is not exactly simple, but it also does not contain anything too exotic or controversial.
How Is It Different from Other Orange Chicken?
While orange chicken is a popular Chinese takeout dish, Panda Express version stands apart in a few ways:
- Uses white meat chicken rather than cheaper dark meat
- Emphasizes the orange flavor more prominently
- Crispier breading from using batter vs thicker breadcrumbs
- Thicker, stickier sauce than other versions
- Contains soy and chili for added umami and heat
Their recipe was specially developed to have mass appeal and balance flavors for American tastes. The result is an orange chicken that is consistently delicious and addictive for millions of fans.
How to Make it at Home
You can recreate Panda Express orange chicken at home with this recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
- Sauce:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Toss chicken cubes in flour to coat.
- Dip floured chicken into beaten eggs.
- Heat oil to 350°F in pot or deep fryer. Fry chicken in batches 3-4 minutes until browned and crispy.
- In a saucepan, combine sauce ingredients except cornstarch and water. Whisk well.
- Stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Add to sauce and boil 1 minute until thickened.
- Add fried chicken to finished sauce. Toss to coat all pieces in sauce.
- Serve over steamed rice.
This recipe allows you to enjoy signature Panda Express orange chicken at home anytime you crave it! Adjust the chili flakes to your desired level of heat.
How Long Has Panda Express Been Serving It?
Orange chicken first appeared on the Panda Express menu over 30 years ago in 1987. It was created by Chef Andy Kao who developed innovative American Chinese dishes for the fast growing restaurant chain. The orange chicken quickly became one of Panda Express’s most popular menu items. Its crave-worthy flavors helped drive the expansion of over 2200 Panda Express locations today. It remains one of their top selling dishes after all these years.
Popularity and Fandom
Panda Express orange chicken has earned a cult-like following. Fans have created art, merchandise and online groups dedicated to their love of orange chicken. It has become a nostalgic comfort food for generations who grew up eating it. People eagerly await the introduction of any limited-time variations Panda Express creates, like orange chicken with fried shrimp or orange chicken eggrolls. Entire blogs and YouTube channels are devoted to copycat recipes and taste tests. For many Americans, orange chicken is an essential part of Chinese food and Panda Express culture.
Nutrition Controversies
Due to its high fat and sodium content, Panda Express orange chicken has come under fire at times for being unhealthy fast food. A single serving provides nearly half of the recommended daily value for sodium. Eating too much orange chicken too often may increase risks for high blood pressure and other health conditions.
However, Panda Express orange chicken can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Opting for steamed vegetable side dishes and eating reasonable portions minimizes any negative impacts. Panda Express has also worked to reduce sodium, oil and refined sugar in their menu items over the years.
Alternatives at Panda Express
For those wanting a healthier option, Panda Express has introduced grilled teriyaki chicken. This provides the savory chicken flavor without the high calories and sodium from frying in batter. Veggie options like chow mein or eggplant tofu are lower in fat and cholesterol for vegetarians. But for many orange chicken fans, nothing quite compares to the signature crunchy, sweet flavor they love.
Availability
Panda Express orange chicken is available year-round at nearly all Panda Express locations. As a staple menu item, it can be ordered in-restaurant, for takeout, delivery, or drive-thru. Panda Express is primarily located within shopping malls and airports in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Russia. Check the Panda Express website to find a location near you.
Prices
As of October 2023, Panda Express charges the following prices for orange chicken:
- Small (6 oz): $5.99
- Regular (12 oz): $8.79
- Large (22 oz): $14.39
Side dishes like fried rice or chow mein cost $2 to $5 each. Prices vary slightly by location but remain in this range. Occasional promotions may offer orange chicken at discounted prices as well.
Pairings
Orange chicken pairs well with these side dishes:
- Rice – Steamed white, brown or fried rice
- Noodles – Chow mein, lo mein
- Vegetables – Super greens, string beans, steamed broccoli
- Soup – Egg drop soup
Rice helps soak up the flavorful sauce, while noodles or veggies add freshness. Soup compliments the dish nicely. An egg roll on the side never hurts either!
Copycat Recipes
Many bloggers and food sites have developed copycat recipes to recreate the Panda Express orange chicken magic at home. Some popular variations include:
- Skinnytaste lighter orange chicken
- Damn Delicious crispy orange chicken
- Cafe Delites instant pot orange chicken
- recipetineats simpler orange chicken
- The Daring Gourmet gluten free orange chicken
These copycat recipes provide similar flavors with tweaks and shortcuts for home cooks. But true Panda Express fans insist that nothing truly compares to enjoying the real thing!
Conclusion
From its sweet tangy sauce to its crispy fried coating, Panda Express orange chicken is an iconic Asian American dish. Its popularity stems from the irresistible combination of flavors, nostalgia factor and consistent preparation. While high in fat, sodium and calories, orange chicken can be enjoyed occasionally as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Fans agree this signature sticky orange sauce over tender chicken is hard to replicate. For the ultimate crave-worthy orange chicken experience, visit your local Panda Express. But you can also satisfy the craving at home with some clever copycat recipes. Either way, orange chicken will remain a beloved menu item for generations to come.