Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe (Better Than Takeout!)

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If you’ve ever wished you could recreate that crave-worthy Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe at home, you’re in for a treat.

This isn’t just another copycat meal—it’s your ticket to sweet, tangy, crispy perfection that tastes just like takeout (maybe even better!).

Learn exactly how to make a tender, golden chicken recipe tossed in a glossy orange glaze that delivers that signature blend of citrus and heat.

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What are the ingredients in Panda Express orange chicken?

Orange marmalade – Adds the sweet, citrusy flavor that makes this dish shine.
BBQ sauce – Brings smoky depth and a touch of tang to balance the sweetness.
Ground ginger – Provides warmth and a hint of spice.
Minced garlic – Adds bold, savory flavor.
Sesame oil – Enhances richness and gives that classic takeout aroma.
Red pepper flakes – Add a little heat for balance and flavor contrast.
Rice wine vinegar & soy sauce – Help create a perfectly balanced, glossy sauce.
Vegetable oil – Used for cooking the chicken until tender and flavorful.
Sesame seeds & green onions – Simple garnishes that add texture, freshness, and restaurant-style presentation.

A top-down view of bowls containing ground meat, orange marmalade, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, vinegar, oil, minced garlic with spices, and sesame seeds, all arranged neatly on a white surface.

How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken

Start by browning the ground chicken in a skillet with a bit of oil until fully cooked.
While it cooks, whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce to make the tangy orange glaze.
Once the chicken is done, pour the sauce over it and let it simmer until thick and glossy.
Finish with sesame seeds, orange zest, or green onions for a fresh touch.

Four-step process inspired by the Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe: 1. Cook ground meat in a skillet. 2. Pour barbecue sauce over orange marmalade in a bowl. 3. Add garlic and spices to the sauce. 4. Mix all ingredients into a thick, flavorful sauce.

A three-step collage showing ground meat in a skillet with sauce being poured in, then mixed, followed by a close-up of the cooked saucy meat—perfect for recreating the flavors of Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe at home.

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A white plate with Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe and rice, garnished with sliced green onions. In the background, a skillet with more orange chicken and a whole orange are visible on a light-colored cloth.

What to Serve with Orange Chicken

Pair your dinner recipe with classic side dishes to make it a full meal:

Steamed white rice or jasmine rice – The perfect base to soak up all that sweet and tangy sauce.
Fried rice – A flavorful upgrade with veggies, eggs, and soy sauce.
Lo mein or chow mein noodles – Add a chewy, savory side that complements the sticky glaze.
Steamed or roasted broccoli – A fresh, crunchy contrast to the rich chicken.
Egg rolls or spring rolls – Crispy, golden appetizers that complete the takeout experience.
Asian cucumber salad – Light and refreshing with a hint of sesame and rice vinegar.

A close-up of a plate with crispy glazed pieces of meat, topped with sliced green onions, served on a bed of white rice. The dish has a glossy, brown sauce and is presented on a white plate.

Can I freeze orange chicken?

Yes, let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge before reheating.

How do I get the sauce to thicken?

If the sauce is too thin, simmer a few minutes longer or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).

Can I use a different protein?

Yes! This recipe works just as well with ground turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a lighter option.

Skip the takeout and recreate your favorite restaurant flavors at home with this easy, family-friendly copycat recipe pack—simple ingredients, clear instructions, and comfort-food wins you’ll make on repeat.

Orange Chicken Panda Express Recipe

Craving takeout? Try this easy Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe with a zesty, sticky glaze and tender chicken everyone will love

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken, Orange Chicken panda Express Recipe, Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Author: momma lew

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil as needed
1 lb Ground Chicken
1 cup Orange Marmalade
½ cup BBQ Sauce
1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
½ teaspoon Red Chile Flakes or more to taste
1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
2 teaspoons Rice Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons Soy Sauce
Sesame Seeds optional garnish
Green Onions optional garnish

Instructions

In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
Once hot, add the ground chicken and cook until no longer pink, using a spatula to break it up occasionally. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine orange marmalade, bbq sauce, ginger, red chile flakes, minced garlic, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar and soy sauce.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, add the marmalade mixture. Stir to coat and allow mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes until reduced by half and the mixture resembles a thick glaze, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust, as desired.
Serve garnished with sesame seeds or sliced green onions.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

What are the ingredients in Panda Express orange chicken?