Air Fryer Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

This Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe In The Air Fryer is a homemade version of the bite-sized pieces of coated chicken you get from a Chinese restaurant. Each crispy bite of cubed chicken with tangy orange sauce makes the most delicious meal or side dish.

If you’re a fan of Chinese takeout, chances are you’ve tried Panda Express’s signature Orange Chicken. With its crispy exterior and sweet, tangy and sticky orange sauce, it’s no wonder why this dish is a fan favorite.

What if you could recreate this dish at home in your air fryer? Not only is it healthier than deep frying, but it’s also quick and easy to make.

This is such a great recipe to make ahead for a busy weeknight. It’s also fairly quick to whip up on the spot since the chicken cooks so quickly during the air frying process.

If you love easy air fryer meals you should also try my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Burgers and my Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers (Healthy & Easy).

INGREDIENTS FOR THE ORANGE CRISPY CHICKEN

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the orange chicken sauce (the exact measurements and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Gluten-free flour
• Corn starch
• Eggs
• Orange juice
• White sugar – or brown sugar.
• Rice vinegar
• Regular soy sauce – can substitute for coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce.
• Ginger powder – or fresh ginger.
• Fresh garlic cloves – or garlic powder.
• Red chili flakes
• Salt and black pepper
• Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
• Serve it with brown rice, white rice or cauliflower rice.
• Optional sauce ingredients – orange zest from fresh oranges, sesame oil, white vinegar, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THIS AIR FRYER ORANGE CHICKEN RECIPE

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Chop your chicken up into bite size pieces.

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and cornstarch. Put the eggs in a second bowl, and line the air fryer basket with a parchment paper liner or a silicone liner if using.

Dunk each chicken piece in the flour cornstarch mixture, then into the egg, then back into the flour until it’s completely coated. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.

Add them to the air fryer basket in a single layer, with a little space in between. You may need to cook the chicken in 2 batches.

Spray or brush the chicken pieces with olive oil or cooking spray so that all of the flour is wet.

Air fry at 400ºF for 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces over, spray or brush with more oil, and fry for 6 to 8 more minutes at 400ºF, until golden brown and crisp.

While the chicken is air frying, make the sauce. In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to orange sauce and whisk together.

Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add orange zest.

When the chicken is done, toss the chicken and sauce mixture together in a bowl to coat the chicken pieces well. Serve hot, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken made in the air fryer!

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER ORANGE CHICKEN

1. Let the chicken cool down to room temperature before storing it. This will prevent moisture buildup and keep the chicken crispy.
2. Place the chicken in an airtight container. You can also use a resealable plastic bag if you don’t have a container. Make sure the container or bag is big enough to hold the chicken without crushing it.
3. Label the container or bag with the date you cooked the chicken. This will help you keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.
4. Store the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
5. When you’re ready to eat the chicken, reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes until it’s heated through and crispy again.

CAN I BAKE THIS EASY AIR FRYER ORANGE CHICKEN IN THE OVEN?

Yes you can, the cooking time will just be slightly different.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice mixture. Place the cooked chicken on a baking sheet and pour the orange juice mixture over it.

Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Flip the chicken pieces and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Other Delicious Savoury Meals You May Want To Try!

• Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
• KFC Style Popcorn Chicken (Vegan)
• Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme
• Viral TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl With Seaweed
• The Best Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (Gluten Free, Healthy)

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Yield: 6 servings

Air Fryer Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

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This Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe In The Air Fryer is a homemade version of the bite-sized pieces of coated chicken you get from a Chinese restaurant. Each crispy bite of cubed chicken with tangy orange sauce makes the most delicious meal or side dish.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 27 minutes

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN

• 3/4 cup gluten free flour or regular all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 lbs chicken, cut into bite size pieces

FOR THE ORANGE SAUCE

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water
• orange zest from 1 orange

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Chop your chicken up into bite size pieces.
2. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and cornstarch. Put the eggs in a second bowl, and line the air fryer basket with a parchment paper liner or a silicone liner if using.
3. Dunk each chicken piece in the flour cornstarch mixture, then into the egg, then back into the flour until it's completely coated. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
4. Add them to the air fryer basket in a single layer, with a little space in between. You may need to cook the chicken in 2 batches.
5. Spray or brush the chicken pieces with olive oil or cooking spray so that all of the flour is wet.
6. Air fry at 400ºF for 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces over, spray with more oil, and fry for 6 to 8 more minutes at 400ºF, until golden brown and crisp.
7. While the chicken is air frying, make the sauce. In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
8. In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to orange sauce and whisk together.
9. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add orange zest.
10. When the chicken is done, toss the chicken and sauce mixture together in a bowl to coat the chicken pieces well. Serve hot, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 477Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 400mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 32g

The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.

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