Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe (Copycat)

If you love the sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced flavor of Panda Express Orange Chicken, this Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need. Made with simple pantry ingredients like orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and brown sugar, this homemade copycat sauce delivers the same bold citrus flavor and glossy finish as the restaurant favorite. Whether you’re coating crispy chicken, drizzling it over stir-fried vegetables, or serving it with steamed rice, this easy sauce recipe will bring authentic takeout flavor straight to your kitchen.

Making restaurant-style copycat sauces at home is a simple way to elevate your favorite dishes. If you enjoy preparing delicious homemade glazes and dips, check out our Raising Cane’s Sauce Recipe for a creamy, savory option.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce Ingredients

To make this famous copycat dish, you will need ingredients for the signature orange glaze as well as the crispy chicken base.

For the Copycat Orange Sauce:

• Orange Juice: 1/3 cup (freshly squeezed orange juice is best for a bright, authentic citrus flavor).
• Orange Zest: 1 teaspoon (adds essential oils and intense citrus aroma).
• White Sugar: 1 tablespoon (provides the classic sweetness that balances the acidity).
• Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon (adds the clean, sharp tang characteristic of Asian sauces).
• Soy Sauce: 1 1/2 tablespoons (adds saltiness, color, and savory depth).
• Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon (provides a rich, nutty finish).
• Cornstarch & Water: 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.

For the Crispy Chicken & Batter:

• Chicken Breasts: 2 medium boneless, skinless breasts (diced into bite-sized 1-inch pieces).
• Egg: 1 large egg (helps bind the cornstarch coating to the chicken).
• Cornstarch: 1/4 cup (gives the chicken its signature light and crispy shell).
• All-Purpose Flour: 1/3 cup (creates a crunchier batter when combined with the cornstarch).
• Salt & Pepper: A pinch of each to season the chicken before coating.
• Oil: High smoke-point oil (like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil) for shallow or deep frying.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to prepare this quick recipe:

• Mixing Bowls: One medium bowl to marinate the chicken and one small bowl to whisk the sauce base.
• Wok or Deep Skillet: For frying the chicken pieces and tossing them with the glaze.
• Whisk & Spatula: To stir the sauce slurry and toss the chicken evenly.
• Paper Towels & Plate: To drain excess oil from the crispy chicken before glazing.

How To Make Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce at Home

Making this copycat sauce is incredibly simple, and when combined with crispy, golden chicken pieces, it creates the ultimate takeout experience. Here is the step-by-step process to make the sauce and assemble your orange chicken at home:

Step 1 | Prep and Marinate Chicken

Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and stir until they are evenly coated. Place in the refrigerator while you prepare the sauce ingredients.

Step 2 | Prepare Batter and Coat

In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, white sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil to set aside as the sauce base. Retrieve the marinated chicken from the fridge, sprinkle the all-purpose flour over it, and toss well until each piece is coated in a sticky batter.

Step 3 | Fry the Chicken

Heat a generous amount of oil in a wok or deep skillet over high heat. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces one by one to prevent sticking. Fry for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 4 | Simmer and Toss in Sauce

Discard excess oil from the pan. Return the pan to medium heat, pour in the orange sauce base, and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). Once the sauce starts to thicken and turn glossy, add the crispy fried chicken back to the pan and toss vigorously until all pieces are completely glazed. Serve immediately over steamed white rice, similar to our takeout-favorite Pick Up Stix House Special Chicken Recipe.