Air Fryer Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

This Air Fryer Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe is my take on the ever popular Panda Express Recipe. Within 15 minutes, you can have this great copycat recipe, smothered in the orange sauce. Serve over white rice, for a complete meal.

If you love Panda Express, you will love my Copycat Panda Express’s Orange Chicken Recipe. Made in the air fryer, each chicken bites is cooked to perfection. This will soon become one of your favorites!

So, the next time you are looking for a quick air fryer dinner, for a busy weeknight, try this recipe, it’s truly amazing!

For even more Easy Air Fryer Meals, try my recipe for Air Fryer Shrimp On The Barbie (Outback Copycat, Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp, or Air Fryer Country Style Ribs.

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Crispy Chicken Bites
• Chicken Cooks Amazing!
• Sticky Orange Sauce
• Healthier Alternative Than Takeout
• Better Than Your Local Chinese Restaurant
• Great For Busy Weeknights

Ingredients Needed For The Orange Crispy Chicken

It’s no secret that Panda Express’ Orange Chicken is a fan favorite! Here are the simple ingredients, you will need:

Remember the step-by-step instructions are at the bottom of the page, the printable recipe card.

• Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken tenderloins
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour
• Potato Starch: You can substitute cornstarch
• Eggs: Use large, room-temperature eggs
• Panko Bread Crumbs: You can substitute pork rinds for a low-carb and keto-friendly option.
• Seasonings and Spices: Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Ginger Powder
• Orange Sauce Ingredients: Butter, Ginger, Minced Garlic, Orange Zest, Orange Marmalade, Orange Juice, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, and Cornstarch.
• Oil: use olive oil or sesame oil.

How To Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Step One: Prepare The Chicken Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken into 1” bite-sized pieces and place the chicken pieces into a bowl.  Remove as much mixture as possible with a paper towel or kitchen towel.

Step Two: Prepare Your Breading Stations Add the all-purpose flour and potato starch (or corn starch) in a large bowl, and divide the mixture in half between the two bowls. Whisk the egg mixture, eggs, and cold water in a third bowl. The fourth bowl combines panko bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and ginger powder.

Step Three: Bread Chicken Working in batches of 4-5, coat chicken in cornstarch mixture, then dip into eggs. Allow excess egg to drip off, then dip into the 2nd flour bowl. Dredge in eggs again, then roll chicken in the panko bread mixture. 

Step Four: Air Fry Orange Chicken Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Then, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper (placed after you preheat your air fryer) and spray foil or parchment paper with non-stick spray. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Spray the chicken batter with cooking spray, or brush with olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stopping halfway through to turn. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the chicken is golden brown.

Step Five: Prepare The Famous Panda Express Orange Sauce While the chicken is cooking, prepare the orange sauce. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic, ginger, and orange zest and cook for 1 minute until the tangy sauce comes to a slow boil. In a medium bowl, combine the orange marmalade, orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. Whisk until smooth, then add the mixture to the saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat until boiling, then lower to a simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired. 

Step Six: Toss The Chicken Remove the chicken from the air fryer and toss in the sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and orange zest. If you want to return the coated chicken back into the air fryer, you can air fry it for a couple of minutes.

Air fryer panda express orange chicken recipe tips

• Crispy Chicken: Make sure to brush a little oil over the chicken’s coating to crisp up; otherwise, you may be left with a white spot or traces of the flour mixture.
• Cooking Time: The Cook time will vary from air fryer to air fryer. The only true way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer.
• Spiciness and Heat: If you want to increase sauce heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper or garlic powder. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, or white vinegar to make the orange sauce sweeter.
• Cut Your Chicken: Dry your chicken with paper towels in similar-sized pieces.

How To Store Leftover Orange Chicken

Storing orange chicken is a breeze!

• Cool Down: Allow the orange chicken to cool to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation in the container.
• Use an Airtight Container: Transfer the leftover orange chicken to an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the chicken from absorbing odors from the fridge.
• Refrigerate: Store the container in the refrigerator. Leftover orange chicken is best consumed within 3-4 days.
• Freezing Option: If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the orange chicken. Place it in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheating orange chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get the same delicious flavor and texture as when it was freshly cooked.

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C).
• Place the desired amount of orange chicken into the air fryer basket and spread them out evenly so they cook evenly on all sides. For best results, don’t overcrowd the basket.
• Set the timer for 4-5 minutes and let it cook. Check on the chicken after a few minutes and give it a shake to ensure even cooking.
• When it is done, remove it from the air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your air-fried orange chicken with some of these tasty accompaniments:

• Air Fryer Fried Rice, Noodles, Veggies, Salad, or Fruit.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Crack Chicken
• Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

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