Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Tender chicken air fried until crispy tossed in a homemade orange sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 6-8 oz. Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
For the orange sauce:
- 1/2 cup Fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/3 cup Brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce or tamari
- 2-3 cloves Minced garlic
- 1 tsp Fresh ginger, grated
- 1/3 cup Water + 2 tablespoons
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
Instructions
For the orange sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, orange juice, garlic, ginger, and 1/3 cup water. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Reduce heat to medium. In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch, stir until combined.
- Add the cornstarch mixture into the sauce, whisk well and allow to simmer 5-10 minutes, stirring often until thick and reduced. If the sauce is to thick, thin with a little water.
For the chicken:
- In a small bowl combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Toss the cubed chicken in the flour mixture to evenly coat*.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Once preheated, add the chicken into the air fryer basket in a single layer*. Air fry for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Chicken is done when it has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Transfer cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl, top with the sauce, and toss to combine.
- Serve over steamed rice. Leftover chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Notes
*You can also toss the chicken in a large gallon bag for even coating and less mess.
*Chicken needs to cook in a single layer in order to get crispy. If needed, cook in batches and keep warm in a 250 degree oven.
*Leftover orange chicken is best reheated in the air fryer or oven
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 3gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 0.3mgSodium: 1398mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 101IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg