Description
Enjoy a healthier version of the popular Panda Express Orange Chicken with this Baked Orange Chicken recipe. It delivers the perfect balance of zesty, sweet, and savory flavors wrapped around tender, crispy baked chicken pieces coated in a sticky, authentic copycat orange sauce. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort, this recipe replaces frying with baking to reduce oil while maintaining maximum flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Orange Sauce
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple syrup for low-sugar option)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until evenly coated. This dry coating helps create a crispy texture when baked.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crispiness and juicy insides.
- Make the Orange Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook gently until the sauce thickens slightly into a glossy glaze, about 7-10 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: When the chicken is golden and cooked through, transfer it to a large bowl and toss gently with the warm orange sauce, coating each piece evenly with the sticky glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately with your favorite sides such as steamed jasmine rice and sautéed vegetables.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before coating to ensure the cornstarch sticks well and yields extra crispy texture.
- Use fresh orange juice for the best vibrant citrus flavor in the sauce; bottled juice lacks brightness.
- Don’t skip the baking powder—it’s essential for creating the light crunch without frying.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid bitterness and over-thickening.
- Toss the chicken quickly and gently with the sauce to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: baked orange chicken, Panda Express copycat, orange chicken sauce, healthy orange chicken, baked chicken recipe, gluten-free orange chicken
