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Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

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This slow cooker orange chicken brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home with a crispy finish and a sweet-and-tangy glaze, making it perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 490
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1½-inch pieces Thighs stay juicier.
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch Plus 1–2 tbsp for slurry.
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil Optional for searing.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup orange juice Fresh for bright flavor.
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce Use tamari for gluten-free.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or honey Adjust to taste.
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp zest of 1 orange Adds brightness.
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Optional for heat.
Garnish
  • sliced scallions
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • extra orange zest

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat chicken pieces dry and toss them in 1/2 cup cornstarch until lightly coated. Shake off excess.
  2. (Optional) Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high and brown chicken for 1–2 minutes per side.
  3. Whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, orange zest, and red pepper flakes.
Cooking
  1. Place coated (and optionally browned) chicken in the slow cooker. Pour sauce over the chicken and stir gently to combine.
  2. Cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 1.5–2 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F and is tender.
  3. About 10–15 minutes before serving, mix 1–2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken, about 5–10 minutes.
  4. For extra crunch, spread chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes or air-fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately topped with scallions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 28gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23g

Notes

For extra crispiness, use broil or air-fry as a finishing step. You can also prep the chicken and sauce the night before to save time.
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