The Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express
Tasty・3 minutes read
Cut thigh meat into cubes and use a wet batter with lemon agent for crispy, moist orange chicken. Panda Express Chef Andy Kao's precision in creating the dish with specific ingredients like orange juice and vinegar resulted in an iconic sweet and sour taste.
Insights
- Chef Andy Kao's testing at Panda Express in 1987 led to the creation of the iconic orange chicken recipe, emphasizing the importance of technical precision in achieving the dish's distinct sweet and sour taste.
- Using a wet batter with lemon agents like egg, corn starch, and AP flour while frying the chicken in batches at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes ensures the best texture and moisture, highlighting the significance of proper cooking techniques in replicating the original orange chicken at home.
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Recent questions
How do you make orange chicken at home?
Cut thigh meat into cubes, use wet batter, fry.
What is the origin of orange chicken?
Originated in 1987 at Panda Express by Chef Andy Kao.
What are the key ingredients in orange chicken?
Orange juice, vinegar, sesame oil, thigh meat.
How should orange chicken be cooked to perfection?
Fry in batches at 350 degrees for 6 minutes.
What makes orange chicken a popular dish?
Iconic sweet and sour taste, reminiscent of classic comfort foods.
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Summary
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Homemade orange chicken: crispy, sweet, and iconic.
- To make the original orange chicken at home, start by cutting thigh meat into one-inch cubes for the best texture and moisture. Use a wet batter with lemon agent like egg, corn starch, and AP flour for a crispy crust, frying the chicken in batches at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes to avoid overcrowding the pot and ensuring a lighter shade than desired due to post-frying darkening.
- The orange chicken recipe originated in 1987 at Panda Express, where Chef Andy Kao's testing of different batches led to its creation. The dish requires technical precision, with ingredients like orange juice and vinegar needing specific consistencies for the right flavor profile, while sesame oil adds sheen and nuttiness, creating an iconic sweet and sour taste reminiscent of classic comfort foods.
