Orange Chicken (Panda Express)

I made this recipe because my planned recipe was not to be (apparently I'm out of Mayo).  I had a lot of rice made and chicken thawed, so I tried to a recipe that would cater to that.  It turned out to be a happy misfortune that our Bang Bang Chicken didn't work out tonight because we all really liked this Orange Chicken.  It does taste a lot like the Orange Chicken at Panda Express.  The fact that it doesn't list mystery meat as an ingredient makes it just a bit different than Panda's recipe. ;)

This calls for orange zest, of which I had none, so I subbed 8-14 drops Wild Orange essential oil.  Since essential oils require one to take out a second mortgage to purchase them, I'm planning on trying the orange zest next time.

Orange Chicken (Panda Express)

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN:

·         2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces

·         1 eggs

·         1 1/2 tsp salt

·         1 pinch black pepper

·         2 tbsp oil divided, plus more for frying

·         1/2 cup cornstarch

·         1/4 cup flour

FOR THE SAUCE:

·         1 tablespoon cornstarch

·         2 tablespoons orange juice

·         1/4 cup water

·         1 teaspoon sesame oil

·         3 tablespoons soy sauce

·         10 tablespoons sugar

·         10 tablespoons white vinegar

·         zest of 1 orange (or 8-14 drops DoTerra Wild Orange Essential Oil)

TO FINISH:

·         1 1/2 tablespoons ginger root minced

·         2 teaspoons garlic minced

·         1/2 tsp hot red chili pepper crushed

Instructions

1.      To make the sauce combine the 1 tablespoon cornstarch, rice wine, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar and orange zest.

2.      To coat the chicken add the egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil into a bowl and whisk together in a large bowl.

3.      In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch and flour and mix well.

4.      In a large frying pan or a wok, heat oil in a wok 375 degrees.

5.      Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture.

6.      Fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp.

7.      Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.

8.      When you are done with the chicken, drain most of the oil from the pan (leave about a tablespoon).

9.      Add the ginger, garlic and crushed red peppers, cooking for about 10 seconds.

10.  Add the orange sauce and bring to boil.

11.  Turn off the heat, and add cooked chicken and stir until well mixed.  Serve over brown rice.

Slightly altered from: https://dinnerthendessert.com/panda-express-orange-chicken-copycat/