# Orange chicken (from Joshua Weissman)

Video: [Making Panda Express Orange Chicken At Home | But Better](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ) by [Joshua Weissman](https://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaWeissman).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Joshua Weissman. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$5.01 per serving, ~$15.04 for ~3 portions (assumed); saves ~$11.99* per serving (71%) vs ordering out (~$17.00*). * Estimate: 6 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 3 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario orange chicken plate at ~$17, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 3/4 cup (170 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) white vinegar
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp (90 ml) double fermented soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 1 whole (zest and juice) orange
- splash (optional) Shaoxing wine
- splash (optional) Chinkiang vinegar
- 1 tbsp (10 g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
- 4 cloves, grated garlic
- 1-inch knob, grated fresh ginger
- 1 to 2, finely minced Fresno chili
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- to taste salt
- 1 cup (140 g) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (75 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 whole eggs
- splash water
- enough for deep frying (at least 3 inches) neutral frying oil
- sliced, for garnish (optional) green onion

## Steps

1. [3:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=213s) Combine sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, 1/4 cup of water, and the orange zest and juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat to medium and simmer, adding an optional splash of Shaoxing wine and Chinkiang vinegar, for 8 to 10 minutes until reduced by roughly 25%.
2. [4:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=251s) In a small dish, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water into a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and simmer for 1 minute until thickened.
3. [5:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=302s) Take the sauce off heat and immediately stir in the grated garlic, grated ginger, and finely minced Fresno chili, allowing the aromatics to steep in the warm sauce.
4. [5:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=321s) Cut the chicken thighs into 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt.
5. [5:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=331s) Set up a breading station with two bowls: whisk together 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in the first bowl, and whisk 2 eggs with a splash of water in the second bowl.
6. [5:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=349s) Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, dip them into the beaten eggs, and coat them thoroughly in the flour mixture once more, making sure no wet spots remain.
7. [6:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=405s) Heat at least 3 inches of oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C). Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 5 minutes until crisp and pale golden, then drain on a wire rack.
8. [7:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_87Ow7HTdQ&t=423s) Place the warm fried chicken into a large mixing bowl, pour over the prepared orange sauce, and toss vigorously until every piece is evenly coated. Garnish with sliced scallions before serving.

## Equipment

- medium saucepan
- whisk
- mixing bowls
- Dutch oven
- deep-fry thermometer
- spider strainer
- baking sheet with wire cooling rack
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- fine grater

## What the video didn't say

- Exact total cooking time and serving yield were not explicitly stated.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/joshua-weissman-orange-chicken