A quick 20-minute Panda Express copycat using frozen crispy chicken bites and upgraded bottled orange sauce. Restaurant-style orange chicken without the deep frying.
Prep5 mins
Cook15 mins
Serves4
Ingredients
1 (24-ounce) bag frozen crispy breaded chicken bites
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 packed tablespoon light brown sugar
1 cup Panda Express orange sauce (about half the bottle)
2 cups cooked jasmine rice (optional, for serving)
Instructions
If air frying, add the chicken bites to the air fryer basket and air fry until deeply crisp, about 13 minutes. If baking, spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 18 minutes.
When there are about 5 minutes left on the chicken, combine the orange juice and brown sugar in a skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Add the bottled orange sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 1 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust with more brown sugar or orange juice as desired.
Remove the pan from the heat. Add half of the chicken bites and gently stir to coat. Add the remaining chicken and stir until evenly glazed. Serve over rice if desired.
