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Panda Express Copycat Recipes: How to Make ALL The Classics at Home

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Orange chicken is a popular dish in American-Chinese cuisine, often found in Chinese restaurants across the United States. It combines sweet and tangy flavors, appealing to a wide audience. The dish is typically served with rice and is a staple in takeout menus, reflecting the fusion of Chinese cooking techniques with American tastes.

Ingredients

  • chicken
  • orange juice
  • soy sauce
  • cornstarch
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • sugar
  • vinegar
  • green onions
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. 1Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. 2Marinate chicken in soy sauce, orange juice, garlic, and ginger for at least 30 minutes.
  3. 3Coat marinated chicken with cornstarch.
  4. 4Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  5. 5Fry chicken pieces until golden and cooked through.
  6. 6Remove chicken and drain excess oil.
  7. 7In the same pan, combine orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce; bring to a simmer.
  8. 8Add fried chicken back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
  9. 9Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Ingredient Alternatives

chicken

Healthier: tofu

Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians; chicken thighs are more affordable than breasts.

sugar

Healthier: honey

Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener; brown sugar is often cheaper and adds a different flavor.

Techniques

marinatingfrying

Equipment

mixing bowlfrying panmeasuring cupsknifecutting board
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowsoysesame

Also Known As

General Tso's ChickenSweet Orange Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 lb flank steak
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. 1In a bowl, mix olive oil, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and salt to create a marinade.
  2. 2Place the flank steak in a resealable bag and pour half of the marinade over it. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. 3In another bowl, toss the shrimp with the remaining marinade and let it sit for 15 minutes.
  4. 4Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  5. 5Remove the steak from the marinade and grill for about 5-7 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.
  6. 6While the steak is resting, grill the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
  7. 7Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
  8. 8Arrange the steak and shrimp on a serving platter.
  9. 9Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Equipment

grillmixing bowlresealable bagserving platter
🌶️🌶️🌶️Medium

Kung Pao Chicken is a classic dish from Sichuan cuisine, known for its bold flavors and spicy kick. It combines the heat of Sichuan peppercorns with the crunch of peanuts, creating a delightful contrast. Traditionally, it is made with diced chicken, but variations can include other proteins or vegetables. This dish is often enjoyed in Chinese restaurants worldwide and is a staple in many households, celebrated for its balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

  • chicken
  • peanuts
  • bell peppers
  • scallions
  • soy sauce
  • rice vinegar
  • sugar
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • Sichuan peppercorns

Instructions

  1. 1Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. 2Marinate chicken with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar.
  3. 3Heat oil in a wok over high heat.
  4. 4Stir-fry ginger and garlic until fragrant.
  5. 5Add marinated chicken and cook until browned.
  6. 6Add bell peppers and scallions, stir-fry for a few minutes.
  7. 7Add peanuts and Sichuan peppercorns, stir to combine.
  8. 8Serve hot over rice.

Ingredient Alternatives

chicken

Healthier: tofu

Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is a lower-calorie option, while chicken thighs are more budget-friendly.

peanuts

Healthier: almonds

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Almonds offer more nutrients, while sunflower seeds are often cheaper.

Techniques

stir-fried

Equipment

wokknifecutting boardspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Hotpeanuts

Also Known As

Gong Bao Ji DingKung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. 1In a bowl, mix together the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create the marinade.
  2. 2Place the chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  3. 3Preheat a large skillet or grill over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
  4. 4Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
  5. 5Add the chicken thighs to the skillet or grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
  6. 6While the chicken is cooking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  7. 7Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
  8. 8Drizzle the thickened marinade over the sliced chicken and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Equipment

grillskilletmixing bowlsaucepanmeasuring cupsmeasuring spoonscutting boardknife
🌶️🌶️🌶️Medium

Beijing Beef is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine, often found in American Chinese restaurants. It represents a fusion of traditional Chinese flavors with Western cooking techniques, making it accessible and appealing to a broad audience. The dish typically features tender beef stir-fried with colorful vegetables in a savory-sweet sauce, reflecting the balance of flavors cherished in Chinese cooking. Today, variations can be found globally, with many adapting the recipe to local tastes and ingredient availability.

Ingredients

  • beef
  • soy sauce
  • cornstarch
  • vegetable oil
  • bell peppers
  • onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • sugar
  • rice vinegar
  • hoisin sauce
  • green onions
  • sesame oil
  • red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. 1Slice beef into thin strips against the grain
  2. 2Marinate beef in soy sauce and cornstarch for 15 minutes
  3. 3Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering
  4. 4Add marinated beef to the skillet and stir-fry until browned, about 3-4 minutes
  5. 5Remove beef from skillet and set aside
  6. 6Add bell peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger to the skillet
  7. 7Stir-fry vegetables until tender-crisp, about 3-5 minutes
  8. 8Return beef to the skillet
  9. 9Add sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes
  10. 10Stir to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes
  11. 11Drizzle with sesame oil and toss to coat
  12. 12Garnish with sliced green onions before serving

Ingredient Alternatives

beef

Healthier: chicken

Cheaper: pork

Chicken or pork can lower costs while still providing protein.

hoisin sauce

Healthier: miso paste

Cheaper: soy sauce

Miso offers umami flavor with fewer additives.

vegetable oil

Healthier: olive oil

Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier, while canola is often cheaper.

cornstarch

Healthier: arrowroot powder

Cheaper: flour

Arrowroot is a gluten-free alternative, while flour is often less expensive.

Techniques

slicingmarinatingstir-frying

Equipment

large skilletcutting boardknifemixing bowl
🌶️🌶️🌶️Mediumsoygluten

Also Known As

Beef with Beijing SauceBeef Stir-Fry

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Angus steak
  • 2 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. 1Remove the Angus steak from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. 2In a small bowl, mix together the black pepper, salt, minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme to create a seasoning rub.
  3. 3Rub the seasoning mixture all over the Angus steak, ensuring it is evenly coated.
  4. 4Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  5. 5Add the seasoned steak to the skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness is reached.
  6. 6Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.
  7. 7In the same skillet, add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  8. 8Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it reduce for about 5 minutes.
  9. 9Slice the rested steak against the grain and serve with the sauce drizzled on top.

Equipment

skilletcutting boardknifesmall bowl
🌶️🌶️🌶️Low

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