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Skip the takeout and make these at home | 6 Copycat Panda Express Dishes

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Mel Cooks
Mel Cooks
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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

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

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

Chow Mein, originating from Chinese cuisine, translates to 'stir-fried noodles' and is a staple dish across China. Traditionally, it features a mix of vegetables and proteins, showcasing the versatility of local ingredients. In Western adaptations, it often includes a variety of sauces and toppings, making it a popular choice in Chinese restaurants worldwide.

Ingredients

  • egg noodles
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • carrots
  • bell peppers
  • cabbage
  • green onions
  • soy sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • sesame oil
  • bean sprouts
  • tofu
  • chicken
  • beef
  • shrimp
  • black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Boil water in a large pot and cook egg noodles until al dente, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. 2Drain noodles and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; set aside.
  3. 3Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. 4Add minced garlic and ginger; sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. 5Add sliced carrots and bell peppers; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
  6. 6Add shredded cabbage and green onions; cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
  7. 7Push vegetables to one side of the skillet; add more oil if needed.
  8. 8Add cooked noodles to the skillet; toss to combine with the vegetables.
  9. 9Pour soy sauce and oyster sauce over the noodles; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  10. 10Add bean sprouts and protein of choice; cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  11. 11Drizzle with sesame oil and toss well to combine before serving.

Ingredient Alternatives

egg noodles

Healthier: whole wheat noodles

Cheaper: rice noodles

Whole wheat noodles add fiber, while rice noodles are often less expensive.

oyster sauce

Healthier: hoisin sauce

Cheaper: soy sauce

Hoisin sauce provides a similar sweetness without shellfish.

shrimp

Healthier: chicken breast

Cheaper: tofu

Chicken is leaner and tofu is a budget-friendly protein alternative.

vegetable oil

Healthier: olive oil

Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil offers healthier fats, while canola is often more affordable.

Techniques

boilingstir-frying

Equipment

large potcolanderlarge skilletwokspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowshellfishsoy

Also Known As

Chao Mian炒面

Fried rice is a popular dish in many Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese, where it is often made with leftover rice and various ingredients. It serves as a versatile meal that can be customized with different proteins and vegetables, reflecting local tastes and available ingredients. Fried rice is commonly enjoyed as a quick meal or side dish, making it a staple in both home cooking and restaurant menus.

Ingredients

  • cooked rice
  • vegetables
  • soy sauce
  • eggs
  • green onions
  • oil

Instructions

  1. 1Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. 2Add chopped vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
  3. 3Push vegetables to the side and scramble eggs in the center.
  4. 4Add cooked rice and mix well with vegetables and eggs.
  5. 5Pour in soy sauce and stir to combine evenly.
  6. 6Cook for a few more minutes until heated through and serve hot.

Ingredient Alternatives

cooked rice

Healthier: brown rice

Cheaper: day-old rice

Brown rice is more nutritious, while day-old rice is often cheaper and ideal for frying.

soy sauce

Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium soy sauce is healthier, while tamari can be a budget-friendly gluten-free option.

Techniques

stir-fried

Equipment

skilletwokspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowsoyegg

Also Known As

Chao FanNasi GorengBokkeumbap

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 package egg roll wrappers (about 20)
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Instructions

  1. 1In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well.
  2. 2Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface with one corner pointing towards you.
  3. 3Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture in the center of the wrapper.
  4. 4Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly to seal. Use a little water to help seal the edges if necessary.
  5. 5Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
  6. 6Heat oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat.
  7. 7Once the oil is hot, carefully add the egg rolls in batches, frying until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  8. 8Remove the egg rolls and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  9. 9Serve hot with soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce for dipping.

Equipment

Large bowlDeep frying pan or wokSlotted spoonPaper towels

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