Air Fryer Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

You are going to love this Panda Express Copycat Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe. It’s easy to make, and doesn’t contain loads of salt and preservative.

Suitable for gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Crispy coated chicken and a sticky-sweet orange glaze! Yum! 

This takeout classic is so easy to make at home and Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a healthier option than Panda’s Orange Chicken.

Air frying the chicken eliminates the use of a deep fryer and the homemade sauce is made with fresh ingredients, no preservatives, and no MSG.

It’s easy to cook up a batch of Orange Chicken anytime you get a craving for takeout so you can save money and keep your family happy with a delicious meal.

You’ll never want to order the takeout version again! More recipes you love include Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken and definitely better than restaurant take out Air Fryer General Tsos Chicken.

And for something else try this Air Fryer Chicken Breast.

Why Make This Recipe

• Better Than Takeout – Cheaper, healthier, and tastier than takeout!
• Healthier – Get crispy chicken without deep frying and a tasty orange sauce made with fresh ingredients. 
• Loved By Picky Eaters – Picky eaters and kids will love this recipe!

Ingredient Notes

You only need a few ingredients to make this delicious recipe.

• Chicken – Both chicken breast and chicken thigh meat are tasty in this recipe. I prefer chicken thighs.  Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
• Cornstarch – Cornstarch will give the chicken crispiness and will also thicken the glaze via a cornstarch slurry. 
• Orange Juice – Use freshly squeezed orange juice or the juice from 2 medium oranges or form the grocery store. 
• Brown Sugar – Adds a caramel sweetness. 
• Gluten-Free Soy Sauce – Not all soy sauce is gluten-free so check the packaging closely. 
• Rice Wine Vinegar – Rice vinegar is milder and slightly sweeter than white vinegar. Use white vinegar in a pinch. 
• Sesame oil – This toasty oil adds a signature Asian flavor. Substitute olive oil or canola oil if necessary but it will change the overall flavor of the dish. 
• Garlic – Gives dishes a warm, spicy bite. Add more or less to your liking. 
• Ginger – Ginger gives this dish a spicy, earthy flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. In a medium bowl, coat chicken evenly in corn starch. Lay chicken pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes at 400F / 200C or until golden brown and cooked through. Shake the chicken halfway through cooking. 
2. Whilst the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and cooking over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens. 
3. Add the air fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat before serving.

Note: Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165F / 74C before consuming. 

Tips For Success

Love air fryer Chinese recipes, then here are some tips to make this turn out well.

• Be sure to shake off any excess corn starch from the chicken or it may become gummy or burn during cooking. 
• Turn or shake the chicken halfway through air frying. 
• Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. 

Variations

• Top It – Garnish the finished chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. I prefer using toasted sesame seeds.
• Make it Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or chili garlic oil to the sauce to make it spicy. 
• Zest – add a pinch of orange zest for more incredible flavor.

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Use Thigh Meat – Thigh meat is generally less expensive and is incredibly flavorful in this recipe. 
• Buy Chicken on Sale –  Watch for sales on chicken or purchase in bulk when chicken is less expensive. Freeze for later use. 
• Serve with Rice or Noodles –  Serve with rice or noodles to make this chicken a full meal.
• Serve with Veggies – Add stir fried veggies to stretch this meal further. 

Make Ahead, Storage And Meal Prep

Prep Ahead – The chicken can be cooked in advance and reheated before adding to the sauce. The chicken may not be as crispy. 

• Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container the fridge for up to three days. 
• Freeze – We do not recommend freezing this recipe. 
• Reheat – If you think you will have leftovers, we recommend that you keep the chicken and the sauce separate. Put the chicken into the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes at 350F / 176C. Reheat the sauce in the microwave or on the stove and mix it with the reheated chicken. 

FAQs

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Check out these weeknight dinner favorites

You can try Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, better than take out Air Fryer General Tsos Chicken and delicious Kung Pao Chicken.

Or try super crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, family friendly Air Fryer Fried Chicken and the best Copycat Chipotle Chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Coconut Rice.
• Garlic Butter Potatoes.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 3 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Tools To Make This

• An Air Fryer.
• A sharp knife make cutting chicken easier.
• Saucepan or skillet.

Get The Orange Chicken Air Fryer Recipe: