Orange Chicken from Panda Express (CopyCat Recipe)

Orange Chicken from Panda Express (CopyCat Recipe)

Who came here to get an Orange Chicken Recipe? As you all know, Orange Chicken and Panda Express go together like the Big Mac from McDonald’s or the Whopper from Burger King. When you pick up your Combo Plate, you must fill one of your entrees with the delicious sweet and tangy, Orange Chicken.

Describe Chinese Food

Chinese food? Oh man, where do I even start? It’s like this flavor-packed rollercoaster ride for your taste buds, seriously! Picture this: you’ve got these dishes bursting with all kinds of flavors – sweet, savory, spicy – all at the same time. And the textures? Let’s just say crunchy veggies, tender meats, and slurp-worthy noodles are all part of the party.

But here’s the kicker: it’s not just one-size-fits-all. Nope, Chinese cuisine is like a whole bunch of mini cuisines rolled into one giant feast. You’ve got your spicy Sichuan dishes that’ll set your mouth on fire (in the best way possible), your Cantonese dim sum delights with their delicate flavors, and everything in between.

And don’t even get me started on the variety! From steaming bowls of noodle soups to crispy Peking duck and everything else under the sun, Chinese food has something for everyone. Plus, it’s all about sharing, which means you get to dig into a little bit of everything with your crew.

Basically, Chinese food is like a flavor explosion in your mouth, a culinary adventure you never want to end. So grab those chopsticks and get ready to dive in!

Panda Express

Orange Chicken from Panda Express is a popular Chinese-American dish that combines tender chunks of crispy fried chicken with a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce. Personally, I think this is the best sauce that Panda Express has to offer. You then coat the chicken in a light batter and deep-fry it to golden perfection. This gives is a crunchy exterior while remaining juicy on the inside. To make the sauce, you take some orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings and mix it together over heat. The result is a flavorful combination of sweet and savory notes with a hint of citrus brightness. Put what you want on it such as chopped green onions for a fresh touch. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, loved for its irresistible combination of textures and flavors, making it a staple on the Panda Express menu.

Enjoy this Copycat Orange Chicken Recipe and let us know what you think.

Serving up delicious inspiration, one recipe at a time!


 

Orange Chicken from Panda Express

The classic Orange Chicken from Panda Express is a quick and easy dish that is sure to please everyone.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish, Sauce
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 1 lb Chicken Breasts
  • 2 Egg
  • as needed Salt
  • 1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
  • 1 Cup AP Flour
  • as needed Water to make sure the batter is correct

Orange Chicken Sauce

  • 1/4 Cup Orange Juice
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup White Distilled Vinegar
  • 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic
  • 1 tsp Ginger
  • 2 tbsp Orange Zest
  • 1 tbsp Corn Starch
  • 2 tbsp Water

Instructions
 

Cooking and Serving

  • Trim the Chicken into bite sized chunks. Throw the chicken bites into a couple ziplock bags and add the egg, salt, pepper, flour, corn starch, and soy sauce. Slowly add water to make this an even coated batter. Let this sit in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Heat up some oil for frying (enough to cover the chicken). Fry the chicken until golden brown. Drain the chicken and wait 3 minutes before adding them into the sauce.

Sauce Prep

  • Add all sauce ingredients into a pot and heat until a slow simmer, constantly stirring. Cook until a dark golden brown.
How to make Sugar Cookies

How to make Sugar Cookies

There are certain times in your life that you just look at your wife and realize you are the luckiest guy in the world. For me, the added bonus is that my beautiful bride makes THE BEST Sugar Cookies. They are rich, savory, sweet, soft, and the stuff dreams are made of. If you do not believe me, take a look at how simple this recipe is.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Butter Room Temp
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 3 Cups Flour
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Mix all the wet ingredients (butter, eggs, Vanilla Extract) and Sugar.
  • Slowly add in the dry ingredients until you get a nice uniform dough mix.
  • Using a kitchen spoon, make 1.5" balls and place them evenly spaced on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes until golden brown. Let cool on a cookie rack. Top with your favorite frosting.
  • Remember Sprinkles are for winners.
Holy Guacamole

Holy Guacamole

Holy Guacamole is a perfect addition to any Mexican meal. Put it in your burrito, on top of your enchiladas, or just directly inject it into your veins. All are perfectly acceptable.

Why does Guacamole turn brown?

It starts with a little chemical called polyphenol oxidase which is present in Avocados. When that chemical is exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes and causes a reaction that develops a pigment, turning the avocado brown.

How you combat that, is to keep the Guacamole in an airtight container and introduce some type of acidity such as lime or lemon juice.

Holy Guacamole

Holy Guacamole is the perfect addition to any Mexican food dish and it is super simple to make. Why pay the extra $1 when you can make so much more from scratch.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

Produce

  • 4 Large Avocados
  • 1/2 Red Onion Diced
  • 1/2 Cup Cilantro Diced
  • 2 Jalapeño Diced (Use Serrano if you want it spicier)
  • 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
  • 1 small Tomato Diced

Spices

  • 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1/2 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tbsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Cumin

Instructions
 

  • Peed and mash the avocados into a paste. Add all other ingredients into a bowl and viola! Perfect Guacamole!
Keyword Guacamole
Spicy Marinara Sauce

Spicy Marinara Sauce

Today we are going to be taking a look at a KILLER Spicy Marinara Sauce.  Nothing says Italian Cuisine more than a classic tomato marinara sauce.  Nowadays we are saving time by opening those bottled or canned marinara sauces at the cost of flavor.  Who makes the best spicy marinara sauce?  I have to say that the best marinara sauce is the one you slow cook at home!

Most American’s have no idea what true, homemade marinara sauce tastes like.  So let me be your genuine Italian Guido and fix that.  NEVER EVER buy canned marinara sauce again.  It’s expensive, you lose flavor and nutrients, and this one tastes much much better.

Sure it will add some time to your day, but YOLO right?  Why waste your life with crappy marinara sauce?

Now this recipe is going to take some time, so buckle up partner, I never said it would be easy, I just said that it would be worth it.

Check out our Rattlesnake Bites Copycat Recipe to pair with this marinara.

Killer Marinara Sauce

Killer Marinara Sauce

A classic tomato sauce with a spicy kick that is not overpowering. This will be an instant classic in your home and can be made in large batches and saved for later.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 Cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 6 Peeled Vine Ripened Tomatoes
  • 5 Cloves garlic diced finely
  • 3 leaves Basil diced
  • 1 small Onion diced finely
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • Tomato Paste
  • 2 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes

Instructions
 

  • Take your tomatoes and steam them for 10-15 minutes. This is to release the skin from the tomatoes. Peel the tomatoes and set aside.
  • Heat up the oil and saute the onion for about 5-6 minutes on medium heat. Add the Basil, Garlic, and Spices and add the tomatoes one by one smashing them with a potato masher or your hands, whichever you prefer.
  • Let the pot simmer for as long as you can let it simmer. Normally, this is about an hour so that all the flavors can marry.
Keyword Sauces

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Alfredo Pasta

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Alfredo Pasta

Today, we are going to take a look at an amazing recipe for my favorite pasta dish, the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Alfredo Pasta from The Cheesecake Factory.  This thing is loaded with flavor (and calories) so keep that in mind.  It is super simple to prepare, even though there seem to be a lot of moving parts, it all comes together in the end.  It is the perfect combination of spicy and sweet and savory.

Introduction to The Cheesecake Factory

If you have never been to The Cheesecake Factory, you are definitely missing out.  The huge menu is rather intimidating at first, but you soon realize that most of the menu is Cheesecake.  I think that is why the Cheesecake Factory is so well-liked.  No matter what everyone is craving, there is something for everyone.  From Cuban Sandwiches to Asian Salads, to Burritos there is something for even the pickiest of eaters.

What is the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta from The Cheesecake Factory?

Made using Penne Pasta, the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta has Chicken breast sauteed in honey.  The sauce is a unique sauce made from Alfredo and Chipotle peppers in Adobo Sauce.  This gives it a beautiful mild kick that you crave as well as a deep smokey flavor.  The sweetness of the honey combined with the spice of the sauce makes an amazing dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Make sure to check out how to make the Salad Dressing from the Olive Garden or how to make a Cuban Classic, Picadillo, which is a cheap and flavorful addition to your families dinner rotation.

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Alfredo Pasta

A spicy chicken pasta with chipotle flavors with a sweet undertone. A sure crowd pleaser.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 People

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 3 Chicken Breasts cut into cubes about 1/2"
  • 1 pound Penne Pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 1 Can Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce pureed
  • 1 Yellow Pepper chopped
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion
  • 4 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas
  • 1 pound Fresh Asparagus
  • 6 ounces REAL Parmasean Cheese

Optional

  • Cilantro
  • Tortilla Stip Chips

Instructions
 

Prepare Vegetables and Pasta

  • Add the asparagus to the pasta water and boil for 2-3 minutes or until slightly tender. 
  • Pull out the asparagus and run under cold water to shock it and stop it from cooking.
  • Add your pasta to the water and remove when al-dente, normally 12-13 minutes rolling boil.
  • Combine lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chicken and let it marinade. 
  • Prepare your skillet with butter on medium heat. 
  • Add bell peppers and onions. 
  • Leave on the heat until translucent, stirring occasionally to make sure they do not char, then add the garlic cloves, saute for 1 minute.

Cook Chicken and Serve

  • Remove the veggies and add olive oil to your skillet
  • Add chicken to the pan and turn the heat up to medum-high. 
  • Keep on the heat until browned on all sides. 
  • Add in the honey and stir until the honey loosens up. 
  • Add the bell pepper mix. 
  • Puree the Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can and set aside.
  • Brown the chicken on both sides and remove from heat.
  • Cook for an additional 3 minutes, then add all other ingredients (Veggies, Adobo, Pasta)
  • Make a basic Alfredo sauce (Butter, Parmesan, Heavy Cream, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder) and add in the Pureed chipotle peppers. Let it come to a simmer. Add your frozen peas to thaw in the sauce.
  • Add sauce, pasta, chicken in your pot adding the asparagus last or as a garnish. Add Cilantro or parsley and grated Parmesan as a topper. Tortilla strips if you want to be really authentic.
Keyword Copycat Recipe, The Cheesecake Factory

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Who doesn’t like a good Broccoli Cheese Soup? Well, my wife for one, but that isn’t the point.

It’s no-frills, easy, and you can add Jalapeños and bacon to it to send it over the top.

If you want another amazing recipe, try this Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This right here is a soup for winners. Sometimes you just need a thick and hearty soup to warm the soul after a day chasing Polar Bears through the Arctic. This Broccoli Cheese Soup is super easy to make and tastes great.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups Broccoli chopped enough to go into the soup
  • 3 cups Sharp Cheddar
  • 2 cups Whole Milk
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth
  • 2 stalks Celery chopped
  • 8 tablespoons Salted Butter Go for salted...it just tastes better
  • 1 Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup flour to thicken
  • 2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 large Carrot finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Place the butter along with the chopped onion and celery into a pot and sweat these bad boys off. Once translucent, add the flour making sure to keep stirring. If you think you can stop stirring, you are wrong. Keep stirring.
  • Add the broth and continue to stir. Add in the pepper and salt. After about 2 minutes, you are going to add the rest of the ingredients and let them cook down for about 7-10 minutes. Add in the milk and cheese. Make sure to keep the temperature on a solid 4/10 on the heat scale or you will scorch it and no one likes scorched soups.
  • Garnish with some Jalapeños and some more cheddar and you got yourself an amazing soup.
Keyword Soup