by Doug Hartill | Dec 14, 2020 | Main Courses, Recipes, Sauces
Orange Chicken and Panda Express go together like the Big Mac and McDonald’s and the Whopper and Burger King. When you pick up your Combo Plate, you always have to fill one of your entrees with the delicious sweet and tangy, Orange Chicken.
Panda Express seems to be a staple in most strip malls or shopping centers. Currently as of the writing of this post, they are only in 45 states with the only holdouts in the North East of the US. (Sorry Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.)
Finding this recipe was a difficult task and took a while to perfect, but this is my best guess and I think it comes pretty dang close.
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Orange Chicken from Panda Express
The timeless classic that is Orange Chicken from Panda Express. It is quick and easy to make and sure to please everyone.
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.
by Doug Hartill | Nov 23, 2019 | Main Courses, Recipes
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.
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Spicy Chicken Chipotle Alfredo Pasta
A spicy chicken pasta with chipotle flavors with a sweet undertone. A sure crowd pleaser.
Instructions
Prepare Vegetables and Pasta
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Add the asparagus to the pasta water and boil for 2-3 minutes or until slightly tender.
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Pull out the asparagus and run under cold water to shock it and stop it from cooking.
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Add your pasta to the water and remove when al-dente, normally 12-13 minutes rolling boil.
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Combine lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chicken and let it marinade.
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Prepare your skillet with butter on medium heat.
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Add bell peppers and onions.
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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
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Remove the veggies and add olive oil to your skillet
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Add chicken to the pan and turn the heat up to medum-high.
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Keep on the heat until browned on all sides.
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Add in the honey and stir until the honey loosens up.
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Puree the Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can and set aside.
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Brown the chicken on both sides and remove from heat.
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Cook for an additional 3 minutes, then add all other ingredients (Veggies, Adobo, Pasta)
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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.
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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.
by Doug Hartill | Dec 11, 2018 | Recipes
Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwiches are King. There I said it… I have had my fair share of chicken sandwiches and I can honestly say that out of all the fast food chain chicken sandwiches (notice I said fast food chain chicken sandwiches), Chick-Fil-A has to be the absolute king. The only problem is, they are closed on Sunday. Now we can make the recipe at home!
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Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Have you ever wanted your chicken to taste like the heavenly goodness that is Chick-Fil-A? Or is it Sunday and you can't get into your local Chick-Fil-A? Well, look no further! We have the recipe here.
Let me know in the comments below how that worked out for you.
Instructions
Take your chicken and split it into equal portions.
Pound the chicken flat (with a meat tenderizer or hammer, whichever floats your boat)
Put the chicken into a large ziplock with the pickle juice for 1 hour (longer if you wanted)
Combine all dry ingredients.
Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
Get pan ready on Medium-High heat with your peanut oil.
Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture. Drop into the frying pan.
Cook until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes on each side)
Serve on Hamburger Buns and Pickle (add lettuce, jack cheese, and tomato to make it a deluxe)
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