Panda Express Copycat Recipes
Panda Express brings Chinese-American favorites to the fast-food world. Our copycat Orange Chicken is a crowd-pleaser.
8 recipes
Panda Express defined American Chinese fast food, and its most-ordered dishes all share a glossy, restaurant-style wok finish you can absolutely hit at home. Orange Chicken, crispy fried chunks tossed in a sweet-tangy citrus glaze, is the flagship, but the supporting cast is just as recreatable: Broccoli Beef with velveted flank steak, Honey Sesame Chicken Breast (their milder white-meat entree with green beans and a honey-soy glaze), chewy chow mein with the right noodle, fried rice on high heat for smoky wok flavor, Beijing Beef, walnut shrimp, and Kung Pao chicken with peanuts and chilies. The keys are high heat, a well-fried or velveted protein, and a balanced sauce built on soy, sugar, vinegar, and aromatics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to Panda Express Orange Chicken?
Two stages: crispy double-fried (or cornstarch-battered) chicken, and a glossy sauce of orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy, and ginger-garlic thickened with cornstarch. Toss the chicken in the sauce at the very end so it stays crisp.
How do I get restaurant-style fried rice at home?
Use cold, day-old rice, cook on the highest heat your stove allows, and don't crowd the pan. The high heat and dry rice are what give that slightly smoky, separate-grain texture.
Which noodles work for chow mein?
Panda uses a wheat chow mein noodle; fresh or par-cooked yakisoba-style noodles are the closest swap. Toss them quickly over high heat with cabbage, celery, onion, and a soy-based sauce.
What is Beijing Beef?
Crispy battered beef in a sweet, slightly tangy red sauce with bell peppers and onions, basically a sweeter, saucier cousin of orange chicken in beef form. Our copycat balances the sweetness with vinegar so it isn't cloying.
What is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Breast?
Panda's white-meat entree: strips of fried chicken breast in a honey-soy-sesame glaze with green beans and yellow bell pepper. It's been a permanent menu item since around 2020 — sweeter and milder than Orange Chicken, no citrus, no heat, and about 80 fewer calories per restaurant serving. The 'Breast' in the name signals that it uses white meat instead of the thighs used in Orange Chicken.
Can I make these without a wok?
Yes. A wide, heavy skillet or cast iron gets hot enough. The main thing is high heat and cooking in batches so the food sears instead of steams.