Recipe Provocateur - Panda Express' Orange Chicken

Chinese food is a favorite standby for many families. Its merriment of vegetables, meat and tasty sauces make it an easy take-out or dine-in meal, ideal for lunch or dinner.

While sitting down at any restaurant is a treat, being able to bring delicious food home from places like Panda Express make meal times a more casual experience. Orange Chicken is the restaurant's number one dish and making it at home is a really quite easy. If you ever wanted to try and master the wok, here's your chance.

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Servings: 2-4

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless chicken pieces, skinned
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
White pepper
Oil (for frying)
1/2 cup cornstarch PLUS
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon minced ginger root
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 dash crushed hot red chilies
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon rice wine
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
***Orange Chicken Sauce***
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoon water
5 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:

1. Cut chicken pieces into 2-inch squares and place in large bowl. Stir in egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil and mix well.

2. Stir cornstarch and flour together. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat.

3. Heat oil for deep-frying in wok or deep-fryer to 375 degrees. Add chicken pieces, small batch at time, and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp. (Do not overcook or chicken will be tough.)

4. Remove chicken from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

5. Clean wok and heat 15 seconds over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Add ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Add and stir-fry crushed chilies and green onions. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds.

6. Add Orange Sauce and bring to boil. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well combined.

7. Stir water into remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Add to chicken and heat until sauce is thickened. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil and sesame oil.

8. Serve immediately.

A few adjustments can be made to tailor the dish to our own personal taste. If you are sensitive to spice, we suggest adding chilies sparingly the first time around. Remember, you can always add heat, but you can't take it away.

Chicken breasts are also a good alternative to the traditional mixed white and dark meat the recipe calls for. You may want to add grated zest of one orange to the sauce for stronger citrus flavor. Steamed white rice and broccoli make a good edition to this dish and will help round out a complete meal. Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator, but down expect the same crisp after reheating.