Panda Express Orange Chicken Air Fryer Recipe (Easy Copycat)

Air Fryer Panda Express Orange Chicken is a crispy, sweet, and tangy copycat recipe made right at home with no deep frying needed. If you love the iconic takeout version, this one delivers the same sticky orange sauce and crunchy chicken, but lighter and faster in the air fryer.

This recipe is perfect when you’re craving Panda Express orange chicken but want something homemade, cheaper, and even crispier. Plus, I’ll show you exactly how to get that signature texture and flavor using simple ingredients.

What is Panda Express Orange Chicken made of?

Panda Express orange chicken is made with crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. The sauce typically includes orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and chili flakes for a slightly spicy kick.

This air fryer version recreates the same flavor and texture without deep frying.

Can You Make Panda Express Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make Panda Express orange chicken in the air fryer by coating bite-sized chicken pieces in a flour and cornstarch mixture, then cooking them at 400°F until crispy.

Once cooked, the chicken is tossed in a homemade orange sauce to mimic the classic takeout flavor.

Ingredients for Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

For the Chicken

Boneless Chicken Breast: chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces is the best option for this recipe. I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts rather than chicken thighs because they hold the bite-size shape well while in the air fryer. 

All-purpose Flour: is used to coat the chicken, making it nice and crispy. Flour also gives your chicken nuggets the perfect golden-brown color. 

Cornstarch: is a key ingredient when making any kind of fried chicken. It absorbs the excess moisture in the chicken, leaving it nice and crispy. 

Salt: seasons and helps enhance the flavor of your chicken nuggets

Eggs: are used to keep the flour mixture and crust onto your chicken pieces. 

Cooking Spray: keeps your chicken from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer. You can also use oil if you don't have cooking spray. I do not recommend using butter. 

For the Orange Sauce

Garlic and Ginger: are both added to create a pungent and savory flavor and add a little spice. 

Fresh orange Juice: gives your tangy sauce the orange flavor. Be sure to purchase a high-quality OJ or freshly squeezed for this recipe and triple-check that it is pulp-free. 

Soy Sauce: I use low-sodium soy sauce because it adds the perfect amount of saltiness and umami flavor to your dish without being too strong. 

Rice Vinegar: adds a sweetness to this recipe; I don't recommend substituting this ingredient. 

White Sugar: is melted down and combined with the other ingredients to create a thick and sticky orange sauce 

Corn starch: is used to thicken your orange sauce so that it isn't extra runny. If you notice your sauce is still runny, add a pinch more of cornstarch to thicken it up. Remember: a little cornstarch goes a long way!

Orange Zest: adds a little extra citrus flavor to the mix. 

Red Pepper Flakes: are used to spice up your sauce a bit. Feel free to use as much or as little as you'd like. You can use cayenne pepper as a substitute.

How to Make Air Fryer Panda Express Orange Chicken

To Make the Chicken

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Set up a breading station with two bowls: one with flour, salt, and cornstarch mixture, and one with beaten eggs.
3. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour, then the beaten egg mixture, and finally, coat them in the flour again. Repeat until all the chicken pieces are well-coated.

4. Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray or oil.
5. Then place the breaded chicken into the air fryer basket, making sure to keep it in a single layer and leaving enough space between them to allow for ample hot air circulation. Spray the chicken with an oil spray again.

6. Air fry small batches of chicken for about 10-12 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.

To Make the Orange Sauce

1. While the chicken is cooking in the air fryer, prepare the orange sauce.
2. In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and crushed red pepper flakes in a large measuring cup then pour it over the garlic-ginger mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to simmer. Cook the sauce for about 2-3 minutes or until it thickens, stirring constantly.
3. Once the chicken is done in the air fryer, transfer it to a bowl, and pour the orange sauce over it. Gently toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the sauce.
4. Serve your air fryer orange chicken over steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Pro Tips for Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

• Don’t overcrowd the basket; this kills crispiness
• Spray oil twice (before + halfway)
• Use cornstarch for extra crunch
• Cook in batches if needed

What to Serve This With

• Panda Express Super Greens Recipe or your favorite vegetables
• Copycat Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoons
• Panda Express Chicken Egg Roll
• Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe or regular white rice
• Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein

Frequently Asked Questions

What does homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken taste like?

Imagine super crispy chicken nuggets with a thick and tangy orange sauce. You can also make it a little spicier by adding red pepper flakes.

Can I make this ahead of time and use frozen orange chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen orange chicken in the air fryer at 400°F for 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway through until heated and crispy. Add the sauce after cooking to keep the chicken from getting soggy.

Can I make Panda Express orange chicken less sweet?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar in the sauce or balance it out by adding extra soy sauce or a splash of rice vinegar for a more savory flavor.

Do I need to use freshly squeezed orange juice for the sauce? 

No, but it will give you the best flavor. Fresh OJ is naturally sweet and has the best citrus flavor. If you buy orange juice from the grocery store, be sure to get "freshly squeezed" without pulp. I don't recommend OJ made from concentrate. 

How do I store leftover orange chicken?

Your leftovers will last in the refrigerator for up to about three days if you put them in an airtight container. You can freeze your orange chicken for up to a month in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag. 

I recommend placing your leftovers in separate containers. This makes it a little easier to reheat. If separated, place your nuggets into an air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5-7 minutes. You're just trying to warm them up, not recook them. Place your leftover orange sauce mixture in a pot on the stove and then combine. 

Or, you can place your combined leftovers into the microwave for a minute and then 30-second increments until warm. Your chicken will not be as crisp as it was when it was fresh using this method. For more on how to reheat orange chicken check this article!