A few weeks ago I mentioned how you could make copycat recipes using Pinterest. I decided it was time to try out a copycat recipe of my own: Panda Express Orange Chicken.
Paired with rice or lo mein, orange chicken is our go-to entree when heading to Panda Express. When I came across this recipe and picture, I knew I had to tryit. (Despite the numerous negative comments on the pin, I decided that I’d still give it a shot.I strongly recommend that you take into consideration any feedback that may prove helpful when you make your own recipe from Pinterest.)
The fact that it is made in the crockpot is an added bonus!
The ingredients are as follows:
- Boneless chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks
- 1/3 cup flour
- Olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp. salt
- 1 tsp. balsamic
- 3 Tbsp. of ketchup
- 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
- 4 Tbsp. brown sugar
Verdict:My hubby and niece really enjoyed this recipe. We all agreed it was not a perfect match to the traditional orange chicken, but still had a good flavor profile.
Modifications:
Many of the complaints about the recipe were that it tasted too orange-y. I modified the juice concentrate to 4 oz. as many commenters suggested. It still tasted strongly of orange, so I added some extra tablespoons of brown sugar and a dash of salt to cut that taste more -it worked.
I also would like to warn you that simply coating chicken breasts in flour did NOT create a “breading” effect for me. In fact, I think it added little to our chicken and we probably could have gone without it. A plus to this is that you are not frying the chicken, which does make it healthier than its Panda Express counterpart.
I would make this recipe again, keeping the changes I did. The crockpot made a super simple recipe and required little preparation. This recipe passes for edible, but NOT as a copycat. Enjoy!
Have a recipe you’ve been wanting to try? Share with us on my boards or Chicago Parent boards.
