Panda Express Copy Cat Orange Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breast) cut into 1-1/2” cubes
• 1 cup cornstarch 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 egg beaten
• Oil for frying

Orange Sauce:

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar 
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon orange zest grated
• 1 cup pack brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon giner root minced
• 1 teaspoon garlicminced
• 2 tablespoons green onion hopped
• red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

• Combine cornstarch salt, and pepper. Dip chicken in beaten eggs and shake in cornstarch mixture to coat.
• Deep fry chicken in batches at 375 degrees in a deep fryer (or use a wok) until completely cooked.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine 1 cup water, lemon juice, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes. Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger garlic, and onion. Bring to a boil.
• Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and mix thoroughly. Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens. 
• Pour sauce over breaded chicken, and if desired add red pepper flakes and garnish with green onions.