Are you a fan of Chinese food? Do you love the taste of sweet and spicy flavors in your food? If yes, then you must have tried the Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl. The dish is a perfect blend of tender, juicy chicken, coated in a crispy batter, and tossed in a tangy orange sauce. It is one of the most popular dishes served at Panda Express, an American-Chinese fast-food chain. In this article, we will take a deep dive into Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl, including its history, ingredients, preparation, and nutrition facts. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the dish and provide some tips to make a perfect bowl at home.
Table of Contents
The History of Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
The Orange Chicken Bowl is a signature dish of Panda Express, a fast-food chain that was founded in 1983 by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng. The idea behind the restaurant was to provide Chinese-American cuisine that was affordable and convenient. The Orange Chicken Bowl was added to the menu in 1987 as a seasonal item, but it quickly became a customer favorite. The dish was so popular that it was added permanently to the menu in 2001. Today, Panda Express has over 2,000 locations worldwide, and the Orange Chicken Bowl remains one of its most popular items.
The Ingredients of Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
The Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl is made with the following ingredients: – Chicken: The dish uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs that are cut into bite-sized pieces. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, egg, and cornstarch before being deep-fried. – Batter: The chicken is coated in a batter made from a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and water. The batter gives the chicken a crispy texture. – Orange Sauce: The sauce is made with orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili paste. It has a sweet and tangy flavor with a little bit of heat. – White Rice: The Orange Chicken Bowl is served with a side of steamed white rice.
How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
If you want to make Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl at home, here is a simple recipe that you can try: Ingredients: – 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces – 1 cup flour – 1 cup cornstarch – 1 tsp baking powder – 1 tsp salt – 1 cup water – Vegetable oil, for frying – 1 cup orange juice – 2 tbsp soy sauce – 2 tbsp vinegar – 1/2 cup sugar – 1 tbsp grated ginger – 2 cloves garlic, minced – 1 tsp chili paste – 2 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp water – Steamed white rice, for serving Instructions: 1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and water to make the batter. 2. Dip the chicken pieces in the batter, making sure they are fully coated. 3. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large pot over medium-high heat. 4. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. 5. In a separate pan, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili paste. Bring to a boil. 6. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and stir until the sauce thickens. 7. Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. 8. Serve the Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl with steamed white rice.
FAQs About Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
Q. Is Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl healthy? A. The Orange Chicken Bowl is not the healthiest option on the Panda Express menu. It is high in calories, fat, and sodium. However, it can be a part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation. Q. Does Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl contain MSG? A. Yes, the Orange Chicken Bowl contains MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), which is used as a flavor enhancer. Q. Is Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl gluten-free? A. No, the Orange Chicken Bowl is not gluten-free as it contains wheat flour and soy sauce.
What People Say About Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
The response to Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl has been overwhelmingly positive. The dish has a cult following, with many people raving about its sweet and tangy flavor. Some people even claim that it is the best Chinese dish they have ever tasted. However, there are also some criticisms of the dish. Some people feel that it is too sweet, while others complain that it is too greasy. Some people also feel that the dish is overpriced for the amount of food that they get.
Nutrition Facts of Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl
Here are the nutrition facts for a serving of Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl (without the rice): – Calories: 490 – Fat: 23g – Saturated Fat: 4g – Cholesterol: 95mg – Sodium: 900mg – Carbohydrates: 45g – Fiber: 1g – Sugar: 20g – Protein: 26g
Conclusion
Panda Express Orange Chicken Bowl is a delicious and popular Chinese-American dish that is loved by many. It is made with crispy chicken pieces coated in a tangy orange sauce and served with steamed white rice. While it is not the healthiest option, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If you want to try making it at home, use our simple recipe and enjoy the taste of this mouth-watering dish.
