Orange Chicken

I love Chinese food. We don't eat out very often, so I have learned to make some of my favorite Chinese dishes at home. (I really want to learn how to make egg rolls.) Orange chicken is so delicious and easy too. Now is a great time to make this dish because oranges are so cheap right now.

I think my sister Ruth shared this recipe with me. I have made it for several years and I love it every time. One thing that I really about this one is it doesn't have unusual ingredients. I like to add broccoli or veggies to it.

Here's the recipe:

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

SERVES 4-6

Ingredients

* 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces
* 1 egg
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* white pepper
* oil (for frying)
* 1/2 cup cornstarch, plus
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1/4 cup flour
* 1 tablespoon ginger root, minced
* 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chili pepper
* 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon rice wine
* 1/4 cup water
* 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
(Add broccoli or other stir fry veggies.)

Orange Sauce for Stir Fry (I double the sauce.)

* 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 1/2 tablespoons water
* 5 tablespoons sugar
* 5 tablespoons white vinegar
* 1 orange, zest of

Directions

1. Place chicken pieces in large bowl.
2. Stir in egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil and mix well.
3. Stir cornstarch and flour together.
4. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat.
5. Heat oil for deep-frying in wok or deep-fryer to 375 degrees.
6. Add chicken, small batches at a time, and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden crisp.
7. (Do not overcook chicken).
8. Remove chicken from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; set aside.
9. Clean wok and heat 15 seconds over high heat.
10. Add 1 tablespoon oil.
11. Add ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant; about 10 seconds.
12. Add and stir-fry crushed chiles and green onions.
13. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds.
14. Add Orange Sauce and bring to boil.
15. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed.
16. Stir water into remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth and add to chicken.
17. Heat until sauce is thickened.
18. Stir in sesame oil and orange zest if desired.
19. Serve over white rice.