Orange Chicken
Today is the Lunar New Year, or the start of Chinese New Year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. It is a celebration, a time for traditions, and a time for family.
I love many of these traditions like gathering the entire family together the night before for a meal to visit with one another. Many families also thoroughly clean their houses to sweep away any ill fortune and to make way for incoming good luck. It is also popular to decorate with red paper cutouts that encourage good fortune, health, and longevity.
Today we are sharing in some festivities to honor this beautiful culture and have made a few simple dishes.
The first is this Orange Chicken recipe which is extremely easy and a super fast meal to whip up on any night of the week. Orange Chicken is a bit more American-Chinese and not truly authentic but its a fusion that is delicious and one I think you will enjoy.
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 25.5oz. bag of frozen popcorn chicken
1 20.5oz. bottle of Panda Express Orange Sauce
Zest of 1 orange
Sliced oranges (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Spread popcorn chicken evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 400 degrees. (Tip: I sometimes also use an air fryer instead of the oven. Cook it for the same time - 12 minutes at 400 degrees -and I find that chicken is crispier.)
While the chicken is baking, pour the entire bottle of Panda Express Orange Sauce into a large saute pan and heat over medium high heat.
Add cooked popcorn chicken to saute pan, tossing completely in the sauce and cook for 3-5 minutes over medium high heat.
Sprinkle the zest of one orange on top of chicken.
Serve warm with rice and top with orange slices (optional).
