Claire Thompson
Panda Express is a well-known food chain that has been serving up a variety of dishes for years. One of their signature dishes, the Orange Chicken, has gained immense popularity among customers and has even spurred a petition demanding its return. However, some customers have questioned the availability of this dish at certain locations, and it seems that the Orange Chicken supply is sometimes limited. Panda Express has also launched vegan, spicy, and sandwich versions of the original Orange Chicken, which may be contributing factors to the inconsistent availability of the original dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Orange Chicken Availability | Available at select Panda Express locations in the US |
| Type | Original, Hot, and Beyond (plant-based) |
| Spice Level | Mild spice levels for Original; "Extra Spicy" for Hot |
| Popularity | One of the most requested dishes on Panda's social channels |
| Limited Time Offers | Regional rollout in 2022, limited national rollout in 2022, and re-launch on July 3, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan and plant-based options
Panda Express has expanded its vegan options, including plant-based alternatives to its signature orange chicken. The fast-food chain now offers a variety of vegan items, catering to the rising demand for vegan and plant-based meals.
In 2021, Panda Express introduced vegan orange chicken in collaboration with Beyond Meat. Named Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, this dish was initially available for a limited time. However, due to its popularity, it has since been reintroduced multiple times and is now available at over 600 locations across the United States. This plant-based option provides an opportunity for customers to indulge in the signature orange chicken flavour while enjoying a vegan meal.
Panda Express offers other vegan options beyond the orange chicken alternative. Their menu includes tofu, veggies, noodles, and rice. The chow mein, super greens (a mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage), and steamed rice (both brown and white) are all vegan-friendly choices. Additionally, the spring rolls, which are a crispy wrap of veggies and noodles, are also vegan. Some locations even offer eggplant tofu. While the fried rice is not vegan, the regular rice is a suitable option for those looking for a vegan side to accompany their main course.
It is important to note that Panda Express prepares its dishes in a shared kitchen with common facilities and equipment. This may be a concern for patrons with strict vegan or vegetarian dietary preferences, as there is a possibility of cross-contamination. However, with the increasing demand for plant-based options, Panda Express is actively exploring ways to incorporate more vegan ingredients into its menu.
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Regional availability
Panda Express has been offering Beyond The Original Orange Chicken at select locations in the United States. This plant-based version of their signature dish was first introduced in 2021 through a regional market test. After a limited-time national rollout in 2022, it became available at 300 additional locations across the US, bringing the total number of locations serving it to 600. However, it is only available while supplies last, and it is not currently offered internationally.
In 2024, Panda Express unveiled a new limited-time menu item, the Hot Orange Chicken, as a spicy upgrade to the original. This new version contains six scoops of crushed chillies and dried chillies, giving it a higher spice level than the original. The Hot Orange Chicken was launched at the Live Mas Live event in Las Vegas, and it is depicted on the menu as being "extra spicy". However, some customers who have tried it have reported that it is not significantly spicier than the regular version, indicating that spice tolerance can vary widely among individuals.
Panda Express has also experimented with other variations of their popular Orange Chicken dish. In 2021, they offered it as a sandwich, and in 2022, they launched a bao mashup. Additionally, they have tested a vegan version, although it is unclear if this is the same as Beyond The Original Orange Chicken. These innovations and variations in the menu show Panda Express's efforts to cater to diverse customer preferences and dietary needs, such as those seeking spicier options or plant-based alternatives.
The regional availability of the Orange Chicken variants at Panda Express seems to be dynamic and subject to change. The company appears to be responsive to customer demand, as evidenced by the reintroduction of Beyond The Original Orange Chicken after a successful regional market test and customer petitions. They also seem to be willing to experiment with new variations, gauging customer feedback, and making adjustments as needed. This flexible approach to their menu allows Panda Express to stay agile in the market and cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of their customers across different regions.
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Spice levels
The spice levels of the orange chicken at Panda Express have been a topic of discussion among food enthusiasts and spice seekers. While the official Panda Express website classifies it as "mildly spicy," some customers have found it spicy enough to cause a slight burning sensation. The original orange chicken has a mild spice level, with only one chilli pepper next to the menu description.
Panda Express introduced a new Hot Orange Chicken, which is a spicy upgrade to the original. The new version contains six scoops of crushed chillies and a ladleful of dried chillies, the same ones used in their Kung Pao Chicken. However, some customers who tried it did not find it spicy enough, with one person commenting that it was "not spicy enough. Barely any different than the regular version."
The spiciness of the orange chicken at Panda Express is subjective and can vary from person to person. Individual spice tolerance plays a significant role in determining the perceived heat level. Some factors that can influence the spiciness include batch variation, personal sensitivity, and accompanying dishes. For instance, when paired with spicier sides like Kung Pao Chicken or Szechuan Beef, the orange chicken may seem milder.
For those who prefer a less spicy experience, Panda Express offers a mild sauce option. Customers can request a milder version of the sauce to suit their taste preferences. Additionally, the spice levels of the orange chicken can be adjusted by mixing it with rice, adding sweet and sour sauce or teriyaki sauce, or drinking milk or eating yogurt to neutralise the heat.
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Limited-time offers
Panda Express has been known to offer limited-time deals on its famous orange chicken. The company often introduces new versions of the dish, which is one of its most popular items, for a short period. For instance, in 2021, Panda Express offered orange chicken as a sandwich, and in 2022, it launched a bao mashup. The chain also introduced a vegan spin-off, Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, in 2022, which was so popular that it was brought back in July 2024 for a limited time. The vegan option is now available in around 600 stores across the US.
In addition to its vegan orange chicken, Panda Express has also experimented with a spicier version of the dish. In June 2024, the chain unveiled its Hot Orange Chicken, which was billed as "extra spicy" and the highest spice level offered at the chain. However, some customers who tried it were left wanting more heat.
Panda Express's limited-time offers on orange chicken appear to be a successful strategy for the company, as they often follow customer demand. The Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, for example, was brought back due to popular demand, with a petition for its return receiving over 7,000 signatures. The company also appears to be responsive to customer feedback on its limited-time offers, as evidenced by the mixed reviews of the Hot Orange Chicken.
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Customer demand
Panda Express's Orange Chicken has been a popular dish among customers, with some even demanding its return through a petition that received over 7000 signatures. The dish is one of the most requested on Panda's social channels. The original orange chicken is a signature dish of crispy chicken wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.
To meet customer demand, Panda Express has expanded its offerings by introducing variations of the original orange chicken. The chain launched a vegan version, Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, which was made available at select locations in the United States starting in July 2024. This plant-based option was created to capture the same crunchy texture and addictive flavor of the original dish. The vegan version was first introduced in a limited national rollout in 2022 and then expanded to additional locations due to popular demand.
In addition to the vegan option, Panda Express has also experimented with different iterations of the original orange chicken. They offered it as a sandwich in 2021 and as a bao mashup in 2022. These innovative variations showcase Panda Express's willingness to respond to customer demand and provide new and exciting options.
Panda Express also introduced a spicier version of the original orange chicken, known as the Hot Orange Chicken. This new menu item was launched as a limited-time upgrade for customers who prefer their food with extra spice. While it was billed as "extra spicy," some customers felt it did not deviate significantly from the regular version in terms of spice level. Despite the mixed responses, the introduction of the Hot Orange Chicken demonstrates Panda Express's efforts to cater to diverse customer preferences and provide options for those who enjoy spicier flavors.
Overall, Panda Express's orange chicken has generated significant customer demand, leading to the creation of vegan alternatives, innovative variations, and spicier versions to satisfy the diverse tastes and preferences of their clientele. The company's responsiveness to customer feedback and their willingness to experiment with new iterations of a classic dish have helped to enhance the dining experience for their patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is only available at select locations in the United States for a limited time.
It is likely due to the limited availability of Beyond Meat products used in the dish.
The original orange chicken at Panda Express is mildly spicy, with only one chilli pepper on the menu description. However, they have launched a new limited-time menu item, the Hot Orange Chicken, which is an extra spicy version of the original.
Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is a plant-based version of Panda Express' signature orange chicken dish.
Beyond The Original Orange Chicken was launched on July 3, 2024, after a successful regional rollout and a limited-time national rollout in 2022.
