Is Panda orange chicken real chicken?

Panda Express is bringing back a plant-based option with Beyond Meat’s trademarked Beyond The Original Orange Chicken.

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What is Panda orange chicken made of?
Is orange chicken real chicken?
Does Panda Express have fake orange chicken?
Is orange chicken from Panda white meat?

The sauce-covered entrée is now available nationwide for a limited time while supplies last, according to a press release the chain restaurant issued on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Beyond’s trademarked The Original Orange Chicken is made from plant-based protein instead of traditional animal meat. The dish is wok-tossed in “Panda’s signature sweet, spicy and tangy orange sauce” and reportedly has a crunchy texture, according to Panda Express.

Panda Express and Beyond Meat tested the menu item in New York and Southern California in July 2021, FOX Business reported at the time.

The two companies then rolled out the Beyond The Original Orange Chicken to 70 Panda Express locations for a limited time in October 2021, according to press releases from Panda Express and Beyond Meat.

Panda Express reports that the Beyond The Original Orange Chicken had high demand and sold out across several locations in less than two weeks in its first run.

The Beyond Orange chicken is available nationwide for a limited time.Instagram / Beyond Meat

Chefs at Panda Express reportedly cooked more than 1,300 pounds of Beyond The Original Orange Chicken on the menu item’s first day, the chain claims.

“After nearly 40 years of creating original American Chinese dishes, quality and innovation remain at the core of who we are,” said Andrea Cherng, chief brand officer at Panda Express, in a statement.

She continued, “We’re continuously exploring creative ways to present our guests with the comfort and crave-ability they can expect from Panda while appealing to their evolving preferences and tastes.”

The two companies had a test run last year in New York and California.Instagram / Beyond Meat

The Beyond The Original Orange Chicken entrée joins other plant-based menu options Panda Express has on its menu, including the chain’s eggplant tofu, super greens, chow mein, vegetable spring rolls and steamed rice.

Panda Express’ corporate summary says the brand reportedly has more than 2,400 locations, and it considers itself “the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S.” with nearly 40 years of operation under its belt.

The chain’s partner, Beyond Meat, was founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown, a former clean energy executive.

Beyond Meat is a plant-based meat producer in Los Angeles and the company has partnered with other restaurant brands, including KFC, TGI Fridays, Dunkin’ and Hardee’s.

Panda Express has taken the plant-based version of its famed Orange Chicken national this week, at least for a limited time.

Beyond The Original Orange Chicken has rolled out to the chain’s 2,300 units across the U.S. The dish uses a Beyond Meat alternative to chicken, and Panda Express officials say it is the first Asian chain to serve the product.

The dish was first introduced last year in Southern California and New York, and sold out in two weeks in some units, the company said. The chain’s chefs wok-fired more than 1,300 pounds of Beyond orange chicken in the first day alone.

Later, the dish was added to 70 units in ten markets. Starting Tuesday, it was available nationwide.

“Our team has been overjoyed by the undeniable excitement and incredible demand generated when we first introduced Beyond The Original Orange Chicken last summer as an innovative twist on our most iconic dish,” said Andrea Cherng, Panda Express’ chief brand officer, in a statement.

To celebrate, starting Sept. 26, guests who order the plant-based Orange Chicken online using the code “BEYOND” can receive another free bowl featuring an entrée of choice.

Since the meat-imitating Beyond and Impossible Foods products began appearing in grocery stores, and later foodservice, prior to the pandemic, plant-based options have grown considerably among meat-serving restaurant chains, appearing in various forms on the menu at Burger King, Chipotle, KFC, El Pollo Loco, White Castle, Carl’s Jr., Dunkin’ and more.

McDonald’s, however, ended its test of the McPlant this year, which did not appear to generate much excitement.

One challenge is the cost of plant-based proteins, which typically command higher menu pricing.

At a Panda Express in Los Angeles, for example, the Beyond The Original version of Orange Chicken with white rice was priced at $9.25, while the real-chicken version was $8.

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What is Panda orange chicken made of?

Ingredients: dark meat chicken, water, sugar, distilled vinegar, modified food starch, corn starch, potato starch, contains less than 2% of: wheat, orange extract, caramel color, salt, garlic, phosphoric acid, rice, sesame oil. *The dish uses a proprietary batter and sauce.

Is orange chicken real chicken?

The variety of orange chicken most commonly found at North American Chinese restaurants consists of chopped, battered and fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet orange-flavored chili sauce, which thickens or caramelizes to a glaze.

Does Panda Express have fake orange chicken?

Beyond The Original Orange Chicken has rolled out to the chain's 2,300 units across the U.S. The dish uses a Beyond Meat alternative to chicken, and Panda Express officials say it is the first Asian chain to serve the product.

Is orange chicken from Panda white meat?

Panda Express uses chicken thighs to make their orange chicken dish. So while we used white meat chicken in this recipe, you could absolutely use dark meat instead.