Panda Express Puts Its Orange Chicken in a Sandwich

The chicken sandwich wars aren’t over.

September 10, 2021

Photo by: Photo courtesy of Panda Express

Photo courtesy of Panda Express

Who said the chicken sandwich war was over?! Months after fast-food restaurants such as Popeyes, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and others released dueling chicken sandwiches and similar products, Panda Express has thrown itself into the fray.

However, unlike the aforementioned chains that more or less created completely new menu items in order to compete, Panda Express opted to upgrade and sandwich-ify one of its most beloved dishes —Orange Chicken.

On September 16, the Panda Express Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena, California, will start serving a new dish appropriately dubbed the Orange Chicken Sandwich. The item, which is slated to be tested for a limited time solely at the Pasadena location, is undoubtedly inspired by the brand’s iconic fan-favorite menu item.

According to information from a Panda Express representative, the Orange Chicken Sandwich marries the “sweet, tangy flavors with America’s favorite comfort food, fried chicken.” The meal, which also has “a little kick” to it, can easily be enjoyed on the go. More specifically, the sandwich combines breaded white meat chicken breast topped with the classic Original Orange Chicken and a spicy aioli sauce on top of a bed of shredded cabbage and thick crinkle cut bread and butter pickles. To make you drool even more, the whole shebang is nestled between halves of a soft, sweet King’s Hawaiian bun.

Hungry yet?

As Panda Express fans may know, this is hardly the first time the chain from the malls of our youth has crafted a new menu item with its trademark dish in mind. In the past, Panda Express has invented different ways to enjoy the classic, such as the Orange Chicken Burrito, which was first a hit back in 2017.

Back in July, Panda Express partnered with Beyond Meat to give its celebrated Orange Chicken a plant-based makeover in select locations in New York and California. I had the opportunity to try the vegan take on the dish and can vouch for its utter deliciousness. Customers agreed as well, which is why the meat-free meal sold out in California less than a month after its grand debut.

While there are currently no plans to bring the Orange Chicken Sandwich to additional Panda Express locations, it will likely be rolled out in additional markets if it tests well in California.

Are you eager to give Panda Express’ Orange Chicken Sandwich a try?

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Panda Express Is Giving Its Famous Orange Chicken a Makeover

The Chinese American chain is offering guests a vegan version of its signature dish later this month.

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