Panda Express Orange Chicken Calories
490 calories per serving
Asian
A standard single serving (5.7 oz / ~162g) of Panda Express Orange Chicken contains approximately 490 calories, making it one of the chain's most beloved — and calorie-dense — entrées. The dish gets much of its calorie load from the battered, deep-fried chicken pieces and the sugar-heavy orange glaze, so portion size is something to keep a close eye on. Pairing it with white or fried rice can easily push a full meal past 900–1,100 calories, so choosing lower-calorie sides like steamed vegetables can make a significant difference.
Protein
23g
19% of calories
Carbs
51g
42% of calories
Fat
23g
42% of calories
Ingredient Breakdown
| Ingredient | Calories | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battered & Fried Chicken Pieces | 240 | 18g | 14g |
| Orange Sauce (sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, orange flavor) | 120 | 1g | 28g |
| Frying Oil (absorbed during deep frying) | 80 | 0g | 0g |
| Tempura / Wheat Flour Batter Coating | 30 | 1g | 6g |
| Green Onions & Ginger (garnish & seasoning) | 10 | 0g | 2g |
| Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil (seasoning base) | 10 | 1g | 1g |
| Total | 490 | 23g | 51g |
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Start your free trialHealthier Alternatives
Panda Express Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (same serving size)
Saves ~215 calories — grilled instead of fried, with far less sugar in the sauce
Panda Express String Bean Chicken Breast
Saves ~300 calories — uses non-battered chicken and a lighter, savory sauce with added vegetables
Panda Express Broccoli Beef
Saves ~340 calories — a lean protein option with a lighter brown sauce and high-fiber broccoli
Homemade Baked Orange Chicken (4 oz chicken, light sauce)
Saves ~200 calories — baking instead of frying and using a reduced-sugar orange glaze cuts fat and sugar significantly
Portion Tips
- 1.
Stick to a single entrée serving (5.7 oz) and avoid doubling up — a double portion pushes calories close to 980, nearly half a day's intake for many adults.
- 2.
Choose steamed white rice (380 cal/large) over fried rice (530 cal/large) or chow mein (510 cal/large) to save 130–150 calories on your side dish.
- 3.
Add a vegetable side like Super Greens (90 cal) to bulk up your plate with fiber and volume without significantly increasing calories.
- 4.
At the restaurant, ask for your Orange Chicken served in a bowl with vegetables rather than over a full portion of rice to naturally reduce your carb and calorie load.
- 5.
If sharing isn't an option, eat the Orange Chicken slowly — the sweet glaze is highly palatable and easy to over-consume quickly. Pausing between bites helps you register fullness.
Common Questions About Panda Express Orange Chicken
How many calories are in a serving of Panda Express Orange Chicken?
A standard single serving of Panda Express Orange Chicken (5.7 oz / ~162g) contains approximately 490 calories, along with 23g of protein, 51g of carbs, and 23g of fat. Note that a full plate meal with a side will add significantly more calories.
Is Panda Express Orange Chicken healthy?
Orange Chicken is one of Panda Express's higher-calorie, higher-sugar items due to its deep-fried batter and sweet glaze. It can fit into a balanced diet when eaten in moderation and paired with vegetable-based sides, but it is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar option. Those monitoring blood sugar or fat intake may want to choose a lighter entrée like String Bean Chicken Breast instead.
How much sugar is in Panda Express Orange Chicken?
Panda Express Orange Chicken contains approximately 19 grams of sugar per serving, mostly from the orange-flavored sweet and tangy glaze. This is an important consideration for those tracking added sugar intake.
How does Orange Chicken compare to other Panda Express entrées in calories?
Orange Chicken (490 cal) is on the higher end of Panda Express's entrée lineup. For comparison, Broccoli Beef is 150 cal, String Bean Chicken Breast is 190 cal, and Beijing Beef is 690 cal. Choosing lighter proteins like grilled or stir-fried options can save 200–300+ calories per entrée.