How Many Calories in Panda Express Orange Chicken? A Detailed Look

Panda Express orange chicken is a beloved menu item known for its crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce. But with its crunchy batter and sticky glaze, you may wonder – just how many calories are in Panda Express orange chicken?

In this article, we’ll break down the calorie count in orange chicken at Panda Express. We’ll look at how ingredients, portion size, cooking method, and pairings impact the calories. With the right info, you can enjoy this signature dish while still meeting your nutritional goals.

Calorie Count Breakdown by Portion Size

The number of calories in Panda Express orange chicken varies most significantly by portion size. Here’s a quick calorie breakdown:

• Single serving (5.7 oz): 490 calories
• Kid’s serving (4.2 oz): 355 calories
• Family serving (16 oz): Around 1,400 calories

These counts come straight from Panda Express’s nutrition data As you can see, portion size makes a big difference in calories A smaller kid’s portion clocks in at 355 calories, while a regular single serving has 490. Family servings pack a whopping 1,400 calories but serve multiple people.

Why Portion Size Matters

Bigger portions mean more calories – that’s why paying attention to portion size is so important. A larger 8.6 oz serving can have over 700 calories. Sticking with a smaller kid’s size or splitting a regular portion with a friend helps cut down on calories.

Portion size also varies if you get orange chicken as part of a bowl or plate combo. A Panda Bowl with orange chicken and fried rice packs around 800-900 calories. Opting for a smaller portion of orange chicken within a combo bowl keeps things lighter.

The Role of Ingredients in Calorie Count

A few key ingredients drive up the calorie count in Panda Express orange chicken:

Battered, fried chicken: The chicken is coated in a batter and deep fried, adding a good amount of fat and calories. Using boneless thighs also adds more fat than chicken breast.

The orange sauce: Packed with sugar, the sweet glaze contributes significant calories and carbs. A single serving has 19g of sugar from the sauce alone.

Oil for frying: Frying in oil adds more fat and calories versus grilling or baking. Just the oil contributes around 23g of fat per serving.

So the combination of battered chicken, sugary sauce, and frying results in a higher calorie dish. But what makes it so tasty!

How Cooking Method Affects Calories

As mentioned, the cooking method for Panda Express orange chicken also impacts its nutrition profile. Deep frying the battered chicken adds more fat and calories compared to grilled chicken dishes.

The proprietary batter, made with flour, eggs, and secret spices, also boosts calories versus plain chicken. Wok tossing the chicken in the orange sauce after frying adds tons of flavor without many extra calories.

Small variations in oil, frying time, or batter across locations could result in slight calorie differences. But Panda Express recipes are well standardized for consistency.

Pairings Add More Calories

What you order alongside the orange chicken significantly affects the total calorie count. Pairings like fried rice, chow mein, or noodles add even more calories:

• Fried rice: Around 400 calories, making a bowl nearly 900 calories
• Chow mein: Similarly high in calories at around 300 calories per serving

Lighter pairings like steamed veggies keep things balanced:

• Super greens: Only 90 calories, so just 580 calories total
• Steamed veggies: Around 60 calories, for 550 calories total

Opting for a smaller portion of orange chicken and lighter sides is a great way to cut calories while still enjoying the flavors you love. Share a regular portion or choose a kid’s size to keep your meal balanced.

Healthy Ways to Enjoy Panda Orange Chicken

Here are some easy tips for reducing calories in your Panda Express orange chicken order:

• Choose a kid’s portion (355 calories)
• Ask for light orange sauce or sauce on the side
• Pair with steamed veggies instead of fried rice
• Split a regular portion with a friend
• Enjoy it as an occasional treat along with lighter meals

With smart customizations and balanced sides, you can still enjoy the crispy chicken and tangy orange flavor while managing calories and nutrition.

Nutrition Beyond Just Calories

When looking at Panda Express nutrition, it’s important to look beyond just calories. Here are some other key nutrients per 5.7 oz serving:

• Fat: 23g (5g saturated)
• Carbs: 51g
• Protein: 25g
• Sodium: 820mg
• Sugar: 19g

As you can see, orange chicken is high in sodium due to ingredients like soy sauce. It also packs a good amount of protein but is low in fiber without veggie sides.

The high sugar content (19g per serving) comes from the orange sauce, making it best enjoyed occasionally as a treat. People with food allergies should also note the wheat, soy, eggs, and dairy in the ingredients.

Why Calorie Counts Can Vary

You may notice small variations in reported calorie counts for Panda Express orange chicken online or on apps. A few factors cause these differences:

• Inconsistent portion sizes: Heaping scoops or sauce amounts could add 50-100 calories

• Preparation differences: More or less batter, sauce, oil affects calories

• Customizations: Extra sauce, chicken increases calories

For the most accurate info, check Panda Express’s online nutrition calculator. Their data takes franchise-wide standardization into account for consistency.

The Takeaway on Panda Express Orange Chicken Calories

So how many calories in Panda Express orange chicken? A standard 5.7 oz serving packs 490 calories, while portion size, ingredients, and prep impact the totals. Choosing smaller portions, customizing with light sauce, and pairing with lower calorie sides are great ways to balance nutrition and enjoy the flavors you love. With the right info and smart choices, Panda’s famous orange chicken can be part of a balanced diet.

Four pieces of orange chicken can contain roughly 300 to 700 calories, depending on the specific recipe and portion size. For example, a serving of 4 pieces of lightly breaded orange chicken from John Soules Foods contains 170 calories.