Panda Express Brings Back Fan-Favorite Menu Item—But There’s One Catch
Across quick service and fast casual restaurants, one flavor trend fills the menu - swicy. People crave that tingly combination of sweet and heat. Ahead of National Orange Chicken Day, Panda Express brings back this fan favorite option.
Panda Express is the originator of Orange Chicken. In 1987, Panda Express’ Chef Andy Kao battered boneless chicken, fried it and tossed it in a sweet and sour sauce. The dish continues to be one of the Chinese-American fast food chain’s top sellers.
Starting on July 9, Hot Orange Chicken returns to the menu. Building on the classic sweet and sour flavor, this swicy option combines dried chili flakes and crushed chilies to amplify the heat in every bite. The fiery flavor is bold but not extreme.
People have been begging for the Spicy Orange Chicken. On Instagram, people said, “I want my Spicy Orange Chicken” to “I miss the spicy orange chicken it was honestly your best please bring it back someday.”
It is clear that people will be running to satisfy that swicy craving. Luckily, the Hot Orange Chicken is on the menu until September 30. Everyone will have plenty of time to satisfy to enjoy an order, or two.
While many people will be cheering for swicy chicken, social media would rather have different chicken dish back on the menu. As seen in several Instagram posts, Beyond Orange Chicken disappeared and people are not happy.
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Anytime Panda Express posts about its Orange Chicken people plead, bring back Beyond Orange Chicken. With a limited nationwide rollout in 2022 and a larger launch in 2024, Beyond Meat reported that it was “the most requested dishes on Panda’s social channels.” That loyalty to the alternative protein option remains.
For now, Hot Orange Chicken returns for a limited time. Could Beyond Orange Chicken be next? In the food world, vocal fans usually get their cravings satisfied.
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