Panda Express made waves with its Beyond The Original Orange Chicken, a vegan version of their iconic dish.
However, many fans were disappointed when the popular plant-based option disappeared from the menu.
So, what happened to Beyond Orange Chicken, and what vegan choices remain at Panda Express? Let’s dive in!
A Brief History of Panda Express’ Beyond Orange Chicken
Panda Express introduced Beyond Orange Chicken in July 2021, partnering with Beyond Meat to recreate their famous Original Orange Chicken using a plant-based chicken substitute.
It featured crispy, wok-tossed Beyond Meat bites coated in their signature sweet and spicy orange sauce.
The initial release was limited to select locations in Southern California and New York. The response was incredible—over 1,300 pounds sold on the first day alone, and Southern California sold out within two weeks!
From Regional Test to Nationwide Rollout
- October 2021: Expanded to 70 locations across 10 states, including California, New York, Texas, and Georgia.
- September 2022: Panda Express launched Beyond Orange Chicken nationwide, making it available in over 2,300 U.S. locations.
Despite its popularity, Panda Express always intended the rollout as a limited-time offer. By January 2023, Beyond Orange Chicken was removed from the menu, leaving many vegans hoping for its return.
Why Did Panda Express Remove Beyond Orange Chicken?
The discontinuation wasn’t due to a lack of demand. Instead, the item was only ever planned as a limited-time release.
Although there were some concerns about cross-contamination since the dish was cooked in shared woks, it remained a hit with the vegan community.
As of now, there are no plans to bring Beyond Orange Chicken back. However, its success may encourage Panda Express to add more plant-based options in the future.
Can You Still Find Beyond Orange Chicken at Panda Express?
Currently, Beyond Orange Chicken is no longer available at any Panda Express location. There are no announcements about a return, but you can recreate the dish at home with copycat recipes!
What Vegan Options Are Available at Panda Express?
While Beyond Orange Chicken is off the menu, you can still enjoy several vegan-friendly dishes:
Vegan Entrées at Panda Express
- Super Greens: A mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage, available as an entrée or side.
- Eggplant Tofu: Lightly browned tofu with eggplant and red bell peppers in a sweet, spicy sauce (availability is limited to certain regions).
Vegan Sides, Appetizers, and Extras
- Chow Mein: Stir-fried wheat noodles with onions, celery, and cabbage (cooked in shared woks).
- Chow Fun: Wide rice noodles available at select locations.
- Steamed White Rice or Steamed Brown Rice
- Vegetable Spring Rolls: Crisp rolls filled with veggies (ingredients may vary by location).
- Fortune Cookies (typically vegan, but check locally).
Vegan-Friendly Sauces
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Chili Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Plum Sauce
- Hot Mustard
Will Beyond Orange Chicken Return to Panda Express?
Panda Express has not announced plans to bring Beyond Orange Chicken back. However, its popularity proves that there’s a strong market for vegan options. Fans can contact Panda Express or join petitions to request more plant-based choices.
Given that Panda Express partnered with Beyond Meat once, future vegan collaborations could happen—imagine vegan versions of other popular menu items!
Make Your Own Beyond Orange Chicken at Home
Can’t wait for a comeback? Try a homemade version! Many copycat recipes use plant-based chicken alternatives like oyster mushrooms or crispy tofu paired with a sweet, citrusy orange sauce. Plus, cooking at home lets you avoid cross-contamination.
Quick Copycat Idea
- Crispy Coating: Use dairy-free milk, wheat-free flour, and garlic powder for a crunchy batter.
- Orange Sauce: Combine orange zest, fresh juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of molasses.
Final Thoughts
Panda Express’ Beyond Orange Chicken showed how exciting vegan fast food can be, and its disappearance has left many longing for more.
While we wait to see if it returns, Panda Express still offers some tasty vegan options.
In the meantime, why not try a homemade version and keep the flavors alive in your own kitchen?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panda Express’ Beyond Orange Chicken discontinued?
Yes, the limited-time release ended in January 2023, and it’s no longer available.
Does Panda Express have vegan options?
Yes! Vegan-friendly options include Super Greens, Chow Mein, Steamed Rice, Vegetable Spring Rolls, and several sauces.
Can I still get Beyond Orange Chicken anywhere?
No, but you can find copycat recipes online or show your support through petitions to bring it back!
