Panda Express launches plant-based Orange Chicken in all 2,300 US locations

For the first time, American Chinese restaurant Panda Express is offering a plant-based Beyond Meat version of its Orange Chicken entrée in all 2,300 locations across the U.S.

The trademarked dish, officially known as Beyond The Original Orange Chicken, combines the “irresistibly crunchy texture and flavor” of the classic Panda Express favorite and Beyond Meat’s “best-in-class plant-based protein capabilities,” according to a news release.

Panda Express and Beyond Meat first introduced the dish in Southern California and New York City in July 2021, with chefs wok-frying more than 1,300 pounds of plant-based chicken on the first day alone. After such a successful pilot, the dish debuted in 70 locations in 10 markets in October.

Now, Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is available for a limited time nationwide. In celebration of the launch, customers who purchase a bowl via the Panda Express app or website using the code “BEYOND” beginning Sept. 26 will receive another free entrée of their choice.

“We are thrilled to offer Beyond The Original Orange Chicken to consumers nationwide for the very first time,” Beyond Meat Chief Innovation Officer Dariush Ajami said. “By partnering with Panda Express to introduce new and innovative plant-based options that deliver the delicious taste and experience of their iconic menu items, we’re enabling people to enjoy their favorite dishes with the upsides of plant-based meat.”

Aside from Beyond The Original Orange Chicken, Panda Express, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., offers other plant-based dishes and vows to continue to explore other ways to delight evolving tastes.

“Our team has been overjoyed by the undeniable excitement and incredible demand generated when we first introduced Beyond The Original Orange Chicken last summer as an innovative twist on our most iconic dish,” Panda Express Chief Brand Officer Andrea Cherng said.

“After nearly 40 years of creating original American Chinese dishes, quality and innovation remain at the core of who we are. We’re continuously exploring creative ways to present our guests with the comfort and crave-ability they can expect from Panda while appealing to their evolving preferences and tastes.”

Featured Image via Panda Express

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