Panda Express is America’s largest Chinese-American fast food chain — and one of the trickiest places to estimate calories without looking at the actual numbers. The dishes look hearty, the portions are generous, and the sauces add more calories than most people realize.
This guide gives you the complete Panda Express calories breakdown — every entree, every side, every appetizer — so you know exactly what you’re ordering before you eat.
👉 Use our Cava Calorie Calculator for Mediterranean bowls, or our Chipotle Calorie Calculator for burrito bowls — and check our full blog for more restaurant calorie guides.
Panda Express Entree Calories
Entrees are the protein choices that form the core of your plate. Here’s every major entree ranked from lowest to highest calorie:
| Entree | Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mushroom Chicken | 5.6 oz | 220 | 13g | 13g |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | 5.4 oz | 190 | 9g | 14g |
| Broccoli Beef | 5.4 oz | 150 | 7g | 10g |
| Black Pepper Chicken | 5.5 oz | 280 | 16g | 18g |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | 5.5 oz | 300 | 13g | 36g |
| Kung Pao Chicken | 5.9 oz | 290 | 19g | 16g |
| Beijing Beef | 5.6 oz | 470 | 26g | 13g |
| Orange Chicken | 5.7 oz | 490 | 23g | 26g |
| Honey Walnut Shrimp | 3.5 oz | 360 | 23g | 13g |
| Honey Sesame Chicken | 5.7 oz | 420 | 23g | 17g |
| SweetFire Chicken Breast | 5.5 oz | 380 | 15g | 16g |
| Chow Mein (as entree) | 9.4 oz | 510 | 22g | 13g |
| Super Greens | 8.1 oz | 90 | 3g | 6g |
Key insight: Broccoli Beef at 150 calories and String Bean Chicken at 190 calories are dramatically lighter than Orange Chicken at 490 calories. The difference between the lightest and heaviest entrees is 340 calories from the same-sized serving.
Panda Express Side Calories
Sides form the base of your plate and contribute significantly to your total:
| Side | Serving Size | Calories | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Greens | 8.1 oz | 90 | 11g | 3g |
| Mixed Vegetables | 8.2 oz | 70 | 13g | 1g |
| White Steamed Rice | 8.1 oz | 380 | 85g | 0g |
| Brown Steamed Rice | 8.1 oz | 420 | 88g | 4g |
| Fried Rice | 9.3 oz | 620 | 85g | 21g |
| Chow Mein | 9.4 oz | 510 | 72g | 22g |
The side choice is one of the biggest calorie decisions at Panda Express. Fried rice at 620 calories vs. mixed vegetables at 70 calories — that’s a 550-calorie difference just from the side choice.
Panda Express Appetizer Calories
| Appetizer | Calories |
|---|---|
| Chicken Egg Roll (1) | 200 |
| Veggie Spring Roll (1) | 190 |
| Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 pieces) | 190 |
| Apple Pie Roll (1) | 150 |
Panda Express Drink Calories
| Drink | Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Any | 0 |
| Unsweetened Iced Tea | Any | 0 |
| Small Fountain Drink | 16 oz | 150–200 |
| Large Fountain Drink | 32 oz | 300–400 |
| Lemonade | 16 oz | 160 |
Adding a large fountain drink adds 300–400 calories to your meal — worth noting when calculating your total.
Panda Express Plate Calories: Full Combinations
The most popular way to order at Panda Express is the plate format — one side + two entrees. Here’s what common combinations add up to:
The Lightest Plate
- Mixed Vegetables (70 cal) + String Bean Chicken (190 cal) + Broccoli Beef (150 cal)
- Total: 410 calories
The Average Plate
- Fried Rice (620 cal) + Orange Chicken (490 cal) + Kung Pao Chicken (290 cal)
- Total: 1,400 calories
The Heaviest Plate
- Fried Rice (620 cal) + Beijing Beef (470 cal) + Orange Chicken (490 cal)
- Total: 1,580 calories
The range between the lightest and heaviest plate is over 1,100 calories — all from the same restaurant, the same format, the same price.
How Panda Express Calories Compare to Other Fast Casual Chains
| Restaurant | Average Meal Calories |
|---|---|
| Panda Express (light plate) | 400–600 cal |
| Panda Express (typical plate) | 900–1,400 cal |
| Chipotle bowl | 600–1,050 cal |
| Subway 6-inch | 250–480 cal |
| Cava bowl | 400–900 cal |
Panda Express has a wider calorie range than almost any other fast casual chain — which makes knowing your specific order especially important.
Calories by Panda Express Combo Size
| Combo | Format | Typical Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl | 1 side + 1 entree | 500–1,000 cal |
| Plate | 1 side + 2 entrees | 700–1,400 cal |
| Bigger Plate | 1 side + 3 entrees | 900–1,800 cal |
| Family Feast | Multiple | Varies |
How to Order Lower Calorie at Panda Express
The biggest calorie savings come from three decisions:
1. Choose your side wisely Mixed Vegetables (70 cal) vs. Fried Rice (620 cal) = 550 calories saved — the single biggest lever at Panda Express.
2. Pick lighter entrees Broccoli Beef (150 cal) or String Bean Chicken (190 cal) instead of Orange Chicken (490 cal) = 300 calories saved per entree.
3. Skip fountain drinks Water or unsweetened iced tea vs. a large fountain drink = 300–400 calories saved.
Together, these three changes can take a 1,400-calorie meal down to under 500 calories — same restaurant, same format, dramatically different result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Panda Express meal?
A typical Panda Express plate (1 side + 2 entrees) ranges from about 410 calories for the lightest combination to over 1,500 calories for the heaviest. Most people’s standard orders fall between 900–1,200 calories. The side choice and entree selection are the biggest variables.
What is the lowest calorie Panda Express entree?
Broccoli Beef at 150 calories is the lowest calorie entree on the standard menu. String Bean Chicken Breast at 190 calories and Super Greens at 90 calories are also among the lightest options. These are significantly lighter than popular choices like Orange Chicken (490 cal) or Beijing Beef (470 cal).
What is the lowest calorie side at Panda Express?
Mixed Vegetables at 70 calories is the lowest calorie side option — dramatically lighter than Fried Rice (620 cal) or Chow Mein (510 cal). Super Greens at 90 calories is the second lightest. Choosing either of these instead of a grain side saves 430–550 calories from the base of your meal.
Is Panda Express healthier than other fast food?
Panda Express offers both very light and very heavy options — making direct comparisons difficult. A well-chosen Panda Express plate can be 400–500 calories, competitive with healthier fast casual options. A poorly-chosen plate can exceed 1,500 calories. The chain offers more fresh vegetables and lighter protein options than traditional fast food.
Does Panda Express have a calorie calculator?
Panda Express publishes nutrition information on their website for individual menu items. For building a complete meal and calculating your total, our restaurant calorie guides provide the full breakdown for easy reference.
How many calories in Panda Express Orange Chicken?
A standard serving of Panda Express Orange Chicken contains 490 calories for approximately 5.7 oz. It’s one of the higher-calorie entrees on the menu due to the breading and sweet sauce. See our dedicated Orange Chicken calorie guide for the full breakdown.
Final Thoughts
Panda Express calories vary more than almost any other fast casual chain — from 410 calories for a light plate to over 1,500 for a heavy one. The side dish choice alone can swing your total by 550 calories. Knowing these numbers before you order puts the control back in your hands.
👉 For more restaurant calorie guides visit our blog 👉 Track your Chipotle order with our Chipotle Calorie Calculator 👉 Track your Subway order with our Subway Calorie Calculator 👉 Visit AgeAndCalorie.com for all our free tools
