If you’re searching for orange chicken near me in the United States, the quickest route is Panda Express. It’s the chain that created the dish, and its website has a restaurant locator you can search by state. P.F. Chang’s also lists an Orange Chicken on its menu. In the UK, it’s harder. Panda Express’s official locator only covers US states and territories, so you’ll need to check individual restaurant and takeaway menus instead.
Below is where to look on each side of the Atlantic, what the dish actually is, and the official nutrition and allergen details, since this is a fried, sugary dish and worth checking before you order.
Finding orange chicken near me in the US
Panda Express’s locator page lists restaurants state by state. California has the most at 618, followed by Texas with 345 and Florida with 145. Hawaii, where the dish was first made, has 37. Puerto Rico and Guam are listed too. These counts come from the locator at the time of writing and will change as locations open and close.
The company says you can dine in, take out or order delivery, and it has an app for both Apple and Android devices. Prices vary by location and order type, so check the menu for your nearest restaurant rather than relying on a national figure.
P.F. Chang’s is the other main chain option. Its menu describes the dish as lightly battered fried chicken tossed in a sweet citrus chili sauce and garnished with orange slices. It also appears as a dinner special, served with a starter and rice. P.F. Chang’s sells a frozen orange chicken meal through its Home Menu range in supermarkets as well, if you’d rather eat at home.
What to do if you’re searching from the UK
Searching for orange chicken near me from a British postcode is a different exercise. Because Panda Express doesn’t list any UK locations, you’re relying on independent Chinese, Taiwanese and pan-Asian restaurants that happen to put it on the menu.
The dish is an American Chinese creation, so it isn’t a standard item on every UK menu. Delivery app searches for “orange chicken” can also pull in general chicken shops that don’t serve it, so open the menu before ordering to confirm the dish is really there. Look for a description that mentions fried chicken in an orange-based sauce.
Where orange chicken came from
Panda Express credits executive chef Andy Kao with creating orange chicken in 1987 at one of its restaurants in Hawaii. According to Andrew Cherng, the company’s co-founder and CEO, Kao adapted a bone-in chicken dish that was already selling well. Customers asked for the same flavour without the bone, and orange chicken followed. Cherng says Kao drew on flavours from China’s Hunan province, and he also describes the dish as a variation on General Tso’s chicken.
NPR reported that the chain uses dark chicken meat in a light batter, deep fries it, and tosses it in a wok with the sauce. The sauce balances brown sugar and honey against Chinese black vinegar and soy sauce, with garlic, ginger and a little crushed chile. According to Panda Express chef Jimmy Wang, oil from orange peels is key to the flavour.
Orange chicken isn’t a traditional dish from China. Journalist Jennifer 8. Lee, who made a documentary about General Tso’s chicken, describes both dishes as Americanised versions of sweet and sour dishes found in China. She also notes that American Chinese food has developed its own authenticity, and Panda Express itself labels its food “American Chinese.”
Calories, sugar and allergens
Panda Express publishes a full nutrition and allergen chart. For a standard 5.92 oz portion of Orange Chicken, it lists:
- 510 calories
- 24 g total fat (5 g saturated)
- 53 g carbohydrate, including 20 g sugars
- 16 g protein
- 850 mg sodium
The chart lists the Orange Chicken Cub Meal at 580 calories. That’s a kids’ meal with white rice, super greens, apple crisps and bottled water, and it includes the smaller entrée portion (380 calories on its own). A Hot Orange Chicken is also listed at 550 calories, though Panda notes that limited-time, regional or test items may not be available at every location.
For comparison, the same chart lists grilled teriyaki chicken at 275 calories and 33 g protein for a 6 oz portion. The chart also states that its values are based on standard recipes, and that actual nutrition can vary because food is handcrafted in small batches.
On allergens, Panda Express’s chart shows that orange chicken contains wheat, soy, eggs and sesame. It is listed as not containing tree nuts, peanuts, milk, fish or shellfish. That doesn’t make it safe for everyone, though. The company says its food is prepared with shared cooking equipment, preparation areas and serving utensils, so major allergens may be present in any menu item. It also says it can’t guarantee that any item is free of allergens, and delivery orders add further cross-contact risk. If you have a serious allergy, speak to the restaurant directly before ordering.
The company states that no MSG is added, except for MSG that occurs naturally in certain ingredients.
A practical way to choose
For a quick answer in the US, use the Panda Express locator, pick your restaurant and check that location’s menu, since prices and limited-time items differ. P.F. Chang’s is the sit-down alternative. In the UK, treat any listing of the dish as something to confirm on the actual menu. Whichever you choose, the official nutrition chart is worth a look first if you’re watching calories, sugar or sodium, or managing an allergy.
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