If you’re guilty of walking into a Panda Express and ordering the same chow mein and orange chicken combo every time, you’re not alone. Even among the Beijing Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Vegetarian Egg Rolls, the classic Orange Chicken is on a level all its own. And now, for hungry customers in Southern California and Colorado, there’s a whole new way to enjoy it in sandwich form.
The Panda Express Innovation Kitchen opened in the summer of 2014 with the goal of making new and delicious dishes for us to chow down on. Sometimes, ideas — like the scallion pancake, chicken, and fried rice burrito — are available only in Pasadena, CA, at the Kitchen itself, but the Orange Chicken sandwich was apparently too good to be contained.
What is the Orange Chicken sandwich at Panda Express?
The star of the sandwich is a flaky, crispy chicken breast, cooked in a rice puff batter and tossed in the signature Orange Sauce. It’s topped with pickles, lettuce, and a spicy sriracha aioli, all on a soft potato bun. The sandwich will be available at the locations listed below until July 11, when, fingers crossed, it’ll follow the Crispy Almond Chicken out of the Innovation Kitchen and into stores nationwide.
Where can I try the Orange Chicken sandwich from Panda Express?
Southern California
25276 Marguerite Parkway No. 104, Mission Viejo
27670-b Santa Margarita Pkwy., Mission Viejo
8510 Firestone Blvd., Downey
14480 Merced Ave., Baldwin Park
15528 Whittier Blvd. b, Whittier
Colorado
7545 Falcon Market Pl., Falcon
2960 S. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs
1888 Democracy Pt., Colorado Springs
7165 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster
4600 S. Mason St., Fort Collins
Although Panda Express fans outside of the test locations might have a little longer to wait before we can try the sandwich (unless anyone wants to join me for a road trip?), I know just what I’m craving for dinner tonight and it comes with a side of chow mein.