It's easy to get a delicious high protein meal at Panda Express if you know what to look for! This list ranks all the best high protein options at Panda Express, plus tips on how to add more protein to your favorite orders.
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The Best Panda Express High Protein Options
When craving Chinese American takeout food, nothing hits the spot quite like Panda Express. Compared to other fast food places, they offer a great range of protein and veggie-packed entrees that fit right into a healthy diet and can add a lot to your daily protein intake.
I've compiled all the best Panda Express high protein orders to make things easier for you. I've also added sides and pairing ideas that'll bring every order to well over 15 grams of protein, up to as much as 50 grams of protein, while still keeping it at a reasonable calorie count! By the way, if you're looking for healthy Panada Express options that are low in calories, check out this list next.
1. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Nutritional Info:
- 300 Calories
- 13g Fat
- 8g Carbs
- 8g Sugar
- 0g Fiber
- 36g Protein
At over 35 grams of protein per serving, the grilled teriyaki chicken is easily the highest protein menu item on the Panda Express menu. It's made with grilled marinated chicken, sliced, and served with a packet of teriyaki sauce. Any of the sides will add over 5 grams of protein to the meal, but the healthiest options are steamed brown rice and super greens, which add 15 grams of protein combined.
2. Black Pepper Angus Steak
Nutritional Info:
- 180 Calories
- 7g Fat
- 10g Carbs
- 6g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 19g Protein
Though it's evenly tied with the Orange Chicken in terms of protein, the Black Pepper Angus Steak has a leg up for having less than half the calorie count. This savory stir-fry with steak strips, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions is great for a healthier high protein meal or to balance out the calories from the fried rice and chow mein, which have 11 and 13 grams of protein, respectively.
3. Orange Chicken
Nutritional Info:
- 370 Calories
- 17g Fat
- 38g Carbs
- 14g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 19g Protein
A Panda Express staple, the Orange Chicken is made with fried breaded chicken in a sticky, savory orange glaze and has almost 20 grams of protein. Unlike some of the other chicken entrees, the Orange Chicken has no added veggies, so pair it with a healthy side like the super greens which will add 6 grams of protein.
4. Kung Pao Chicken
Nutritional Info:
- 290 Calories
- 19g Fat
- 14g Carbs
- 6g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 16g Protein
The spiciest entree on the Panda Express menu, the Kung Pao Chicken packs heat and protein with diced chicken, red chilies, bell peppers, zucchini, green onions, and peanuts. On top of having over 15 grams of protein, it's also one of their healthier offerings at less than 300 calories per serving.
5. Honey Sesame Chicken Breast
Nutritional Info:
- 490 Calories
- 22g Fat
- 40g Carbs
- 19g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 16g Protein
Made with breaded chicken and a sticky and savory sauce, Honey Sesame Chicken is one of the highest calorie entrees Panda Express has, but it also packs an impressive 16 grams of protein per serving. Pair it with a lighter option like the super greens, which will bring the total up to 22 grams of protein.
6. String Bean Chicken Breast
Nutritional Info:
- 190 Calories
- 9g Fat
- 13g Carbs
- 4g Sugar
- 4g Fiber
- 14g Protein
In addition to the protein content from the chicken breast bites, this entree has a good amount of fiber from string beans and sliced onions. In fact, it's the highest fiber entree at Panda Express! Double up on healthy fiber with the super greens at 6 grams of protein, or double up on protein with a side of chow mein noodles at 13 grams.
7. Black Pepper Chicken
Nutritional Info:
- 280 Calories
- 19g Fat
- 15g Carbs
- 7g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 13g Protein
A little lower in protein than the Black Pepper Steak but just as delicious, the Black Pepper Chicken is made with marinated chicken, celery, and onions. You can add any of the available side dishes to bring the meal to 19 grams of protein or more.
8. Honey Walnut Shrimp
Nutritional Info:
- 360 Calories
- 23g Fat
- 35g Carbs
- 9g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 13g Protein
If you're craving seafood, the honey walnut shrimp is Panda Express' highest protein option. This sweet and crispy entree has tempura-battered shrimp and candied walnuts in a creamy honey-sweetened sauce. It's slightly lower in calories than other sweet menu options like Beijing Beef or Honey Sesame Chicken and provides 13 grams of protein that you can complement with a side of super greens or rice to bring it to over 19 grams of protein.
9. Sweet Fire Chicken Breast
Nutritional Info:
- 380 Calories
- 15g Fat
- 47g Carbs
- 27g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 13g Protein
The Sweet Fire Chicken's fiery heat and punchy sweet and sour notes make it a must-try for anyone still missing the famous discontinued hot and sour soup. It has about 13 grams of protein and goes great with steamed brown rice for an additional 9 grams of protein.
10. Beijing Beef
Nutritional Info:
- 470 Calories
- 26g Fat
- 46g Carbs
- 24g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 13g Protein
This popular entree is made of crispy fried beef strips tossed with red bell peppers and onions in a sweet and tangy sauce. It's got 13 grams of protein and pairs perfectly with a side of steamed white rice for 7 grams of protein more. The Beijing Beef is one of the highest calorie options they offer, so you'll want to balance it with a side of nutritious super greens. As a bonus, this fiber-rich side also provides 6 grams of protein!
11. Mushroom Chicken
Nutritional Info:
- 220 Calories
- 14g Fat
- 11g Carbs
- 4g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 12g Protein
Next to the String Bean Chicken, Mushroom Chicken is the lightest chicken entree you can order and provides a good 12 grams of protein. It's hearty and veggie-filled from the springy mushrooms and wok-tossed zucchini slices and is an excellent pairing for the fried rice at 11 grams of protein or the healthier brown steamed rice at 9 grams.
12. Firecracker Shrimp
Nutritional Info:
- 110 Calories
- 4g Fat
- 7g Carbs
- 4g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 11g Protein
If you're looking for something light and packed with fresh vegetables, the Firecracker Shrimp is a fantastic choice. It's the lowest calorie entree on the menu and brings over 10 grams of protein with bites of nutritious string beans, bell peppers, and onions. You can order it with steamed rice for the healthiest meal, but it's light enough to pair with the fried rice or chow mein without feeling too heavy and will come out to over 20 grams of protein.
13. Broccoli Beef
Nutritional Info:
- 150 Calories
- 7g Fat
- 13g Carbs
- 7g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 9g Protein
While not the highest protein option on the list, the broccoli beef is definitely one of the healthiest. It's lower in calories and fat than most entree options and a great way to add some greens and a bit of extra protein. Paired with a side of steamed brown rice, you can get a decently balanced and healthy meal with 17 grams of protein in total.
14. Chicken Egg Roll
Nutritional Info:
- 200 Calories
- 12g Fat
- 16g Carbs
- 2g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 8g Protein
The chicken egg rolls are the highest protein appetizer on the Panda Express menu and a great way to start off a high-protein meal. An order has about 8 grams of protein plus some filling fiber from minced cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and green onion.
15. Eggplant Tofu
Nutritional Info:
- 340 Calories
- 24g Fat
- 23g Carbs
- 17g Sugar
- 3g Fiber
- 7g Protein
This vegan option at Panda Express has 7 grams of protein and can easily be incorporated into a protein-packed meal with their other plant-based sides. The best option to pair it with is the chow mein for 13 grams of protein, with the brown rice being a close second at 9 grams of protein.
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