12 Healthiest Items at Panda Express in 2024

Indulge in flavorful Asian-fusion cuisine while sticking to your diet with the healthiest items at Panda Express. In doing so, you'll discover that going out to eat doesn't have to weigh you down. 

Panda Express was established in 1983 by husband and wife team Andrew and Peggy Cherng. What started as a locally owned Asian-fusion eatery in a Glendale mall exploded into the fast food phenomenon it is today, Panda Express.

Known for its quick buffet-like serving style and flavorful dishes such as the famous orange chicken created in 1987, Panda Express is a favorite chain for Chinese food lovers needing to eat on the go. Explore the healthiest Panda Express items to level up your next trip to the restaurant.

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• The 12 Healthiest Panda Express Menu Items
• What Is the Healthiest Item at Panda Express?
• Learn To Cook Healthy Dishes at Home

The 12 Healthiest Panda Express Menu Items

These items are rated for their nutritional content, taking into consideration factors such as calories, sodium content, protein, fat and other common nutrients. Health can mean different things for different people and it is best to follow a diet that most closely aligns with your current health goals. Explore the healthiest items at Panda Express for a delicious and nourishing meal on the go. 

1. Steamed Brown Rice

Looking for the healthiest item at Panda Express to order as a side dish? Steamed brown rice is an easy go-to side that offers low calories and plenty of fiber, which aids in healthy digestion. The steamed brown rice has 420 calories per serving, nine grams of protein, 86 grams of carbs and four grams of fiber. Choosing brown rice over white rice will add more protein and fiber to your meal. This plain dish can be paired with any entrée option for a filling and flavorful meal. 

2. Super Greens

Most of us could do with adding more greens to our diets. These vibrant super greens are a great option for a side and its one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This dish is made with cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli and cabbage, which are known to be great for gut health. This dish is low in calories and fat making it an excellent addition to your favorite entrée. Ordering the super greens over a bowl of white rice is an excellent vegetarian fast food option for those who don’t eat meat. At only 90 calories with six grams of protein and three grams of fat, this nutrient-packed side is a great option for healthy eaters.

3. Black Pepper Angus Steak

Black pepper Angus steak is one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This meal is categorized as a “Wok Smart” dish, which guarantees it has less than 300 calories and at least eight grams of protein per serving. The succulent juicy steak comes with broccoli, bell pepper and mushrooms, all tossed in a savory sauce. With 210 calories and a whopping 19 grams of protein, this entrée is sure to help you build muscle without packing on the pounds. 

4. String Bean Chicken Breast

The light and fresh string bean chicken breast is also a “Wok Smart” menu item making it one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. Chicken breast is a stellar source of lean protein for a filling and satisfying meal. This dish contains tender chicken breast, green beans and onions with a signature Panda Express sauce. This entrée weighs in at only 210 calories with 12 hearty grams of protein. 

5. Broccoli Beef

If you are craving a Chinese food classic packed with tender beef and teriyaki sauce, then broccoli beef should be your new go-to. With only 150 calories per serving, broccoli beef is one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. The nine grams of protein coupled with the nutrient-dense broccoli makes the broccoli beef entrée a satisfying meal.

6. Steamed White Rice 

If you don’t like brown rice, the steamed white rice is still one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This option has less fiber than brown rice but contains fewer calories, making it a lighter side option. This side dish has 380 calories and zero grams of fat per serving. Steamed white rice is an easy swap to make for your side dish and is one of the healthiest Panda Express items on the menu.

7. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken 

Grilled chicken is always a great option when you are trying to stick to a low-calorie, high-protein diet making the grilled teriyaki chicken an excellent choice. If you are craving classic Chinese takeout flavors then grilled teriyaki chicken is one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This dish weighs in at 340 calories with 41 grams of muscle-building protein to fuel you through your day.

8. Mushroom Chicken 

Avoiding fried food is always a good tip for those looking to live a healthy lifestyle. The mushroom chicken is a great non-fried option and one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This entrée has 220 calories and 13 grams of protein making it satisfying and flavorful. The sodium in this dish is high, with almost 840mg, but it also includes fresh mushrooms and zucchini for extra fiber.

9. Firecracker Shrimp

Although the zesty firecracker shrimp is fried, it is still a low-calorie meal you can enjoy. These spicy shrimp are the healthiest item at Panda Express for seafood lovers. This bowl is packed with flavor and includes fresh peppers and onions. Firecracker shrimp is a limited-time entrée that appears on the menu seasonally depending on location. With 210 calories and 13 grams of protein, this main packs a punch and is a healthy and flavorful item. The fire cracker shrimp is the healthiest item at Panda Express that is fried, making it a rare treat.

10. Black Pepper Chicken 

The black pepper chicken is another “Wok Smart” dish, making it one of the healthiest items at Panda Express. This spicy chicken entrée includes grilled chicken, fresh bell peppers and sautéed onions, all tossed in a flavorful sauce. Black pepper chicken's nutrition stats are 280 calories with 13 grams of protein making it a reasonable meal choice for a healthy lifestyle.

11. Grilled Teriyaki Cub Meal

Sticking to kids' meals can be a great hack for those looking to cut calories at a fast food joint. The grilled teriyaki Cub Meal offers a full meal with an entrée, your choice of two sides and a drink. All Cub Meals are under 600 calories due to the smaller portion sizes. The grilled chicken teriyaki kids meal is one of the healthiest items at Panda Express with only 210 calories and 25 grams of protein.

12. Fortune Cookies 

Enjoying treats is a fun part of any healthy lifestyle. Fortune cookies are one of the healthiest items at Panda Express due to their low calories. These folded little treasures only have 20 calories each and are a fun way to end your meal.

What Is the Healthiest Item at Panda Express?

What is the healthiest item at Panda Express? After reviewing the calories, protein content and sodium levels, the super greens are the healthiest item at Panda Express due to their low calories and high fiber content. The teriyaki chicken is also a great option because it is low in calories and high in protein which will keep you feeling full for longer. Panda Express’ inclusion of “Wok Smart” options on its menu makes it one of the healthiest fast food chains for those avoiding fattening foods.

While Panda Express is famous for its rich and calorically dense deep-fried entrée choices such as the orange chicken, which is packed with saturated fat, there are ways to make your plate healthier. If you're craving a high-calorie entrée, try swapping out your side for a healthier option such as the super greens to reduce the overall calories of the meal. Other popular high-calorie items at Panda Express include chow mein and cream cheese rangoons, which you should avoid if you are trying to eat healthier. The healthiest items at Panda Express are marked with the “Wok Smart” label for convenience. 

Learn To Cook Healthy Dishes at Home

While eating out at Panda Express can be a fun and delicious experience, making your own food at home can be healthier and just as tasty. Explore cooking classes near you and learn how to make authentic Asian-inspired dishes from a five-star professional chef in an engaging environment. Gain new tips and tricks in the kitchen while learning to cook dishes that taste better than the healthiest items at Panda Express.

Discover a wide range of Asian-inspired menus in online cooking classes and learn to cook healthy and nutritious cuisine without leaving your home. These convenient classes can inspire you to level up your healthy cooking skills and help you live the ultimate healthy lifestyle you deserve. 

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods or never eating out again. The healthiest items at Panda Express offer flavor, nutrition and lower calorie counts to help you feel satisfied without overeating.

With options including beef, chicken and shrimp, with some decidedly indulgent flavors to boot, the healthiest items at Panda Express are proof that treating yourself to fast food need not get in the way of your health goals. On the contrary, they can form an important part of your journey to achieving them, one that helps you stick to your regime and feel amazing while doing it.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.