Panda Express High Protein Meals: Best Options for 2026

Panda Express Entrées Ranked by Protein

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken leads this comparison with 38g protein per listed serving. Kung Pao Chicken comes next at 20g, followed by Orange Chicken at 19g. Protein totals alone do not show how many calories come with each option.

Figures cover one listed entrée serving, excluding sides, drinks, and additional sauces. Availability and actual portions may vary.

Which Entrées Offer More Protein for Fewer Calories?

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken provides approximately 13.6g protein per 100 calories—the highest ratio in this comparison. Broccoli Beef and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak also offer more protein per calorie than Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef.

This ratio is calculated by dividing protein grams by calories and multiplying by 100. It helps compare protein efficiency, but it does not account for sodium, fiber, saturated fat, or the overall balance of your meal. If keeping calories lower is your priority, compare your entrée with the sides in our lowest-calorie Panda Express guide.

Best High Protein Panda Express Meal Combinations

Your side can change a meal’s calories considerably. These combinations use the standard serving sizes in Panda Express’s published nutrition table, with no drinks or additional sauce servings included.

Each chicken portion is 6.1 oz, Broccoli Beef is 6.3 oz, Super Greens is a 10 oz side, and White Steamed Rice is a 12 oz side. Totals are calculated estimates; restaurant portions may differ.

A High Protein Meal Under 500 Calories

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with Super Greens provides an estimated 46g protein at 460 calories. The vegetable side also contributes 8g fiber.

This combination offers the most protein per calorie among the four meals above. However, its estimated 1,270mg sodium is worth considering alongside the rest of your day’s food.

A Larger Order With More Protein

Double Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with Super Greens provides approximately 84g protein at 740 calories. It suits someone looking for a larger order, although you do not need to choose the highest-protein meal every time.

Use our protein intake calculator for an estimated daily target, then choose a portion that fits your appetite and other meals.

A Higher-Carbohydrate Option

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with White Steamed Rice provides approximately 49g protein and 142g carbohydrates. At 850 calories, it is a substantially larger calorie commitment than the vegetable-side combination.

If you prefer some rice without a full rice side, explore a split side in the meal builder. Check the selected portions before comparing totals.

A Two-Entrée Meal With Variety

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Broccoli Beef, and Super Greens provide an estimated 63g protein at 650 calories. This combination gives you two different entrées while keeping calories below the chicken-and-full-rice meal.

It also contains approximately 1,870mg sodium. More protein does not automatically make an order the best choice for every dietary need.

How to Build High Protein Low Carb Meals at Panda Express

Start with a protein-rich entrée, then compare its carbohydrates and those of your side. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken contains 38g protein and 13g carbohydrates per listed serving. Pairing it with a full Super Greens side brings the estimated total to 46g protein, 30g carbohydrates, and 460 calories.

That combination has considerably fewer carbohydrates than the same chicken with a full White Steamed Rice side, which totals approximately 142g carbohydrates. Whether 30g fits your plan depends on your daily target.

Count Additional Sauces Separately

Panda Express lists a separate 1.8 oz serving of Teriyaki Sauce at 70 calories and 16g carbohydrates, including 14g sugar. Adding that full serving to the chicken-and-greens combination would bring the estimated meal to 530 calories and 46g carbohydrates.

The chicken itself already has carbohydrates in its published nutrition values. Do not treat it as carbohydrate-free or subtract sauce calories without a verified nutrition figure for that preparation. For a stricter carbohydrate target, check our Panda Express keto options guide and confirm your complete order’s portions and sauces before deciding.

Does Panda Express Offer High Protein Vegetarian Meals?

Panda Express has some meatless options, but they provide less protein per serving than Grilled Teriyaki Chicken. Eggplant Tofu contains 8g protein and 310 calories per listed 6.1 oz serving. A full 10 oz Super Greens side adds another 8g protein and 180 calories.

Together, those portions provide approximately 16g protein at 490 calories. Despite containing tofu, this combination is not a particularly protein-dense alternative to the chicken meals above.

Check Availability and Dietary Suitability

Eggplant Tofu is not available at every location. Confirm that your restaurant serves it before planning your order around it.

If you need vegetarian or vegan food, verify the current ingredients and preparation practices directly with Panda Express. A dish’s name or vegetable content alone does not confirm that it meets your requirements. Panda Express also uses shared cooking equipment, so allergen cross-contact is possible. See our Panda Express vegetarian and vegan options guide for further ordering considerations. Compare the actual protein grams rather than assuming every tofu dish supplies a large amount.

Fit Panda Express Into Your High Protein Meal Prep Plan

A planned takeout meal can be useful on days when cooking is inconvenient. Choose your order in advance, record the full meal, and leave room for the other foods you expect to eat that day.

Start with the entrée, then select a side based on your appetite and calorie needs. Teriyaki Chicken with Super Greens keeps calories lower than the same chicken with a full rice side. Rice may still suit your plan when you want a larger, higher-carbohydrate meal.

Track the Complete Order

Include extra sauces, appetizers, and drinks when calculating your meal. Recording only the chicken can substantially understate the total. Use our daily macro calculator to estimate your broader needs, then organize planned meals with the weekly dinner planner. For more practical ordering ideas, read our Panda Express meal prep guide. Treat restaurant nutrition figures as estimates, especially when the portion served differs from the published size.

Frequently Asked Questions