Panda Express Joins Chicken Sandwich Wars

Author Phil Harris

September 19th, 2022 7:24 AM

Fast-food chicken sandwiches from McDonald's, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and KFC are shown on May 06, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Another day, another new chicken sandwich. However, this one isn’t coming from a typical fast food chain. In fact, this newest entry into the chicken sandwich war comes from a place I never think of for sandwiches.

Chew Boom reports that Panda Express is testing a new version of its Original Orange Chicken Sandwich in Pasadena, California. The new sandwich is actually the Chinese-inspired fast casual chain’s second version.

When Panda Express originally tested the sandwich last year, it consisted of a breaded chicken breast topped with orange sauce, a spicy aioli, shredded cabbage, and pickles, all nestled between a King’s Hawaiian bun. It must not have clicked…or clucked…with customers.

The new recipe Original Orange Chicken Sandwich replaces the spicy aioli sauce with sriracha aioli, glazes the entire crispy chicken strip with orange sauce, replaces the King’s Hawaiian bun with a brioche bun and totally removes the shredded cabbage. But the sweet pickles are still there.

I’m all for companies trying new things because that’s how businesses grow. Do you like the idea of Panda Express joining the chicken sandwich wars or should they stick with what they do best? You can see the new sandwich in the review below:

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

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