Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken: 2026 Nutrition & Macros
Finding a fast-food meal that satisfies your cravings while aligning with your nutritional goals requires access to accurate, up-to-date data. For fans of American Chinese cuisine, the menu board often presents a tough choice between flavor-packed favorites and lighter, vegetable-forward options.
What Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is a popular American Chinese entree featuring thin, crispy strips of white-meat chicken breast, fresh string beans, and crisp yellow bell peppers. The ingredients are wok-tossed in a sweet honey glaze and topped with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch.
Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Calories and Nutrition Facts
Understanding the exact nutritional profile of your meal is the first step toward smart dining. Here is the official nutritional breakdown for a standard serving.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | 340 |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 19g |
| Protein | 16g |
| Sodium | 480mg |
Honey Sesame Chicken Ingredients and What It Is Made Of
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is made of premium white-meat chicken breast coated in a light, crispy batter. The meat is stir-fried alongside fresh string beans and diced yellow bell peppers. The dish is finalized with a signature sauce made from honey, soy sauce, and a garnish of sesame seeds.
What Does Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Taste Like
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken tastes distinctly sweet and savory with a prominent honey flavor. The crispy batter absorbs the sticky glaze, while the fresh string beans and yellow bell peppers provide a fresh, vegetal crunch that perfectly balances the rich, caramelized notes of the sauce.
Is Honey Sesame Chicken Sweet or Spicy
Honey Sesame Chicken is exclusively a sweet and savory dish with zero spice. Unlike Orange Chicken or SweetFire Chicken Breast which feature a mild kick of chili heat, the Honey Sesame sauce relies entirely on honey, soy, and sesame oil to create a smooth, mild, and kid-friendly flavor profile.
Honey Sesame Chicken Portion Size and Serving Details
A standard single serving of Honey Sesame Chicken weighs approximately 5.3 ounces. When you order a Bowl or a Plate, the staff uses a standardized scoop designed to deliver this exact portion. A la carte medium or large boxes contain roughly two to three times this base serving size.
How Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Is Cooked
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is cooked using a two-step process. First, the battered white-meat chicken strips are deep-fried until golden and crispy. Second, the cooked chicken is wok-tossed at high heat with fresh string beans, yellow bell peppers, and the signature honey sauce until perfectly coated.
Is Honey Sesame Chicken Better Than Other Panda Express Entrees
Honey Sesame Chicken is better than Orange Chicken if you want lower sodium and fewer calories. However, it is worse than Wok Smart options like String Bean Chicken Breast or Broccoli Beef if your primary goal is maximizing protein intake while keeping total fat and carbohydrate counts to a minimum.
Best Panda Express Meals with Honey Sesame Chicken
The best meals with Honey Sesame Chicken balance its sweet, heavy profile with lighter, savory elements. Pairing it with a serving of Super Greens and a savory, low-sugar entree like Broccoli Beef creates a highly satisfying meal that balances macronutrients without overwhelming your palate with excess sugar.
Can You Order Honey Sesame Chicken Online or for Delivery
You can easily order Honey Sesame Chicken online through the official Panda Express website or mobile app. It is also fully available for delivery via third-party partners like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Ordering directly through the Panda app allows you to earn Panda Rewards points on your purchase.
Does Honey Sesame Chicken Come in Catering or Family Meals
Honey Sesame Chicken is available in both Family Meals and large catering trays. A 5-Person Family meal allows you to select it as one of your three large entrees. For larger events, you can order a Party Size Entree of Honey Sesame Chicken, which typically serves 12 to 14 people.
Best Side Dishes to Pair with Honey Sesame Chicken
The best side dishes to pair with Honey Sesame Chicken are Super Greens or White Steamed Rice. The Super Greens add vital fiber and cut through the sweetness of the sauce. White Steamed Rice acts as a neutral base that perfectly absorbs the sticky honey glaze without adding conflicting flavors.
Is Honey Sesame Chicken Good for Weight Loss
Honey Sesame Chicken is not ideal for strict weight loss due to its high calorie density and 19 grams of sugar. However, it can fit into a calorie-deficit diet if you control your portion sizes by ordering it in a Bowl with a low-calorie vegetable side like Super Greens.
Tips to Order Honey Sesame Chicken Smartly (Save Calories & Money)
To order Honey Sesame Chicken smartly, ask for a “half and half” side of Super Greens and White Rice to balance fiber and carbs. Financially, ordering a Bigger Plate and splitting it with a friend offers a much lower cost-per-ounce than buying two individual Bowls. Always utilize the Panda Rewards app for exclusive discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a small a la carte box of Honey Sesame Chicken?
A standard 5.3-ounce serving of Honey Sesame Chicken contains 340 calories.
Does Honey Sesame Chicken have more sugar than Orange Chicken?
Both entrees contain exactly 19 grams of sugar per standard serving, making them equally sweet.
What kind of chicken is used in this dish?
Panda Express uses 100% white-meat chicken breast strips for the Honey Sesame Chicken.
Is there dairy in the Honey Sesame Chicken?
No, according to the official allergen menu, this dish does not contain any dairy products.
How much protein does one serving provide?
You will get 16 grams of protein from a standard serving.
Are the sesame seeds mixed in or sprinkled on top?
The toasted sesame seeds are mixed into the wok during the final tossing process, ensuring even distribution.
How much does a Party Size tray of Honey Sesame Chicken cost?
A catering Party Size Entree costs approximately $42.00 to $52.00, depending on the specific store location in 2026.
Does this entree contain MSG?
Panda Express does not add MSG directly, but naturally occurring glutamates are present in the soy sauce used in the recipe.
