Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken: Price, Calories & Ingredients 

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken is a savory entrée made with diced white-meat chicken, celery, onions, and coarse black pepper in a mild ginger-soy sauce. A 6.3 oz serving has 280 calories, 19g fat, and 13g protein. Pricing starts around $6.50 à la carte, with bowls, plates, and family meals available at all 2,500+ locations.

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken is the savory answer to the menu’s sweeter, stickier options. While Orange Chicken gets all the attention, this entrée offers a bolder, more savory alternative built around fresh ground black pepper instead of sugar and citrus.

The dish combines marinated diced chicken breast with celery and onions, wok-tossed at high heat in a mild ginger-soy sauce. Celery is the standout ingredient here  no other chicken entrée on the Panda Express menu uses it, which gives Black Pepper Chicken its signature crunch.

One common point of confusion: Black Pepper Chicken is not the same dish as Black Pepper Sirloin Steak. They share a name and a pepper-forward flavor profile, but the proteins, sauces, and nutrition facts are entirely different.

What Is Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken is a stir-fry entrée made with all-white-meat diced chicken breast, celery, and yellow onions, tossed in a mild ginger-soy sauce and finished with coarse ground black pepper.

Here’s what defines the dish:

• Protein: Marinated, diced all-white-meat chicken breast
• Vegetables: Sliced celery and diced yellow onions
• Seasoning: Fresh ground black pepper, ginger, and garlic
• Sauce base: Mild soy sauce with a touch of sesame oil
• Cooking method: Wok-tossed at high heat for a slight char, or “wok hei,” flavor

Black Pepper Chicken vs. Black Pepper Sirloin Steak: What’s the Difference?

Black Pepper Chicken and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak are two separate entrées that share a name and a peppery flavor base, but differ in protein, sauce, price, and nutrition.

If you’re after a lighter, protein-dense option, the steak version delivers more protein for fewer calories. If you prefer a milder, more classic Panda Express flavor, the chicken version is the better pick.

How Much Does Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken Cost?

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken starts at around $6.50 for an à la carte serving, with bowls, plates, and family meals offering additional value depending on how many entrées and sides you want.

Prices vary slightly by location and region, so check your local store or the Panda Express app for exact numbers.

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken Nutrition Facts

A standard 6.3 oz serving of Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken contains 280 calories, 19g of fat, 15g of carbohydrates, and 13g of protein. It is not currently certified as a Wok Smart menu item due to its fat content.

How Many Calories Are in Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken has 280 calories per 6.3 oz serving, making it one of the lower-calorie chicken entrées on the menu  nearly half the calories of Orange Chicken (510) or Hot Orange Chicken (550).

For comparison, a full-size Cub Meal portion (4.6 oz) contains 200 calories, which makes Black Pepper Chicken a solid choice if you’re managing your daily intake without sacrificing flavor.

What’s in Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken? Ingredients & Allergens

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken is made with diced white-meat chicken breast, celery, yellow onion, black pepper, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and cornstarch, cooked in vegetable oil.

Full ingredient list:

• Diced white-meat chicken breast
• Celery, sliced
• Yellow onion, diced
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch (thickener)
• Vegetable oil (for wok cooking)

Allergen information:

• Contains: Wheat, soy, sesame
• Does not contain: Peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk
• Not gluten-free: The soy sauce base contains wheat

Is Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken Spicy?

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken has a mild-to-medium spice level. Its heat comes from fresh ground black pepper rather than chili peppers, so it’s milder than Kung Pao Chicken but noticeably bolder than Orange Chicken or Mushroom Chicken

.

Think of it as warm and aromatic rather than sharp. If you’re sensitive to spice, this is one of the more approachable savory options on the menu.

What’s the Best Way to Order Black Pepper Chicken?

The best combination depends on your goal  balance, low-carb, or high-protein. Here are three popular ways to order it:

Classic Combo (Plate): Black Pepper Chicken + Orange Chicken + Chow Mein  around 1,000 calories, mixing sweet, savory, and peppery flavors for $11.10.

Low-Carb Option (Bowl): Black Pepper Chicken + Super Greens  about 410 calories, 24g protein, and 11g carbs for $9.30.

High-Protein Meal (Bigger Plate): Black Pepper Chicken + Grilled Teriyaki Chicken + String Bean Chicken + Super Greens  roughly 895 calories and 62g protein for $12.90.

What Does Black Pepper Chicken Taste Like?

Black Pepper Chicken tastes bold and peppery with a savory, lightly sweet undertone from the ginger-soy sauce base. The tender diced chicken contrasts with crunchy celery and slightly softened onions for a varied texture in every bite.

Unlike Orange Chicken’s thick, glazed coating, Black Pepper Chicken’s sauce is thin and light, letting the pepper and aromatics take center stage rather than sugar.

How to Make Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken at Home

If your local Panda Express doesn’t carry Black Pepper Chicken, or you simply want a homemade version, the dish comes together in about 30 minutes with a handful of pantry staples.

Basic sauce formula:

• Chicken broth or water
• Soy sauce (light and/or dark)
• Oyster sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Cornstarch (for thickening)
• Coarse ground black pepper
• Ground ginger and garlic

Method overview:

1. Cut chicken (breast or thigh) into 1-inch pieces and marinate briefly with soy sauce and cornstarch.
2. Sear the chicken in a hot wok or skillet until golden, then set aside.
3. Stir-fry celery and onion for 3–4 minutes until just tender, keeping some crunch.
4. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the sauce, and simmer until it thickens and coats everything evenly.
5. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

The grind size of your black pepper matters more than the quantity  a coarse, butcher-style grind delivers bold flavor without overwhelming heat, which is closer to the restaurant’s version than standard table pepper.

What Is Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken Sauce Made Of?

The sauce behind Black Pepper Chicken is a savory blend of soy sauce, a touch of sugar, ginger, garlic, and coarse black pepper, thickened lightly with cornstarch. It’s built for balance  savory and peppery first, with just enough sweetness to round out the sharpness of the pepper.

At home, oyster sauce is often added to deepen the umami flavor, along with a splash of rice vinegar for brightness  both common substitutions in copycat versions since Panda doesn’t publish its exact recipe.

Is Black Pepper Chicken Available at Every Panda Express?

Black Pepper Chicken is a permanent menu item available at all 2,500+ Panda Express locations nationwide, and it consistently ranks among the chain’s top 10 best-selling chicken entrées.

That said, some locations rotate less popular items during off-peak hours based on regional demand, so it may occasionally be unavailable at a specific store. If that happens, ask staff about availability or check the app before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken made of?
It’s made with marinated diced white-meat chicken breast, celery, yellow onions, and fresh ground black pepper, wok-tossed at high heat in a mild ginger-soy sauce.

How many calories are in Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?
A 6.3 oz serving contains 280 calories, 19g of total fat, 13g of protein, 15g of carbohydrates, and 1,130mg of sodium.

Is Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken spicy?
It has a mild-to-medium spice level. The heat comes from fresh ground black pepper, not chili peppers, making it milder than Kung Pao Chicken but bolder than Orange Chicken.

What’s the difference between Black Pepper Chicken and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak?
They’re different entrées entirely. Black Pepper Chicken uses diced chicken breast in a ginger-soy sauce ($6.50, 280 cal), while Black Pepper Sirloin Steak uses sliced beef in a black pepper wine sauce ($8.00+, 180 cal).

How much does Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken cost?
À la carte pricing starts at $6.50. A Bowl costs $9.30, a Plate is $11.10, and a Bigger Plate is $12.90, with slight variation by location.

Is Black Pepper Chicken gluten-free?
No. The dish contains wheat through its soy sauce marinade, so it is not gluten-free.

Does Panda Express use chicken thighs in Black Pepper Chicken?
No. Panda Express uses all-white-meat chicken breast, diced into pieces. Many copycat recipes use thighs for extra juiciness, but the restaurant version sticks to breast meat.

What sides pair best with Black Pepper Chicken?
Chow Mein and Fried Rice are classic pairings that soak up the sauce, while Super Greens or Steamed White Rice offer a lighter, lower-carb option.

Is Black Pepper Chicken available at every location?
Yes, it’s a permanent item at all 2,500+ Panda Express restaurants, though some locations rotate less popular items during slower hours.

How does Black Pepper Chicken compare nutritionally to Orange Chicken?
Black Pepper Chicken has about half the calories (280 vs. 510) and less than half the sugar (7g vs. 20g) of Orange Chicken, though slightly less protein (13g vs. 16g). For a lighter option, Black Pepper Chicken is the stronger choice.