Panda Express Chicken Potstickers: Calories, Ingredients & Price
A 3-piece order of Panda Express Chicken Potstickers has 160 calories, 6g protein, 6g fat, and 20g carbs. They’re filled with chicken, cabbage, and onions, wrapped in a wheat-flour wrapper, and pan-seared rather than deep-fried. A standard order typically runs around $2-3 and pairs with a soy-based dipping sauce.
Panda Express Chicken Potstickers have quietly become one of the most-ordered items on the appetizer menu, and it’s easy to see why. They’re smaller than an egg roll, cheaper than a full entrée, and deliver that satisfying contrast of a crispy seared bottom against a soft, chewy top. But before you add an order to your bag, it helps to know exactly what’s in them, how many calories you’re working with, and how they stack up against Panda’s other appetizers.
What Are Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Chicken Potstickers are Panda Express’s take on the classic Chinese dumpling. Each dumpling is filled with a mixture of chicken, shredded cabbage, and onion, then wrapped in a thin wheat-flour wrapper. The name “potsticker” comes from the cooking method: the dumplings are first steamed, then seared in a hot pan, which causes the bottoms to lightly stick and crisp while the tops stay soft. They’re served in orders of three pieces, typically alongside a soy-based dipping sauce.
How Many Calories Are in Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
A 3-piece serving (3.3 oz) of Panda Express Chicken Potstickers contains 160 calories. This figure is confirmed on Panda Express’s official nutrition page and matches independent trackers like CalorieKing and Open Food Facts.
|
Nutrient |
Amount (3 pcs / 3.3 oz) |
|
Calories |
160 |
|
Total Fat |
6g (1.5g saturated) |
|
Cholesterol |
20mg |
|
Sodium |
250mg |
|
Total Carbohydrates |
20g |
|
Dietary Fiber |
1g |
|
Sugars |
2g |
|
Protein |
6g |
Roughly 51% of the calories come from carbohydrates, 34% from fat, and 15% from protein. At 160 calories, one order accounts for about 8% of a standard 2,000-calorie daily diet, making it a reasonably light way to add flavor to a meal without derailing a calorie budget.
What Ingredients Are in Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Panda Express Chicken Potstickers are made from 17 ingredients, according to product data verified on Open Food Facts. The full list is:
- Chicken
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Sugar
- Salt
- Granulated garlic
- Sesame seed oil
- Soy sauce
- Soybean oil
- Modified corn starch
- Ginger
- Yeast extract
- Chives
- Enriched bleached flour
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Corn starch
Chicken makes up the largest share of the filling (roughly half), followed by cabbage and onion. The wrapper itself is built from enriched bleached flour, water, and corn starch, which is why the dish isn’t suitable for gluten-free diets.
Are Panda Express Chicken Potstickers Gluten-Free or Vegan?
No. Panda Express Chicken Potstickers are not gluten-free because the wrapper contains wheat flour, and the filling includes soy sauce, which also contains wheat. They’re also not vegan or vegetarian, since chicken is the primary ingredient. Confirmed allergens include wheat, soy, and sesame. They do not contain peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, or milk.
How Much Do Panda Express Chicken Potstickers Cost?
Chicken Potstickers are priced as an à la carte appetizer, generally in the $2-3 range for a 3-piece order, with larger sharing portions available at select locations. Exact pricing varies by market and location, so it’s worth checking your local Panda Express app or menu board for current rates.
What Sauce Comes with Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Chicken Potstickers are traditionally served with Panda’s soy-based Potsticker Sauce at no extra charge. If you want to switch things up, Hot Mustard, Sweet & Sour Sauce, and Chili Sauce all work well as alternative dips. For a DIY option, mixing soy sauce with a splash of rice vinegar and a few drops of sesame oil closely mimics the traditional gyoza dipping sauce.
Are Chicken Potstickers Fried or Steamed?
Panda Express Chicken Potstickers are pan-seared, not deep-fried. The dumplings are steamed first to fully cook the chicken filling, then finished in a hot pan to crisp up one side. This two-step method is the same technique used for Japanese gyoza, and it’s a big reason the potstickers come in lighter on fat than deep-fried appetizers like spring rolls.
How Do Chicken Potstickers Compare to Other Panda Express Appetizers?
|
Appetizer |
Calories |
Fat |
|
Chicken Potstickers (3 pcs) |
160 |
6g |
|
Chicken Egg Roll (1 roll) |
200 |
|
|
Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 pcs) |
190 |
|
|
Vegetable Spring Roll (2 rolls) |
240 |
Among Panda’s appetizer lineup, Chicken Potstickers land on the lower end for both calories and fat, largely thanks to the pan-searing method compared to the deep-fried preparation used for egg rolls, rangoons, and spring rolls.
What’s the Best Way to Order or Reheat Chicken Potstickers?
For the best texture, eat potstickers fresh the crispy seared bottom softens quickly, especially in a closed to-go container. If you’re taking them home:
- Reheat in a skillet: Pan-sear with a teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes to restore crispness.
- Use an air fryer: 350°F for 3-4 minutes works well and avoids sogginess.
- Skip the microwave: It tends to make the wrapper chewy and soggy rather than crisp.
Pairing potstickers with a protein-forward entrée like Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, or adding them to a lighter side like Super Greens, is a simple way to round out a meal without piling on excess calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
A 3-piece serving of Panda Express Chicken Potstickers has 160 calories, 6g of fat, and 20g of carbohydrates, according to Panda Express’s official nutrition data.
How much protein is in Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Panda Express Chicken Potstickers contain 6g of protein per 3-piece serving, along with 6g of fat and 250mg of sodium.
Are Panda Express Chicken Potstickers gluten-free?
No. The wrapper is made from wheat flour, and the filling contains soy sauce, so Chicken Potstickers are not gluten-free.
Are Panda Express Chicken Potstickers vegan or vegetarian?
No. Chicken Potstickers contain chicken as the primary ingredient, making them unsuitable for vegan or vegetarian diets.
What allergens are in Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Chicken Potstickers contain wheat, soy, and sesame. They do not contain peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, or milk.
Are Panda Express Chicken Potstickers fried?
No. They are steamed first, then pan-seared on one side, which is the traditional potsticker cooking method rather than deep-frying.
What sauce comes with Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
They’re served with a soy-based Potsticker Sauce by default, though Hot Mustard, Sweet & Sour, and Chili Sauce are also available.
How many pieces come in an order of Chicken Potstickers?
A standard à la carte order includes 3 pieces, weighing about 3.3 oz total.
Which Panda Express appetizer has the fewest calories?
Chicken Potstickers have the fewest calories of Panda’s main appetizers at 160 per order, compared to 190-240 calories for rangoons, egg rolls, and spring rolls.
How should I reheat Panda Express Chicken Potstickers?
Pan-sear them in a lightly oiled skillet for 2-3 minutes or use an air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Avoid the microwave, which makes the wrapper soggy.