Panda Express under 500 calories: 35 orders, ranked
Of the 70 Panda Express items we track, 35 are single orders at or under 500 calories — 50% of the menu. The most protein in one item under 500 is the Asian Chicken, 41 g for 340 calories; the most filling by protein and fiber per calorie is the Asian Chicken (41 g protein, 3 g fiber, 340 cal). 28 entrées fit under 500; 0 do not.
Source: healthyfastfood.org (third-party host) · Data refreshed
- 35 orders under 500
- 41g most protein in one item
- 47g protein in a full meal
- 0 entrées over 500
As of September 2026, 35 of the 70 Panda Express items we track fit under 500 calories, and the most protein in a complete Panda Express meal under 500 is 47 g (An Asian Chicken, a Super Greens Side, and a water).
Three complete Panda Express meals under 500 calories
Under 500, the most-protein entrée — the Asian Chicken, 340 cal — leaves 160 calories for a side. Entrée first, then a side, then a drink if there is room — the same greedy order the MinMax app uses (water unless a shake adds 10 g of protein). The lightest meal is unchanged from under 400; the others use the extra 100 calories.
Most protein
- Asian Chicken340 cal · 41g
- Super Greens Side90 cal · 6g
- Water0 cal
430 of 500 cal · 47 g protein
What to say at the counter: “An Asian Chicken, a Super Greens Side, and a water — 430 cal, 47 g protein.”
Get it at the nearest Panda Express →Most filling
- Asian Chicken340 cal · 41g
- Super Greens Side90 cal · 6g
- Water0 cal
430 of 500 cal · 47 g protein
What to say at the counter: “An Asian Chicken, a Super Greens Side, and a water — 430 cal, 47 g protein.”
Get it at the nearest Panda Express →Lightest
- Firecracker Shrimp110 cal · 11g
- Super Greens Side90 cal · 6g
- Water0 cal
200 of 500 cal · 17 g protein
What to say at the counter: “A Firecracker Shrimp, a Super Greens Side, and a water — 200 cal, 17 g protein.”
Get it at the nearest Panda Express →Build your own Panda Express order under 500 calories → Swap any item, add a side, share the link.
Every Panda Express order under 500 calories, ranked by protein
Single orders only — no kids' meals, combos, sauces or toppings — by grams of protein, then calories. The median order under 500 is 290 calories and 28 of the 35 are entrées. Figures as Panda Express published them (how we check them).
| # | Item | Calories | Protein | Protein / 100 cal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asian Chicken | 340 | 41g | 12.1g |
| 2 | Teriyaki Chicken | 340 | 41g | 12.1g |
| 3 | Grilled Asian Chicken | 300 | 36g | 12.0g |
| 4 | Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | 300 | 36g | 12.0g |
| 5 | Firecracker Chicken Breast | 220 | 24g | 10.9g |
| 6 | Wok-Seared Steak & Shrimp | 240 | 23g | 9.6g |
| 7 | Crispy Almond Chicken Breast | 470 | 23g | 4.9g |
| 8 | Shanghai Angus Steak (with String Beans) | 320 | 22g | 6.9g |
| 9 | Black Pepper Angus Steak | 180 | 19g | 10.6g |
| 10 | Sichuan Hot Chicken | 400 | 19g | 4.8g |
| 11 | Wok-fired Shrimp | 190 | 17g | 8.9g |
| 12 | Kung Pao Chicken | 290 | 16g | 5.5g |
| 13 | Honey Sesame Chicken Breast | 490 | 16g | 3.3g |
| 14 | Steamed Ginger Fish | 200 | 15g | 7.5g |
| 15 | String Bean Chicken Breast | 190 | 14g | 7.4g |
| 16 | Golden Treasure Shrimp | 360 | 14g | 3.9g |
| 17 | Black Pepper Chicken | 280 | 13g | 4.6g |
| 18 | Honey Walnut Shrimp | 360 | 13g | 3.6g |
| 19 | Orange Chicken | 370 | 13g | 3.5g |
| 20 | SweetFire Chicken Breast | 380 | 13g | 3.4g |
| 21 | Beijing Beef | 470 | 13g | 2.8g |
| 22 | Mushroom Chicken | 220 | 12g | 5.5g |
| 23 | Firecracker Shrimp | 110 | 11g | 10.0g |
| 24 | Hot & Sour Soup (Bowl) | 170 | 10g | 5.9g |
| 25 | Sweet & Sour Chicken Breast | 300 | 10g | 3.3g |
| 26 | Broccoli Beef | 150 | 9g | 6.0g |
| 27 | Chow Fun | 410 | 9g | 2.2g |
| 28 | Steamed Brown Rice | 420 | 9g | 2.1g |
| 29 | Potato Chicken | 190 | 8g | 4.2g |
| 30 | Chicken Egg Roll | 200 | 8g | 4.0g |
| 31 | Chicken Potsticker | 220 | 7g | 3.2g |
| 32 | Steamed White Rice | 380 | 7g | 1.8g |
| 33 | Super Greens Side | 90 | 6g | 6.7g |
| 34 | Cream Cheese Rangoon | 190 | 5g | 2.6g |
| 35 | Veggie Spring Roll | 160 | 4g | 2.5g |
What 500 calories buys at Panda Express
Going from 400 to 500 calories adds 5 orders: Chow Fun (410), Steamed Brown Rice (420), Beijing Beef (470), Crispy Almond Chicken Breast (470) and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast (490).
What doesn't fit under 500
0 of 28 Panda Express entrées are over 500 calories. With more room, see Panda Express under 600. Tighter budget: Panda Express under 400.
Eat at Panda Express without blowing your cap
MinMax finds the best Panda Express meal under your calorie goal — at the location nearest you — and lets you swap items to hit your protein. Free on iPhone.
Download MinMax — free What the app doesMore at Panda Express
- Panda Express calories & nutrition (all 70 items)
- Panda Express under 300 calories (21 orders)
- Panda Express under 400 calories (30 orders)
- Panda Express under 600 calories (37 orders)
- Panda Express calorie calculator (build an order under your cap)
Under 500 calories at other chains
The same cap at 3 Other chains, or the cross-chain pillar: fast food under 500 calories.