Black Pepper Chicken Panda Express: Price, Calories, Nutrition
If you are searching for Black Pepper Chicken Panda Express, you are probably looking for more than just a quick description.
I wanted to check the current nutrition information, ingredients, calories, and how this entree compares with some of the other popular Panda Express chicken options.
Black Pepper Chicken is one of those menu items that can get overlooked next to Orange Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken.
But it has a very different profile. It is not breaded or deep-fried like Orange Chicken, and the flavor is built more around black pepper, vegetables, soy sauce and a savory sauce.
There is one important thing to mention first: Panda Express menu availability can vary by location, and Black Pepper Chicken has recently been reported as unavailable at some restaurants.
Panda’s own website also says that regional and test items may not be available everywhere.
What Is Black Pepper Chicken at Panda Express?
Black Pepper Chicken is a savory Panda Express chicken entree made with dark meat chicken, celery and onions.
The dish also contains a proprietary sauce with ingredients including water, sugar, soy sauce, salt and spices.
According to Panda Express’ published ingredient information, the main ingredients include dark meat chicken, celery, onions and soybean oil.
The ingredient statement also lists garlic, rice wine, wheat, sesame oil and several other ingredients used in the preparation.
What I like about this dish is that it doesn’t try to be super sweet. The black pepper gives it a stronger savory taste, while the celery and onions add a little crunch and freshness.
It is a pretty different experience from The Original Orange Chicken, which is coated and tossed in a sweet, tangy sauce.
Some Panda Express customers also seem to appreciate this difference. In one Reddit discussion, a commenter who grew up in Guangzhou said they felt Black Pepper Chicken was among the Panda Express dishes that most closely resembled the Chinese flavors they were familiar with.
That’s obviously a personal opinion, not an official measure of authenticity, but it shows why this entree has a loyal following.
Black Pepper Chicken Panda Express Calories
According to the current nutrition information published by Panda Express, a standard serving of Black Pepper Chicken contains 200 calories. The listed portion is 6.3 oz.
Here is the nutrition breakdown:
| Nutrition | Black Pepper Chicken |
|---|---|
| Serving size | 6.3 oz |
| Calories | 200 |
| Total fat | 12 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 50 mg |
| Sodium | 1,070 mg |
| Total carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
These numbers come directly from Panda Express’ nutrition information rather than from a third-party calorie website.
There is, however, a little confusion online about the calorie number. Some current Panda Express location/menu pages have displayed 280 calories per serving for Black Pepper Chicken, while the company’s central nutrition database currently lists 200 calories for a 6.3 oz serving.
For that reason, I would use the official nutrition-information page as the primary reference, while recognizing that Panda says nutritional values can change because of recipe, portion, supplier and preparation differences.
How Much Sodium Is in Black Pepper Chicken?
This is probably the number I would pay the most attention to if you are comparing menu items.
A serving of Black Pepper Chicken contains 1,070 mg of sodium according to Panda Express. That’s considerably more than you might expect from a 200-calorie entree.
So, although the calorie count is relatively modest compared with some Panda Express entrees, that does not automatically make it a low-sodium food.
For example, Panda’s current nutrition data lists:
- Black Pepper Chicken: 1,070 mg sodium
- Mushroom Chicken: 820 mg
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken: 610 mg
- Broccoli Beef: 600 mg
- Black Pepper Sirloin Steak: 560 mg
- Orange Chicken: 1,000 mg
- Kung Pao Chicken: 1,300 mg
This is a good example of why I don’t think calories alone tell the full story when looking at a restaurant menu.
Black Pepper Chicken Ingredients
The official ingredient statement lists dark meat chicken, celery, onions and soybean oil as the primary ingredients.
It also contains smaller amounts of ingredients such as garlic, phosphoric acid, corn starch, guar gum, potato starch, modified food starch, rice wine, wheat, sesame oil, caramel color, salt, spices and sodium phosphates.
Panda identifies the dish as containing:
- Soy
- Wheat
- Sesame
This is particularly important if you have a food allergy. Panda Express states that it uses shared cooking equipment, preparation areas, utensils and storage areas.
Because of this shared environment, the company says it cannot guarantee that a menu item is completely free from major allergens or other substances that could cause an allergic reaction.
So I would not treat the ingredient list as a guarantee of an allergen-free meal.
Is Black Pepper Chicken Healthy?
The answer depends on what you mean by “healthy.”
If you’re comparing calories and protein, Black Pepper Chicken can look pretty reasonable.
At 200 calories and 15 grams of protein per listed serving, it is considerably lighter than some of Panda Express’ fried and heavily sauced choices.
For comparison, Panda’s nutrition data lists Orange Chicken at 560 calories and 19 grams of protein, while Kung Pao Chicken has 270 calories and 20 grams of protein.
But sodium changes the picture.
At 1,070 mg sodium, Black Pepper Chicken isn’t something I’d describe as a low-sodium entree. That’s why I prefer looking at the complete nutrition panel instead of simply saying “200 calories = healthy.”
If I’m building a meal and want to keep the total calories lower, I’d pair it with a vegetable-based side rather than automatically adding fried rice or Chow Mein.
Black Pepper Chicken With Super Greens
One combination worth considering is Black Pepper Chicken + Super Greens.
Panda Express currently lists the entree serving of Super Greens at 45 calories, with 3 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 130 mg sodium.
Using those listed values, the two items together would be approximately:
200 + 45 = 245 calories
That is for the individual nutrition portions, not necessarily a complete restaurant meal as served in every ordering format.
And this is where portion size matters. A Bowl, Plate or Bigger Plate includes a side and one or more entrees, so the final calorie count can become much higher depending on what you select.
Black Pepper Chicken vs Orange Chicken
If you’re deciding between these two, the biggest difference is the style of preparation.
Black Pepper Chicken is savory, peppery and vegetable-forward, while Orange Chicken is sweet, tangy and much higher in calories.
Based on Panda Express’ current nutrition information:
| Item | Calories | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Pepper Chicken | 200 | 15 g | 1,070 mg |
| Orange Chicken | 560 | 19 g | 1,000 mg |
| Mushroom Chicken | 180 | 13 g | 820 mg |
| Kung Pao Chicken | 270 | 20 g | 1,300 mg |
So if calories are your main concern, Black Pepper Chicken is much lighter than Orange Chicken.
But if sodium is your main concern, neither is especially low.
Does Every Panda Express Have Black Pepper Chicken?
No, and this is something I would check before making a special trip for it.
Panda Express explains that certain menu items can be regional or unavailable at some locations.
There were also recent customer reports in 2026 about Black Pepper Chicken being unavailable at some restaurants.
One Reddit discussion suggested that availability may depend on the individual location, with some restaurants continuing to serve it.
These are customer reports rather than an official Panda Express announcement, so I wouldn’t treat them as a nationwide discontinuation notice.
In other words, if you don’t see it at your local Panda Express, that doesn’t necessarily mean the entree has disappeared everywhere.
FaQs:-
How many calories are in Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?
A 6.3 oz serving of Black Pepper Chicken has 200 calories, according to Panda Express nutrition information.
Is Black Pepper Chicken at Panda Express healthy?
It can be a lighter choice at 200 calories and 15g protein, but it is high in sodium, with about 1,070mg per serving.
What is in Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?
It is made with dark meat chicken, celery, onions, soybean oil, and a savory black pepper sauce. It also contains soy, wheat, and sesame.
Is Black Pepper Chicken spicy?
It has a noticeable black pepper flavor, but it is generally more savory and peppery than extremely hot or spicy.
Is Black Pepper Chicken still available at Panda Express?
Availability can vary by location. Some Panda Express restaurants may not carry it, so it’s best to check your local menu before visiting.
Conclusion:-
For me, Black Pepper Chicken is one of the more interesting choices on the Panda Express menu because it doesn’t rely on the sweet-and-sticky flavor profile that many American Chinese restaurant dishes use.
The 200-calorie nutrition listing is attractive if you’re trying to build a lighter meal, and the 15 grams of protein gives it some nutritional value. But the 1,070 mg sodium is the number I would keep in mind before ordering.
The other thing is availability. If you already know your local Panda Express carries it, great. If not, check the current menu first because availability can vary.
Overall, if you like black pepper, onions, celery and a savory sauce, I think this entree is worth trying. It may not have the same fame as Orange Chicken, but honestly, sometimes the less-hyped menu item is the one you end up ordering again.
Data note: Panda Express says its nutrition values are based on standard recipes and serving methods, but actual nutrition can vary because of portion sizes, preparation methods, suppliers, regional differences and natural variation in ingredients.
Read More:- https://mypandaexpressmenu.com/panda-express-cantonese-bbq-brisket/
