California—Panda Express is giving customers a new reason to stop by its restaurants this week, introducing a Taiwanese-inspired Popcorn Chicken item at select locations across the United States.
The chain launched the new menu item Tuesday, describing it as its first-ever walk-and-eat snacking item. Inspired by the popular street food culture of Taiwan, the limited-time offering is being tested at 70 Panda Express restaurants in seven U.S. markets.
Customers in Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Reno, Nevada can try the new item. Each market has 10 participating locations.
The launch gives Panda Express a chance to explore a different format while putting a Taiwanese-inspired spin on a familiar American favorite.
What Comes With the New Popcorn Chicken
The new Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken starts with dark meat chicken coated in crispy breading.
The chicken is then tossed in a spice mixture featuring tamarind, tomato, garlic and onion before being finished with fried kale. Panda Express says basil is added as an American twist, bringing what the company describes as vibrant color and textural contrast to the dish.
Each order also comes with a chili crisp aioli dipping sauce, adding another layer of flavor to the crispy chicken.
The portable format is designed to make the dish easy to eat while walking around, while also making it suitable for sharing.
For customers accustomed to Panda Express’ traditional entrée selections, the new offering is meant to feel familiar while introducing flavors associated with Taiwanese street food.
New Item Comes Without an Extra Upcharge
One detail that could make the limited-time offering especially appealing to Panda Express customers is the price.
The Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken will cost the same as a standard entrée selection, meaning customers will not have to pay an additional upcharge for the new item.
That is different from certain premium selections at Panda Express, including honey walnut shrimp, which carry an additional cost.
The pricing decision could help the chain gather a clearer response from customers as it tests whether the new item has enough appeal to become a larger part of its menu.
Panda Express Connects New Dish to Its American Chinese Story
Panda Express Vice President of Brand Innovation Evelyn Wah said the company saw popcorn chicken as a natural way to introduce Taiwanese-inspired flavors to American customers.
“Popcorn chicken is a familiar favorite for many Americans, so pairing it with Taiwanese-inspired flavors and street food culture felt like the most natural way to tell our American Chinese story,” Wah said.
The new creation also has a personal connection to Panda Express co-founder and co-CEO Andrew Cherng, who spent part of his childhood in Taiwan.
That connection helped give the limited-time product added significance as the company explores how Taiwanese food culture can be incorporated into its American Chinese dining identity.
Limited-Edition Buckets Add to the Launch
The food isn’t the only new feature arriving with the promotion.
Taiwanese American designer and food creator Frankie Gaw created limited-edition buckets for the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. The designs are inspired by Taiwan’s night markets, classic American movie theaters and Panda Express’ American Chinese heritage.
The special buckets are available only while supplies last at participating restaurants.
That means customers interested in collecting the promotional packaging may have a limited window to get one alongside the new menu item.
Will Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Come Nationwide?
For now, Panda Express is keeping the new chicken item limited to the 70 participating restaurants.
The company has not confirmed whether Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken will eventually be offered nationwide.
Instead, the current rollout is being used as a testing period to gauge customer interest and collect feedback. The response from diners could help determine whether Panda Express expands the item to additional restaurants in the future.
For customers in the seven participating markets, however, the new menu item is already available to try.
Would you try Panda Express’ Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with chili crisp aioli? Tell us what you think in the comments.