Panda Express Hot Orange Chicken Burrito

Hot Orange Chicken Burrito

Inspired by the Panda Express Innovation Kitchen, this Hot Orange Chicken Burrito is a bold, craveable fusion of sweet heat and savory comfort. Wrapped in a warm tortilla, it’s packed with fluffy rice, chow mein, spicy mayo, crisp cucumber salad, and that signature sweet and spicy chicken. The perfect quick and fun meal to recreate at home while Hot Orange Chicken is still on the menu!

Ingredients:

Burrito:

• 1 large tortilla, warmed
• ½ cup cooked white rice
• ½ cup chow mein
• ½ cup Hot Orange Chicken
• 2 tablespoons cucumber salad (see below)
• 1–2 tablespoons spicy mayo (see below)

Cucumber Salad:

• 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• ½ tsp sugar
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Sesame seeds
• Green onion, sliced

Spicy Mayo:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp lime juice

Instructions:

1. Make the cucumber salad:
In a bowl, combine sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and optional red pepper flakes. Toss to coat, then top with sesame seeds and green onion. Chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes.

2. Mix the spicy mayo:
In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice until smooth.

3. Warm the tortilla:
Heat your tortilla in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.

4. Build your burrito:
Layer rice, chow mein, Hot Orange Chicken, cucumber salad, and spicy mayo in the center of the tortilla.

5. Roll & press:
Fold the burrito tightly, then place it seam-side down in a hot skillet. Press lightly and cook for 1–2 minutes until the outside is golden and crisp.

6. Slice & serve:
Remove from the pan, slice in half, and enjoy warm!

Tips:

• Chill your cucumber salad ahead of time for extra crunch and flavor.
• Pressing the burrito adds a crisp exterior and helps it hold together.
• Swap Hot Orange Chicken with any sweet-and-spicy chicken if it’s not available

Let’s Talk Ingredients: The Stars of This Burrito!

What takes this Hot Orange Chicken Burrito from a quick meal to something you’ll want to make again and again? It’s all about the details. Each layer brings a different texture and flavor, and together, they create that perfect bite. Let’s break down the ingredients that make this burrito shine:

1. Hot Orange Chicken
This is the bold, flavorful heart of the burrito. Sweet, spicy, and sticky in all the right ways, Hot Orange Chicken brings that signature Panda Express flavor we all crave. The glaze clings to every bite of chicken, giving you that perfect balance of citrusy tang and chili heat. If it’s still on the menu—run, don’t walk!

2. Chow Mein
Noodles in a burrito? Yes, and it totally works. Chow mein adds chewiness and depth, soaking up that spicy mayo and mingling beautifully with the rice. It’s a nod to Panda Express’s comfort classics, and it adds both flavor and texture in a fun, unexpected way.

3. Cucumber Salad
This cool, crunchy salad cuts through all the richness. Tossed with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of soy sauce, the cucumbers stay crisp and tangy—bringing a refreshing bite that brightens the whole burrito. It’s the secret weapon that keeps everything balanced.

4. Spicy Mayo
This creamy, spicy sauce ties it all together. A blend of mayo, sriracha, and lime juice, it adds heat, richness, and a tiny citrus kick. It’s drizzled right over the top of the fillings so every bite has a little zing and a little creaminess.

5. Warm Tortilla
The wrap that brings it all home. A warm tortilla makes everything cozy, while crisping it on a hot pan gives the outside that golden, griddled finish. It’s soft, sturdy, and just the right size to hold all that deliciousness inside.