Panda Express is giving chicken fans something new to talk about. The chain has brought back Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, a crispy, bite-sized chicken dish inspired by the popular street food found at Taiwan’s night markets.
There is a catch, though. You cannot simply walk into any Panda Express and order it. The new item is currently being tested at participating restaurants in just seven U.S. markets, making it one of those menu drops that could leave some fans searching for the nearest location.
The limited-time test began September 8, 2026, with restaurants in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, and Reno taking part.
What Makes Panda Express Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Different?
Popcorn chicken may not seem like a very new concept at first glance. Fried chicken in bite-size portions is a well-known American fast food staple.
However, Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a different thing.
Yán sū jī is made of thin slices of meat and is a popular traditional snack in Taiwan, particularly at night markets. The chicken is cut up into pieces, dipped in a seasoning and deep fried until crisp, and then drizzled with a savory seasoning. Panda Express is going to take a leaf from that book but adding its own American Chinese twist!
Panda’s recipe calls for dark-meat chicken, which should liven up the pieces with its juicy, rich flavor. It is lightly brushed with an extra crunchy batter, tossed with a dry seasoning mix of tamarind, tomato, garlic and onion.
It’s a far cry from the sweet sauces that most people think of when they think of Panda Express.
The chicken is not covered but the flavour is incorporated into the seasoning. It should be crispy, savory and slightly tangy with a hint of brightness from the tamarind.
And Then There Is the Fried Kale
Here’s the ingredient that may surprise people: fried kale.
Panda Express finishes the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with crispy fried kale. The company describes it as its American Chinese interpretation of the traditional basil garnish often associated with Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
Whether you are a kale fan or not, the idea makes sense from a texture standpoint. The chicken is already crunchy, and the fried kale adds another crispy element to every bite.
It also makes the dish look a little different from Panda’s usual chicken entrees.
Don’t Skip the Chili Crisp Aioli
The chicken comes with a side of house-made Chili Crisp Aioli, which might be the part that gets people coming back for another order.
Rather than drowning the chicken in sauce, Panda Express lets you dip each piece yourself. That means the crispy coating can stay crispy while the creamy, mildly spicy aioli adds another layer of flavor.
If you enjoy chili crisp, this is probably worth trying with the chicken instead of eating the bites on their own.
And because the dish is designed to be eaten by hand, it feels more like a snack than a traditional Panda Express meal.
Where Can You Get It?
Probably the most important thing to know before getting too excited about trying it is this.
There are currently only seven cities that can offer Panda Express Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken: Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix and Reno.
If you reside in one of those cities, it’s a wise idea to go to your neighborhood restaurant before traveling. Not all of the Panda Express locations in those areas will necessarily be part of the test.
Everyone else will not have a national launch at the present time.
This is not to say it won’t, though. Panda Express is testing the new snack item in order to gauge customer reactions. People like it and then there is the possibility of the company expanding it to other markets.
You Can Still Order It as a Regular Meal
Although Panda Express is positioning the new chicken as a walk-and-eat snack, you are not restricted to carrying around a bucket of chicken.
Panda Express lets customers order Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken as an entrée with a Bowl, Plate, or Family Meal at no extra charge.
So, if you are already ordering fried rice or chow mein, you can add the new chicken as part of a regular Panda Express meal.
That flexibility could actually help the item appeal to people who are curious but do not necessarily want a standalone snack.
The Collectible Bucket Could Be the Real Temptation
Panda Express is also adding a little extra excitement to the launch.
The company teamed up with Frankie Gaw, the Taiwanese American designer, cookbook author and creator behind Little Fat Boy, to create a limited-edition collectible bucket.
The red pail takes inspiration from Taiwanese night markets, American movie-theater nostalgia and Panda Express’s own playful branding.
Starting September 9, customers at participating test locations can receive the collectible with the purchase of a large à la carte order of Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, while supplies last.
There are some restrictions. The bucket is tied to the qualifying large à la carte purchase, and the promotion is not valid with a Family Meal. Quantities are also limited.
Could It Become a Permanent Panda Express Favorite?
That may depend on how customers react this time around.
Panda Express previously tested Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, and early customers were enthusiastic about it. Some online reactions were especially positive, with fans describing it as one of the chain’s best entrees.
Now the company is giving the concept another shot with a larger test.
For fans of crispy chicken, it is easy to see why the item is getting attention. You have juicy dark meat, a crunchy coating, tangy tamarind seasoning, crispy kale and a creamy.