Repurpose Panda Express Leftovers with This Sweet & Spicy Dinner Recipe

So, you’ve overordered from Panda Express. Again. It happens to the best of us. There’s something about Panda Express that makes us want to make sure that we’ll have enough food to really satisfy our cravings, which can, in turn, mean that we walk away with way too much of its orange chicken and rice. And sure, it might taste just as good the next day, but there’s something about eating it again that feels a little, well, boring. 

Never fear, though, people: You can turn those leftovers into something magical. We introduce sweet-spicy fried rice, made with orange chicken, for your consideration. You. Are. Welcome. 

Combine Rice, Orange Chicken, and Veggies for a Dinner of Champions

To start this recipe, you need two main ingredients: Panda Express orange chicken and a portion of its steamed white rice. If you’ve already mixed ‘em up in a meal, then this dish will still work, but in an ideal world, you’ll have kept them as separate as possible so that the rice can develop a nice char when you fry it.

Chop up any fresh vegetables you want to add, and then stir-fry them on a high heat before adding the rice. Add the orange chicken (ideally, you’ll have heated this in an air fryer first, so that you’re not starting from cold) and some crushed red pepper, and serve immediately. The stickiness of the orange chicken will hold the rice and veggies together wonderfully, but it won’t make it too clumpy—and the red pepper adds a wonderful heat. 

Now, you don’t have to just stick to Panda Express’ white rice here: If you have some of its leftover fried rice, that’ll work too. However, bear in mind that rice has already been cooked twice, and so it may end up slightly mushier than if you use its white steamed option. Plus, Panda Express white steamed rice works so well here, as day-old leftover rice is exactly what you need to make this dish the best it can be. 

Got Any Other Leftovers? Throw ‘Em In

The best thing about fried rice is that you can add in pretty much anything you like, making it a perfect canvas for the rest of your Panda Express leftovers. Got some of its eggplant tofu, or Super Greens? Toss them in your wok. Came away from the restaurant with a few extra egg rolls? Slice them up and mix them through. Yes, it won’t look especially elegant, but you can’t tell us that it won’t be delicious. 

Oh, and if you want your spice element to be a bit more interesting than the gentle fire of crushed red pepper, then feel free to go wild here, too. Sriracha adds a tangy spice and a garlic note that can accentuate the other flavors in the dish, while fresh chilies give a more intense, almost acidic heat. Or you can lean on the sugary side by adding a dollop of sweet chili sauce. Bear in mind that this can make your meal a touch more gloopy, though.