Update: We tried it! Click here to read our review.
Do fast food chains know the U.S. is in the middle of the hottest months of the year? I’m not sure they do because they keep releasing products that can burn out mouths. So far it’s been Sonic Reaper pepper slushes, Taco Bell Reaper pepper sauce coated fries, and now Panda Express’ Sichuan Hot Chicken.
The menu item features breaded all-white meat chicken tossed in a spicy, Sichuan-inspired sauce and topped with a sprinkle of a spice blend. The entree first made its appearance as a test item late last year.
Sichuan Hot Chicken is available for a limited time at participating locations.
A serving has 400 calories 26 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 45 milligrams of cholesterol, 910 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 19 grams of protein.
If you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it in the comments.
(Image via Panda Express.)
In other countries that experience hot weather, they eat chile peppers in order to induce sweating, or the body’s natural cooling system.
Had this for dinner last night. I thought at the height of dinner rush in a mostly tourist-filled mall I would get some that look recently sauced, like the ones in the picture. They were bone dry. The staff seemed excited that I was the first person to ask them to shake seasoning on top as well.
They were spicy chicken tenders. Nothing more. Did not feel a numbing sensation, did not need to bury my lips in cherry coke, it was just spicy.
Perhaps I’ll go back once these get some traction, but if I don’t I will be fine.
I had some today during lunch rush. Mine were from a fresh batch literally put out in front of my eyes. Parts of them had oil on them still, so they looked sauced, but I’ve had the real deal at several places in NYC (Cafe China = Best IMHO) and this dish didn’t come close. I even got it “extra spicy.”
I get that its Panda Express and not cooked by a real Sichuan chef, but they have all this fancy advertising and a story to make most of America (that probably doesn’t have access to a real Sichuan restaurant) think this is authentic. Don’t be fooled that this is true Sichuan preparation. They ground up the peppercorn way too fine (and prob mixed it with paprika), but they need to figure out how to perhaps source it right, grind it the same day, and store it properly so that the mouth-numbing effect is still there. They also need to cook this with long hot peppers and some chili oil and get a true heat. Is that too hot for most Americans? Possibly, but I’m not sure if this counts as Sichuan. I wonder if any of them tried this, that they’d be offended.
IMHO, KFC’s nashville hot is hotter than what I had today. My suggestion – PE should make a redux version that is more legit and comes with a warning. I don’t know what I will do when or if I leave NYC for this style of food.