Panda Express vs. Chipotle, by the numbers

Panda Express publishes nutrition for 40 items and Chipotle for 93. The typical Chipotle item is lighter (median 130 calories vs 190), Panda Express has the single highest-protein item, and Chipotle has the most protein-dense order. Below: the numbers side by side, then the lightest pick in each category both chains sell, all from the chains' own nutrition guides.
Menus:
Panda Express menuLow-calorie Panda ExpressChipotle menuLow-calorie Chipotle
Items with published nutrition
Panda Express: 40
Chipotle: 93
Median calories per item
Panda Express: 190
Chipotle: 130
Real meals under 500 calories (15 g+ protein)
Panda Express: 9
Chipotle: 5
Lightest real meal (15 g+ protein)
Panda Express: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (Cub Meal) (150 calories, 20 g protein)
Chipotle: Steak (150 calories, 21 g protein)
Most protein
Panda Express: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (280 calories, 38 g protein)
Chipotle: Chicken (180 calories, 32 g protein)
Most protein per 100 calories
Panda Express: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (13.6 g)
Chipotle: Chicken (17.8 g)
Keto meals (under 10 g net carbs, 15 g+ protein)
Panda Express: 2
Chipotle: 5
Median sodium per item
Panda Express: 540 mg
Chipotle: 140 mg

Questions people ask

Which is healthier, Panda Express or Chipotle?

By the numbers, Chipotle has the lighter typical item and Chipotle the better protein per calorie, so it wins both. Real meals under 500 calories (150+ calories, 15 g+ protein): 9 at Panda Express and 5 at Chipotle.

Which has more protein, Panda Express or Chipotle?

Panda Express: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken has 38 g. For protein without the calories, Chipotle's Chicken leads at 17.8 g per 100 calories.

Which is better for keto, Panda Express or Chipotle?

Chipotle has more meals under 10 g net carbs with 15 g of protein (5 vs 2). Each chain's keto page lists them.

Where do these numbers come from?

Panda Express' and Chipotle's own published nutrition guides, reviewed before import. Portions differ between chains, so compare calories and protein, not just item names.

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