5 Person Family Meal: Full Review, Recipe & Calorie Breakdown

panda express 5 Person Family Meal

The 5 Person Family Meal from Panda Express is designed for sharing with family or a small group. It includes 2 large sides and 3 large entrées, offering variety and

customizable flavors.

Price: $41.00+

Calories per serving: 430–1640 Cal


Add-Ons & Customization

Step 1 – Sides (Choose 2 Large)

SideCalories per Serving
White Steamed Rice520
Fried Rice620
Chow Mein600
Super Greens130

Step 2 – Entrées (Choose 3 Large)

EntréePriceCalories per Serving
Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken–400
Honey Walnut Shrimp (Premium)+$4.50430
Black Pepper Sirloin Steak (Premium)+$4.50180
Mushroom Chicken–220
Kung Pao Chicken–320
String Bean Chicken Breast–190
The Original Orange Chicken–510
Honey Sesame Chicken Breast–340
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken–275
Broccoli Beef–150
Beijing Beef–470
Black Pepper Chicken–280
Super Greens–130

Personal Review

I recently tried the 5 Person Family Meal with White Rice, Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken, and Orange Chicken:

  • The large sides provided plenty of rice and noodles, perfect for sharing.
  • Each entrée offered distinct flavors:
    • Kung Pao Chicken – savory and mildly spicy with peanuts.
    • Honey Sesame Chicken – sweet glaze with nutty notes.
    • Orange Chicken – tangy, sweet, and lightly crispy.
  • Overall, the meal is generous, flavorful, and ideal for feeding multiple people.

Premium options like Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak are indulgent and elevate the meal for special occasions.


Ingredients (for one 5 Person Family Meal Serving)

ComponentIngredients
White Steamed RiceWhite rice, water
Fried RiceWhite rice, soy sauce, egg, peas, carrots, oil
Chow MeinWheat noodles, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, oil
Super GreensBroccoli, kale, cabbage
Kung Pao ChickenChicken breast, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, roasted peanuts, green onions, chili flakes, cornstarch slurry
Honey Sesame Chicken BreastChicken breast, egg, cornstarch, honey, sesame seeds, garlic, soy sauce
Orange ChickenChicken breast, egg, cornstarch, orange sauce (orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger)
Honey Walnut ShrimpShrimp, honey sauce, walnuts, egg, cornstarch
Black Pepper Sirloin SteakSirloin steak, black pepper sauce, garlic, oil
Beijing BeefBeef, red bell peppers, sweet & spicy sauce
Broccoli BeefBeef, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, cornstarch slurry

Step-by-Step Recipe: 5 Person Family Meal at Home

  1. Cook Sides: Steam White Rice and prepare Fried Rice or Chow Mein.
  2. Prepare Entrées: Cook each entrée individually according to its recipe (Kung Pao, Honey Sesame, Orange Chicken, etc.).
  3. Assemble Meal: Arrange 2 large sides and 3 entrées on a large platter or family-style serving dishes.
  4. Serve with Beverages: Include bottled water, juice, or optional fountain drinks.

Calorie Breakdown & Energy Equivalent

A typical serving with White Rice, Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken, and Orange Chicken:

  • White Rice – 520 Cal
  • Fried Rice – 620 Cal
  • Kung Pao Chicken – 320 Cal
  • Honey Sesame Chicken – 340 Cal
  • Orange Chicken – 510 Cal

Total Calories per Serving: 2,310 Cal

Energy Equivalent

ActivityDuration Approx.
Light walking~9 hours
Jogging~4.5 hours
Moderate cycling~3.5 hours

This helps put the meal’s energy into perspective — perfect for a filling family-style dinner.


FAQs

1. Can sides and entrées be swapped?
Yes, the 5 Person Family Meal is fully customizable. Premium options like Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak cost extra.

2. Is it healthy?
Selecting Super Greens and limiting fried sides reduces calories and adds nutrition.

3. Can I make it at home?
Yes! Follow the recipes for each entrée and sides above for a homemade version.

4. How long does it take to prepare?
Approximately 45–60 minutes, including all sides and three entrées.

5. Can calories be reduced?
Yes — pick lighter entrées, smaller rice portions, and include more Super Greens.


Final Thoughts

The 5 Person Family Meal is ideal for family gatherings, small parties, or meal prepping. Personally, the combination of White Rice, Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken, and Orange Chicken is flavorful, filling, and satisfying. Homemade preparation is straightforward and perfect for sharing.


If you want, I can now create a single master table for all your Panda Meals and Panda Cub Meals including calories, price, and energy equivalents, so your homepage menu can show everything at a glance.

Do you want me to do that next?