Noodles & Company has added Impossible Panko Chicken to their menu!
The first week of October 2022, is proving to be an exciting one for us vegans at Noodles & Company.
They have introduced Impossible’s Panko Chicken and are highlighting it in two dishes, their LEANguini Rosa with Impossible Chicken and Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein.
Before ordering, we need to ask a few questions with the first being, is the Impossible Panko Chicken vegan? What about the two dishes they are highlighting? Are they vegan?
Let’s get those answered…
Is Noodles & Company’s Impossible Panko Chicken Vegan?
Yes! In fact, not only are the ingredients vegan but the cooking process is too.
When we eat at chain restaurants, we are aware that cross-contamination can occur and that includes during the cooking process. In our guides, we make it as clear as possible as to what does share cooking surfaces/fryers, etc with animal products. You can then choose what your comfort level is based on that info.
I have to say though, it’s always a relief when a cooking process is not cross-contaminated.
We called a few locations and were told the Impossible Chicken is breaded and NOT fried. It is baked in an oven on its own tray that does not share space with any animal products.
Is the LEANguini Rosa with Impossible Chicken Vegan?
No, the LEANguini Rosa with Impossible Chicken is NOT vegan at Noodles & Company. Not only does the LEANguini contain egg but the sauce contains dairy.
You CAN still order a vegan version if you choose substitutions.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN: Order a LEANguini Rosa with Impossible Chicken with NO LEANguini or rosa cream sauce. Ask to SUBSTITUTE with a vegan noodle (listed below) and Marinara Sauce or a Balsamic Vinaigrette/Olive Oil combo.
You will have a dish with Impossible Chicken, noodle of choice, sauce of choice, mushrooms, roma tomatoes and spinach.
Vegan Noodle Options:
- Cavatappi Noodle
- Cauliflower Rigatoni Noodle
- Elbow Noodle
- Gluten Sensitive Pipette Noodle
- Lo Mein Noodle
- Penne Noodle
- Rice Noodle
- Spaghetti Noodle
- Udon Noodle
- Zucchini Noodle
Is the Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein Vegan?
Yes! The Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein at Noodles & Company is accidentally vegan, as-is. 🙂
It comes with Asian style noodles sauteed in an orange sauce with snap peas, napa and red cabbage then topped with the Impossible Panko Chicken, green onions, black sesame seeds and cilantro.
How good does that sound!? I love an Asian style bowl and with Panda Express releasing their Beyond Orange Chicken, I’ve been craving those flavors a lot more lately.
What Else Can I Order Vegan at Noodles & Company?
You have quite a few more options you could choose from and almost an endless amount of combinations if you change up the noodles.
I’ll list out my favorites or at least ones I would love to try with modifications if needed. You can visit the Noodles & Company Vegan Guide on VeggL to see all of your options.
Japanese Pan Noodles.
Vegan as-is!
The Japanese Pan Noodles come with caramelized udon noodles, a sweet soy sauce, seasoned tofu, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, black sesame seeds, and cilantro.
Spicy Korean Beef Noodles.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN: Order Spicy Korean Beef Noodles with NO steak. SUB with Seasoned Tofu or Impossible Panko Chicken.
The Spicy Korean Noodles will come with lo mein noodles tossed with a sweet and spicy Korean style Gochujang BBQ sauce, napa and red cabbage, and spinach; topped with cucumber, green onions and cilantro.
(This is one I would LOVE to try.)
Cauliflower Rigatoni Fresca with Shrimp.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN: Order Cauliflower Rigatoni Fresca with NO shrimp or parmesan cheese. SUB with Panko Crusted Chicken.
The Cauliflower Rigatoni Fresca will come with cauliflower-infused rigatoni, balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, roasted garlic, red onion, tomato, and spinach.
Asian Apple Citrus Salad.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN: Order an Asian Apple Citrus Salad with NO chicken. SUB with Seasoned Tofu or Impossible Chicken (optional).
Your Asian Apple Citrus Salad will come with Tuscan greens and kale with a ginger citrus dressing, diced apple, cucumber, slaw (broccoli, carrot & red cabbage), topped with avocado, crispy chow mein noodles and black sesame seeds.
(And this is 2nd on my list to try. Sounds SO good.)
Final Thoughts
Always a good sign when we see another chain restaurant adding vegan-friendly options to their menu.
Noodles & Company now has two vegan protein options, their NEW Impossible Panko Chicken and Seasoned Tofu.
You also have two dishes that are accidentally vegan straight off the menu, the NEW Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein and their Japanese Pan Noodles.
Don’t forget that you can switch out any of the noodles as well to create a variety of dishes.
Enjoy!
