Which Chinese Takeout Favorite Is The Ultimate Winner: Sesame Chicken Or Orange Chicken? Find Out Now!

Sesame Chicken vs Orange Chicken: Which is better? It’s one of the most controversial topics in Chinese cuisine. Sesame chicken has been around for centuries, but it really took off when a guy named Peng Chang-Kuei added orange peel to his recipe. No matter which version of the dish you choose, you can’t go wrong with either one. Here’s how they measure up against each other:
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Similarity | Both Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken are Chinese-American dishes Both are commonly found in Chinese-American restaurants and are popular choices for takeout or delivery |
Difference | Orange Chicken is made with a sweet and tangy orange sauce, while Sesame Chicken is coated in a savory sesame sauce Orange Chicken typically includes orange zest and juice as flavorings, while Sesame Chicken includes sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds Orange Chicken is usually made with breaded and fried chicken, while Sesame Chicken can be either breaded and fried or stir-fried Sesame Chicken often includes green onions as a garnish, while Orange Chicken may include steamed broccoli. |
Origin
Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken are two popular Chinese food dishes that can be found at restaurants across the country. While they look similar, there are some key differences between the two.
Sesame Chicken originated in China and can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). It was originally made by roasting chicken pieces over an open flame until they were browned and crispy on the outside, then tossing them in a sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and sesame seeds before serving them with steamed white rice or noodles. Today’s version uses deep-fried chicken pieces instead of roasted ones–but still contains all of those classic ingredients!
Orange Chicken was invented by Chef Peng Chang-kuei at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria hotel during his time working there as head chef in 1976; since then it has become one of America’s favorite Asian dishes!
Appearance
Orange Chicken: The recipe for orange chicken is simple, but it does involve a few steps. First, you’ll need to marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce and honey before frying it up in a batter that’s made from flour, cornstarch and eggs.
Once your chicken has been fried up (it can either be deep-fried or pan-fried), serve it over rice with broccoli or carrots on the side!
Sesame Chicken: This dish calls for an equally delicious batter- one made from all-purpose flour instead of cornstarch- deep frying and marinating your meat beforehand. However, since sesame seeds are involved here too (alongside other ingredients like green onion), this recipe will yield a slightly different appearance when compared against its orange counterpart; still, both dishes look great when served together at home!
Main ingredients
Both sesame chicken and orange chicken are made of chicken, but they are not the same. Orange chicken is a sweet and spicy dish that’s popular in American Chinese restaurants. Sesame chicken is savory, with a light coating of sesame seeds on top to give it a nutty flavor.
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They both have a similar appearance: brownish meat with bits of green onion and red pepper flakes mixed throughout. And they both taste pretty darn good!
Taste and flavor
Both dishes are sweet and savory. The chicken in orange chicken is fried, which makes it crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Sesame chicken, however, is not fried–it’s baked instead. This gives it a different texture and taste from orange chicken but still maintains its savory flavor thanks to its coating of sesame seeds and breadcrumbs (or panko).
The sweetness in orange chicken comes from both sugar and orange zest; this makes this dish more sweet than salty compared with sesame chicken which has only salt as an ingredient.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, there are some significant differences. While both dishes have similar calorie counts, Sesame Chicken has fewer carbs and more protein than Orange Chicken. The fat content in Sesame Chicken is also lower than that of Orange Chicken, which makes sense, considering one of the main ingredients in each dish is breading. Sodium levels are comparable between the two dishes; however, if you want to avoid high-sodium foods altogether, you should consider making your homemade version instead of purchasing a premade frozen item at the grocery store!
Cooking time and method
The cooking time for sesame chicken is about 15-20 minutes. This dish can be prepared in several ways: pan frying, deep frying or stir-frying. It can also be baked in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 F (175 C). American Chinese restaurants commonly use the latter method due to its convenience and speediness. In addition to this being one of the easiest recipes to cook with minimal ingredients required, it’s also one of the most delicious!
This dish is a staple in many Chinese homes, and it’s often served as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. It’s also a popular takeout item and can be found on the menus at most Chinese restaurants.
Side dishes to pair with
- Rice: A classic side dish, rice is a must-have when eating Asian food. The sticky texture of the grain complements the crispy chicken and vegetables while soaking up some of the sauce.
- Vegetables: Veggies like carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers add color to your plate and also help you get your daily dose of vitamins! They’re also easy to prepare–toss them in with your cooked sesame chicken at the end for a quick stir fry.
- Noodles: If you’re looking for something heartier than rice or vegetables (or both), noodles are another great option. You can use them just like you would pasta–dip them into either sauce from above–but they’ll give you more substance in each bite because they’re made from wheat flour rather than rice flour like most sushi rolls are made out of!
- Bread like naan breads (often used as wraps) go well with this dish because they soak up some extra sauce from both sauces without being too heavy on its own; however, if you prefer something lighter, then try dipping small pieces directly into orange glaze instead!
Keep in mind that this dish is best when hot, so if you save leftovers for later, keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them.
After reading this article, you should better understand the differences between sesame and orange chicken. If you’re looking for a healthier option with less fat content, then sesame chicken is the way to go! Sesame seeds are packed with nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron—all great things for your heart health.
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