Orange Chicken vs Sesame Chicken: How Do They Differ?
Sesame chicken and orange chicken are two popular Chinese-American dishes that are often confused with one another. However, even though they share similarities, there are also some key differences between these two recipes that you should know about before you order either dish.
While both of these fantastic dishes use chicken, but since they’re cooked differently and use different ingredients they definitely don’t taste the same.
In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between sesame chicken and orange chicken so that you can decide which one is best for your next meal!
No, orange chicken and sesame chicken are not the same. They have different ingredients and cooking methods.
Orange chicken is made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are coated in a sweet and spicy orange sauce. Sesame chicken is made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are coated in a sesame oil and brown sugar sauce.
Both dishes are usually made by frying the chicken, but the batter and frying methods can differ.
Sesame chicken is sweet and orange chicken is spicy, so if you’re looking for something savory instead of sweet then orange chicken might be the better choice for you.
Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken Overview
Sesame Chicken is a dish that has been around for a long time. It’s now popular all over the world. Orange chicken is also an old Chinese American dish that was created in the United States by immigrants who wanted to share their culture with others.
Both dishes are boneless chicken and both have sweet flavors from sauces made with sugar and soy sauce (or tamari). However, sesame chicken gets its unique flavor from sesame oil while orange chicken uses orange juice concentrate as one of its ingredients!
Sesame Chicken
Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that consists of boneless chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. The dish is often served with rice or noodles.
Sesame chicken is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is thought to be a variation of General Tso’s chicken, which is a popular Chinese dish that consists of boneless chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce.
Sesame chicken is typically made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cut into bite-sized pieces. The chicken is then coated in a mixture of sesame oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger. The chicken is then deep-fried until golden brown.
Sesame chicken is a popular dish that can be found at many Chinese restaurants in the United States. It is also a popular dish to make at home. The leftovers are great for lunch the next day too!
Orange Chicken
Orange chicken is a dish that has been popularized in Chinese and American cuisine. It’s made with chicken, orange juice, and other ingredients such as garlic powder and ginger root. Orange chicken is usually served with rice or noodles as a main course dish.
It is said to have been invented by Chef Andy Kao at Panda Express in Hawaii in 1987. Orange chicken is now a popular dish at many Chinese restaurants in the United States and Canada.
Orange chicken is typically made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cut into bite-sized pieces. The chicken is then coated in a mixture of flour, egg, and cornstarch. The chicken is then fried until golden brown.
Orange chicken can be deep-fried or baked in an oven depending on the restaurant’s preference; however, most places will serve it deep-fried because it makes for a crispier texture than baking would yield. They even reheat well at home!
The orange sauce is made with orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. The sauce is then poured over the cooked chicken pieces.
Orange chicken is typically served with rice or noodles.
Comparing Orange Chicken and Sesame Chicken
Similarities
Stir Fry
Both dishes are often cooked using a frying method. Orange chicken is often deep-fried before tossing it in the sweet and spicy sauce. Both recipes require the chicken to be battered and fried before adding the sauce, but the method of battering and frying differs slightly.
Both orange chicken and sesame chicken are Asian dishes that are deep-fried and served with white rice. They can also be served with a side of broccoli, which makes them more nutritious than other fast food options. While they’re both sweet and sour, they do have some differences.
Differences
While they are seemingly so similar, these Chinese American dishes have more differences than similarities.
Texture
Sesame chicken tends to be made with thinner slices of chicken and a crunchier breading compared to that of orange chicken.
While cooking methods can differ between restaurants, sesame chicken is often breaded and deep-fried, while the orange chicken is stir-fried. The orange chicken maintains some softness. While it’s also fried, it’s then coated with the sweet and spicy sauce and maintains some of its tenderness.
Cooking
Sesame chicken is often made of dark meat that’s fried. Orange chicken is also often fried but uses a mix of dark and white meat. Orange chicken can also be baked.
In the end, either chicken can be baked for a healthier dish. Sesame chicken is deep-fried, while orange chicken is often pan-fried or stir-fried.
Nutrition
Sesame chicken is simpler and usually carries fewer calories per serving. Orange chicken tends to be higher in both calories and fat content.
Serving
Sesame chicken is most often paired with vegetables like cabbage, peas, spinach, and green beans. You’ll find orange chicken mixed with the standard broccoli and carrots.
With orange chicken, the tangy and spicy sauce is the main event so you’ll find it served with fewer vegetables on the side. Whereas vegetables take center stage alongside the sesame chicken in that dish.
Flavor
The main flavor difference between sesame chicken and orange chicken is that sesame chicken has a more nutty, savory flavor, while orange chicken has a more sweet and sour flavor.
Sesame chicken is made with sesame oil, which gives it a nutty flavor. It is also made with brown sugar, which gives it a savory sweet flavor. The sauce is made from soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, honey, and brown sugar.
Orange chicken is made with orange juice, which gives it a sweet flavor. It is also made with soy sauce, which gives it a sour flavor. The sauce is added after the chicken is stir-fried. To make the spicy, sweet sauce with a zing, you mix soy sauce, ginger, red chili flakes, garlic, rice vinegar, sugar, orange juice, and zest.
The two dishes are also different in terms of their texture. Sesame chicken is typically crispy, while orange chicken is typically not as crispy.
Which is Better Between Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken
You’ll find orange chicken is more popular than sesame chicken, but both are very popular dishes in Chinese restaurants around the world.
The main difference between these two dishes is that orange chicken has a sweet taste while sesame sauce has a salty flavor that comes from soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar (or sometimes mustard). You can also add other ingredients such as chili peppers or scallions if you want to make your dish spicier or more flavorful respectively!
The best between sesame chicken and orange chicken is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the nutty, savory flavor of sesame chicken, while others prefer the sweet and sour flavor of orange chicken. There is no right or wrong answer.
If you are looking for a more traditional Chinese dish, sesame chicken is a good choice. If you are looking for a more Americanized dish, orange chicken is a good choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which dish you like better is to try both of them and see which one you prefer.
Sesame chicken and orange chicken are both delicious and popular Chinese dishes. They have different flavors and textures, so the best one for you will depend on your personal preference. If you are looking for a more traditional Chinese dish, sesame chicken is a good choice. If you are looking for a more Americanized dish, orange chicken is a good choice. Ultimately, the best way to decide which dish you like better is to try both of them and see which one you prefer.
