What Does Sesame Chicken Taste Like?

Have you seen other people enjoying this dish, but you are unsure about trying it out for yourself?

We don’t blame you. Sesame chicken both looks and smells delicious, and if you ask us, it tastes just as good.

But what does sesame chicken actually taste like? Does it taste good? Is it worth trying next time you order a Chinese carryout?

In this guide, we will teach you all you need to know about sesame chicken, from its flavor, health benefits, and even how to prepare it at home.

So, let’s get started.

Sesame Chicken: The Basics

For those who are unfamiliar with this particular food item, sesame chicken is a dish that is thought to be a Chinese delicacy, but it is actually mainly served in the United States and Canada.

Sesame chicken is a form of chicken that has been fried and coated in a sticky, Asian style sauce, before being topped with sesame seeds.

This food is popularly served in Chinese restaurants, and tastes great when garnished with green onion, and served alongside white rice.

What Does Sesame Chicken Taste Like?

Sesame chicken has often been compared to other dishes, such as sweet & sour chicken, and General Tso’s chicken.

However, these three dishes have fairly distinct flavors, despite their similarities.

Due to the sauce that it is cooked in, sesame chicken has a sweet, tangy flavor, which is reminiscent of Asian dishes.

The sauce is made from soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, which compliments the fried chicken perfectly.

The chicken is typically described as having more of a sweet flavor, compared to General Tso’s spicier, more savory-tasting meat.

Sesame chicken is not really spicy at all, but, instead, has a slight tang in flavor.

The Difference Between Sesame Chicken And General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken are two of the most well-known Chinese dishes that have distinctive flavors.

Despite the fact that these are very distinct dishes, a lot of Chinese takeout fans find themselves mixing them up on occasion.

These two dishes are very different, despite their slight similarities. The best way to tell the difference is the fact that sesame chicken is a sweeter choice, made with tender chicken thighs.

General Tso’s chicken, on the other hand, is a spicy and sour meal created with a combination of chicken breast and thighs.

The reason that so many people mix these dishes up is that they are both dishes that consist of chunks of fried chicken, covered in a sticky, red sauce, and topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

Despite their similarities in appearance, it is the flavor of the sauce that really makes the distinction.

The best way to remember the difference is that sesame chicken is sweet and tangy, while General Tso’s chicken has a sweet and sour sauce.

Both dishes offer a tasty and crispy dinner that will surely sate your cravings, whether you’re in a craving to indulge in fiery or sweet in taste.

The Difference Between Sesame Chicken And Orange Chicken

Another dish that is mistaken for sesame chicken is orange chicken.

Despite the fact that both orange chicken and sesame chicken use boneless chicken meat, they are two quite different recipes.

Unlike General Tso’s chicken, orange chicken has a sticky, sweet sauce, just like sesame chicken which makes it even more difficult to differentiate between the two dishes.

One way to tell the difference is to remember that orange chicken utilizes soy sauce and orange zest for a sweet and tangy flavor.

On the other hand, sesame chicken uses a foundation sauce of soy sauce and sesame seeds to produce a more savory, nutty flavor.

Orange chicken is given its name due to the fact that it uses orange zest, and, therefore, tastes like orange.

Sesame chicken doesn’t take like any kind of fruit, and it is sweet in the sense that it is made using soy sauce, garlic, and garlic.

Additionally, orange chicken is stir-fried to produce an appropriately crunchy outside layer while keeping the insides tender and soft, in contrast to sesame chicken, which is often deep-fried for a crispy texture.

Overall, both dishes offer a delightful taste of Chinese food, whether you favor the rich umami flavor of sesame chicken or the energizing citrus overtones of orange chicken.

Is Sesame Chicken Good For You?

Like most dishes prepared at a Chinese restaurant, a carryout sesame chicken is not very good for you, and shouldn’t be eaten too regularly.

The takeout version will contain a lot of salt and fat, which can cause heart issues if eaten too often.

If you were to make sesame chicken at home, however, it could potentially become a fairly healthy meal.

In order to make homemade sesame chicken, you will only need to use some flour-coated chicken, sesame seeds, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a handful of seasonings.

As long as you don’t go too overboard with the super-salty soy sauce, this version of sesame chicken can be pretty good for you and your health.

The chicken is packed with protein, and garlic and ginger are superfoods that can boost your immune system.

How To Make Sesame Chicken At Home

If all this talk about sesame chicken is making you crave some right this second, stop scrolling and look no further.

Making your very own homemade sesame chicken is so simple to do, and all you need is a handful of ingredients.

You will need a frying pan, kitchen knife, chopping board, and a wooden spoon to prepare and cook the following ingredients:

1 whole chicken
Sesame seeds
Flour
Cornstarch
Garlic cloves
Ginger powder
Olive oil
Soy sauce
Black pepper
White pepper
Green onions

Here is how you can make some sesame chicken in your own kitchen.

Step 1: Prepare The Chicken

The first thing that you will want to do is slice the chicken up into smaller, bite sized pieces.

Next, coat each individual piece of chicken with flour. Be generous with the flour, but do not over-coat the chicken, either.

Once you have prepared the chicken, either leave it on the chopping board, ready to easily access for the next step, or put them into a separate bowl to rest.

Step 2: Set Up The Frying Pan

Place the frying pan on the stove top, and turn the stove onto a medium heat. Pour the olive oil into the pan, and allow it to heat up.

Once the oil has been heated, you can move onto the next step.

Step 3: Cook The Chicken

Grab the prepared chicken, and add it into the pan.

You will want to cook the chicken for around 10 minutes, making sure that each piece has been thoroughly cooked.

You should be able to tell that the chicken has been completely cooked through by the color of its exterior; it should be a light golden brown color.

If in doubt, use the wooden spoon to cut a piece in half to check the color of the inside; if it’s still pink, it’ll need to cook longer.

Step 4: Prepare The Sauce

Once the chicken has been cooked, you can remove it from the pan. Place it in a new, clean bowl, and allow it to rest while you continue with the recipe.

Next, you will want to add some more oil into the pan, along with the garlic, ginger powder, soy sauce, black and white pepper, and the sesame seeds.

Cook them together before adding a sprinkling of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Step 5: Pour The Sauce Over The Chicken

Continue to cook the sauce until it has been completely cooked and thickened. Following this, you will be able to serve up your dish.

Place the cooked chicken on serving plates, and pour the homemade sauce over the top.

You can also sprinkle some chopped green onions, along with remaining sesame seeds, on top of the chicken.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Sesame Chicken

Once you have plated up your sesame chicken, it is time to start eating. Sesame chicken can be eaten alone, or alongside some side dishes, such as white rice.

Enjoy!