Sesame Chicken Vs General Tso’s Chicken

Are you among those who cannot differentiate between Sesame Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken? If yes, you have landed on the right post to know about the difference between these two popular dishes of Chinese cuisine.

Both recipes have many things in common, with some fundamental distinctions. What mainly distinguishes General Tso’s Chicken from Sesame Chicken? 

Sesame Chicken is sweeter without the spice, while General Tso’s Chicken is a combination of sweet and spicy. So, the significant difference between these Chinese dishes is that General Tso’s Chicken has a sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor, whereas Sesame Chicken has a sweet and savory flavor.

Also, boneless thigh and chicken breast are the types of chicken cuts used in traditional General Tso’s Chicken, whereas chicken thighs are used in Sesame Chicken. Both the dishes are loaded with proteins and are pretty nutrient-dense.

However, these two dishes differ in more terms than just spice and sugar. To learn more, continue to read this article about the differences between Sesame Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken.

Sesame Chicken Vs. General Tso Chicken – What are They?

The flavors of sesame oil and seeds combine to create the tempting Chinese delicacy known as Sesame Chicken. You will find this dish delicious as your taste buds also detect hints of garlic and soy sauce, giving it a different tastiness level.

In the United States, Sesame Chicken is another dish frequently served in Chinese eateries. Most eateries still use the same ingredients to make a wonderful Sesame Chicken recipe even when it is not served at its place of origin. It mainly includes sesame seed-breaded chicken thighs and breasts fried in the hot sauce made from beaten eggs.

On the other hand, General Tso’s Chicken is a well-known chicken-based Chinese dish that is typically offered at Chinese restaurants in North America. It bears the name Zuo Zongtang after the statesman and military commander of the Qing era.

Deep-fried General Tso’s Chicken chicken is a sweet and sour dish. Along with it is a sauce that was created by combining chicken stock, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and brown sugar. A touch of dried red chili peppers, onions, and garlic are among the ingredients in this recipe, making it even spicier yet tastier.

Difference between Sesame Chicken & General Tso’s Chicken

Although both Sesame Chicken & General Tso’s Chicken look like the same dishes, they have a variety of differences between them.

Here are the main differences between them:

Ø Taste

Sesame Chicken has a sweet and tangy flavor, while its sauce is filling and heavy. The chicken in this dish is skinless, boneless, and fried, giving it a tender feel. A garnish that enhances the overall dish’s flavor and texture is sesame seeds.

General Tso’s Chicken tastes tangy, spicy, and sweet. The meal has a sweet and savory flavor that comes from the rich sauce, and it is also very fiery because of the dried chilies. Deep-fried chicken is frequently served without skin or bones, making it tender to chew.

Ø Origin

Although the initial origins of Sesame Chicken are unknown, it quickly gained popularity in North America and is now a standard in Chinese-American restaurants throughout the country. Sesame Chicken is often prepared differently at various eateries, with varying spices and different vegetables.

Contrary to widespread assumption, the famed General Tso’s Chicken was likely not the originator of General Tso’s Chicken. According to some, it originated in the Hunan province of China, known for being General Tso’s Chicken’s home. According to others, it originated in Taiwan and was named Tso Kai-ming. Regardless matter where it came from, it is a contemporary Chinese-American culinary classic in North America.

Ø Ingredients

Sesame Chicken’s origins are mostly unknown, except that many Chinese-American restaurants in North America helped popularize the dish there. Sesame Chicken is simple to prepare. You need the following: For the chicken player, mix an egg with cornstarch, chicken stock, vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce.

Despite its humble beginnings, General Tso’s Chicken is a well-known delightful delicacy. Boneless chicken parts are used to make General Tso’s Chicken and are expertly rotisserie and battered. Then they are combined with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch, sugar, and whole dried red peppers.

One significant difference between both dishes’ ingredients is that chicken thighs are used in sesame chicken.

Conversely, chicken breast and boneless thighs are used in General Tso’s Chicken.

 Ø Nutritional Facts

A serving of 5.7 oz of General Tso’s Chicken has the following nutrition:

•       45 mg of Cholesterol,
•       12 g of Fats,
•       910 mg of Sodium,
•       330 Kcal Total Calories
•       3 g of Sugar,
•       and 19 g of Protein.

A serving of 252 grams of Sesame Chicken has the following nutrition:

•       581 Kcal Total Calories,
•       72 mg of Cholesterol,
•       1129 mg of Sodium,
•       57g of Carbohydrates,
•       1g of Dietary Fiber,
•       42g of Sugar,
•       and 24g of Proteins.

Which One Has More Calories, Sesame Chicken or General Tso’s Chicken?

Sesame Chicken is the way to go if you’re monitoring your calories or seeking a more healthy meal. That is because Sesame Chicken has less sugar and fewer calories than General Tso’s Chicken, even though both the dishes are fried and have additional sweetness.

Is There Any Difference between Serving Sesame Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken?

Both dishes are frequently served with vegetables. However, Sesame Chicken is commonly served without noodles or rice when ordered as an appetizer or finger snack. So, chances are you’ll eat fewer carbohydrates if you request it.

Conversely, the chicken meal from General Tso’s Chicken is renowned for being heavier. Compared to Sesame Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken has a more decadent sauce with a higher fat level that delivers a punch. Therefore, perhaps don’t select this choice every day, but on exceptional occasions, why not?

Which Dish Is Better, General Tso’s Chicken Or Sesame Chicken?

While both meals are equally crisp from the usage of fried chicken, Sesame Chicken has a milder flavor while General Tso’s Chicken has a hotter and darker flavor profile. So, deciding which is better is based on your taste and likeness.

Final Thoughts

In North America and worldwide, Sesame Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken are the staples of Chinese-American cuisine. General Tso’s Chicken is a sweet and sour meal with spicy undertones brought on by dried chilies, rice vinegar, and other seasonings. On the other hand, Sesame Chicken is identical but sweeter, not spicy, and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Also, due to the changes in chicken broth, spices, and soy sauce, both meals have many variations, and you may encounter a range of spice levels and flavor profiles.

Sesame Chicken is a fantastic entry point into the world of Chinese-American cuisine, but if you want spicy food, we strongly advise that you try General Tso’s Chicken.

Ultimately, everything comes down to your particular spiciness and sauce preferences.

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