Jake Harper
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are two popular Chinese dishes that share some similarities but also have distinct differences. Both dishes feature deep-fried crispy chicken bites and a sticky sauce, but the key difference lies in their flavour profiles. Sesame chicken is known for its sweeter, nutty flavour, while General Tso's chicken offers a spicier option with a tangy glaze. The nutritional content of the dishes also varies, with sesame chicken being higher in certain vitamins and protein but lower in vitamin K and polyunsaturated fat when compared to General Tso's chicken. Personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between the two dishes, as some prefer the sweeter profile of sesame chicken, while others enjoy the spicy kick of General Tso's chicken.
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional value
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are both high-calorie dishes. A 100-gram serving of each dish provides around 15% of the recommended daily calorie intake. Sesame chicken provides 293 calories per 100g serving, while General Tso's chicken provides 295 calories in an equal serving. On average, an order of sesame chicken provides 1603 calories, while an order of General Tso's contains 1580 calories.
General Tso's chicken has a higher fat content, with 16.36g of fat per 100g serving, while sesame chicken has 14.25g of fat. Sesame chicken has a slightly higher cholesterol content, with 59mg, while General Tso's chicken has 53mg. Sesame chicken is also higher in protein, with 1.5g more protein per 100g serving.
Both dishes are typically deep-fried and coated in a sugary sauce, which contributes to their high-calorie content. Sesame chicken is often coated in honey or brown sugar, while General Tso's chicken contains added sugar and has a lower sugar content overall.
Sesame chicken is richer in certain vitamins, including vitamin B2, A RAE, B3, and choline. General Tso's chicken, on the other hand, has higher levels of vitamin K and polyunsaturated fat.
For individuals at risk of diabetes, both dishes should be consumed in moderation. The high-calorie content and cooking techniques, such as deep-frying, can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
In summary, while both dishes have a similar nutritional profile, sesame chicken may be slightly higher in calories, protein, and cholesterol. General Tso's chicken, on the other hand, is higher in fat and certain vitamins. Both dishes are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, especially for those at risk of diabetes.
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Taste and texture
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are both high-calorie dishes, with a 100-gram serving providing around 15% of the recommended daily calorie intake. However, when it comes to taste and texture, there are some notable differences between these two popular Chinese-American dishes.
Sesame chicken offers a sweeter taste compared to General Tso's chicken, which is known for its spicy and tangy sauce. The sweetness of sesame chicken comes from the use of honey or brown sugar in the sauce, along with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil, which also adds a nutty flavour. The chicken in sesame chicken is typically deep-fried, resulting in a crispy texture, while the sauce is thick and reddish-brown. The addition of sesame seeds not only enhances the flavour but also provides a crunchy texture.
General Tso's chicken, on the other hand, has a sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar, along with ingredients like garlic, ginger, and chilli peppers that give it a spicy kick. The chicken in General Tso's is often stir-fried, resulting in a lighter and crispier texture compared to the deep-fried chicken in sesame chicken. While both dishes have sticky sauces, the sauce in General Tso's chicken is often described as slightly stickier due to the combination of sweet and spicy ingredients.
The texture of the chicken in both dishes can vary depending on the preparation methods and the size of the chicken pieces. While sesame chicken typically uses bite-sized chicken pieces, resulting in a crunchier texture, General Tso's chicken may use larger chunks of chicken that are lightly coated and stir-fried, giving a crispier exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
Both dishes are often served with rice or noodles and a variety of vegetables, such as broccoli, tomato, or snow peas. The presence of vegetables adds a contrasting texture to the crispy or crunchy chicken pieces, making each bite more interesting and flavourful.
In summary, while both sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken share some similarities in their base ingredients and overall texture, the distinguishing factors lie in the sauce and the specific cooking methods employed. Sesame chicken leans towards a sweeter and nuttier taste with a crunchier texture, while General Tso's chicken offers a spicier, tangier, and slightly lighter dining experience.
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Origin and history
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are popular Chinese dishes, especially in the United States. Both dishes are known for their distinct flavours and textures, with sesame chicken offering a sweeter, milder, and nuttier taste, while General Tso's chicken delivers a spicy kick.
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken have their roots in traditional Chinese cuisine, specifically the Hunan province, but they have evolved over time, especially after being introduced to the United States. The dishes are believed to have originated from Chinese immigrant chefs, with some variations influenced by Taiwan-based chef Peng Chang-Kuei, who later immigrated to New York.
General Tso's chicken, named after the statesman Tso Tsung-tang, has a disputed origin story. Some culinary experts attribute the dish's creation to Peng Chang-Kuei, while others believe it was invented by a Chinese immigrant chef named T.T. Wang. Despite its name, the dish has no direct connection to General Tso.
Sesame chicken, on the other hand, is associated with the Chinese word 'Zongtang'. It is known for its sweet and sour flavours, with a nuttier taste derived from toasted sesame seeds. The dish typically consists of deep-fried chicken thighs coated in a sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and ginger, resulting in a sweet, sour, and spicy glaze.
Both dishes have become staples in American-Chinese restaurants, with General Tso's chicken often considered a spicier option and sesame chicken catering to those who prefer a sweeter, milder flavour profile. The dishes are similar in their use of boneless chicken meat, typically thighs, and their sticky, sweet sauces. However, the addition of spices and chillies in General Tso's chicken sets it apart from the milder, nutty flavours of sesame chicken.
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Ingredients and preparation
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are both Chinese-American dishes that are rich in flavour and calories. While the former is sweet and mild, the latter is sweet and spicy.
Sesame chicken is made with boneless chicken thighs, coated in a sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and ginger. The chicken is deep-fried, resulting in a sweet, sour, and sticky glaze with a crispy texture. The nuttier flavour, derived from toasted sesame seeds, is what distinguishes sesame chicken from other fried chicken dishes. It is served over rice or noodles with a side of vegetables, such as broccoli or carrots.
General Tso's chicken is made with chicken breast and thighs, stir-fried with vegetables like onion and bell peppers. It is served over rice, often with broccoli and carrots on the side. The sauce is made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, and sugar, with garlic, ginger, and chilli flakes adding depth to the flavour.
Both dishes share some common ingredients, including soy sauce and rice vinegar, which give their sticky sauces some common ground. However, the main difference between the two dishes is their flavour and sauce ingredients. Sesame chicken is mostly sweet with a nutty flavour derived from sesame oil and seeds, while General Tso's chicken is sweet and spicy with garlic, ginger, and red chilli peppers.
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Health impact
Sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken are both high-calorie dishes, with a 100-gram serving providing around 15% of the recommended daily calorie intake. Sesame chicken has slightly fewer calories, with 293 calories per 100g serving, while General Tso's chicken has 295 calories. An average order of sesame chicken provides 1603 calories, compared to 1580 calories in General Tso's chicken.
Both dishes are fried and covered in a sugary sauce, which can dramatically increase calorie consumption and contribute to weight gain. The high levels of saturated fats and sodium in these dishes can also negatively impact cardiovascular health by raising blood pressure and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is advisable to consume these dishes in moderation and opt for grilled or baked versions with low-sodium and low-sugar sauces to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Sesame chicken is richer in protein by about 1.5g per 100g serving, while General Tso's chicken has more essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fat. General Tso's chicken is higher in fat by about 2g per 100g serving, with 16.36g compared to sesame chicken's 14.25g. Sesame chicken has more cholesterol, with 59mg compared to 53mg in General Tso's chicken.
In terms of vitamins, sesame chicken is richer in vitamin B2, A RAE, B3, and choline. In contrast, General Tso's chicken has higher levels of vitamin K. Sesame chicken contains significantly more Vitamin A RAE, with 83µg, while General Tso's chicken has only 11µg. General Tso's chicken has a lower sugar content than sesame chicken.
For those at risk of diabetes, both dishes should be consumed in moderation as the cooking technique can be as important as the meal's contents. Cooking meat at high temperatures, such as deep-frying, grilling, and barbecuing, raises the risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the trans fats in fried meals can alter hormones that control hunger and fat storage, contributing to weight gain.
Overall, while both dishes have similar nutritional profiles, sesame chicken may be a slightly healthier option due to its higher protein content and lower calorie and fat levels. However, the impact on weight gain and cardiovascular health is dependent on overall calorie consumption and the specific preparation methods used.
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Frequently asked questions
Sesame chicken is salty with a hint of sweetness, served with sesame seeds. General Tso's chicken is sweeter with a little more heat and served with broccoli and carrots. Sesame chicken is mildly spiced, whereas General Tso's chicken is spicy.
Sesame chicken is richer in protein and vitamin B2, A RAE, B3, and choline. General Tso's chicken has higher vitamin K levels, polyunsaturated fat, and essential amino acids.
No, they are considered American-Chinese dishes.
This is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Some people prefer the sweeter profile and nutty undertones of sesame chicken, while others enjoy the spicy kick of General Tso's chicken. Some people prefer sesame chicken because the sauce goes better with rice, while others dislike the spiciness of General Tso's chicken.
