Savory Sweetness: What Does Sesame Chicken Taste Like?

If you’ve never savored it, you might wonder what does sesame chicken taste like?

The dish has become a goody in many Chinese food chains across the United States.

People predominantly serve it with steamed rice or noodles.

Sesame chicken is a mouth-watering Chinese-American dish that you prepare by deep-frying chicken pieces.

These portions are generally glazed in a sweet and savory sauce that contains sesame seeds.

So the taste is somehow a hotchpotch of savory and sweet.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the flavor outline of sesame chicken and scrutinize the varied elements that make up this delicious dish.

What is Sesame Chicken?

Sesame chicken is a delicious dish that is widely available in multiple Chinese restaurants across the US and Canada.

It was conceived in the United States in the 1970s as a variation of General Tso’s chicken, another prominent Chinese-American dish.

Sesame chicken has numerous ingredients that generate its unique taste and texture.

To prepare, chefs cut boneless chicken breasts into small pieces and marinate them in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.

Then, they garnish them in a batter made of cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper and deep-fry them.

The sauce, consisting of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and thickened with cornstarch, gives the dish its signature taste.

Sesame seeds are sprinkled on top for extra flavor and crunch.

Some variations also comprise vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and broccoli for added nutrients and color.

This dish is famous for its crispy exterior and tender, juicy chicken interior coated with a delicious sauce that fills out the chicken’s taste.

What Does Sesame Chicken Taste Like?

Sesame chicken is a dish that extends a balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Most people define the flavor of sesame chicken as a complex mix of sweet, savory, and nutty hints.

The sauce used to glaze the chicken commonly comprises soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger.

Sometimes it also includes chili flakes or vinegar, which extends a tangy kick to the dish.

Sesame seeds are also a prominent feature of sesame chicken.

After all, they’re what gives the chicken its name.

Sesame seeds add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the dish.

Aside from its luscious flavor, sesame chicken also contributes a distinctive texture that sets it apart from other Chinese dishes.

The chicken is commonly blanketed in a light batter made from cornstarch and flour, which bestows it a crispy cover.

The sauce that covers the chicken also establishes a sticky glaze that adds a layer of richness and depth to the dish.

When this combines with the crunch of the sesame seeds, the texture of sesame chicken is both satisfying and addictive.

Some people compare the taste of sesame chicken to General Tso’s chicken.

It is discernible as both varieties have some similarities in their flavors and textures.

They are both sweet and savory dishes with crispy chicken coated in a sauce.

However, there are also some differences.

Sesame chicken has a nutty flavor from the sesame seeds and a slightly milder taste.

On the other hand, General Tso’s chicken has a bolder flavor with more spice and heat.

How to Serve Sesame Chicken?

Sesame chicken is a delicious Chinese dish you can enjoy in various ways.

The most common way to serve sesame chicken is with steamed rice or noodles.

You can also accompany this versatile dish with a mixture of sides to build a complete meal.

One standard way to serve sesame chicken is to plop it on a bed of steamed rice.

You can spoon the chicken and sauce over the rice.

For the dish, garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and composition.

Another popular way to serve sesame chicken is with noodles.

You can either stir-fry the noodles with veggies or serve them cold with a sesame dressing.

You still have countless options if you want to divert from the traditional rice and noodles to pair with sesame chicken.

To complement the dish, you can stir-fry vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and onions.

Steamed or stir-fried dumplings, egg rolls, or spring rolls are also popular choices.

To concoct a lighter meal, you can serve sesame chicken on top of a bed of mixed greens with a sesame dressing.

This creates a fresh and healthy meal that still maintains the delicious flavors of sesame chicken.

Conclusion

The taste of sesame chicken is an enticing fusion of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors that dance on your taste buds with each tidbit.

The crispy and succulent chicken chunks are coated in an appetizing sauce of soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and of course, sesame seeds.

This bestows it with a rich and complex flavor outline.

The balance of sweetness and saltiness is just perfect, making it an exceedingly satisfying dish that leaves you craving for more.

Sesame chicken is a true culinary masterpiece that exemplifies the magic of integrating diverse ingredients to forge something truly phenomenal.