Sesame chicken

Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring bite-sized pieces of chicken that are typically battered, deep-fried, and then tossed in a sweet and savory glaze. The sauce is often made with soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and ginger, and the dish is generously sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for flavor and texture.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in both carbohydrates and fat due to the batter, frying process, and sugary sauce, while providing a moderate amount of protein from the chicken. A typical restaurant serving can range from 800 to over 1,200 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	490 kcal
Protein	24 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	25 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	12 g
Sodium	820 mg
Iron	2.1 mg
Calcium	45 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin A	45 mcg RAE
Vitamin C	3 mg
Vitamin B12	0.6 mcg
Phosphorus	210 mg
Magnesium	35 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a prime example of Westernized Chinese cuisine, adapted to suit local tastes for sweetness and richness. Nutritionally, the sesame seeds add a notable amount of healthy fats, minerals like calcium, and a distinctive nutty aroma that defines the dish.