Many types of fast food are common now, from hot-dog and pizza stands through classic burger bistros like McDonald’s and fried chicken places like KFC to Asian restaurants like Panda Express.
And although many of you would probably argue with us, we dare to say that the last type is the most popular one nowadays.
That may be because of the really wide range of foods these bistros serve. There are simply countless dishes in these restaurants!
And even though everyone’s got its own favorite one, some meals still shine brighter than the others.
Two of those are orange and sweet and sour chicken – simply everyone knows them, and we even doubt there would be many of you that have never tasted them.
With that being said, though, we’re also nearly sure that not many of you would be able to explain what makes that two food different.
So what is the difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken? The most significant difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken is in the sauce, making orange chicken a bit spicier than sweet and sour chicken.
But is this all that can be said about this topic? Not really; there is much more exciting information to be uncovered. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
- Is orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken the same?
- What is orange chicken?
- What is sweet and sour chicken?
- What is the difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken?
- What do orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken have in common?
- Which one tastes better, orange chicken or sweet and sour chicken?
- Summary
- Resources
Is orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken the same?
No, orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken are not the same things, although they’re relatively similar. Both are made out of chunks of fried chicken mixed with rice, vegetables, and many other things, depending on the exact recipe.
However, what also has to always be in both of these dishes is their signature sauce. And the difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken sauces is the most significant difference between them.
What is orange chicken?
Orange chicken is a prevalent Chinese-American dish that can be found in nearly every Asian bistro in the United States. It is made out of fried chicken pieces in crispy breading, rice, and a special sauce.
And as the names suggest, this sauce is made primarily out of orange, mixed with other ingredients like soy sauce and garlic.
What is sweet and sour chicken?
Sweet and sour chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Asian restaurants throughout the United States. It consists of fried, crispy chicken that is mixed with some rice and vegetables, and also a signature sweet and sour sauce.
What is the difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken?
As we’ve mentioned above, both orange and sweet and sour chicken are pretty famous in Asian-American cuisine, but that doesn’t mean they would be the same thing.
There are many differences between them, the biggest one being in the sauce. Orange chicken uses a sauce mainly based on oranges, while sweet and sour chicken is made with the well-known sweet and sour sauce.
Because of the different sauces, orange chicken has a tendency to be spicier, while sweet and sour chicken is usually sweeter. With that being said, though, these two meals are both still very similar.
What do orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken have in common?
Just right above, when we talked about the differences between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken, we also mentioned that these dishes share many similarities. So what are they?
The most crucial thing orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken have in common is the chicken itself – both of them use the famous Asian-style fried chicken in crispy breading, which is probably what makes them so popular.
And because the chicken makes most of the flavor of these meals, overall, they taste pretty closely.
Which one tastes better, orange chicken or sweet and sour chicken?
Just like with any other food, it is nearly impossible to say which one of orange and sweet and sour chicken tastes better. That’s because this choice depends just and only on your tastebuds.
However, if you need help in choosing one of them, generally, it can be said that if you prefer spicier flavors, the one for you is orange chicken.
On the other hand, if you’re looking more for that comfortable sweetness, the better choice will surely be sweet and sour chicken.
Summary
Out of the countless meals commonly found in asian restaurants throughout the United States, orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken are some of the most popular ones.
The reason is that both of them use the beloved fried chicken in crispy breading, which is then mixed with an excellent tasting sauce.
But while sweet and sour chicken uses the classic sweet and sour sauce, maybe even more precious than Asian-style fried chicken is, orange chicken uses another one.
As the name suggests, this sauce consists primarily of oranges that are usually mixed with some soy sauce and garlic.
And this difference in their sauces is exactly what makes orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken two different dishes.
Related:
- Mandarin Chicken vs. Orange Chicken
- Orange Chicken vs. Sesame Chicken
- General Tso Chicken vs. Sesame Chicken
Resources
Image credits – Canva
