You’re at your favorite Asian restaurant, perusing the menu, and you spot two tantalizing chicken dishes – Orange Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken. They both look mouthwatering, but you can only pick one. How do you decide?
These two iconic dishes may seem similar at first glance, with their glossy sauces and tender chicken morsels. But beneath their appealing exteriors lies a world of difference in flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques.
Do you go for the sweet and tangy citrus kick of Orange Chicken, with its crispy fried coating drenched in a vibrant orange sauce? Or do you opt for the rich, savory umami punch of Teriyaki Chicken, its juicy grilled morsels glazed in a soy-based marinade?
The Orange Chicken Vs. Teriyaki Chicken battle has raged on for years, with fans passionately defending their favorite. That’s why we’re about to break down the key differences between these two beloved dishes, so you can finally make an informed choice (or better yet, try them both!).
What is Orange Chicken?
If you’re craving a sweet and tangy treat that packs a punch of citrusy flavor, orange chicken is the dish for you. This beloved Chinese-American creation has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of diners across the globe.
While its exact origins are debated, most food historians believe orange chicken first appeared on menus in Chinese restaurants in North America in the 1970s or 1980s. It quickly gained popularity as a delicious fusion of Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients with an unmistakable American twist.
At its core, orange chicken consists of crispy battered and fried chicken pieces smothered in a decadent orange-flavored sauce. But it’s the combination of ingredients in that glossy, sticky sauce that makes this dish truly sing.
The sauce typically starts with a base of orange juice (surprise, surprise), but it also incorporates soy sauce for that quintessential umami savoriness. A generous dose of sugar adds the signature sweet touch, balanced by the bright acidity of vinegar or orange zest.
Depending on the chef’s personal spin, you may also find the orange sauce spiked with garlic, ginger, chili peppers, or sesame oil for an extra aromatic punch. The possibilities for customizing the flavor profile are endless.
To achieve that delightfully crispy texture, the chicken is first dipped in an egg and flour batter before being deep fried to golden perfection. The hot oil creates a delectable crunch that provides the ideal contrast to the velvety sauce.
Imagine biting through that crunchy exterior to reveal juicy, tender chicken encased in a sweet, tangy, and citrusy glaze. It’s a flavor explosion that dances across your taste buds, leaving you craving bite after bite.
What is Teriyaki Chicken?
If orange chicken represents the sweet and tangy side of Asian cuisine, teriyaki chicken is its savory, umami-rich counterpart. This Japanese grilled chicken dish has a long and storied history, deeply rooted in traditional cooking techniques.
The word “teriyaki” Itself refers to a classic Japanese method of grilling or broiling foods after marinating them in a glossy, soy sauce-based mixture. This marinating and grilling process is believed to date back to the 17th century when it became popular among Japanese housewives and Buddhist monks.
At its most basic, authentic teriyaki chicken involves chicken (usually thighs or breasts) that is marinated in a sauce made from soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sake, and sugar. This marinade not only infuses the chicken with incredible flavor but also helps create that signature lacquered, shiny glaze once grilled.
The key to a great teriyaki marinade is getting the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami notes. The soy sauce provides that lovely savory essence, while the mirin contributes mild sweetness and the sake adds depth. A touch of brown sugar harmonizes the flavors.
Depending on the recipe, you may also find teriyaki marinades featuring garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, green onions or other aromatics to add even more layers of complexity. In Japan, it’s common to use dark soy sauce for a richer color and more concentrated flavor.
Once the chicken has been thoroughly marinated (ideally overnight for maximum flavor), it’s time for the grill. The hot grill or broiler helps caramelize the sugars in the marinade, creating that iconic lacquered glaze and charred, smoky notes.
Picture succulent chicken, charred to perfection with a slight char and sweet soy caramelization. Each bite delivers an umami bomb of savory, slightly sweet, and smoky flavors that make your taste buds sing. The chicken itself remains incredibly moist and tender from the marinade.
While teriyaki chicken can certainly be enjoyed on its own, it’s also frequently incorporated into dishes like teriyaki chicken bowls (served over rice), yakisoba noodle stir-fries, or even on sandwiches. Its versatility and crowd-pleasing flavor make it a go-to option for Japanese restaurants and take-out places alike.
Orange Chicken Vs. Teriyaki Chicken: What’s The Difference?
Ingredients
While both orange chicken and teriyaki chicken feature tender, juicy chicken as the star of the show, it’s their contrasting ingredients that give each dish its signature flavor profile and texture. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into each one:
Orange Chicken Ingredients:
- Chicken (usually boneless thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Batter (typically an egg and flour/cornstarch mixture for frying)
- Orange juice
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar or white vinegar
- Brown sugar or white sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Orange zest
- Sesame oil (optional)
- Red chili flakes or sriracha (optional for heat)
- Cornstarch slurry (for thickening the sauce)
The iconic orange glaze that bathes the crispy fried chicken gets its distinctive sweet-tart essence from the combination of orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce and brown sugar. Garlic, ginger and orange zest amplify those bright citrusy notes.
What makes orange chicken so utterly craveable is the contrast between the delicate crunch of the fried batter and the velvety, glossy sauce. The cornstarch batter provides that irresistible crispy texture.
Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients:
- Chicken (thighs, breasts, drumsticks – can be left on the bone or boneless)
- Soy sauce (typically Japanese soy sauce)
- Mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
- Sake or Japanese rice wine vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Green onions or shallots
- Sesame seeds (optional)
For teriyaki, it’s all about that umami-rich marinade made with soy sauce, mirin, sake and brown sugar. This multidimensional mixture infuses the chicken with incredible sweet-savory depth. Fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger and green onions add aromatic intrigue.
Unlike orange chicken’s crispy fried coating, teriyaki chicken gets its trademark luster from the charred, caramelized marinade during the grilling or broiling process. The mirin tenderizes the chicken, while the sugars lacquer the exterior.
So while both dishes feature chicken in a glossy, flavorful sauce, the key ingredients are what set them apart fundamentally. Orange chicken highlights zesty citrus and brown sugar sweetness, while teriyaki celebrates the savory umami of Japanese staples like soy sauce and mirin.
Preparation
Beyond their distinct ingredients, the preparation methods for orange chicken and teriyaki chicken also diverge quite significantly. These contrasting cooking techniques play a major role in developing the signature textures and flavors of each dish.
Orange Chicken Preparation:
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat in an egg and flour/cornstarch batter mixture until fully coated.
2. Deep fry the battered chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
3. In a separate pan or wok, combine the orange sauce ingredients like orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, orange zest, and brown sugar.
4. Mix a cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce to thicken it into a velvety, glossy glaze.
5. Toss the crispy fried chicken in the bright orange sauce until completely coated.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, or chili flakes if desired.
The star of orange chicken is definitely that crunchy, crispy fried exterior that provides the perfect textural contrast to the sticky-sweet orange sauce. Deep frying locks in the juices while creating an irresistibly crisp crust.
Teriyaki Chicken Preparation:
1. Combine the marinade ingredients like soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade and marinate for at least 30 minutes up to overnight to allow flavors to penetrate.
3. Remove the marinated chicken from the sauce, reserving the marinade.
4. Grill, broil, or pan-sear the chicken until lightly charred on both sides.
5. Transfer the chicken to the reserved marinade in a pan or wok.
6. Simmer and toss/baste frequently until the marinade thickens to a lacquered glaze coating the chicken.
7. Optionally garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
For teriyaki chicken, that glossy, caramelized sheen is created by basting and simmering the grilled chicken in the concentrated, syrupy marinade. Grilling gives the smokiness and char while the marinade delivers sweetness, savoriness, and lush moisture.
While orange chicken achieves its texture through a double coating of batter and sauce, teriyaki chicken transforms through the marriage of an overnight marinade with intense grilling heat. One highlights the crispy contrast, while the other leans into the harmony of marinade and smoke.
Flavor
At the end of the day, the defining factor that truly sets orange chicken and teriyaki chicken apart is their flavor profiles. While they both feature chicken enrobed in savory-sweet sauces, the flavors couldn’t be more distinct. Let’s break it down:
Orange Chicken Flavor:
- Sweet and tangy citrus notes from orange juice and zest
- Bright acidity from vinegar
- Brown sugar adds rich molasses sweetness
- Soy sauce brings an umami, savory backbone
- Garlic and ginger provide warmth and aroma
- Crispy fried chicken coating offers a contrasting crunch
Orange chicken’s flavor profile is all about the dynamic interplay of zesty orange against sweet brown sugar. It’s the perfect combination of tangy, fruity brightness balanced by deeper caramelized sweetness and savory soy notes.
The garlic, ginger, and vinegar help cut through and amplify those bold citrus flavors. And you can’t forget that delightful crispy fried exterior that shatters against the velvet-smooth sauce with each bite.
Teriyaki Chicken Flavor:
- Umami-rich soy sauce is the savory backbone
- Mirin contributes mild sweetness and complexity
- Brown sugar creates lovely caramelized, lacquered notes
- Grilling adds hints of smoky char
- Garlic, ginger, green onions lend aromatic depth
- Tender, juicy grilled chicken texture
Teriyaki is a masterclass in building savory depth and umami punch. The soy sauce and mirin form an incredible umami base, with brown sugar glazing everything in syrupy sweetness.
But what really sets teriyaki apart is the delightful smoky char from the grilling process and the bright pop of fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger and green onions. The chicken remains exquisitely tender yet permeated by this incredible layering of flavors.
Orange chicken dazzles with its vivacious citrus zing and candy-like sweetness, while teriyaki chicken seduces with its more understated blend of smoke, sugar, umami richness, and aromatic intrigue.
Flavor
At the end of the day, the defining factor that truly sets orange chicken and teriyaki chicken apart is their flavor profiles. While they both feature chicken enrobed in savory-sweet sauces, the flavors couldn’t be more distinct. Let’s break it down:
Orange Chicken Flavor:
- Sweet and tangy citrus notes from orange juice and zest
- Bright acidity from vinegar
- Brown sugar adds rich molasses sweetness
- Soy sauce brings an umami, savory backbone
- Garlic and ginger provide warmth and aroma
- Crispy fried chicken coating offers a contrasting crunch
Orange chicken’s flavor profile is all about the dynamic interplay of zesty orange against sweet brown sugar. It’s the perfect combination of tangy, fruity brightness balanced by deeper caramelized sweetness and savory soy notes.
The garlic, ginger, and vinegar help cut through and amplify those bold citrus flavors. And you can’t forget that delightful crispy fried exterior that shatters against the velvet-smooth sauce with each bite.
Teriyaki Chicken Flavor:
- Umami-rich soy sauce is the savory backbone
- Mirin contributes mild sweetness and complexity
- Brown sugar creates lovely caramelized, lacquered notes
- Grilling adds hints of smoky char
- Garlic, ginger, green onions lend aromatic depth
- Tender, juicy grilled chicken texture
Teriyaki is a masterclass in building savory depth and umami punch. The soy sauce and mirin form an incredible umami base, with brown sugar glazing everything in syrupy sweetness.
But what really sets teriyaki apart is the delightful smoky char from the grilling process and the bright pop of fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger and green onions. The chicken remains exquisitely tender yet permeated by this incredible layering of flavors.
Orange chicken dazzles with its vivacious citrus zing and candy-like sweetness, while teriyaki chicken seduces with its more understated blend of smoke, sugar, umami richness, and aromatic intrigue.
FAQs
Are orange chicken and teriyaki chicken dishes healthy?
Both dishes can be higher in calories, fat, and sugar due to the sauces and batters involved. However, you can make some healthier swaps like using less oil, baking instead of frying the orange chicken, and going light on the sugar in the teriyaki marinade. Incorporating more vegetables can also help balance out the meal.
Where did the idea for orange chicken originate?
While the exact origins are unclear, most food historians believe orange chicken was created by Chinese entrepreneurs running restaurants in North America, blending Chinese techniques with beloved American flavors like orange and fried chicken.
Is teriyaki chicken the same as yakitori?
No, yakitori refers to grilled skewered chicken specifically, while teriyaki chicken can be made with larger chicken pieces and does not require skewers. However, they can both feature a teriyaki-style marinade or sauce.
What are some good side dishes to serve with these chicken dishes?
For orange chicken, sides like steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, fried rice or chow mein noodles pair nicely. Teriyaki chicken goes well with rice, soba noodles, stir-fried veggies like broccolini, or a side salad.
Can I make orange chicken or teriyaki chicken in an air fryer?
Absolutely! The air fryer can be used to get that crispy texture on the orange chicken without deep frying. For teriyaki, you can air fry the marinated chicken before tossing in the teriyaki sauce.
Are there any good vegetarian/vegan substitutes?
You can make vegetarian/vegan versions using tofu, seitan, or soy curls instead of chicken. The cooking process is similar, just sub in your preferred plant-based protein.
