Does Sesame Chicken contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, it contains dairy in the form of nonfat dry milk. It also contains gluten from the bleached enriched flour and wheat in the soy sauce.

Is Sesame Chicken good for weight loss?

Generally no. It is high in calories and sugar, which can hinder weight loss efforts if not eaten in strict moderation.

Where can I buy Sesame Chicken?

It is widely available in the frozen food section of major grocery stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online retailers like Amazon.

Is Sesame Chicken safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for children, but be mindful of the high sugar and sodium content. It does not contain caffeine.

Is Sesame Chicken Vegan?

The short answer is no, Sesame Chicken is not vegan. Despite the plant-based name, this dish is strictly off-limits for anyone following a plant-based diet due to its core ingredients. It contains chicken meat, dairy derivatives, and eggs, making it incompatible with veganism.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the label of a standard frozen Sesame Chicken product reveals a complex mix of animal-derived and processed ingredients. The primary reason this dish fails the vegan test is the presence of three major animal products.

The most obvious offender is the protein source itself: chicken breast meat. This is the defining ingredient of the dish and is entirely animal-based. Furthermore, the coating used to bread the chicken contains nonfat dry milk and egg whites. The milk powder provides browning and flavor, while the egg whites act as a binding agent for the breading. Even if the chicken were removed, the breading itself would not be vegan.

Even the sauce presents issues. It utilizes chicken broth as a base for flavor depth, alongside standard soy sauce (which contains wheat). While the cooking method involves vegetable oil, the cross-contamination and processing of the chicken pieces mean the entire product is compromised for vegans. Additionally, the presence of sodium benzoate indicates a preservative often used in processed meats to extend shelf life.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

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Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Sesame Chicken is a calorie-dense food high in sodium and sugar. A typical serving contains a significant amount of fat, largely due to the frying process in vegetable oil and the skin-on nature of the chicken pieces.

The sauce is the primary source of added sugars, containing cornstarch and sugar which spike the glycemic index of the meal. While it provides protein from the chicken, the ratio of protein to fat and carbohydrates is not ideal for those strictly monitoring their macronutrient intake. It is generally considered a 'sometimes' food rather than a daily staple due to the high sodium content (often exceeding 600mg per serving) and the presence of preservatives.