The Most Popular Chinese Chicken Dish, Ranked

Choose the dish you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:33
Choosing a favorite Chinese chicken dish can be quite subjective, varying widely from one person to another. Each dish offers a distinct blend of flavors that might appeal differently depending on individual tastes. By creating a collective ranking based on popular votes, it becomes easier for everyone to see which dishes stand out in the eyes of the majority. This interactive list allows users to participate by voting for their preferred dishes, contributing to a dynamic ranking that reflects real-time preferences. For someone new to Chinese cuisine, this could serve as a guide to what dishes to try. Meanwhile, enthusiasts can compare their favorites with the broader community's choices, possibly discovering new favorites along the way.

What Is the Most Popular Chinese Chicken Dish?

  1. 1
    91
    votes

    General Tso's Chicken

    General Tso
    This is a sweet and spicy deep-fried chicken dish that is popular in Chinese-American cuisine. It is named after a famous Chinese military leader, General Tso, but is not actually a traditional Chinese dish.
    General Tso's Chicken is a popular Chinese chicken dish that consists of deep-fried battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce. The dish is known for its bold flavors and crispy texture, making it a favorite among many Chinese food enthusiasts.
    • Origin: Hunan Province, China
    • Type: Chicken dish
    • Cooking Method: Deep-fried
    • Main Ingredients: Chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and hot chili peppers
    • Flavor: Sweet and savory with a hint of spiciness
    General Tso's Chicken in other rankings
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    Kung Pao Chicken
    N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kung Pao Chicken

    Li Shunqing
    This is a spicy Sichuan-style chicken dish that features diced chicken, peanuts, and vegetables in a spicy sauce. It is a popular dish in both China and the West.
    Kung Pao Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that originates from the Sichuan province. It is a stir-fry dish made with diced chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. The dish is known for its bold and spicy flavors, balanced with a hint of sweetness.
    • Main ingredients: Chicken, peanuts, vegetables
    • Flavor: Bold, spicy, and slightly sweet
    • Cooking method: Stir-fry
    • Region of origin: Sichuan province, China
    • Heat level: Moderate to high
    Kung Pao Chicken in other rankings
  3. 3
    35
    votes
    This is a classic Chinese dish that features deep-fried chicken pieces in a sweet and sour sauce. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that consists of crispy chicken pieces coated in a tangy and slightly sweet sauce. The chicken is often stir-fried with peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, giving it a colorful and vibrant appearance.
    • Main ingredients: Chicken, peppers, onions, pineapple
    • Cooking method: Stir-fried
    • Taste: Tangy and slightly sweet
    • Texture: Crispy chicken with tender vegetables
    • Sauce: Tangy and sweet sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and ketchup
  4. 4
    6
    votes
    This is a crispy fried chicken dish that is coated in a tangy lemon sauce. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    Lemon chicken is a popular Chinese chicken dish that features lightly battered and fried chicken breast pieces coated in a tangy and refreshing lemon sauce. The dish is known for its bright and vibrant flavors, balancing the sweetness and acidity of lemon with savory chicken. It is often served with steamed rice or noodles, making it a satisfying and comforting meal.
    • Preparation: Lightly battered and fried chicken breast pieces
    • Sauce: Tangy and refreshing lemon sauce
    • Flavor: Balanced mixture of sweetness and acidity
    • Accompaniments: Often served with steamed rice or noodles
    • Texture: Crispy exterior and tender chicken
  5. 5
    23
    votes

    Orange Chicken

    Panda Express
    This is a sweet and tangy deep-fried chicken dish that is coated in a sticky orange sauce. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese chicken dish where battered and deep-fried chicken is coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce. The dish is known for its vibrant orange color and the perfect balance of flavors.
    • Origin: United States
    • Main ingredients: Chicken, orange sauce
    • Preparation method: Battering and deep-frying chicken, then coating with orange sauce
    • Flavor profile: Tangy and sweet
    • Texture: Crispy chicken with a smooth and sticky sauce
    Orange Chicken in other rankings
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    Sesame Chicken
    Nithyasrm · CC BY-SA 4.0
    This is a crispy fried chicken dish that is coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    The Sesame Chicken at The Cheesecake Factory is a delicious and popular chicken dish. It is a combination of tender and crispy chicken pieces tossed in a savory sesame sauce, served with a side of steamed white rice. The dish is garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, adding an extra layer of flavor and presentation. The creator of this dish is The Cheesecake Factory's culinary team, known for their innovative and diverse menu. The Sesame Chicken stands out with its perfectly balanced flavors and delightful texture, making it a go-to choice for many customers.
    • Type: Chicken Dish
    • Preparation: Tender and crispy chicken pieces tossed in sesame sauce
    • Serving: With steamed white rice
    • Garnish: Sesame seeds and green onions
    • Flavor: Savory and balanced
    Sesame Chicken in other rankings
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    This is a stir-fried chicken and vegetable dish that is popular in American Chinese cuisine. It typically features mushrooms, snow peas, and water chestnuts.
    Moo Goo Gai Pan is a popular Chinese chicken dish that features tender chicken, fresh mushrooms, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce. The dish has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, making it a favorite among many people.
    • Chicken: Tender pieces of chicken breast are used in the dish.
    • Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms, typically button or shiitake, are a key ingredient.
    • Vegetables: Crisp vegetables like snow peas, carrots, and baby corn are commonly used.
    • Sauce: A savory sauce made with chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic flavors the dish.
    • Mild Flavor: Moo Goo Gai Pan has a mild taste with subtle sweetness.
  8. 8
    14
    votes

    Chicken Chow Mein

    Chinese cuisine
    This is a stir-fried noodle dish that features chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    Chicken Chow Mein is a popular Chinese chicken dish consisting of stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and chicken. It is typically made by stir-frying marinated chicken with vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and bean sprouts, in a flavorful sauce. The dish is then served over crispy or soft egg noodles.
    • Main Ingredients: Chicken, noodles, vegetables
    • Cooking Method: Stir-fried
    • Flavor Profile: Savory and slightly tangy
    • Texture: Crispy noodles with tender chicken and vegetables
    • Serving Style: Hot, as a main course
  9. 9
    8
    votes
    This is another popular stir-fried noodle dish that features chicken, vegetables, and soft egg noodles. It is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine.
    Chicken Lo Mein is a popular Chinese chicken dish consisting of stir-fried chicken, noodles, and an assortment of vegetables. The dish is known for its savory and flavorful taste, combined with the satisfying texture of the noodles. The chicken is usually marinated with a combination of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, giving it a rich and aromatic flavor. The noodles are typically egg-based, adding a slightly chewy and tender texture to the dish. Along with the chicken and noodles, a variety of fresh vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and bean sprouts are stir-fried together, adding crunch and color to the dish. The entire dish is usually seasoned with a soy-based sauce, providing a perfect balance of saltiness and umami. Chicken Lo Mein is often garnished with green onions for some added freshness and flavor.
    • Chicken: Sliced or diced chicken breast
    • Noodles: Egg-based, sometimes wheat-based
    • Vegetables: Carrots, bell peppers, bean sprouts, etc.
    • Seasoning: Soy sauce-based sauce
    • Marinade: Soy sauce, garlic, ginger
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    This is a simple stir-fry dish that features chicken and broccoli in a savory sauce. It is a popular dish in both Chinese-American and traditional Chinese cuisine.
    Chicken and Broccoli is a popular Chinese chicken dish that combines tender chicken pieces with crisp broccoli florets in a flavorful sauce. It is typically served over steamed rice and is known for its light yet satisfying taste.
    • Main Ingredients: Chicken, Broccoli
    • Cooking Style: Stir-fried
    • Flavor: Delicate and savory
    • Sauce: Usually a combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and oyster sauce
    • Texture: Tender chicken and crisp broccoli
    Chicken and Broccoli in other rankings

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Ranking factors for popular dish

  1. Popularity
    Consider how well-known and commonly ordered the dish is among consumers, not just within China but also globally as Chinese cuisine has a significant international presence. This can be measured through surveys, online reviews, and menu presence in restaurants.
  2. Taste
    Assess the overall flavor and distinctive taste of the dish, as this is a crucial factor driving its popularity. Consumer feedback, expert opinions, and reviews can be helpful in evaluating the taste of a dish.
  3. Cultural significance
    Take into account the dish's cultural and historical relevance, as certain dishes can be popular due to their importance in regional traditions, festivities, or family celebrations.
  4. Nutritional value
    A dish with well-balanced nutrition, including a good mix of proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, can influence its popularity since many consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious.
  5. Ease of preparation
    The complexity and time required to prepare a dish can influence its popularity. Dishes with simpler preparation methods or ones that can be easily prepared using pre-made ingredients may rank higher.
  6. Availability of ingredients
    Dishes whose ingredients are readily available and accessible in various regions also tend to be more popular.
  7. Versatility
    Dishes that can be easily adapted, customized, or consumed with other dishes have a broader appeal, making them more popular.
  8. Presentation and visual appeal
    A dish that looks appetizing and visually appealing may entice more individuals to try it; presentation can play a role in a dish's popularity.
  9. Texture and mouthfeel
    Consider the dish's texture and mouthfeel, as these factors can contribute to its overall dining experience and influence its popularity.
  10. Adaptability to dietary restrictions
    Dishes that can cater to various dietary needs like vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free often rank higher in popularity due to broader consumer appeal.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Chinese chicken dish. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dish is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 4503 views
  • 224 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dish once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dish is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular chinese chicken dish

When it comes to Chinese cuisine, chicken dishes are one of the most popular choices around the world. From succulent chicken stir-fries to flavourful soups, there are countless variations of Chinese chicken dishes to choose from. However, when it comes to the most popular Chinese chicken dish, one dish stands out above the rest: General Tso's Chicken. General Tso's Chicken is a dish that originated in the Hunan province of China, and it's now a staple in Chinese restaurants around the world. The dish consists of crispy fried chicken that's tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili flakes. The result is a combination of flavours and textures that's hard to resist. Although General Tso's Chicken is the most popular Chinese chicken dish, there are plenty of other delicious options to try. Some popular alternatives include Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Sesame Chicken. Whether you're a fan of spicy or sweet flavours, there's a Chinese chicken dish out there that's sure to satisfy your taste buds.

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