What to Serve with Orange Chicken – 20 Easy Sides

Orange chicken is a delicious meal that is famous across Asia, particularly in Hong Kong. It’s quite easy to prepare and versatile in terms of what you can serve it with.

So, what goes well with orange chicken? Orange chicken is traditionally served with steamed rice and fried wontons or chow mein noodles. If you want to keep it more casual, serve it with a green salad and dressing.

If you’re considering about making this meal, we hope this article gives you some ideas for what to serve it with.

Some of the side dishes mentioned below would be ideal for this entrée.

Orange Chicken Wine Pairing The Best Wines for Orange Chicken

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Orange Chicken?

There are several options for serving side dishes that compliment your orange chicken.

There are several ways to serve orange chicken and its associated side dishes, ranging from savory to sweet.

You might, for example, serve the dish in a lettuce wrap or bun.

If you want something sweet, you may turn the meal into a dessert.

The options are unlimited; just choose your preferred style of presenting your orange chicken and select your side dishes appropriately.

The perfect side dishes may transform an otherwise boring dinner into something delightful and enjoyable.

That being said, there are several side dishes that complement orange chicken.

They may be prepared from a number of foods, so there’s no reason not to experiment.

This implies that no matter how many times you eat the same dish, you can always make it fascinating.

What to Serve with Orange Chicken – 20 Easy Sides

Before we get into the list of side dishes, let’s go over what you can serve with orange chicken.

To begin, we suggest serving the meal with rice.

Rice is an essential component of Chinese cuisine, therefore serving orange chicken with it is only natural.

Chow mein noodles may also be served with this dinner. These resemble spaghetti but are thinner and more fragile.

Okay, here are 17 sides to serve with orange chicken:

1. Steamed Rice

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You may get a little creative with the many accompaniments that you can serve with orange chicken. Orange chicken contains a variety of unique flavors, so you’ll be spoiled for choice!

To bring out all of the flavors, use your favorite mix of crunchy vegetables, herbs, and spice. You could serve steamed rice as a side dish, or go all out and create fried rice!

2. Chow Mein Noodles

When I go to a Chinese restaurant, I always get chow mein noodles as a side dish! It’s a delectable blend of noodles and fresh veggies. Theyre a terrific alternative if you’re in a hurry since you can pop them in the oven or microwave for a few minutes and they’ll be ready to eat in no time.

You can create your own from scratch if you like, but buying them pre-made in a tube is considerably simpler.

3. Green Salad

Try some green salad with your orange chicken if you want something fresh and vivid to go with it. Purchase a bag of mixed leaf salad from your local store. For added flavor, mix in some crisp cucumber and red onion.

4. Fried Wontons

Fried wontons are quite popular in China, where they are often served with a bowl of hot soup and noodles to dip them in. You don’t have to make your own wontons here, but you may purchase ready-made ones from your local supermarket or Asian grocery shop if you wish.

I like fresh, raw wonton skins from the supermarket deli section, although frozen wonton skins are also OK.

5. Steamed Vegetables

Steamed veggies are the ideal side dish for chicken. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and mushrooms are among the most traditional options. They are ideal for adding loads of fresh crunch to your dish and just take a few minutes to prepare.

Simply set them in a steamer basket over a pot of hot water to swiftly steam them. When they’re done, mix them with soy sauce, sesame oil, or cooking wine before serving.

6. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a traditional Chinese meal that consists of chicken, veggies, and noodles. This one from the Soya and Vegetables brand is very nutritious, being low in fat and rich in fiber. To make this side dish, just stir fry your desired veggies in a wok, such as mushrooms, bean sprouts, and baby corn, before adding fried chicken.

With a dash of soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and some black pepper, you’ve got yourself a full and tasty supper alternative.

7. Vegetable Lo Mein

Another quick, nutritious, and yummy alternative to go with orange chicken! It’s similar to ramen, except instead of soup, it has noodles. The key to getting this one correctly is to make sure the noodles are properly cooked.

If they are overly mushy, they will not keep their form once placed in the dish. Follow the cooking directions on the package to avoid lumps of mushy pasta, and always test your pasta after 5 minutes.

8. Fried Rice

Because this is such a diverse meal, it’s a good idea to have a few alternative possibilities in mind while you buy. It may be served hot or cold, with or without meat, and it is good for both children and adults.

I prefer to serve this with fresh salad greens like rocket, spring onions, baby spinach, and shredded cabbage. You may prepare your own and eat it hot, cold, or even frozen!

9. Chicken Salad

Chicken salad goes well with any main meal for lunch or supper, but it also works well as a snack on its own. If you want to dine out or take your dinner to go, I suggest bringing a container of leftover chicken salad in a Tupperware container.

It will be convenient to grab and go, and you will always have something fresh and nutritious to snack on at work, school, or when you are running late.

10. Chicken And Vegetable Stir Fry

Chicken and veggies go well together, which is why I served this excellent chicken stir fry with my Orange Chicken.

Also read: What Vegetables Go in a Stir Fry? The Top 21 Vegetables

The orange flavors in the chicken and the veggies complement each other well, making this a terrific option for a quick meal!

You may use any other vegetables you want or combine them all in one dish, but I adore baby bok choy here since it has such a delicate flavor.

11. Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy

Stir-frying is a fast and simple technique to prepare vegetables while also adding flavor! When cooked in a stir-fry, young bok choy becomes soft and sweet in flavor, making it a great side dish to accompany Orange Chicken.

You may use whatever vegetable you like here, but I suggest young bok choy for its sweetness.

12. Chinese Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salads are one of my favorite ways to add crunch and freshness to your dish. This salad is really easy to prepare and is excellent for serving with orange chicken.

Toss in your favorite veggies, such as carrots, radishes, spring onions, and red pepper, and finish with sesame oil and fresh coriander.

13. Spinach Ohitashi (Japanese Spinach Salad)

This salad is one of my favorites since it is a terrific way to use up all of those gorgeous, withering greens at the bottom of the fridge. It’s also a really healthy choice that will provide you with enough of energy to carry you through the evening.

Simply add shredded spinach, edamame beans, and crispy fried tofu cubes. A dash of soy sauce is also a lovely addition here!

14. Spicy Asian Zucchini

Try this zucchini recipe if you want something different than broccoli or baby corn as a side dish.

It’s colorful and healthful, but it’s also sweet and spicy. You can be creative with the veggies here; I prefer to use carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers, but you can really go crazy and experiment with any vegetables you have on hand!

15. Chinese Coleslaw

Chinese coleslaw is a simple side dish that nicely complements the flavors of the orange chicken. It’s an excellent choice if you want something new, colorful, and full of health benefits.

The trick to cooking this dish is to cut your veggies as small as possible. It makes a significant impact in the overall product. A mandolin is great for rapidly chopping them up, but a sharp knife will suffice.

16. Korean Scallion Pancakes

You may create Korean scallion pancakes instead of Chinese coleslaw or stir fry if you don’t want to prepare Chinese coleslaw or stir fry.

Thin pancakes are fried on a hot plate before being wrapped up and packed with shredded lettuce, spring onion, and garlic. They’re usually a crowd pleaser and go well with orange chicken.

17. Potato Salad

Potatoes complement any chicken recipe well. I love adding them to this orange chicken because they make it so moist and tasty. If you want to consume the potatoes, you’ll need to peel them before cutting them up, so try to prepare them ahead of time if feasible.

If you’re pressed for time, a ready-made potato salad from the store will suffice. It could be worth buying a container of low fat mayonnaise to lighten the dressing, however I can’t assure it won’t still be pretty thick.

18. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is an excellent alternative for individuals seeking for something light to have with their dinner. It’s generally a light and healthful soup, which is ideal for this kind of gathering since you’ll be filled after eating a lot of rich cuisine.

I like to serve it with rice noodles. They give the meal more texture and variation without making it excessively heavy or full. Most shops sell them pre-cooked, but if you’re feeling really daring, you could always make them yourself.

19. Baked Chicken Wings

When serving orange chicken at home, I prefer to use oven baked chicken wings since they are incredibly quick to prepare and a terrific alternative to the deep fried type. Simply bake them for around 40 minutes to get a crisp, golden coating that makes for a wonderful, crispy side dish.

Also see: The Top 10 Herbs & Spices for Baked Chicken

20. Spicy Bean Sprout Salad

This is a terrific alternative if you want a little heat and something light and fresh to go with the deep, orange-flavored flavors of orange chicken. It has a lot of flavor because to the mix of bean sprouts, peppers, carrots, and cucumber. The dressing is also simple: sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and ginger.

What Is Orange Chicken?

If you’ve never had orange chicken, you’re in for a treat. This meal is created using chicken thighs that have been marinated for at least a day in orange juice and garlic before being fried.

There are several recipes for this meal, all of which are quite easy to prepare. This implies there’s a good possibility you’ll be able to simply produce one for your family and friends.

Because the chicken is so juicy, it is a popular option for individuals who want to reduce their meat intake.

It is also ideal for any special event since it can be served in a variety of ways, including with rice or pasta.

The orange chicken gets its name from the fresh oranges that are put to it. The fluids from the chicken may be utilized to make a delectable sauce or gravy.

4 Tips for Choosing A Side Dish to Go with Orange Chicken

Because it might be tough to locate a nice side dish to accompany the orange chicken, follow these recommendations to choose from some of the greatest possibilities.

1. Look for dishes that are light and healthy

One thing to keep in mind is that these foods are generally served in smaller servings. This is due to the richness and filling nature of the orange chicken.

2. Get inspired by other dishes

If you like the flavor of orange chicken but don’t want to use as many rich ingredients, consider using it as a basis for your side dish ideas. To make it taste distinct and tasty, you might add some fresh grated orange zest or even some orange marmalade.

3. Choose a dish that can be prepared in advance

The greatest orange chicken side dishes are those that don’t take long to make and can be quickly reheated when needed. Some people, for example, prefer to purchase ready-made mashed potatoes from the store; they are just as good eaten with orange chicken, but they can be cooked in a matter of minutes.

4. Think about the other flavours that are being used

Remember that orange chicken is a very rich and sweet meal, so try to balance it off with a refreshing and simple side dish. This means avoiding thick sauces, creamy pasta meals, and anything very spicy.

5. Ask for recommendations from friends and family

Why not attempt a particular recipe for a side dish if you know someone who has one? It may take a few tries to get the right recipe, but the effort is always worthwhile.

Tips on How to Cook Orange Chicken

This meal may be served in a variety of ways, and it typically tastes wonderful regardless of how it is prepared. However, there are a few things to consider before preparing the ideal orange chicken dish:

1. Make sure your oven is set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Make sure the chicken thighs are marinated in an oil-and-orange-juice marinade.
3. Place the chicken in a baking dish and season with sugar, salt, and any other seasonings you choose, such as garlic powder or ginger.
4. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the flesh is no longer pink and the bone can be easily removed from the thighs. After that, you may enjoy your scrumptious orange chicken meal.

Overall, this meal is simple to prepare and much simpler to enjoy. There are several ways to prepare this dish, and it is always best served hot.

So, if you’re searching for a fast and simple recipe that’s also tasty and popular, give orange chicken a try today.

Conclusion

Orange chicken is another popular meal in the United States, but serve it with any of these side dishes to amaze your guests.

All of these dishes complement orange chicken, so choose any of them for supper today.

Try any of these side dishes for a tasty lunch that will wow your guests.