What to Serve with Orange Chicken – 20 Easy Sides

Orange chicken is a wonderful dish that is popular throughout Asia, especially Hong Kong. It is relatively simple to make and has a lot of versatility in terms of what you can serve it with.

So, what should you serve with orange chicken? Traditionally, orange chicken is served with steamed rice and fried wontons or chow mein noodles. However, if you prefer something more casual, you can serve it with a green salad and dressing.

If you are thinking about preparing this dish, we hope this article will give you some inspiration on what you can serve it with.

Some of the side dishes we’ve listed below are perfect for this dish.

Read Also: Orange Chicken Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Orange Chicken

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Orange Chicken?

If you want to serve side dishes that complement your orange chicken, then there are many different things that you can do.

From savory to sweet, there are many different ways to serve your orange chicken and its accompanying side dishes.

For example, you could serve the meal in a lettuce wrap or roll.

Or, if you want something sweet, you can make a dessert out of the meal.

The possibilities are endless – just pick your favorite method of serving your orange chicken and choose your side dishes accordingly.

The right side dishes can turn an otherwise forgettable meal into something tasty and fun.

That being said, there are plenty of side dishes that are perfect for orange chicken.

They can be made of a variety of foods, so you have no reason to be afraid to try out new ideas.

This means that you can always keep your meals interesting, no matter how many times you eat them.

What to Serve with Orange Chicken – 20 Easy Sides

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

First and foremost, we recommend serving the dish with rice.

Rice is an integral part of Chinese cuisine, so it’s only natural to serve orange chicken with it.

You can also serve the meal with chow mein noodles. These look like spaghetti, but they are thinner and more brittle.

Alright, let’s go over 17 sides to serve with orange chicken:

1. Steamed Rice

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You can go a little bit crazy here with the different accompaniments that you can serve with orange chicken. Orange chicken has lots of distinctive flavours, so you’re spoilt for choice!

Choose your favourite combination of crunchy veggies, herbs, and seasoning to bring out all of the flavours. You might want to try steamed rice as a side option, or go the whole hog and make fried rice!

2. Chow Mein Noodles

Chow mein noodles are my go-to side dish when I’m eating at a Chinese restaurant! It’s a delicious combination of noodles with loads of fresh vegetables. They’re a great option when you’re in a rush, as you can just throw them into the oven or microwave for a few minutes and they’ll be ready to eat in no time at all.

You can make your own from scratch if you want, but it’s so much easier to buy them pre-made in a tube.

3. Green Salad

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If you’re looking for something fresh and vibrant to serve alongside your orange chicken, try some green salad. Pick up a pack of mixed leaf salad from your local supermarket. You can add some crunchy cucumber and red onion for extra variety.

4. Fried Wontons

Fried wontons are really popular in China, where they’re often served alongside a bowl of hot broth with noodles to dip them into. You don’t have to make your own wontons here, but if you want to, you can buy ready-made ones at your local supermarket or Asian grocery store.

I like to use fresh, raw wonton skins that you can get from the supermarket deli department, but frozen wonton skins are also fine.

5. Steamed Vegetables

Steamed vegetables are the perfect accompaniment for chicken. The most classic choices include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and mushrooms. They’re perfect for adding lots of fresh crunch to your meal and will only take minutes to cook.

To steam them quickly, just place them in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Once they’re cooked, toss them with a little soy sauce, sesame oil, or cooking wine, and you’re ready to serve.

6. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a classic Chinese dish made with chicken, vegetables, and noodles. This one from the brand, Soya and Vegetables, is really healthy, low in fat, and high in fibre. All you need to do for this side dish is stir fry your chosen vegetables, such as mushrooms, bean sprouts, and baby corn, in a wok, then add some cooked chicken.

Add a splash of soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, and some black pepper, and you have a very filling, delicious dinner option.

7. Vegetable Lo Mein

Another speedy, healthy, and tasty option for serving with orange chicken! It’s similar to ramen, but with noodles instead of broth. The trick to getting this one right is to make sure that the noodles are cooked properly.

If they come out too soft, they won’t hold their shape once added to the dish. To make sure that you don’t end up with lumps of mushy pasta, follow the cooking instructions on the packet, and always test your pasta after 5 minutes.

8. Fried Rice

This is an incredibly versatile dish, so it’s a good idea to have a few different options in mind as you’re shopping. You can serve it hot, cold, with or without meat, and it’s equally suitable for children as it is adults.

I like to serve this alongside a selection of fresh salad leaves, such as rocket, spring onions, baby spinach, and shredded cabbage. You can make your own so you can enjoy it warm, cold, or even frozen!

9. Chicken Salad

Chicken salad can be served alongside your main course for lunch or dinner, but also makes a great snack on its own. If you’re planning to take your meal to go or eat out of the house, I’d recommend packing a container of leftover chicken salad in a Tupperware container.

It’ll be easy to grab and go, and you’ll always have something healthy and nutritious to munch on at work, school, or whenever you’re running late.

10. Chicken And Vegetable Stir Fry

Chicken and vegetables are a great pairing, and that’s why I’ve chosen to serve this delicious chicken stir fry alongside my Orange Chicken.

See Also: What Vegetables Go in Stir Fry? 21 Best Vegetables

The flavours of the orange in the chicken and the vegetables go really well together, making this a great choice for when you’re in a hurry!

You can use any other veggies you prefer, or mix and match them all in one dish, but I really like baby bok choy here because it’s such a delicate flavour.

11. Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy

Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook veggies and make them extra tasty! I love the way that baby bok choy is tender and sweet in taste when cooked in a stir-fry, so it makes an ideal side dish alongside Orange Chicken.

You can use whatever veg you like here, but I’d recommend baby bok choy because of its sweetness.

12. Chinese Cucumber Salad

I love cucumber salads as they’re such a good way to add extra crunch and freshness to your plate. This is a really simple salad to make, and is ideal if you’re looking for something quick to serve alongside orange chicken.

Toss in your favourite vegetables, like carrots, radishes, spring onions, and red pepper, and top it off with a drizzle of sesame oil and some fresh coriander.

13. Spinach Ohitashi (Japanese Spinach Salad)

I love this salad because it’s such a great example of using up all those lovely, wilting leaves in the bottom of the fridge. It’s also an extremely nutritious option that will give you plenty of energy to get you through the evening.

Just toss in some shredded spinach, edamame beans, and crispy fried tofu cubes. A drizzle of soy sauce is a really nice touch here too!

14. Spicy Asian Zucchini

If you want something a little different from the standard side dish of broccoli or baby corn, try this zucchini dish.

It’s not only colourful and nutritious, but also a little sweet and spicy. You can get creative with the vegetables here – I like to use carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers, but you can really go wild and experiment with what you have in your kitchen!

15. Chinese Coleslaw

Chinese coleslaw is an easy side dish that will complement the flavours of the orange chicken perfectly. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something fresh, colourful, and packed with lots of health benefits.

The key thing to remember when making this one is to chop your vegetables as finely as possible. It really makes a difference to the end result. A mandolin is ideal for cutting them up quickly, but even just using a sharp knife will do the job.

16. Korean Scallion Pancakes

If you don’t want to make Chinese coleslaw or a stir fry, you could make Korean scallion pancakes instead.

These are thin pancakes that are cooked on a hot plate before being rolled up and stuffed with shredded lettuce, spring onion, and a bit of garlic. They’re always a firm favourite, and work really well with orange chicken.

17. Potato Salad

Potatoes are a great addition to any chicken dish. I love adding them to this orange chicken as it makes it incredibly moist and flavorful. You’ll need to peel the potatoes before you cut them up if you want to eat them, so have a go at preparing them in advance if possible.

If you’re short on time, a ready made potato salad from your supermarket is perfectly acceptable too. It might be worth purchasing a tub of low fat mayonnaise to make the dressing a little lighter, though I can’t promise that it won’t still be quite thick.

18. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a great option for those who are looking for something refreshing to serve alongside their meal. It’s usually a light and healthy soup, which is perfect for this sort of occasion as you’ll probably be feeling pretty stuffed after eating a lot of rich food.

I love to serve this with some rice noodles. They add extra texture and variety to the dish without making it too heavy or filling. You can buy them pre-cooked at most supermarkets, but if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could always prepare them yourself.

19. Baked Chicken Wings

I like to use oven baked chicken wings when serving orange chicken at home because they’re super easy to make and offer a great alternative to the deep fried variety. Just cook them in the oven for about 40 minutes, and they’ll have a crisp, golden coating that makes for a tasty, crunchy side dish.

See Also: 10 Best Herbs and Spices for Baked Chicken

20. Spicy Bean Sprout Salad

This is a great option if you’re looking for a little bit of spice, and something light and fresh to accompany the rich, orange-tasting flavours of orange chicken. It’s packed with flavour from its combination of bean sprouts, peppers, carrots, and cucumber. The dressing is simple too – it’s just sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and ginger.

What Is Orange Chicken?

If you’ve never heard of orange chicken, you are definitely in for a treat. This dish is made from chicken thighs that have been marinated in orange juice and garlic for at least a day before being cooked.

There are many different recipes for this dish and they are all very simple to make. This means that there is a great chance that you can easily make one for your family and friends.

Because the chicken is so moist, it is a popular choice for those who are looking to cut down on their meat consumption.

It is also perfect for any special occasion as it can be served in numerous ways – including with a rice or pasta dish.

The reason why it is called orange chicken is because of the fresh oranges that are added to it. The juices in the chicken itself can be used to create a delicious sauce or gravy.

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

Since it can be quite difficult to find a good side dish that goes with the orange chicken, use these tips for choosing from some of the best options.

1. Look for dishes that are light and healthy

One thing that you must remember is that these dishes will usually be served in smaller portions. This is because the orange chicken itself is very rich and filling.

2. Get inspired by other dishes

If you love the taste of orange chicken, but aren’t looking to use as much rich ingredients as it does, try using this as a base for your side dish recipes. You could add some fresh grated orange zest or even some orange marmalade to make it taste unique and delicious.

3. Choose a dish that can be prepared in advance

The best side dishes for orange chicken is one that doesn’t take long to prepare and can be simply re-heated when you need them. For example, some people like to buy ready made mashed potatoes from the supermarket – these are just as delicious served alongside orange chicken, but they can be prepared in just a few minutes.

4. Think about the other flavours that are being used

Remember, orange chicken is a very rich and sweet dish – so you should always try to balance this out with a side that is refreshing and simple. This means that you should try to avoid rich sauces, creamy pasta dishes, and anything too spicy.

5. Ask for recommendations from friends and family

If you know someone that has a special recipe for a side dish, then why not give it a try? It might take a few attempts to find the perfect recipe, but it’s always worth it.

Tips on How to Cook Orange Chicken

This dish can be served in many different ways and it usually tastes great no matter how you prepare it. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind before cooking the perfect orange chicken dish:

1. Make sure that your oven is preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Ensure that the chicken thighs are covered with a marinade made from oil and orange juice.
3. Place the chicken in a baking dish and sprinkle it with sugar, salt, and any other ingredients that you like – such as garlic powder or ginger.
4. Bake for approximately 40 to 50 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and bone can easily be removed from the thighs. Once this has been done, you can enjoy your tasty orange chicken dish.

All in all, this dish is easy to make and even easier to love. There are so many different ways to serve this meal and it’s always best served hot.

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy dish that is delicious and well loved, try out orange chicken today.

Conclusion

Orange chicken is another popular dish in the U.S., but if you want to impress people, serve it with some of these side dishes.

All of these dishes pair well with orange chicken, so feel free to pick any of them for dinner tonight.

Try some of these side dishes for a delicious meal that will wow your friends.