What to Serve With Chinese Chicken Thighs: 15 Best Side Dishes

For a delightful feast with Chinese chicken thighs, consider pairing them with some versatile side dishes. Classic fried rice, featuring vegetables like peas and carrots, offers a hearty complement. Steamed broccoli provides a crisp, invigorating contrast. Egg rolls, with their crispy texture and savory fillings, are always a hit. A revitalizing cucumber salad balances the rich flavors, while garlic green beans add a savory touch. Complete your meal with jasmine rice, scallion pancakes, and sweet and sour cabbage for a varied, delicious spread. Explore these choices to craft a well-rounded dining experience that everyone will enjoy.

Fried Rice

vegetable fried rice recipe

A classic accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs, fried rice offers a flavorful and satisfying side dish that complements the savory main course.

To guarantee your fried rice, consider vegetable variations like peas, carrots, and bell peppers. Seasoning tips include using soy sauce, sesame oil, and a dash of white pepper to achieve a well-balanced taste.

This combination guarantees a delightful dining experience.

Steamed Broccoli

healthy green vegetable dish

Enhance the nutritional value of your meal by pairing Chinese chicken thighs with perfectly steamed broccoli, providing a crisp and vibrant contrast. This green vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals, offering numerous health benefits.

For best texture and flavor, steam the broccoli for about five minutes until tender yet firm. This quick cooking tip guarantees the broccoli remains bright and nutrient-dense.

Egg Rolls

soy sauce on side

Egg rolls provide a delightful combination of crispy exterior and savory filling, making them an excellent accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs.

With versatile filling options like vegetables, pork, or shrimp, they cater to various tastes.

Pairing them with dipping sauces such as sweet and sour or spicy mustard enhances their flavor, creating a well-rounded dining experience that complements the main dish beautifully.

Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer cucumber dish

Cucumber salad offers an invigorating and light contrast to the rich flavors of Chinese chicken thighs. This simple dish, often found in Asian appetizers, combines crisp cucumbers with a tangy dressing, making it a perfect pairing.

Its cool, revitalizing taste complements the meal and can be enjoyed alongside rejuvenating beverages, enhancing the overall dining experience without overwhelming the palate.

Garlic Green Beans

delicious and healthy side dish

Garlic green beans provide a savory and aromatic side dish that pairs excellently with Chinese chicken thighs. Using simple cooking techniques like sautéing, these green beans are quick to prepare, offering a delightful crunch.

They are packed with health benefits, including vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. This dish enhances the meal's flavor profile while contributing to a balanced, nutritious plate.

Sesame Noodles

delicious cold summer dish

Complementing the savory garlic green beans, sesame noodles offer a nutty and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with Chinese chicken thighs. Their rich flavor profiles enhance the meal, making it more delightful.

For presentation tips, garnish the noodles with sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions, creating an appealing look. This combination guarantees a satisfying and visually pleasing dining experience.

Stir-Fried Vegetables

healthy and colorful dish

Stir-fried vegetables serve as a vibrant and nutritious accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs, adding both color and texture to the meal.

Including Asian mushrooms and snow peas enhances the dish's authenticity and flavor profile. The mushrooms offer a rich, earthy taste, while the snow peas bring a crisp, sweet crunch.

Together, they create a delightful balance, making your meal both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying.

Wonton Soup

chinese noodle soup recipe

Wonton soup, with its delicate dumplings and savory broth, provides a comforting and flavorful start to a meal featuring Chinese chicken thighs.

The homemade broth, rich and aromatic, pairs perfectly with the tender wonton fillings, which can include shrimp, pork, or vegetables.

This harmonious combination creates a balanced and satisfying side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.

Pickled Radish

crisp and tangy snack

Pickled radish, with its invigorating texture and tangy flavor, offers a revitalizing contrast to the savory richness of Chinese chicken thighs. Often found as Korean banchan, this side dish benefits from fermentation, which enhances its unique taste and adds probiotics.

The revitalizing bite of pickled radish not only cleanses the palate but also complements the deep flavors of the chicken, creating a balanced meal.

Spring Rolls

fresh vegetables and shrimp

Spring rolls, with their crisp and delicate wrappers, provide a delightful accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs, offering a textural contrast and a burst of fresh flavors.

A homemade recipe guarantees the freshest ingredients, making them even more enjoyable.

Pair them with a variety of dipping sauces, like sweet chili or soy-based sauces, to enhance the flavors and create a perfect harmony.

Bok Choy

healthy leafy green vegetable

Bok choy, with its tender leaves and crisp stalks, serves as an excellent vegetable side dish that complements the rich flavors of Chinese chicken thighs. Known for its health benefits, bok choy is rich in vitamins A and C.

Cooking techniques such as stir-frying or steaming retain its nutrients and enhance its natural sweetness, making it a perfect, nutritious addition to your meal.

Hot and Sour Soup

spicy and tangy broth

Hot and sour soup, with its robust flavors and balanced combination of heat and tang, makes for a delightful accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs. Its vibrant flavor profile enhances the meal, creating a harmonious dining experience.

For preparation tips, use fresh ingredients like mushrooms and tofu, and adjust the vinegar and pepper to taste, ensuring the perfect balance of sourness and spiciness.

Jasmine Rice

thai fragrant white rice

Complementing Chinese chicken thighs, jasmine rice offers a fragrant and slightly sticky texture that pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the dish.

This aromatic pairing enhances the overall meal experience with its subtle floral notes.

Simple cooking techniques like steaming or using a rice cooker can yield fluffy, well-cooked jasmine rice, making it an effortless yet delicious side dish choice.

Scallion Pancakes

delicious homemade chinese dish

Another excellent accompaniment to Chinese chicken thighs is scallion pancakes, offering a crispy texture and savory flavor that harmonizes with the main dish.

These delightful pancakes are made using simple cooking techniques and can be served with various dipping sauces to enhance their taste.

Their golden-brown exterior and soft, layered interior make them a perfect side dish, adding a satisfying crunch to your meal.

What Side Dishes Can Pair Well With Chinese Chicken Thighs?

When serving Chinese chicken thighs, consider pairing them with the best Korean chicken side dishes for a flavorful combination. Options like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and soybean sprouts can add a delicious and unique twist to your meal. These side dishes will complement the flavors of the chicken thighs perfectly.

Sweet and Sour Cabbage

sweet and tangy cabbage

Sweet and sour cabbage provides a vibrant and tangy contrast to the rich flavors of Chinese chicken thighs. Utilizing different cabbage varieties, such as Napa or Savoy, you can explore diverse textures and tastes.

Cooking techniques like stir-frying or braising enhance the natural sweetness of the cabbage, creating a harmonious balance with the tangy dressing, making it an ideal accompaniment.