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What to Serve With Sweet and Sour Chicken: 15 Best Side Dishes

Sweet and sour chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that enhance its flavors. Fried rice is a classic, offering a delicious blend of textures and a touch of spice with shrimp. Steamed vegetables provide a healthy balance, while egg rolls add a satisfying crunch. Lo mein noodles complement with their savory taste, and spring rolls bring a invigorating crispness. Other great options include edamame, bok choy, and soups like hot and sour or wonton. Each side dish adds its unique twist, making your meal more enjoyable. Discover more combinations to perfect your dining experience.

Fried Rice

recipe for delicious fried rice

Fried rice is an excellent side dish for sweet and sour chicken, offering a complementary blend of flavors and textures.

The inclusion of spicy shrimp adds a delightful kick, while a vegetable medley enhances the dish with vibrant colors and nutritious elements.

Together, these ingredients create a harmonious balance, making each bite an enjoyable experience that perfectly pairs with the main course.

Steamed Vegetables

four word phrase healthy and nutritious meal

Steamed vegetables reliably offer a healthy and vibrant side dish that complements the rich flavors of sweet and sour chicken. Their colorful presentation enhances the meal's visual appeal, while their nutritional benefits promote a balanced diet.

Including a variety of vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and snap peas guarantees a delightful mix of textures and flavors, making your meal both satisfying and nourishing.

Egg Rolls

tasty chinese appetizer option

Egg rolls serve as a classic and flavorful accompaniment to sweet and sour chicken, offering a crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with the main dish.

A homemade recipe allows for customization, making them even more delightful.

Pairing egg rolls with various dipping sauces, such as sweet chili or soy sauce, enhances their savory appeal and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your meal.

Lo Mein Noodles

chinese stir fried noodle dish

Another excellent companion to sweet and sour chicken is Lo Mein noodles, which provide a savory and satisfying complement to the dish.

These noodles can be enhanced with various homemade sauces, offering a personalized touch. Noodle variations allow for a range of textures and flavors, making them a versatile side that harmonizes beautifully with the sweet and tangy notes of the chicken.

Spring Rolls

delicious and fresh appetizer

Spring rolls offer a crisp and invigorating contrast to the robust flavors of sweet and sour chicken. These delightful appetizers, especially when made with homemade wrappers, add a revitalizing touch to your meal.

Pair them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet chili or soy sauce, to elevate the experience. Their lightness and crunch perfectly complement the dish's rich taste.

Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer cucumber dish

With its rejuvenating and crisp texture, cucumber salad provides a perfect balance to the tangy and savory notes of sweet and sour chicken. Packed with hydration and low in calories, it offers nutritional benefits.

For preparation tips, simply slice cucumbers thinly, add a pinch of salt, and toss with rice vinegar and sesame seeds. This invigorating side dish is both healthy and easy to make.

Pineapple Fried Rice

tropical fried rice dish

Pineapple fried rice, a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, makes an excellent accompaniment to sweet and sour chicken.

This dish incorporates exotic ingredients such as juicy pineapple chunks and fragrant spices, enhancing its allure.

For presentation tips, serve it in a hollowed-out pineapple for a visually stunning effect that will impress guests and elevate the dining experience.

Jasmine Rice

fragrant thai rice variety

Renowned for its delicate fragrance and slightly sticky texture, jasmine rice serves as a perfect complement to the bold flavors of sweet and sour chicken.

Using simple cooking techniques such as steaming or boiling, jasmine rice is easy to prepare.

Its health benefits include being low in fat and providing essential nutrients, making it a nutritious and delightful addition to your meal.

Stir-Fried Green Beans

quick and easy recipe

How do you elevate your sweet and sour chicken meal?

Stir-fried green beans add a crisp texture and vibrant color, creating a well-rounded dining experience.

Tossed with garlic seasoning and sprinkled with sesame seeds, these green beans offer a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture.

Their simplicity and freshness make them an excellent companion to the rich, tangy notes of sweet and sour chicken.

Asian Slaw

colorful tangy crunchy salad

Complementing the tangy flavors of sweet and sour chicken, Asian slaw brings an invigorating crunch and a medley of vibrant colors to your plate.

This delightful side dish features a fresh cabbage mix, often paired with carrots and bell peppers. Tossed in light Asian dressings, it offers a rejuvenating balance, making it a perfect companion to the rich and savory main course.

Dumplings

chinese comfort food favorite

Expanding the flavor profile, dumplings offer a savory, delicate addition that pairs beautifully with sweet and sour chicken. Soup dumplings, filled with rich broth and tender meat, are a delightful choice.

For an added layer of flavor, try dumpling dipping sauces like soy or chili oil. This combination brings a harmonious balance, enhancing your meal with satisfying textures and savory tastes.

Edamame

green soybean pods boiled

Edamame, with its fresh and slightly nutty flavor, serves as a nutritious and invigorating side dish for sweet and sour chicken. Known for its high edamame nutrition, these young soybeans are rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.

Edamame preparation is simple: steam or boil the pods, then sprinkle with salt for a quick, delicious, and healthy accompaniment to your meal.

Bok Choy

leafy green vegetable variety

Bok choy, with its crisp texture and mild flavor, offers a delightful contrast to the robust taste of sweet and sour chicken. Rich in health benefits, bok choy is an excellent source of vitamins A and C.

For cooking techniques, try steaming or stir-frying to retain its nutrients and enhance its natural crunch, making it a perfect, nutritious side dish.

Hot and Sour Soup

tangy and warming broth

Hot and sour soup, with its balanced combination of spicy and tangy flavors, serves as an excellent complement to sweet and sour chicken.

This delightful dish features a spicy broth that awakens the palate, while the mushroom garnish adds a rich, earthy depth.

The contrasting textures and flavors create a harmonious experience, making it a perfect pairing for your meal.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Sweet and Sour Chicken also Suitable for Stir Fry Chicken?

The best side dishes for stir fry chicken are also suitable for sweet and sour chicken. Common options like steamed vegetables, fried rice, or egg rolls complement both dishes well. Their savory flavors and textures perfectly balance the sweetness of the chicken, making them versatile choices for any Asian-inspired meal.

Wonton Soup

delicious chinese comfort food

Wonton soup, with its delicate dumplings and savory broth, offers a comforting and flavorful starter that pairs seamlessly with sweet and sour chicken.

This versatile dish features a variety of broth variations, from clear to richly seasoned, complementing the tender wonton fillings of pork, shrimp, or vegetables.

Its light yet satisfying nature makes it an ideal companion, enhancing the overall dining experience.