5 Side Dishes That Are Ideal To Work With Bourbon Chicken

Bourbon chicken is a delicious and easy dish to make, but it’s even better when served with the right sides.

If you have never had bourbon chicken before, you are in for a treat!

It’s time to not only make the perfect main course from bourbon chicken but also complement your meal with the best side dishes based on our suggestions below in this article.

Let’s get started!

What is bourbon chicken?

Bourbon chicken is a famous and delicious chicken dish that has a discussed origin.

It is considered a Chinese dish while still being widely known as a Cajun dish too.

The dish gets its name from Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, and from the bourbon whiskey which is one of the main ingredients in the bourbon chicken recipe.

Chicken chunks (either white meat or dark meat) are cooked in a thick sauce that is made of soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon whiskey, ginger, and other condiments.

The resulting dish is balanced with a hint of sweet, tart, spicy, and rich taste from all the ingredients.

Bourbon chicken can be served as an appetizer or main course.

It is sold in many American-Chinese restaurants as a favorite takeaway dish.

What to consider when choosing a bourbon chicken’ side dish?

When you are looking for a side dish to accompany your favorite bourbon chicken recipe, there are many options.

But how do you know which one is the best?

This part will help you find out by providing you with some tips to pick the best companions to serve with your bourbon chicken:

Bourbon chicken should be served with a side dish that has a mild taste to offset the rich and savory taste of the main course

Bourbon chicken has a flavorful and savory taste due to the many ingredients used in the recipe.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be paired with a side that has a strong taste either.

This can make your meal salty and overpowering.

Instead, try serving your bourbon chicken with a light and mild side dish to offset its rich flavor.

Add some crunch to make your meal more satisfying

Another tip is to choose a crunchy companion alongside your bourbon chicken.

Vegetables are an ideal option, in this case, especially the recipe that calls for raw or quickly-cooked veggies. 

Consider the time you have for the side dishes

Although there are many side dish options for your bourbon chicken, you should consider the time you have to have a proper plan for your meal.

Some dishes take more time than others, so if you are in a hurry, choose a simple accompaniment like salads or steamed white rice.

Otherwise, make something more special like spring rolls to serve alongside your bourbon chicken.

5 best side dishes to serve with bourbon chicken

Here are the five best side dishes that should appear on the same table with your bourbon chicken:

1.     White rice

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Steamed white rice is simple yet perfect to serve with your bourbon chicken.

This side dish is a classic and shows up in almost every meal of Asians.

It is also inexpensive and versatile to pair with different kinds of savory dishes, from sweet to salty or spicy.

2.     Sweet potatoes

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You can also try baked sweet potatoes with your bourbon chicken.

This dish has a slightly sweet taste and starchy texture that will help fill your empty stomach without breaking the bank.

3.     Vegetable noodles

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Have you ever heard of vegetable noodles?

This turns out to be a great option to serve alongside your bourbon chicken.

Vegetable noodles are made the same way with regular noodles, but with some vegetable flour added.

Therefore, they have more vibrant and flavorful options.

This side dish is also healthier than the conventional counterpart because it has more vitamins and minerals from vegetables.

4.     Vegan spring rolls

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To make your meal more special, try serving some vegan spring rolls with bourbon chicken.

Spring rolls are a traditional dish in Asian cuisine, and the vegan version will help provide a lighter taste and a better impact on your health.

You can use an air fryer or oven to cook vegan spring rolls instead of deep-frying them in hot oil to cut down some fat intake.

5.      Salad

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As already mentioned, salads are a perfect companion to add texture and flavor to your meal, next to a plate of bourbon chicken.

Salads can be made from different kinds of vegetables and fruits, but typically, they have a crunchy texture with a refreshing and light taste to balance the rich and savory flavor from the main chicken dish.

The bottom line

Now that you have learned all about bourbon chicken and the best sides to serve with this Asian dish.

It’s time for you to pick out one of these dishes and start cooking!

We hope this article has helped you find a great companion option for your next Asian meal.

If not, let us know in the comments below which side would be better suited for your pallet!