4 Side Dishes That Will Make Your Chicken Curry And Rice Even Better

Rice is a perfect addition to chicken curry, but what if you already have these two dishes on the table, what can be used to complement your meal?

Keep reading and figure it out in this article.

Let’s get started!

What is chicken curry?

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Curries are a delicious dish from South Asia, especially India.

It is made from chicken chunks (either bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless) that are marinated and sauteed in a fragrant mix of spices like curry powder, nutmeg, cumin, turmeric, chilies, cinnamon, or cardamom to name a few, then simmered in a creamy coconut milk sauce until tender. 

Chicken curry has a rich and spicy taste with a creamy texture of the liquid and tender chicken meat.

Chicken curry is often served with a side dish on the side, especially a starchy dish with a mild flavor like rice.

Indians often have their chicken curry served alongside steamed Basmati rice to offset the rich and hearty taste of the main course.

What to consider when choosing a chicken curry and rice’ side dish?

With so many choices of food out there, it is hard to know what the best options are to serve with your chicken curry and rice.

So here are some tricks that can help you choose the best side dish to complement your meal of chicken curry and rice:

A green vegetable-based side dish is perfect to pair with chicken curry and rice

Chicken curry has a typical yellow to red color due to the spices used in the recipe.

On the other hand, rice has a simple white color.

Therefore, it is best to opt for a green side dish so that you can have an eye-catching meal with different colors from different dishes.

Another good thing about a green side dish is that it is often made from vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals, making your meal healthier and more nutritious.

A good side dish should have a crunchy texture

Chicken curry and rice have a soft texture, therefore, you can serve it with a side dish that has a crunchy texture.

By doing that, you can have a satisfying mouthfeel in a single meal with a soft and crispy texture from different dishes.

A crunchy-textured dish is often made from ingredients that are quickly cooked or can be served raw.

Check if there is a diet restriction or food allergy among your guests or family members for cooking up something

There are many options of food for you to choose from when it comes to choosing a good side dish for chicken curry and rice.

Due to this fact, you should make sure that there is no diet restriction or food allergy among your guests who are served these dishes.

For example, some people are allergic to chicken, while others are tolerant of digesting dairy products or gluten.

So it will be best to serve a meal that everyone can enjoy without any problem.

4 best side dishes to serve with chicken curry and rice

Here are the four side dishes that you should serve your chicken curry and rice with:

1.     Raita

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Raita is a traditional kind of sauce in Indian cuisine.

It is made of dahi and chopped vegetables, herbs, and cucumber.

The refreshing and light taste of this sauce will be a perfect addition to your meal and bring the Indian spirit to your kitchen.

2.     Salad

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A green salad is a good option for your chicken curry and rice.

There are many kinds of veggies that work great in a salad recipe.

The point is that it will have a crunchy texture with a refreshing flavor that balances the rich and savory taste of your curry.

3.     Mint chutney

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Mint chutney is one of the most popular Indian condiments without any doubt.

It is made from fresh mint leaves, ground green chilies, garlic, and salt.

Mint chutney can be used in various ways to liven up your favorite dishes.

Some people use it as a dip while others use it as an accompaniment to their favorite rice dish or curry.

You can also add some chopped onion and tomatoes along with generous amounts of this sauce to create a delicious side dish called “sabji”.

4.     Naan bread

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Naan bread is a popular starchy side dish in Indian cuisine to pair any savory dish from grilled meat to meat curries.

Naan bread is an Indian flatbread that is easy to make and comes with a mild and slightly sweet flavor that is great to enjoy with a savory meaty dish.

It is also used as a utensil to scoop up foods because Indians often have a habit of eating with their hands.

So if you want to eat like a real Indian, try serving some naan bread with chicken curry and grab some meat and curry with these little pieces of bread.                               

The bottom line

Chicken curry is a staple in Indian cuisine, and rice is a perfect side dish.

However, there are other accompaniments that can perfectly match your meal that is served with chicken curry and rice, such as raita, naan bread, a green salad, or mint chutney.

Just experiment and enjoy these delicious treats!