6 Tempting Companions To Pair With Citrus Chicken

Citrus chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that your whole family will love.

But what is the best way to serve it?

In this post, you will find some ideas for dishes that pair perfectly with your citrus chicken.

Read on for some inspiration!

What is citrus chicken?

Basically, citrus chicken is a dish that is made with chicken (can be chicken breast or chicken thighs) cooked in a tangy citrus sauce.

The common ingredients to make the sauce are lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, olive oil, and some spices or herbs to enhance the flavor.

The chicken is often dredged in flour and pan-fried before being cooked in the sweet and sour sauce to achieve a crispy and golden coat.

Citrus chicken is typically served as the main course and it is suitable for both a daily meal or a big gathering party.

What to consider when choosing a side dish to serve with citrus chicken?

The tips below will guide you on how to choose the right side dish to accompany Char Siu pork or citrus chicken:

Citrus chicken goes well with a starchy side or a vegetable side

The citrus chicken comes with a sticky sweet and sour sauce, therefore, it is perfect on the side of a starchy side dish.

The starchy texture (mostly from grains) will help absorb the sauce easily.

If a starchy side dish seems to be a little heavy to you, then you can opt for a vegetable side dish, which is lighter and more refreshing.

However, a side dish with vegetables only will not likely keep you full for a long time.

Check if there is any dietary restriction among your family members or guests

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a good side dish for citrus chicken is that you should check if there is any dietary restriction among your guests or family members.

Some people are allergic to dairy products, while others are following a keto diet that is high in fat and low in carbs.

So before hosting a party with citrus chicken and other accompaniments, make sure to ask your guests or family members about their dietary restrictions so that everyone will be happy with what is served on the table.

6 best side dishes to serve with citrus chicken

Now, it’s time to break into pieces the best side dishes that go well with citrus chicken:

1.     Roasted potatoes

Roasted potatoes are a simple yet delicious side dish that pairs well with different meat-based dishes.

The good thing is that you can use either regular potatoes or sweet potatoes in this recipe.

The skin can be kept or removed before the potatoes are roasted.

Basically, there are many variations of this dish for you to choose from, as long as they satisfy the whole family.

2.     Garlic bread

You can also try serving garlic bread with citrus chicken.

The flavor of garlic goes perfectly with any chicken dish, therefore, this option is one of the best.

You can spread some melted butter and herbs over slices of bread before roasting with garlic to enhance the flavor of the dish.

3.     Pasta

Pasta is another classic side dish that is widely used in Western cuisine.

This ingredient can come in different types which vary in shapes and sizes, or can be cooked in different ways.

You can simply boil pasta until it is cooked then served slices of citrus chicken over it.

Otherwise, some added cheese and herbs will give your pasta dish a creamier and flavorful taste.

4.     Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes can be considered one of the iconic dishes of American cuisine.

They are typically served as a side dish for numerous dishes.

Mashed potatoes possess a creamy texture and taste with the slightly sweet note of potatoes.

The dish should have the texture between thick and watery to achieve the peak creaminess.

5.     Grilled asparagus

Another suggestion from us is grilled asparagus.

Asparagus is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables that are perfect for grilling.

The crunchy texture and mildly bittersweet flavor of asparagus make them a great side dish to complement the citrus taste of chicken.

6.     Salad

Last but not least, a good salad can become one of the best choices to pair with citrus chicken.

There are countless salad recipes that you can consider, from a green salad, fruit salad, to a more filling like macaroni salad or potato salad.

However, one tip is to opt for a creamy dressing like mayonnaise instead of a citrus one like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice because the main course already has a citrusy flavor.

The bottom line

Hopefully, our article has given you some ideas that are both delicious and easy to make to accompany the citrus chicken.

Whether you decide on a side of pasta, bread, or vegetables, we know that you will love the flavors that come together when citrus chicken is on the table.

So what are you waiting for?

Pick one or several side dishes to complement your citrus chicken.