5 Best Side Dishes To Pair With Your Chinese Chicken Salad

Mandarin orange chicken is a delicious and easy dish that many people enjoy.

But what should you serve with mandarin orange chicken?

It is not always easy to know what goes well with this dish, but we are here to help you out.

The five recipes that are mentioned in this article can help you complement your meal of mandarin orange chicken without any fuss.

What is mandarin orange chicken?

[amazon fields=”B08VZBTG5G” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B08VZBTG5G” value=”button”]

Mandarin orange chicken is a common Chinese dish consisting of deep-fried chunks of marinated, breaded chicken served with a sweet and sour sauce made from orange juice.

The name mandarin orange comes from its citrus flavor which can be compared to tangerines or oranges.

Mandarin orange chicken is an easy family favorite that is quick to prepare and so delicious.

It has both sweet and tangy flavors with just enough spices for those who like it hot.

What to consider when choosing a mandarin orange chicken’ side dish?

Mandarin orange chicken is a popular and delicious Chinese dish that you cannot go wrong with.

However, despite its deliciousness, this dish is quite salty when eaten alone.

Therefore, it is essential to look for a good side dish to pair with mandarin orange chicken to offset its flavor.

Here are some tips that can help you choose the right accompaniment for mandarin orange chicken:

Mandarin orange chicken should be paired with a milder dish like vegetables or starch dishes

As already mentioned, mandarin orange chicken is a savory dish that should be offset with a milder taste from the side dish.

Some ideal options for the best side dish for mandarin orange chicken are vegetables or starch dishes like rice or noodles.

Consider your time, budget, and favorite flavors for the mandarin orange chicken’s side dish

Although there are countless choices for you to choose from to make the best companion to serve with mandarin orange chicken, you should consider several factors before serving your meal.

If you are in a hurry, you should not opt for a complicated side dish recipe that takes a lot of time and effort.

In this case, a quick but nutritious salad would be a wise choice.

In other cases, if your budget won’t allow you to cook a complex dish that calls for different expensive ingredients, try looking for other economical substitutes.

As long as the dishes you serve with mandarin orange chicken satisfy the whole family, you are already successful.

5 best side dishes to serve with mandarin orange chicken

Now, let’s take a closer look at the five best side dish ideas that you can try the next time when you serve with your mandarin orange chicken:

1.     White rice

[amazon fields=”B001HTIXSO” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B001HTIXSO” value=”button”]

White rice is a classic side dish that is served in almost every Asian meal.

Therefore, it is very common to see a bowl of plain steamed white rice next to a plate of orange chicken.

There is no need for fancy ingredients and a complicated cooking method, steamed white rice is a perfect choice to eat with mandarin orange chicken.

2.     Noodles

[amazon fields=”B074H7J353″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B074H7J353″ value=”button”]

Another dish you can try to pair with mandarin orange chicken is noodles.

Noodles in Asian cuisine are often made from rice flour.

They are versatile and can be cooked in different ways.

But to serve with mandarin chicken, it is best to not cook your noodles with a lot of oil.

3.      Salads

[amazon fields=”B00KMM8KG2″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B00KMM8KG2″ value=”button”]

For those who want to lose some weight and cut down the carb from starch side dishes, salads can be the answer in this case.

It is best to make a crunchy salad from raw vegetables or fruits like cucumber, apples, lettuce, cabbage, or onions.

The refreshing taste of salads can definitely balance out the savory and sweet taste of your mandarin orange chicken.

4.     Stir-fried vegetables

[amazon fields=”B074H5Y42J” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B074H5Y42J” value=”button”]

You can also use stir-fried vegetables as a good side dish for your mandarin chicken.

Stir-frying vegetables takes less time, so the vegetables can keep their natural flavor and crunchy texture without being hard to eat.

5.     Soup

[amazon fields=”B09LW914ZR” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B09LW914ZR” value=”button”]

Why not try a bowl of hot soup next to your plate of mandarin orange chicken?

It is a good idea too as it can warm up your body and also make the main dish less salty.

You can make use of the chicken bones that are discarded from the mandarin chicken recipe to cook a delicious and inexpensive soup.

The bottom line

With the list of the five best sides for mandarin orange chicken, we believe that the next time you make this Chinese delicacy, everything will come as smooth as ever.

Try them all to figure out what works best with mandarin orange chicken per your preference.

If you have your own favorite recipe for the best side dish to go with mandarin orange chicken, feel free to share it with us!