5 Best Side Dishes For Jalapeño Popper Chicken That Are Also So Delicious You’ll Want To Eat Them On Their Own (And We’d Tell You To Go For It)

Panko chicken is a delicious dish that can be served with many different side dishes.

In this post, we will list some of the best accompaniments that work with panko chicken without imperfection.

From an easy to a more delicate recipe, whether you are a beginner cook or an experienced one, they are all worth trying!

What is panko chicken?

Panko chicken is actually a breaded chicken dish but in a Japanese style.

The recipe calls for a boneless skinless cut of chicken (normally chicken breast) that is coated with eggs and panko crust, which is made from dried flakes of crustless white bread.

The chicken can be fried or baked after that to achieve a crispy and golden crust.

Compared to the conventional breadcrumbs that are commonly used in Western and American cuisines, Asian panko crust is flakier and dryer, giving your chicken light and even crust that absorbs less oil when fried.

Panko chicken is versatile because it can be seasoned with different spices to result in different flavor profiles.

The dish can be served as an appetizer or the main course with side dishes.

What to consider when choosing a panko chicken’s side dish?

Panko chicken is a crowd-favorite that is perfect for different occasions.

However, it is quite boring to serve only a piece of crispy fried/baked panko chicken on the table.

Therefore, choosing the right side dish to serve with panko chicken is crucial.

Don’t worry, the following tips can help you choose the best accompaniments for panko chicken:

Choose a side dish based on the flavor profile of your panko chicken

As already mentioned, panko chicken can come in different flavors due to the spices used to marinate it.

Therefore, when making a side dish, think about the flavor profile of the main dish first.

A good companion is one that has a contrasting flavor that can balance and complement the taste of panko chicken.

Panko chicken should be served with vegetables

A vegetable side dish is a perfect addition to your panko chicken.

It adds flavor, texture, and nutrients to your diet.

There are many ways to cook vegetables depending on the recipe and your preference.

Take into account the number of people eating and the time you have to prepare food

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a side dish for your panko chicken is to determine the number of people who will be at your party.

By doing this, you can make sure that there is enough food for everyone without having leftovers.

There are some dishes that take more time to cook than others, so if you are in a hurry to serve a lot of people, just look for an easy and quick recipe that is still packed with flavors like a salad.

5 best side dishes to serve with panko chicken

Here are the five best side dish ideas that can be served with your panko chicken with no doubts:

1.     Garlic mashed potatoes

Chicken goes well with garlic, so let’s elevate your regular mashed potatoes with the addition of garlic.

Garlic mashed potatoes are a good side dish to complement the flavor of the main dish.

This dish provides a contrast in the texture (smooth vs crispy) and flavor (mildly sweet vs savory).

2.     Roasted asparagus

Another great side dish that is sure to complement your chicken panko is roasted asparagus.

Asparagus is one of the best choices for roasting because they have a crunchy texture and roasting helps keep their natural flavor and crispness.

3.     Salads

You can serve your panko chicken with some salads to have a balanced meal in both appearances and flavors.

There is a variety of salad recipes for you to choose from with different flavors, such as creamy, tangy, or even spicy.

But in general, salads are often packed with a crunchy texture from raw veggies and a refreshing taste to offset the main dish.

4.     Mushroom soup

Crispy panko chicken can be even served with soup.

In this case, you better opt for a vegan soup, such as a mushroom soup.

This plant-based soup has a creamy taste and texture without being heavy.

It can be made at home without any fuss, or you can find the canned store-bought version too.

5.     Baked potatoes

Baked potatoes are our last suggestion to serve alongside your panko chicken.

Either regular potatoes or sweet potatoes can work, but don’t forget to bake them until they achieve a crispy and golden peel so that your potatoes will not only satisfy your taste buds but also your nose with their fragrant odor.

The bottom line

The possibilities are endless when it comes to a chicken panko’s side dish.

We have narrowed the list and compiled the five companions that we find best to pair with your crispy Japanese-style chicken.

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way to serve this dish, just opt for the recipe that you find that can complement your panko chicken in the best way.