Sweet and sour chicken is a dish that is often made at home because it is not only delicious but also hearty and healthy.
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But what do you serve with it? Should you serve rice or noodles?
What if you want to switch things up, should you serve steamed vegetables instead of fried rice?
With so many options, how do we know which one will taste the best with this delicious meal?
This blog post will introduce you to the origin of this main dish, and top 4 different side dishes that can be served with sweet and sour chicken.
Let’s read on
What Is Sweet and Sour Chicken?
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Sweet and sour chicken is a common dish that has origins in Asian cuisine.
It originated in China, but now it can be found on menus all over the world.
This dish has been around for centuries.
The name of this dish may sound like an oxymoron, but it is actually quite delicious.
It consists of chunks of meat or tofu fried with vegetables, usually bell peppers and pineapple, in a sweet and sour sauce.
The sauce typically includes soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, or tomato paste as the main ingredients.
Sweet chili sauce can be used instead of regular chili sauce to give it more flavor.
This dish can be served in many ways, including fried rice, noodles, or even just by itself.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sweet and Sour Chicken’s Side Dish?
With so many delicious Chinese food options to choose from, it can be hard to decide what side dish to order with your sweet and sour chicken.
In this section, we’ll explore a few things you should consider some of the factors you need to consider before you choose a side dish for sweet and sour chicken:
Your time budget
First, how much time do you have? If you’re in a hurry, a simple side like steamed rice or noodles will work best.
If you have more time to spare, try something like stir-fried vegetables or fried rice.
Your side dish flavor
The first factor you should consider when ordering a side dish is whether or not you want something spicy.
If you do not like things too spicy, then maybe try fried rice or egg rolls.
However, if you love spices, then maybe get some chow mein noodles or lo mein noodles because these dishes not only have a good amount of spices but also are very hearty.
Your side dish texture
The texture is an important consideration when it comes to cooking.
Different textures can create different experiences for the palate.
Sweet and sour chicken has a perfect balance of crunchy and tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky, delicious sauce, so you might want to go with sides with a soft texture like noodles or steamed rice.
If you want to increase the crunchiness, then consider serving fried rice alongside this main dish.
4 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you’re looking for some delicious side dishes to serve with your sweet and sour chicken, look no further! We’ve got a list of some of our favorite recipes that will pair perfectly with the flavors of this dish.
From simple sides like steamed rice and bok choy to more complex options like cashew stir-fry, there’s something for everyone here.
Steamed rice
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Serving steamed rice with sweet and sour chicken is a popular way to enjoy this classic dish.
The rice can be cooked in the same pot as the chicken, or in a separate pot.
Either way, it’s a simple and convenient way to serve a nutritious and delicious meal.
Fried rice
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Serving fried rice alongside sweet and sour chicken is a popular food pairing in China.
There are many reasons why this combination works so well together.
The rice can soak up the delicious sauce from the chicken, and the flavors of both dishes complement each other perfectly.
Additionally, this meal is very easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy families.
Stir-fried vegetables
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This recipe is for those who want to provide an alternative vegetable dish to accompany their chicken.
These stir-fried vegetables with sweet and sour sauce feature a variety of different veggies that are sure to please the palate.
Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and celery will give you your daily dose of vitamins!
Noodles
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Some people find sweet and sour chicken to be too sweet, but if you’re looking for a light dish that’s not too heavy – try adding noodles.
They go great in the sauce and are an excellent source of carbohydrates which will help fill up your stomach, so you can eat less meat.
Plus, it is simple to make and can be tailored to your taste, why not give it a try?
The Bottom Line
There are so many great choices when it comes to choosing a side dish to go with sweet and sour chicken.
No matter what you choose, these sides will complement the sweetness and tanginess of the chicken perfectly! Get cooking and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!
