What To Serve With Orange Chicken? 27+ Best Side Dishes [With Pictures]

What to serve with orange chicken? The best answers are divided into several categories, including desserts like sorbet or ginger cookies, vegetables like zucchini or mushroom, noodles like udon or spaghetti, and rice like or keto-friendly brown rice.

What Desserts To Serve With Orange Chicken?

Fruit salad

A fresh fruit salad with a mix of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines can complement the orange chicken’s flavors. You can also add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of mint for added sweetness and freshness.

Sorbet

Citrus sorbets such as orange, lemon, or lime are refreshing choices. They continue the citrus theme while providing a cool, palate-cleansing contrast to the savory dish.

Ginger cookies

The warm and spicy notes of ginger cookies can pair well with orange chicken’s sweet and tangy flavors. Plus, ginger can add an interesting layer of flavor to the meal.

Coconut rice pudding

Creamy coconut rice pudding is a wonderful dessert to serve with orange chicken. The creamy texture and subtle sweetness of the pudding complement the flavors of the dish.

Chocolate fondue

For those who prefer a rich and indulgent dessert, consider serving a chocolate fondue with a variety of dippers like strawberries, banana slices, or marshmallows. The contrast between the sweet chocolate and the savory chicken can be appealing.

Lemon bars

While lemon might not be exactly the same as orange, it’s in the citrus family and can work well. Lemon bars or lemon squares offer a tangy, sweet dessert option that complements the chicken.

Almond cookies

Like Chinese almond cookies, almond cookies are subtly sweet and have a nutty flavor that complements the chicken’s sweetness.

Green tea ice cream

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, green tea ice cream can be a refreshing and slightly bitter contrast to the sweet and tangy orange chicken.

What Vegetables To Serve With Orange Chicken?

Broccoli

The choice of how you prepare your broccoli to serve with orange chicken depends on your personal preferences and the cooking methods you prefer. Whether you want a simple steamed broccoli or a more elaborate stir-fry, broccoli is a versatile and nutritious side dish that complements the flavors of orange chicken well.

Snap peas

Snap peas can pair wonderfully with orange chicken, adding a fresh and crisp element to the meal. You can try snap pea stir-fry, snap pea salad, or ginger garlic snap pea. Snap peas are best when they retain their crispness, so be cautious not to overcook them. 

Water chestnuts

Water chestnuts are a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and can pair well with orange chicken due to their crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. A simple stir-fry with a mix of vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots, along with water chestnuts, can provide a crunchy and colorful side dish. The stir-fry can be seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for added flavor.

Baby corn

Baby corn is a versatile, mild-flavored vegetable that pairs well with orange chicken. Tempura-style baby corn, lightly battered and fried, can be a crunchy and delightful side dish. It adds a different texture to your meal and pairs well with the crispy chicken. 

Zucchini

Roasted zucchini is one of the best answers to the question “what to serve with orange chicken”. Roasting zucchini with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper can bring out its natural sweetness and create caramelized edges. This method enhances the flavor and texture of the zucchini.

Mushrooms

Mushroom dishes can pair well with orange chicken, adding depth and savory flavors to the meal. Some mushroom-based dishes work nicely as accompaniments to orange chicken, including creamy mushroom sauce, mushroom spring rolls, mushroom soup, and mushroom stir-fry.

Cabbage

Cabbage can be a versatile and complementary addition to your meal when serving orange chicken. In particular, coleslaw, cabbage rolls, cabbage kimchi, and cabbage salad are the most popular choices.

What Noodles To Serve With Orange Chicken?

Egg noodles

Egg noodles are versatile and pair nicely with orange chicken’s sweet and tangy flavors. They have a slightly chewy texture and can absorb the sauce well.

Lo Mein noodles

Serving orange chicken with Lo Mein noodles is a well-rounded and satisfying meal option that combines sweet and savory elements. It’s a choice that’s appreciated for its balance of flavors and textures, making it a popular pairing for a Chinese-inspired meal.

Udon noodles

If you enjoy the combination of chewy noodles with the sweet and tangy flavors of orange chicken, then it can be a delightful choice that offers a satisfying and balanced meal. In addition, udon noodles are typically quick to cook, making them a convenient option when you want to prepare a tasty meal in a short amount of time. 

Soba noodles

Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, have a nutty flavor and a slightly firmer texture. They can add an interesting twist to your meal.

Spaghetti

If you prefer a Western twist on your orange chicken, you can serve it with traditional Italian pasta. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor may be different from the typical Chinese noodle options.

Sesame noodles

Sesame noodles are often served cold and are dressed with a sesame-based sauce. They can be a tasty and refreshing accompaniment to orange chicken.

What Rice To Serve With Orange Chicken?

Mango sticky rice

If you want to continue with an Asian theme, mango sticky rice is a great choice. It pairs nicely with the fruity flavors of mango and can balance the savory notes of the chicken.

Thai fried rice

Serving orange chicken with Thai fried rice can create a delicious and interesting fusion of flavors. While it’s not a traditional pairing, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to combining different dishes from various cuisines.

Brown rice

Brown rice is also a nutritious choice. It has a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture compared to white rice. It can add some additional depth to your meal.

Coconut rice

Coconut rice, made with coconut milk, can add a creamy and slightly sweet element to your meal. It pairs well with the fruity notes of orange chicken. The creaminess of the coconut rice can help balance the boldness of the orange sauce.

Pineapple rice

Similar to coconut rice, you can prepare pineapple rice by adding pineapple chunks to the rice along with some juice from canned pineapples. Pineapple rice provides a pleasant contrast in texture to the tender and saucy orange chicken. It complements the dish’s sweet and tangy flavors.

Cilantro-lime rice

Cilantro-lime rice is a flavorful and zesty choice. You can prepare it by mixing cooked rice with chopped cilantro and lime juice. It adds a fresh and vibrant element to the meal.

References:

• Orange chicken – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_chicken
• Orange chicken – https://ultimates.fandom.com/wiki/Orange_Chicken