What to Serve with Chilli Chicken: 12 Tasty Sides

Chilli chicken is a popular Indian Chinese dish that combines tender chicken pieces in a spicy, flavourful sauce It’s delicious on its own, but serving it with the right sides can take the meal to the next level So what are the best accompaniments for chilli chicken? Here are 12 delicious ideas to serve with this tasty dish.

Rice

Rice is a classic pairing with chilli chicken. The mild taste and fluffy texture of rice provides the perfect contrast to the bold flavours of the chicken Plain white or fried rice both work well. For extra flavor, add some chopped ginger, garlic, spring onions or chilli to the rice Basmati, jasmine and long grain rice varieties are all good options. Rice helps soak up the chilli chicken sauce deliciously.

Noodles

Slurping up chilli chicken with some noodles is super satisfying. Both wheat and rice noodles pair nicely with this dish. For extra flavor, stir fry the noodles with some soy sauce, sesame oil and sliced veggies like cabbage, carrots and beansprouts. Egg noodles, ramen noodles or pad thai rice noodles are all tasty choices. The noodles soak up the sauce and add fun textures.

Naan

Warm, soft naan bread is perfect for dipping into chilli chicken. The naan soaks up all the rich flavours of the sauce. Plain naan works well, or you can opt for garlic naan or cheese naan for extra punch. Brushing the naan with some melted butter or ghee makes it extra tasty. Naan also helps add some carb balance to this protein-rich dish.

Roti

Roti is another excellent bread for serving with chilli chicken. It’s especially common in Indian cuisine. The flatbread soaks up the spice-infused sauce beautifully. Plain roti, butter roti or garlic roti are all good options. Tear off pieces of the roti and use them to grab mouthfuls of the chicken and sauce. The contrasting textures work so well together.

Fried Wontons

For an extra crunchy element, fried wontons make a fun side. You can buy ready-made wontons and fry them up to serve alongside the chilli chicken. Or make your own by stuffing wonton wrappers with minced chicken or pork. The crispy wontons help cut through the richness of the chilli chicken sauce. A sweet chilli dipping sauce pairs nicely.

Vegetable Pakoras

Pakoras are a delicious Indian snack made of chopped veggies dipped in spiced chickpea flour batter and fried They add a nice crunch factor when served with saucy chilli chicken Onion, potato, spinach and cauliflower pakoras all make tasty pairings. The pakoras can help balance some of the heat. A mint or tamarind chutney served alongside works well.

Samosas

Both veggie samosas and meat samosas pair excellently with chilli chicken. The crispy pastry shells are the perfect vehicle for the spicy sauce. If you want to make them fresh, fill the samosa dough with spiced potatoes or ground lamb. Or opt for ready-made samosas from the freezer section. Fried to a golden brown, samosas add appetizing crunch and texture contrast.

Spring Rolls

Crisp spring rolls are another excellent side option with chilli chicken. The combination of the chicken with veggie-filled spring rolls makes for a tasty balanced meal. Fill your spring roll wrappers with shredded cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts and noodles for a fresh crunch. Serve them up hot with a dipping sauce like plum, hoisin or sweet chilli. The spring rolls help cool the spicy heat.

Fried Rice Cakes

For a change from rice or noodles, try rice cakes. Flatten balls of rice dough into rounds and pan fry until golden brown and slightly crispy. They make a nice gluten-free accompaniment to the saucy chicken. Their mild, chewy texture soaks up the sauce deliciously. Add some chopped veggies to the rice cakes for extra flavor and nutrition. Simple sesame oil and soy sauce season them nicely.

Cucumber Raita

Cucumber raita is a cooling Indian yogurt dip that helps balance out spicy dishes like chilli chicken. Grate or chop cucumbers and whisk together with Greek yogurt, fresh herbs like mint or cilantro, garlic and spice mixes like cumin or chaat masala. The refreshing yogurt cools the palate between bites of fiery chicken. It adds a nice tangy, creamy contrast.

Mixed Salad

For some freshness and vitamin boost, a side salad is a smart choice with chilli chicken. The crisp cool greens help balance the steaming hot chicken. Opt for lettuces like romaine, baby spinach, kale or arugula. Top with vegetables like tomato, cucumber, bell pepper and shredded carrot for crunch. Toss in a light vinaigrette dressing. The fresh flavours cut the heat beautifully.

Mango Chutney

Sweet, spicy mango chutney makes for a delicious condiment with chilli chicken. The sweet fruity flavours help balance the bold heat of the dish. Serve it in a bowl alongside for dipping pieces of naan bread into. You can also drizzle some over rice or directly into the chicken sauce. The touch of sweetness pairs perfectly with the savoury elements. Shop-bought or homemade both work well.

Chilli chicken is bold and flavourful on its own, but accompanying it with the right sides can really elevate the meal. Starches like rice, noodles and naan help soak up the delicious sauce. Crispy elements like fried wontons or veggie pakoras add fun textures. Cooling raita, salad or chutney balance the heat factor. With so many tasty options, you can experiment to find your favourite combinations!