Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that features crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. While the chicken is undoubtedly the star, vegetables can play an important supporting role by adding color, texture, nutrients and more to the dish. But with so many options to choose from, what are the best vegetables to serve with orange chicken? In this article, we’ll explore the most complementary vegetables and provide tips for choosing and preparing them.
Why Add Vegetables to Orange Chicken?
While orange chicken on its own is delicious adding vegetables can take the dish to the next level in several ways
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Nutrition Chicken and orange sauce make a tasty but protein-heavy pair Serving vegetables bulks up fiber, vitamins and minerals
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Color: The vibrant orange chicken and sauce pops even more with fresh greens, reds, oranges or purples.
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Texture: Crisp, snappy veggies contrast nicely with the tender chicken and silky sauce.
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Flavor: Depending on the vegetables you choose, they can balance sweetness, add a touch of bitterness or bring out citrus notes.
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Variety: Mixing up vegetables keeps orange chicken from becoming monotonous.
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Cost: Chicken is often one of the more expensive proteins. Accompanying it with lower-cost vegetables makes the dish more budget friendly.
7 Best Vegetables for Orange Chicken
With so many vegetables to choose from, narrowing it down can be tricky. Here are seven of the top options for orange chicken based on taste, texture, nutrition, color and cost:
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most classic pairings with orange chicken. Its fresh, slightly bitter taste balances the sweet sauce. The green florets also add nice color contrast. Broccoli packs fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other nutrients. It holds up well when stir fried or steamed.
2. Carrots
Carrots are another orange chicken staple. They have a natural sweetness that complements the citrusy sauce. The orange color also coordinates nicely. Carrots add vitamin A, potassium and fiber. Julienne, slice or cut them into coins to stir fry or steam.
3. Bell Peppers
Red, green, yellow or orange bell peppers all make great additions. Their crisp texture and subtle sweet-tart flavor accent the chicken well. The variety of colors also livens up the look of the dish. Peppers are loaded with vitamin C. You can stir fry them or add raw at the end.
4. Snap Peas
Snap peas blend their fresh, green pea flavor with a satisfying crunch. That makes them an excellent match for the soft chicken and velvety sauce. They also contribute fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K. Stir fry briefly to retain texture and color.
5. Bok Choy
The crisp stalks and tender greens of baby bok choy offer two textures in one. Bok choy has a delicate cabbage flavor that won’t compete with the orange chicken. It delivers vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium and more. Stir fry briefly or add raw at the end.
6. Green Beans
Slender green beans pair their delicate flavor with a snappy bite. Their green color provides a nice contrast. Green beans offer vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber. Quick stir frying keeps them bright and crisp-tender.
7. Water Chestnuts
Unlike the other vegetables, water chestnuts add a starchy crunch versus crispness. Their mild, slightly sweet taste lets the orange chicken shine. They mix up the textures in the dish. Due to their density, just stir fry briefly to heat through.
Tips for Preparing Vegetables for Orange Chicken
To highlight the flavors and textures of vegetables with orange chicken, keep these preparation tips in mind:
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Cut uniformly – Cut vegetables into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Match the size to the vegetable’s cooking time.
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Keep raw options – Some vegetables like bell peppers can be added raw at the end for a fresh crunch.
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Don’t overcook – Vegetables like broccoli and snap peas taste best crisp-tender. Avoid overcooking.
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Toss and coat – Briefly tossing the cooked vegetables in the orange sauce coats them with flavor.
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Balance flavors – If the orange chicken is very sweet, balance it with more bitter veggies like broccoli or bok choy.
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Mind the colors – Aim for a mix of bright colors like green, red and orange for visual appeal.
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Stir fry or steam – Most vegetables work well quick stir fried or steamed until crisp-tender.
More Vegetable Pairing Options
While the vegetables above are particularly complementary, orange chicken is versatile enough to pair with many other options too:
- Cauliflower – White florets add new flavor and texture
- Asparagus – Slender spears with delicate flavor
- Mushrooms – Meaty flavor and texture
- Celery – Crisp stalks with fresh flavor
- Onions – Sweetness when caramelized
- Spinach – Leafy greens for color and nutrition
- Zucchini – Mild flavor with soft crunch
Don’t be afraid to experiment with what you have on hand or seasonal produce. The key is choosing vegetables with textures and flavors that accent, versus compete with, the saucy orange chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Orange chicken is highly adaptable, so you can serve it with vegetables in different ways:
- As a side – Serve vegetables stir fried, steamed or raw on the side
- Mixed in – Stir vegetables into the finished orange chicken
- Under or over – Layer raw vegetables like bell peppers under or on top
- In lettuce wraps – For a low carb option, wrap orange chicken and veggies in lettuce
- As a bowl – Layer orange chicken, rice and assorted vegetables in a bowl
However you choose to serve it, mixing a variety of crisp, fresh vegetables into orange chicken is a sure way to round out the meal with more nutrition, colors, textures and flavors. Next time you make this takeout favorite, don’t forget to load it up with healthy and delicious vegetables. Your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This is one of those wonderful weeknight meals that the whole family will look forward to time after time. Kids think it’s fun and delicious, just as adults love the rich flavors.
- Make your own takeout meals at home to save money and calories—this will satisfy any craving for Chinese or Asian-inspired food!
- This meal can be made ahead on a meal prep day and stored in the fridge or it can be frozen.
- Chicken – boneless thighs or breasts
- Chicken broth
- Orange juice & zest – from one fresh orange
- White vinegar
- Soy sauce – use gluten-free if needed
- Brown sugar – either dark or light
- Garlic
- Cayenne pepper
- Cornstarch
- Eggs
- Oil – peanut or canola oil for frying the chicken pieces
- Vegetables – such as broccoli, bell peppers, and onion
- Rice – for serving
- Toppings – green onions and sesame seeds
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Orange Chicken With Stir-Fry Veggies
- Make the orange mixture, using part to marinate the chicken and the rest to make the orange sauce.
- Cook the chicken in batches.
- Stir fry the veggies.
- Combine the chicken, veggies, and sauce, and serve!
Orange chicken is made of chopped boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh that’s battered, fried, and coated with a zesty, caramelized orange and soy sauce concoction. Frying it makes it somewhat crunchy, while the sauce adds an undeniable kick of fruity and salty flavor. It’s a favorite of many families all over the country.
Orange chicken is definitely an Americanized Chinese dish. It’s commonly found in North American Chinese restaurants, and variations of it became ultra famous at both Panda Express and P.F. Chang’s. It’s rarely found in restaurants in China itself, but it’s known as “fresh orange peel chicken” there.
Absolutely. If you have leftovers, store the chicken and the glaze sauce separately. Keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Warm the chicken in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 15 minutes or until thoroughly reheated. Warm the glaze in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove, stirring until it’s warm enough.
- Serve this tasty orange chicken with any vegetables you have on hand. Great options include broccoli, peppers, onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, peas, and garlic, of course!
- This meal will come together even more quickly if prepped and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. The chicken can be fried, the sauce can be made, and the vegetables and rice can be cooked. Store it all separately until ready to reheat and serve!
- Add the vegetables and rice to the chicken and sauce after everything is cooked for a true one-pot meal. Leftovers stored together will reheat nicely, too.
Better than takeout orange chicken
FAQ
What does orange chicken taste good with?
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese dish and as such, one of the best options for pairing this dish is rice.
What vegetables go well with orange chicken?
Another great option is carrots, which add a pop of color and crunch to the dish. Carrots are also rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body and can help support healthy vision and skin. Other vegetables that go well with orange chicken include snap peas, green beans, peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus.
Can you add vegetables to orange chicken?
Adding vegetables to your orange chicken can also enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and snow peas add a crunchy texture and a sweet and savory flavor that complements the tangy orange sauce. By adding different vegetables to your orange chicken, you can create a variety of flavors and textures.
What side dish goes with orange chicken?
Jasmine Rice There’s a reason fluffy white rice is the go-to side for orange chicken. It’s the perfect match! The sauce has a ton of flavor. And what better side dish to soak up every last drop than Jasmine rice? It’s aromatic, satiating, and as simple as it gets.
What to eat with orange chicken?
Creamed corn is a rich and creamy side dish that pairs well with the sweetness of orange chicken. To make it, simply cook corn in a mixture of milk and cream, then season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Roasted corn is a simple and healthy side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of the corn.
What peppers go well with orange chicken?
Bell peppers are a colorful and nutritious addition to orange chicken. They add a satisfying crunch and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the dish’s sauce. You can use red, green, or yellow bell peppers, or a combination of all three for a visually appealing dish. Snow peas are another great option to consider.
What are the best grilled orange chicken sides?
Grilled orange chicken is a BBQ favourite, but every good chicken dish is even better with the perfect side dish. We’ve put together the best grilled orange chicken sides so you can find the perfect pairings for those tangy-sweet flavours. 1. Rice Dishes 2. Veggies 3. Noodles 4. Salads 5. Baked Potatoes 6. Ramen Noodle Salad 7.