Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that features fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. It highlights the zestiness of orange and is a takeaway staple in our house (but much healthier to make from home!).
Can’t decide what to serve with your orange chicken? Look no further. This article reveals 20 delicious side dishes that will take your orange chicken to the next level.
The best side dishes to serve with orange chicken are lo-mein noodles, Asian cauliflower wings, and spicy Sichuan green beans. For salad options, try a bok choy salad or a Chinese cabbage salad. For more unique options try parmesan quinoa or fried wontons.
Bok choy salad
Bok choy is a classic Asian side dish.
But instead of simply sauteing your bok choy, why not make it into a light salad?
Together with shredded carrots and radishes, this bok choy salad becomes a nutritious pick-me-up that’s refreshing with every bite.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a quick and easy salad that can be on the table in 15 minutes.
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Bok choy salad
Make it fast
Air fryer bok choy
Make it simple
Baby bok choy with warm garlic soy dressing
Garlicky steamed broccoli
Chinese orange chicken is pretty indulgent, but some veggies will make it healthier.
Crispy and easy, these steamed broccoli florets are elevated with buttery panko crumbs, garlic, and a spritz of lemon.
Psst… if steaming isn’t your thing then roasting works too.
Why we love this recipe: it’s an easy side everyone will love.
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Garlicky steamed broccoli
Make it spicy
Spicy steamed broccoli
Make it cheesy
Broccoli with cheese sauce
Spicy Sichuan green beans
Spice up your orange chicken with these Chinese Sichuan green beans.
The beans have a heat to them that’s enough to wake you up, but won’t blow your socks off (unless you want it to).
The rice vinegar also brings a mellow sweetness to the dish.
Why we love this recipe: the beans are dry-fried with makes them super crispy without all the oil.
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Spicy Sichuan green beans
Make it hearty
Herb roasted green beans and potatoes
Change the flavor
Sweet and sour green beans
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Make your plain old mashed potatoes extra flavorful with some roasted garlic.
It might not be a traditional pairing for orange chicken – but honestly, I will eat mash with anything!
If you want to give it more of an Asian theme, try adding some wasabi into the mash (yum!).
Why we love this recipe: it’s creamy, fluffy, and comforting.
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Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Make it cheesy
Cheesy mashed potatoes
Add an Asian twist
Wasabi mashed potatoes
Chinese spare ribs
You might be thinking that pairing orange chicken with meaty spare ribs is a bit much.
But if you’re really hungry, it works and it’s on point with your Chinese theme too.
The sticky glaze that coats Chinese spare ribs is sweet, salty, and savory all at once – they may take an hour to make, but they’re definitely worth it!
Why we love this recipe: the instant pot method gives you tender and succulent meat.
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Instant pot Chinese spare ribs
Make it boneless
Chinese boneless spare ribs
Make something different
Beef and broccoli
Cauliflower fried rice
Looking for something low-carb?
This cauliflower fried rice has got you covered. The fluffy grains will soak up the sweet orange sauce, meaning every bite will be filled with flavor.
And the addition of cashews adds a nice crunch.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a great meal prep option.
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Cauliflower fried rice
Go classic
Egg fried rice
Make it fun
Pineapple fried rice stuffed egg rolls
Lemon parmesan kale salad
I love a kale salad with a sweet main like orange chicken.
The bitterness of kale will balance out the sweetness of the sauce, and the acidity from the lemon will cut through the richness.
Clean and simple flavors.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a healthy salad that’s easy to customize.
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Lemon parmesan kale salad
Add fruit
Kale salad with apples
Make it colorful
Detox kale and beet salad
Lo-mein noodles
Healthier than Chinese take-out, these lo-mein noodles can be made in exactly 15 minutes.
This recipe uses chopped cabbage and julienned carrots, but you can also add other veggies like broccoli or snow peas.
Top it with some orange chicken for a quick and hearty meal.
Why we love this recipe: it will feel like a takeout treat.
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Lo-mein noodles
Make it low-carb
Lemon zucchini noodle salad
Make it a salad
Asian noodle salad
Asian cauliflower wings
These Asian cauliflower wings are perfect to serve at your next Chinese dinner party or potluck.
They’re a veggie version of your much-loved chicken wings.
Psst… make enough because they’re really addictive!
Why we love this recipe: the ‘wings’ are gluten-free and you can make them in an air fryer or oven.
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Asian cauliflower wings
Use chicken
Baked Sichuan chicken wings
Make it quick
Chinese cauliflower stir-fry
Fried wontons
Crunchy fried wontons make for a fun starter or a unique side.
These golden brown crisps are filled with shrimp and ground pork but you can always change it up and use vegetables or (my personal favorite) crabsticks and cream cheese.
Either way, these wontons will be delicious no matter what.
Why we love this recipe: you can make a big batch and freeze them, so all you need to do on the day is cook them.
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Fried wontons
Make it simple
Fried wonton strips
Make it sweet
Apple butter cream cheese wontons
Stir-fry veggie medley
This is my go-to side dish when I’m in a rush.
Simply take a look in your fridge and see what veggies you have, chop everything up and you’re all set.
You can add a little bit of heat by mixing in some red pepper flakes or keep it mild with garlic.
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for clearing out your fridge.
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Easy go-to stir-fry vegetables
Add more flavor
Five spice stir-fry
Add some protein
Tofu veggie stir-fry
Chinese cabbage salad
If you’re not feeling a veggie stir-fry, why not try a healthy Chinese cabbage salad instead?
It’s a no cook-dish that’s perfect for summer or when you want something light.
Psst… leave the mandarins out if you don’t want to be overwhelmed with orange flavor.
Why we love this recipe: the ginger in the dressing adds a nice tang.
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Chinese cabbage salad
Make it different
Asian slaw
Make it spicy
Spicy cabbage salad with chickpeas and potatoes
Green pea and parmesan quinoa
Serve your sweet and spicy chicken with a bowl of green peas and parmesan quinoa for a healthier spin on the traditional rice.
Quinoa has nutty undertones that pair nicely with the fruity orange flavor, and the green peas will add a pop of color to your meal.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a simple dish that’s guaranteed to fill you up.
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Green pea and parmesan quinoa
More traditional
Quinoa fried rice
Make it unique
Quinoa chickpea salad
Hot and sour soup
Dive into the complex flavors of hot and sour soup, a staple in Chinese cuisine that’s both comforting and invigorating. This soup combines the tartness of vinegar with the heat of white pepper, creating a symphony of flavors that dances on your palate.
It’s filled with earthy mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu, making it a hearty companion or starter for orange chicken. You can even serve it after the Orange chicken to help clear the palate.
Why we love this recipe: it adds a spicy kick to balance the sweetness of your main dish.
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Traditional hot and sour soup
Change the flavor
Egg drop soup
Add some protein
Hot and sour soup with shrimp
Chinese walnuts
Candied Chinese walnuts are a delightful treat, offering a crunchy, sweet, and slightly bitter contrast that’s hard to resist (I find it reeeaally hard). The walnuts are coated in a caramelized sugar glaze, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and then lightly toasted to bring out their nutty flavor.
They’re great for adding texture to the orange chicken. Or for serving as ‘picky bits’ while your guests wait for the main event.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a sweet and crunchy surprise that elevates the meal.
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Candied Chinese walnuts
Try a twist
Spicy candied walnuts
Keep it simple
Honey roasted walnuts
French fries
Nothing beats the classic comfort of crispy French fries. It’s definitely a cheat meal, but when your serve them alongside orange chicken, they provide a salty and crunchy contrast to the dish’s sweet and fruity glaze.
Opt for thick-cut fries for a fluffy interior and a golden exterior, or go for shoestring fries for extra crispiness (my personal preference).
Why we love this recipe: it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings a familiar touch to an exotic meal.
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Perfectly crispy french fries
Make it gourmet
Truffle parmesan fries
Spice it up
Cajun spiced fries
Mushroom stir fry
Stir-fried mushrooms are a fantastic way to bring a meaty texture and umami flavor to your meal without adding more meat.
I like using oyster mushrooms, which are known for their delicate texture and slightly seafood-like taste, but you can use any mushroom you want. This side also has bamboo shoots and bok choy, but again you can be flexible with what you include.
Why we love this recipe: it introduces a savory umami element that complements the orange chicken dish beautifully.
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Stir-fried mushrooms
Keep it fresh
Mushroom salad
Add a crunch
Crispy oyster mushrooms
Coconut rice
Coconut Rice is a subtly sweet and creamy side dish that’s the perfect backdrop to the vibrant flavors of orange chicken.
Made with coconut milk, it has a rich, fragrant aroma and will soften the harsher flavors of the sweet orange sauce. This recipe also includes ginger that I find really helps cut through all the richness.
Why we love this recipe: it adds a creamy, fragrant layer to the meal that’s simply divine.
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Creamy coconut rice
Spice it up
Spicy rice
Keep it simple
Jasmine rice
Zucchini noodles
Zucchini Noodles are a fresh and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. When paired with orange chicken, their mild flavor and crisp texture make for a delightful contrast to the rich, saucy chicken.
You can serve them raw or lightly sautéed, but make sure not to overcook them because they can get very soggy.
Psst… I can even get my kids to eat these!
Why we love this recipe: it’s a guilt-free addition.
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Zucchini noodles
Change the veggie
Spaghetti squash
Add some heat
Spicy Thai zucchini noodles
Snap pea salad
Snap pea salad is a vibrant and crunchy side dish that will bring a burst of freshness to any meal.
This recipe is simple, but I like to mix in slivers of radish and mint to really liven up the dish. The mint tastes great with orange chicken. I also love the bright green color of snap peas, you’ll feel like you’re eating the rainbow.
Why we love this recipe: the crunchy texture is a great contrast to the chicken.
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Crunchy snap pea salad
More refreshing
Cucumber salad
Keep it simple
Lemon garlic snap peas
What vegetables go well with orange chicken?
The best vegetables to serve with orange chicken are simple veggies like steamed broccoli and sauteed bok choy. A stir-fry vegetable medley would be a colorful addition too. Serve Asian cauliflower wings for something a little different.
The best vegetables to serve with orange chicken:
- Steamed broccoli
- Stir-fry vegetable medley
- Sauteed bok choy
- Spicy Sichuan green beans
- Asian cauliflower wings
- Buttery mashed potatoes
What To Serve With Orange Chicken [20 Ideas]
Ingredients
- 1 portion orange chicken
Instructions
- Prepare your orange chicken according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: bok choy salad, garlicky steamed broccoli, spicy Sichuan green beans, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Chinese spare ribs, cauliflower fried rice, lemon parmesan kale salad, lo-mein noodles, Asian cauliflower wings, fried wontons, stir-fry veggie medley, Chinese cabbage salad, and green pea and parmesan quinoa.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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