If you’re wondering what to serve with your tandoori chicken, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 17 of the most popular side dishes for tandoori chicken.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with tandoori chicken are lemon rice, naan bread, kachumber salad, or mint chutney. For healthy options, try roasted curry cauliflower, cilantro lime three-bean salad, or cumin roasted carrots. Try tikka masala pasta or corn slaw if you want to take a fusion approach.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Indian lemon rice
This is my go-to side for tandoori chicken when I feel like a hearty meal.
This vibrant rice dish has classic Indian flavors courtesy of ghee, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and turmeric.
You also get a zesty flavor from the addition of lemon juice.
But arguably, the best part of this dish is the crispy bottom it gets when you bake it. It’s worth the extra cooking time.
Everyone will be going for second helpings of this yummy Indian lemon rice.
Psst… no mustard seeds? You can swap them for one of these mustard seed substitutes.
Garlic naan bread
Garlic naan bread is a classic pairing for tandoori chicken.
You can use it to mop up any sauces you’ve used, or you can use it like a pita to make a chicken wrap.
Naan bread is readily available at grocery stores, but the fresh naan is unbeatable – and easy to make.
This recipe from Canadian Cooking Adventures will guide you through making the best naan bread you’ve ever had.
Kachumber salad
You’ll find this salad on every Indian restaurant menu. It’s simple, refreshing, and light.
Perfect for a summer cookout or a quick lunch.
The diced cucumber and tomatoes are tossed in lemon juice with cayenne pepper, cumin, and red onions. Then your work is done!
You can also add cilantro and mint for some extra flavor and freshness.
This kachumber salad will be ready in 10 minutes.
Cilantro mint chutney
You can’t go wrong serving your tandoori chicken with a bowl of this bright green cilantro mint chutney.
The chutney’s vibrant color is a great contrast to the warm orange hues of your chicken.
And the tangy cilantro and mint flavors will brighten up your tandoori chicken’s smoky flavor.
Whip up a big batch of this cilantro mint chutney and you can freeze the leftovers.
Roasted curry cauliflower
Even if you’re not a cauliflower fan, you need to try this dish.
The cauliflower florets are flavored with savory curry spices and lemon zest before being roasted at high heat.
In the oven, they’ll develop an irresistible caramelized edge that gives the cauliflower some crunch.
Trust me, this roasted curry cauliflower will be an excellent addition to your tandoori chicken meal.
Psst…Feeling lazy? Make this sheet-pan tandoori chicken and cauliflower dinner instead.
Lemon couscous
Don’t feel like going with a rice dish to accompany your tandoori chicken?
Make this lemony herb couscous instead.
It’s a healthier alternative to rice and pasta.
You can infuse your couscous with loads of different flavors, but I like to keep it simple with a spritz of lemon juice and chopped parsley.
You’ll only need 20 minutes to get this lemony herb couscous from your kitchen to the dining table.
Cilantro lime three-bean salad
Take yourself on a culinary adventure by serving your tandoori chicken with this three-bean salad.
The salad has a Mexican-themed, citrusy dressing, but it also features cilantro which is widely used in Indian cuisine.
The acidic dressing will balance out the more earthy flavors of the chicken.
For best results, make this cilantro lime three-bean salad ahead of time so the flavors can blend.
Potato (aloo) samosas
Looking for a finger-food dish to serve at your Indian-themed feast?
Look no further than these potato samosas.
They’re crispy and flaky, with a spicy potato filling that you won’t be able to resist. You can serve them as a starter before the main, or alongside the tandoori chicken.
Make a double batch of these potato samosas – don’t expect them to last long.
Palak paneer
The star of this traditional Indian side dish is the decadent spinach puree.
It’s loaded with aromatic spices, but also has a creamy element to it that helps mellow out all the strong flavors.
It’s packed with goodness and a sneaky way to get some veggies into fussy eaters.
Imagine dipping your tandoori chicken in this palak paneer… yum!
Psst… this combination goes great alongside a helping of coconut rice.
Quick pickled onions
Add a zingy bite to your tandoori chicken with these pickled onions.
They’ll add a fun splash of pink to your plate, and work really well if you’re planning to serve the chicken on naan or with a rich sauce.
It’s an easy, no-cook dish that’ll only take five minutes to make.
You do need to let it rest for an hour, but after that, you can dig in and enjoy these quick pickled onions.
Cheesy tikka masala pasta
Italian and Indian fusion? Sign me up.
Replace your usual tomato pasta sauce with a tomato curry sauce, and you’ve got a deliciously unique meal.
Then take things up a notch by mixing in some tandoori chicken and topping the pasta with a generous helping of cheese.
This cheesy tikka masala pasta bake tastes even better the next day, so make enough for lunch too!
Mango chutney
Mango chutney is my favorite thing about Indian food. If I was served tandoori chicken without some mango chutney, I would be very disappointed!
It has a sweet flavor that helps cut through all the spicy, smokiness of Indian food.
You can buy mango chutney from the store, but just like naan bread, it’s best to make your own if you have the time.
For best results, let your mango chutney sit for at least two days before serving.
Corn and jalapeño slaw
Have you ever tried tandoori chicken tacos?
It’s a tasty Indian-Mexican fusion that everyone will love, and this slaw is the perfect side for this fusion dish.
Aside from adding vibrant colors, this slaw adds a refreshing, tangy flavor to contrast your tandoori chicken.
Switch things up and make this corn and jalapeño slaw.
Baby corn masala
In the mood for something warm and cozy to go with your tandoori chicken?
This baby corn masala is what you need.
This dish features baby corn pieces covered in a flavorful tomato-based curry sauce.
The mild sweetness of the corn is a brilliant contrast to the curry sauce.
Serve this baby corn masala with your tandoori chicken and a side of naan bread for a hearty meal.
Bombay potatoes
Fancy a potato side dish to go with your tandoori chicken?
Go for this classic Indian dish, Bombay potatoes.
It’s a quick and easy dish you can whip up in no time.
After boiling, these potatoes are fried off with aromatic spices – you’ll get nicely crisp but fluffy potatoes that are PACKED with flavor.
These Bombay potatoes might just dethrone your typical roasted potatoes.
Paneer tikka
If you’re firing up the grill for your tandoori chicken, why not make paneer tikka for a fun side dish?
The paneer cheese and veggies are marinated in a mixture of yogurt and warm spices, which takes on a similar charred flavor to the chicken once you’ve grilled it.
Make space for paneer tikka on your grill – and serve them with cucumber raita to round the dish out.
Cumin roasted carrots
Turn your tandoori chicken into an Indian roast dinner with these cumin-roasted carrots.
The cherry on top of this dish is the easy tahini dressing you drizzle over the carrots to finish them.
These cumin-roasted carrots are guaranteed to be a massive crowd-pleaser at your dinner table.
The best side dishes for tandoori chicken
- Indian lemon rice
- Garlic naan bread
- Kachumber salad
- Cilantro mint chutney
- Roasted curry cauliflower
- Lemon couscous
- Cilantro lime three-bean salad
- Potato (aloo) samosas
- Palak paneer
- Quick pickled onions
- Cheesy tikka masala pasta
- Mango chutney
- Corn and jalapeño slaw
- Baby corn masala
- Bombay potatoes
- Paneer tikka
- Cumin roasted carrots
What To Serve With Tandoori Chicken [17 Ideas]
Ingredients
- 1 portion tandoori chicken
Instructions
- Prepare your tandoori chicken according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: Indian lemon rice, garlic naan bread, kachumber salad, cilantro mint chutney, roasted curry cauliflower, lemon couscous, cilantro lime three-bean salad, potato (aloo) samosas, palak paneer, quick pickled onions, cheesy tikka masala pasta, mango chutney, corn and jalapeño slaw, baby corn masala, bombay potatoes, paneer tikka, and cumin roasted carrots.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!