Orange chicken is one of the most popular Chinese takeout foods and is versatile.
You can enjoy this dish with orange chicken at home by following our foolproof recipe and pairing it with other side dishes.
Of course, some sides are better than others when paired with orange chicken, but which ones? Please look at our list of what to serve with orange chicken, and check out our recipe for how to make orange chicken at home below!
1. Fried Wontons
The crispy, fried wontons will make your dish more exciting and savory. These are easy to make and not difficult at all.
Here is the recipe: Wonton wrappers, butter or margarine, boiling water, salt, unseasoned bread crumbs (finely ground), and vegetable oil. Mix butter, water, and salt; stir until blended.
Next, place wonton wrappers in a row on the work surface. Brush the edges of both wrappers with a little of the butter mixture.
Put meat filling on one wrapper; moisten the edge of the other wrapper with water from the brush.
Lastly, press them together to seal them loosely like an envelope or package.
Fried wontons are an excellent option for serving with orange chicken.
2. Stir-fry Veggie Medley
Turn your oven on and cook for a hearty, healthy side dish that complements this meal’s sweet and tangy sauce.
In just 20 minutes, you’ll have what to serve with orange chicken on the table that everyone will love.
Cut broccoli into bite-sized pieces, carrots, water or vegetable broth (use all water for vegan or less liquid for heartier), soy sauce, sugar (or brown sugar), and some freshly ground black pepper.
Add all ingredients to an oven-safe pan or skillet over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes. Stirring every so often until vegetables are soft but not soggy.
3. Bok Choy Salad
Bok choy is a vegetable that can be roasted, boiled, or stir-fried. Are you Looking for what to serve with orange chicken? Bok choy salad is a great option.
To roast bok choy, drizzle it with olive oil and sea salt and place it on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes.
Next, air-frying the bok choy will require olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, chicken broth, and water.
Be sure to add in the bok choy before other vegetables to cook it through so it’s still crisp.
You can also boil your bok choy – bring a pot of water to a boil and cook until they are tender (about 3-4 minutes).
4. Garlicky Steamed Broccoli
If you want a side dish with some substance, try this Garlicky Steamed Broccoli. You will want a couple of heads of broccoli.
Peel the stems from the bottom and snap off any imperfect pieces. Then, trim the rest into small, individual florets.
In addition, Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. In batches, fry the broccoli pieces for about 1 minute or until lightly browned but not fully cooked through (they should still have some crunch).
Also, drain on paper towels before tossing with salt, black pepper, and minced garlic cloves from a jar or fresh from your garden. If you can handle it, you may also like to add cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
5. Chinese Cabbage Salad
Chinese cabbage salad is the perfect side dish for your next orange chicken meal.
This recipe is easy and only requires a few ingredients! It also leaves you feeling light, full of flavor, and satisfied!
Healthy salads are great for everyday meals or larger family dinners. They are easy to make and simultaneously keep you feeling light and fit.
6. Green Pea and Parmesan Quinoa
Quinoa, couscous, rice pilaf, and grits are all perfect for what to serve with an orange chicken dish. Try green pea and parmesan quinoa for a fresh twist on the sides!
In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add one cup of rinsed quinoa and cook it for six minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Drain the cooked quinoa in a colander.
Next, heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cloves of garlic to the heated oil; saute until translucent but not browned.
7. Spicy Sichuan Green Beans
When we first moved to Shanghai, one of the first dishes that blew our minds was Sichuan green beans.
There are different levels of spiciness, but we recommend keeping it on the mild side and going with what restaurants typically serve.
Start by getting a head of fresh green beans, slicing them up, and then stir-frying them in oil until cooked through.
Add a few cloves of garlic, about half an inch worth, plus salt (about a teaspoon), and cook for another minute before adding some soy sauce and chili powder for flavor.
It’s important not to overcook these beans, so don’t worry if they still have a little crunch!
8. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This is a great dish to serve with orange chicken. Mashed potatoes perfectly balance a heavier dish like orange chicken.
Whether roasted garlic mashed potatoes or regular ones, the creamy, starchy vegetables are perfect for cutting through some of the sour citrus flavors in this dish.
A dash of salt and pepper will give them enough flavor without additional seasoning.
The cooking process also works as a palate cleanser, letting you enjoy the dish’s taste more while you wait for your rice to finish cooking.
Garlic powder and olive oil work well in this recipe since they’re usually ingredients in an herb mix typically used in cooking savory dishes like orange chicken.
9. Chinese Spare Ribs
Beef and pork spare ribs are one of the best parts of Chinese cuisine, so if you’re in the mood for something savory, they’ll go beautifully with the orange chicken.
Meanwhile, you can prepare them in advance:
- Toss them with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
- Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the spare ribs on all sides for about 3 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized.
10. Cauliflower Fried Rice
Fried rice is a go-to side dish for many Asian dishes, and it couldn’t be more perfect for orange chicken.
The key to making great fried rice is using lots of garlic, adding soy sauce and olive oil at the end, and breaking up the rice while cooking so you don’t have big clumps.
One trick is adding frozen peas right after the cauliflower has finished cooking.
The little burst of green makes this dish pop! Cauliflower fried rice is a great option if you want something to serve with orange chicken.
11. Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad
Kale is rich in iron, Vitamin A and C, and Calcium; lemon juice contains Calcium and potassium.
Kale also helps maintain your immune system and keep your thyroid functioning properly.
Paired with a zesty dressing made from lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and pepper, this dish is as satisfying as it is healthy!
12. Lo-mein Noodles
This traditional Chinese noodle dish is an excellent option for what to serve with orange chicken.
Preparation is easy: boil the noodles as you would for spaghetti, then dump it in a bowl or serving plate when it’s done.
Mix soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, and pepper flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
13. Asian Cauliflower Wings
Asian cauliflower wings are a delicious side dish for orange chicken, and they can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
The wings are deep-fried in a wok or deep pan, tossed in an Asian-inspired orange sauce, and topped with sesame seeds.
This dish is light yet full of flavor and will leave you wanting more.
You can start cooking cauliflower until tender by boiling it in a pot of water over high heat for about 10 minutes.
White rice should be used as the base of the sauce. Soy sauce, honey, orange juice, and oil should be added before tossing to coat evenly.
14. Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are one of the best ways to enjoy orange chicken, and the rice pairs well with the dish and can often help balance out the richness of a dish.
They are also versatile. They can be eaten as is or served alongside orange chicken, which is how I typically prefer them.
Meanwhile, you want to avoid over-cooking egg noodles so they don’t become too soft.
Cook for about 5 minutes, less than the package instructions on your noodles recommend.
Then, allow them to simmer for another two minutes before removing them from the heat.
15. Cucumber Salad
To stay on theme, we recommend a cucumber salad. The traditional Mediterranean dish can be served warm or cold and made in advance, so all you have to do is throw it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Combine the cucumbers, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
16. Milk Bread Rolls
Milk bread rolls are made by putting milk, yeast, and butter into a food processor and then adding flour. The yeast needs something to work with, so add some sugar.
You want the dough to be as wet as possible but still kneadable (not runny). It should feel like a thick cake batter when you pick it up.
Next, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for an hour or two in a warm area before removing it from the bowl onto a floured surface.
You shape each piece of dough into long sticks pliable enough that they do not snap back into shape when you pull them apart; those pieces get covered again for another rise of about 20 minutes.
