What To Serve With Chicken Chow Mein: 10 Best Sides!
If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you’ll definitely be familiar with chicken chow mein!
It’s a traditional Asian dish that’s a favourite amongst home cooks as well as being a staple offering in takeaways and Chinese restaurants, and it typically consists of chicken stir fried with egg noodles and a variety of fresh veggies such as carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts.
Finally, it’s finished off with a yummy savoury sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, and oyster sauce.
It’s such an easy dish to make at home and it’s quicker than ordering in.
To make it into a special meal to feed a crowd, you might be wondering what to serve with chicken chow mein.
From traditional and authentic pairings to fresh and innovative ideas, I’ve got you covered…
What to serve with chicken chow mein
Some of the most delicious side dishes for chicken chow mein include prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce, vegetable and pork spring rolls, steamed prawn wontons, Chinese spare ribs, and scallion pancakes.
With a few of these options, you can create a delicious Chinese style banquet that adults and kids alike will love!
Let’s take a closer look at the best recipes, plus some extra ideas for you to consider…
1. Prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce
Whenever I’m serving a Chinese meal, I always add prawn crackers with a sweet chilli sauce to the table!
It’s a completely fuss free option, and they’re always a big hit with the whole family.
Though you can go to the effort of making your own, you’ll find perfectly tasty options in the Asian or world food aisle in your local supermarket.
I like to add them to the table a little while before I serve up the main meal, so everyone can enjoy a nibble and drink whilst they relax into the evening.
2. Vegetable and pork spring rolls
These crispy veggie and pork spring rolls can be made ahead and frozen, so they’re perfect for those evenings when you’re entertaining guests but don’t have a great deal of time on your hands.
They’re packed full of tasty ingredients including minced pork and mushrooms, and are best when served on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce.
Though you can make your own pastry rolls if you prefer, there’s no shame in buying the readymade variety from the supermarket to save time and hassle!
If you’d like to explore more options like this and expand your menu even further, check out my guide to what to serve with spring rolls!
3. Steamed prawn wontons
This recipe for steamed prawn wontons is simple, straightforward, and absolutely delicious!
The ginger vinegar serving sauce is particularly delicious, so don’t be tempted to skip that step.
Many people typically go for crispy deep fried wontons, but steaming them is much healthier, and it’s generally easier too. There’ll be less mess for you to clean up afterwards.
The combination of chicken chow mein and prawn wontons is a fabulous one for when you’re entertaining friends and family and you want to offer a variety of different flavours and options.
(If you love Asian inspired recipes, you’ll also enjoy side dishes for Mongolian chicken).
4. Egg fried rice
Egg fried rice is one of my all time favourite Chinese dishes, partly because of just how versatile it is. You can keep it super simple, or you can throw in extra veggies, prawns, and protein to use up any leftovers you might have in your kitchen.
It can also be a simple side dish, or you can make it a bit more elaborate so it’s a hearty and filling main course in its own right.
I highly recommend trying this quick egg fried rice recipe to serve with chicken chow mein.
It uses ready cooked rice to save you some time, and it can be adapted however you wish!
(Love takeaway style dishes? Take a look at what to serve with bang bang chicken!)
5. Chinese spare ribs
Another takeaway classic, you can’t beat spare ribs when it comes to what to serve with chicken chow mein!
They’re perfect for sharing, budget friendly, and use a variety of simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, such as Chinese five spice, vinegar, honey, and soy sauce.
They’re great when cooked on a typical kitchen grill, but they’re even better cooked on the barbecue if you have the time to experiment a little and you fancy getting outdoors.
6. Prawn toasts
Prawn toasts are Cantonese dim sum, and they’re a great side dish for chicken chow mein.
They’re traditionally made with small triangles of bread, coated with a tasty paste made out of minced prawns, and they’re generally decorated with plenty of sesame seeds and deep fried.
Making your own prawn toasts is a very rewarding task, and the result will be something that’s way superior than anything you could pick up at the supermarket.
Best of all, this recipe can be ready in just 20 minutes!
(For more Asian inspired meal planning, take a look at the best sides for lemon chicken).
7. Asian roast potatoes
Potatoes may not be the first side dish that springs to mind when you think of Asian and Chinese cuisine, but these crispy Asian potatoes are one of the best kept culinary secrets that you’ll ever discover!
They can be baked in the oven or the air fryer, and you’ll definitely want to make them over and over again.
You’ll need to prepare a master stock, which may sound a little bit daunting, but it’s a fantastic skill to have that can really expand your culinary repertoire. You’ll be able to replicate it when you want to try out new recipes for Cantonese poached and braised meats.
8. Scallion pancakes
The best scallion pancakes that you’ll often find in the very best Chinese restaurants are a masterclass in how to get dough just right every time.
They’re flaky, crispy, light, and multilayered, and though they require some skill and plenty of practice, this scallion pancake recipe is the best guide that you’ll ever find.
I love this side dish for chicken chow mein because it’s fairly simple, but absolutely delicious.
9. General Tso’s cauliflower
If you’re searching for a side dish that’ll help you to encourage your loved ones to eat more veggies, you really need to try General Tso’s cauliflower.
It’s wonderfully crispy, easy to prepare, and is a fabulous choice if you want to incorporate more veggie friendly options into your diet.
10. Chinese broccoli with garlicky ginger miso
You can’t beat a broccoli dish for what to serve with chicken chow mein. If you’re in the mood for getting a little experimental in the kitchen and you want to go a step further than a simple broccoli stir fry, I recommend trying this recipe for Chinese broccoli with garlicky ginger miso.
It’s simple yet sophisticated, perfect for a dinner party, and has the added benefit of being suitable for those following a wide range of different diets, including keto and low carb.
What to eat with chicken chow mein
For your next Chinese themed dinner, try these options for side dishes:
- Prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce
- Pork and vegetable crispy spring rolls
- Steamed prawn wontons
- Asian roast potatoes
- Scallion pancakes
If you want to discover more delicious side dishes for your favourite Chinese meals, head over and discover the best sides for Chinese chicken curry too, and the best sides for orange chicken!
