What To Serve With Lemon Chicken: 19 BEST Sides!

Lemon chicken is a hugely popular dish, and if you’re thinking about adding it to your upcoming meal plan then you may be wondering what side dishes and accompaniments will work the best. 

Whether you’re going for a more subtle sauce laced with fragrant herbs, in a typical British-French inspired style, or a more zingy, Asian inspired recipe, then there are various options to choose from that will really make your dish sing. 

In this guide, we’re going to take a look at what to serve with lemon chicken.

Just want to grab some quick ideas? 

No worries! 

Some of the best side dishes for lemon chicken include egg fried rice, stir fried noodles, salt and pepper chips, mashed potatoes, scallion pancakes, Chinese dumplings, courgette noodles, and baby potatoes with butter and herbs. 

Let’s dive into some more ideas, and the best recipes to try in your own kitchen… 

1. Egg fried rice

Egg fried rice is always my go-to side dish when I’m making lemon chicken! 

It’s quick, easy, and can be made extra nutritious by adding in any extra veggies that you might have in your fridge.

Here’s a quick guide to making it:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need cooked and cooled rice (preferably day-old), eggs, chopped onions, frozen peas and carrots (thawed), soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions for garnish. Optional ingredients can include garlic, ginger, and any additional vegetables or proteins you like.
2. Preparation: Beat the eggs in a bowl and chop all your vegetables and any additional ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
3. Cooking the Eggs: Heat a little oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just set. Remove the eggs and set them aside.
4. Stir-Frying Vegetables: In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the peas and carrots (and any other vegetables or pre-cooked proteins you’re using) and stir-fry until they’re heated through.
5. Combining with Rice: Add the cooked rice to the pan with the vegetables. Break up any clumps and stir-fry for a few minutes until everything is well mixed and the rice is heated through.
6. Seasoning: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice, and mix thoroughly. Add the scrambled eggs back into the pan and stir to combine everything together.

2. Stir fried noodles

Prefer noodles to rice?

No problem!

Select your preferred noodles (such as rice noodles, udon, or lo mein), and a variety of sliced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, and mushrooms. 

Cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente.

Drain and set aside, tossing them with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking.

Heat some vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over high heat.

Add garlic and ginger, if using, and sauté until fragrant.

Add the harder vegetables first (like carrots and broccoli), followed by the softer ones (like bell peppers and mushrooms). Stir-fry until they’re tender-crisp.

Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the vegetables.

Add any sauce you might like, such as soy or oyster, and toss everything together to ensure the noodles and veggies are evenly coated with the sauce.

Continue to stir-fry for a couple more minutes until everything is heated. 

Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for garnish.

Serve straightaway with your lemon chicken, for a takeaway inspired meal at home. 

3. Salt and pepper chips

If you’ve ever had salt and pepper chips from your local Chinese restaurant, you’ll know just how delicious they are! 

Think chunky chips of potato, crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, tossed with onion, garlic and chillis, and then seasoned with a salt and pepper spice mix. 

This recipe for salt and pepper chips is super simple to follow, and takes less than an hour, including prep time. 

4. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes can work so well with practically any dish that’s served with a delicious sauce, and lemon chicken is no exception. 

I recommend using Maris Piper potatoes, which you can find in most supermarkets. 

For the ultimate indulgence, add plenty of butter or fresh cream.

If you’re trying to cut back on the calories, a splash of skimmed milk is a good alternative for adding a little moisture and ensuring that your mash isn’t too dry. 

5. Scallion pancakes

Scallion pancakes are a Chinese flatbread that’s flaky, flavoursome, and the perfect side dish if you want to get a little experimental and expand your culinary repertoire. 

They’re crispy on the outside and slightly chewy inside, and they’re best served hot straight from the stove. 

6. Orzo pasta

Orzo is a short-cut pasta, similar in shape to rice, and it’s a tasty choice for when you’re not sure what to serve with lemon chicken. 

It can be served plain, or you can stir through some of your favourite chopped veggies.

Peppers, cucumbers, peas, and corn will work particularly well here, and will make sure that you’re hitting your recommended five-a-day allowance! 

7. Greek salad

If you’re serving your lemon chicken in the summer months, or perhaps as part of a bbq get together, then a refreshing Greek salad makes for a wonderful accompaniment. 

Select your favourite lettuce, and add olives, chunks of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. 

Finish off with a generous drizzle of a good quality olive oil. 

This particular side dish can be prepared in advance and then kept in the fridge, making it a wise choice if you’re entertaining guests or you’re just short on time on a weeknight. 

8. Spring rolls

If you love to serve up a few finger food style options with your meal, you should definitely try spring rolls! 

They’re a crispy, crunchy, family friendly choice for what to serve with lemon chicken, and you can enjoy them before the main course as a starter with a little sweet chilli dipping sauce, or just add to the table and invite everyone to dig in and help themselves to whatever they fancy. 

I tend to go for a shredded veggie filling when serving with a meal like lemon chicken, though you could go for prawn or minced pork if you preferred and wanted to add some extra protein. 

9. Crispy ‘seaweed’ kale

Crispy seaweed is one of my favourite side dishes when I visit an Asian restaurant, but it’s not typically an ingredient that many of us will keep in our pantries at home! 

Did you know that you can create a similar dish using kale? 

Check out my crispy ‘seaweed’ kale recipe for more details! 

10. Steamed broccoli 

Sometimes, the simplest of side dishes can be the most impressive.

A nutritious serving of steamed broccoli will allow your lemon chicken to be the star of the show, whilst adding a good portion of essential vitamins and minerals to your dish. 

Don’t be tempted to overcook it.

It’s best with a satisfying al dente crunch! 

11. Cous cous

Cous cous is all too often overlooked as a side dish, in favour of more popular carbs such as rice, pasta, and potatoes. 

It can be totally delicious though, and adding it to your meal plan alongside your lemon chicken can be a wonderful way to shake things up and try something new. 

Again, don’t be scared to use your imagination and throw in some of your favourite vegetables. 

It’s a good source of fibre and plant-based protein, too. 

12. Chinese dumplings 

Chinese dumplings can be boiled, pan fried, or steamed, and stuffed with your choice of fillings. 

Some popular filling choices include shredded veggies with lots of garlic, ginger, and chilli, as well as meat-based options like minced pork or chicken. 

Making your own might seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually really fun! It’s also a great activity to get older kids involved with. 

Check out this dumpling guide to learn more about the complete process, including folding and cooking. 

13. Roast potatoes

Roast potatoes are the ultimate in comfort food, and I love serving them as a side dish for such a wide variety of meals! 

I’ve experimented with dozens of different ways of making the perfect roasties, and I love this method using duck fat. 

You’ll be rewarded with deliciously crispy, fluffy, golden, delicious morsels! 

14. Courgette noodles

If you’re trying to cut down on calories and carbs, or you just want to find some more creative ways to get extra veggies into your diet, courgette noodles make a fantastic side dish for lemon chicken. 

Use a spiraliser or julienne peeler to create the noodles, pay dry with kitchen roll to remove any excess moisture, and pan fry for 1-2 minutes. 

You can add extra flavourings like garlic and chilli, if you like. 

15. Cauliflower rice

Another healthy option for what to serve with lemon chicken is cauliflower rice. 

Here’s a quick guide for how to make it:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need a head of cauliflower, salt, and pepper. Optional additions include garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs for extra flavour.
2. Preparation: Wash the cauliflower head and pat it dry. Remove the leaves and any excess stem.
3. Grating the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets. Using a food processor fitted with the grating attachment, pulse the florets until they reach a rice-like consistency. Alternatively, you can use a box grater to manually grate the florets, or a knife to finely chop them.
4. Cooking: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. You can add a small amount of oil or butter if you like. Add the riced cauliflower to the skillet, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender and slightly crispy. Season with salt and pepper, and any other spices or herbs you’re using.

Cauliflower rice can be customised with various ingredients such as sautéed onion, garlic, peas, or mixed vegetables.

16. Prawns crackers 

Whenever I’m serving up Asian food, I love adding a big basket of prawn crackers to the table! 

Best of all, this option is entirely fuss free as you can pick up a bag of high quality prawn crackers from almost any supermarket. 

17. Garlic buttered peas

For a sophisticated, bistro style meal, try a side serving of garlic buttered peas. 

Here’s how to make them:

Here’s a concise guide to making them:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need fresh or frozen peas, butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Optional additions include chopped fresh herbs like parsley or mint for extra flavour.
2. Preparation: If using fresh peas, shell them from the pods. For frozen peas, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand.
3. Cooking the Garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Adding the Peas: Stir in the peas and cook for 3-5 minutes if they’re fresh, or 5-7 minutes if they’re frozen, until they are heated through and tender. Stir occasionally to coat the peas with the garlic butter.
5. Seasoning: Season the peas with salt and pepper to taste. If you’re using fresh herbs, stir them in at the end of cooking.
6. Serving: Once the peas are cooked to your liking, remove them from the heat and serve immediately. 

18. Baby potatoes with butter and herbs 

For a simple and delicious side dish for lemon chicken, boil baby potatoes until tender, and dress with salted butter and fresh herbs. 

19. Baked courgette fries

If you love a side dish of chips but want to try something a little different (and a little healthier!), try baked courgette fries instead.

Here’s how to make them:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need courgettes (zucchinis), breadcrumbs or panko for crunch, grated Parmesan cheese for flavour, eggs, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like such as garlic powder or Italian seasoning.
2. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Cut the courgettes into fry-shaped sticks, trying to keep them uniform for even cooking.
3. Breading Station: In a shallow dish, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. In another shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs or panko with the grated Parmesan cheese and any additional seasonings.
4. Coating the Fries: Dip each courgette stick into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, and then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture until well coated. Place the coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch.
5. Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the courgette fries are golden and crispy. Flip them halfway through the baking time to ensure even crisping.
6. Serving: Remove the baked courgette fries from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

What’s your favourite choice for what to serve with lemon chicken? 

Have you got a go-to side dish or accompaniment for lemon chicken that isn’t listed here? 

If so, please do take the the time to leave a comment below and share your ideas. 

I love hearing from you, and discovering more about your recent culinary adventures!