What To Serve With Salt And Pepper Chicken
Planning a delicious meal, but not quite sure what to serve with salt and pepper chicken? Worry not, because I’m here to share some advice that will solve your culinary quandary!
Salt and pepper chicken is such a popular dish that goes down a treat with everyone in the family, but you might decide that you need to add a selection of side dishes to make sure that everyone is satisfied.
The good news is that you have plenty of choices, from those you can whip up in a matter of a few minutes, to the more adventurous that will require a little more time and commitment in the kitchen.
1. Chips
Let’s start by looking at one of the simplest – but most popular – options for what to serve with salt and pepper chicken… Chips!
You can make a portion to serve on the side, but I personally like to stir them through so they can take on that beautiful salt and pepper flavour.
Fancy giving it a try? Check out my salt and pepper chicken and chips recipe. It’s one of the all-time most popular creations here on the blog, and it always gets rave reviews!
2. Pineapple fried rice
Fried rice is always a good idea for serving alongside Asian inspired main courses, and you can get as creative as you like by adding in your favourite fruit and veggies.
Pineapple fried rice is always completely delicious, and if you serve it inside hollowed out pineapple halves, it makes for a real talking point on the table.
Be sure to add in sliced peppers and chopped spring onions too, to really make a statement.
3. Asian mushroom ramen noodles
You’ll usually find that your guests will have a preference for either rice or noodles, so it makes sense to have a couple of options available for them to choose from.
I love this recipe for Asian mushroom ramen noodles. They pack a savoury punch and are a real treat when served alongside salt and pepper chicken. Best of all, they take just 15 minutes to make.
4. Crispy seaweed
Crispy seaweed is a dish that many of us enjoy when we’re eating at a Chinese restaurant or ordering from our local takeaway.
But did you know that it’s actually really easy to make at home? It can sometimes be a little difficult to source fresh seaweed, but you can substitute it for kale instead, and bake it in the oven until lovely and crispy.
Check out my crispy ‘seaweed’ kale recipe for the full details.
5. Sweet chilli dipping sauce
As delicious as salt and pepper chicken can be, it can also sometimes be slightly too dry if you’re not careful. I find that choosing succulent chicken thighs instead of breasts can help to prevent this. The meat may be a little darker in colour, but it offers more in terms of flavour and that juicy texture.
It’s also worth serving your salt and pepper chicken with a sweet chilli dipping sauce. You can dip in your chicken, or pour it over to add extra moisture and flavour.
6. Crispy duck with plum sauce
If you’re serving up a banquet and you want to have several main courses for your diners to choose from, duck is a decadent choice that’s worthy of a special occasion or a dinner party.
Crispy duck with plum sauce is a wonderful choice, with authentic Chinese flavour and that beautifully deep and fruity marinade.
7. Oyster sauce
Oyster sauce is sweet and salty, and if you’re a lover of Chinese cuisine then you’ll definitely have come across it before. It’s a staple ingredient in so many different recipes, but it can also be served for dipping or pouring alongside your salt and pepper chicken.
It’s particularly rich, so a little will go a long way!
8. Asian salad with sesame ginger dressing
If you enjoy a side dish that’s packed full of fresh and crunchy veggies, you’ll love this Asian salad with sesame ginger dressing.
It’s an exciting mixture of carrots, peppers, celery, red onion, and coriander, with a beautiful homemade dressing and a topping of chopped nuts.
I love it when it comes to what to serve with salt and pepper chicken, though I always make sure that I make enough so there are some leftovers for lunch the next day. It teams perfectly with some grilled chicken or white fish.
9. Honey, sesame, and orange king prawns
To add a bit more variety to your dinnertime options, king prawns in honey, sesame, and orange are a fabulous idea for what to serve with salt and pepper chicken. It’s sweet, bold, and zesty, and from the first time I made it, it became one of my weekend favourites!
To make this recipe even better, add some of your favourite veggies for extra colour and crunch, and be sure to garnish with some chopped chilli and spring onion.
10. Firecracker chicken
This firecracker chicken recipe is one to try if you love spicy food with a little bit of a kick!
You might think that serving two chicken dishes side by side might be a bit too much, but because firecracker and salt and pepper are so different, they work really well when served as part of the same feast.
Planning your menu for what to serve with salt and pepper chicken
When planning what to serve with salt and pepper chicken, I’d recommend choosing a sauce, a crunchy salad or serving of green veggies, and then an additional main course that you select just because you love. If you’re serving guests then this combination is sure to satisfy the crowd and keep everyone happy!
If you’ve got any favourite sides that haven’t been included here, do take a minute to leave a comment and share your recipes.
Oh, and you can pin the image below on Pinterest so you can come back to this post another day!
