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    Home » Blog » Side Dishes

    What to Serve with Orange Chicken

    Published: Apr 18, 2023 · Modified: Apr 24, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish combining tender chicken pieces with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This crispy and flavorful dish has become a favorite for many, but what about its side dishes? If you are wondering what to serve with orange chicken, many delicious options can complement this mouth-watering entree.

    what to serve with orange chicken

    The History of the Famous Dish

    Orange chicken is a popular dish that has become a staple in many Chinese restaurants worldwide. This sweet and tangy dish is made by frying battered chicken pieces and then tossing them in a delicious orange sauce.

    While it may seem like an Americanized version of traditional Chinese cuisine, the origins of this famous dish can be traced back to Hunan province in China.

    Legend has it that the original recipe for orange chicken was created by a chef named Peng Chang-Kuei, who fled to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War. There he opened his restaurant and began experimenting with new dishes.

    One day he combined dried tangerine peel with chili peppers to create a unique sauce, which he poured over fried chicken pieces. The result was an instant hit and soon became known as "General Tso's Chicken."

    Are There Health Benefits of Orange Chicken?

    Not only does it taste delicious, but this popular dish also offers numerous health benefits, making it a great addition to any diet. Orange chicken is high in protein, which helps build and repair muscle tissue, and low in fat, making it an excellent option for weight-conscious individuals.

    One of the best things about orange chicken is its versatility. When choosing what to serve with orange chicken, know that there are healthy options that will allow you to create a well-rounded meal.

    For example, serving orange chicken with steamed vegetables like broccoli or carrots can add vitamins and minerals to your plate while keeping calories low.

    Alternatively, pairing orange chicken with brown rice or quinoa can provide complex carbohydrates that will keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.

    Drinks that Pair Well with Orange Chicken

    If you plan to serve orange chicken for dinner, you might wonder what drinks would pair perfectly with this delicious Chinese dish. Whether you prefer something sweet or tangy, plenty of options can complement the flavors of your meal and make your taste buds sing.

    One classic choice is a glass of white wine like Riesling or Pinot Grigio, which have a bright acidity that pairs well with the sweetness of the orange sauce. Another great option is an ice-cold beer like a pale ale or lager, which can cut through the richness of the chicken and provide a refreshing contrast to its sweetness.

    If you'd rather have something non-alcoholic, try serving iced tea or lemonade for a dose of citrusy goodness that will bring out the flavors in your dish. If you prefer the water, add a lemon to deliver the citrus flavors without the added sugar.

    Let's Talk Side Dishes!

    One great side option for orange chicken is rice. You can add some vegetables like peas or carrots to your fried rice to give it an extra nutrition kick.

    Noodles are another great side of orange chicken. You can choose rice vermicelli noodles, egg noodles, or wide white wheat noodles. These options are good if you want to avoid rice (or are trying to cut back on carbs).

    Another fantastic side dish option is stir-fried veggies. Broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, bell peppers – all these veggies make excellent companions for the tangy flavor of orange chicken.

    What to Serve with Orange Chicken

    And here we are, everybody. It's time to take a look at some delicious dishes that you can pair with your orange chicken. From classic Asian sides to more traditional North American options, you're going to find something that pairs well with your sweet and tangy chicken dish.

    These recipes are all easy to make, packed with flavor, and complement the citrus flavor of orange chicken incredibly well. No matter which dish - or dishes - you choose, you're going to have a winner!

    Easy Coconut Ginger Rice
    Coconut ginger rice is light and fluffy and full of sweet and fragrant flavor. It's the perfect side for all your favorite dishes, and it's so easy to make!
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    Coconut ginger rice in a bowl on the table.
    Homemade Chicken Fried Rice
    This homemade chicken fried rice is a real crowd pleaser, and it's so easy to make. When you make this easy chicken fried rice, it goes fast!
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    Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons
    Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons are crispy wonton wrappers that are filled with a garlic and onion cream cheese.
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    Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons in a pile with top one missing a bite.
    Fabulous Green Bean Stir-Fry
    Our Fabulous Green Bean Stir-Fry is full of green beans, carrots, sugar snap peas and onions combined in a light, flavorful sauce!  Perfect for any occasion!
    Smoked Cauliflower
    Smoked Cauliflower is an easy side dish that is full of smoky and garlic flavor. This makes for a great low carb vegetable side dish.
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    Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Rice
    This Instant Pot cheesy broccoli rice is always a crowd-pleaser. Easy to make and packed full of cheesy flavor, you'll want to make this Instant Pot broccoli cheese rice often!
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    Roasted Carrots and Broccoli
    Learn how to roast carrots and broccoli in the oven with this simple recipe! Master this combo and have a delicious side that you can make again and again.
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of roasted broccoli and carrots with a spoon lifting up a serving.
    Sautéed Cauliflower
    Sautéed cauliflower is easy and full of flavor. This cauliflower saute recipe uses truffle oil and truffle salt to create the best sauteed cauliflower recipe.
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    Closeup of grey bowl full of sautéed cauliflower.
    Quick and Easy Balsamic Green Beans
    This Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans recipe is made with fresh green beans that are sauteed to perfection! It's the perfect answer to a quick and easy side for all types of meals.
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    Balsamic green beans in a bowl with fresh green beans on the table, a bulb of garlic, and a fork.
    Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions
    Grandma's Honey Glazed Pearl Onions is a yummy side dish that's so easy to prepare. The honey glaze adds such nice balance to the pearl onions. It only takes a few ingredients to make this delicious glazed onion side dish recipe.
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    Easy Sweet Green Beans
    This easy sweet green beans recipe is quick, simple, and delicious making it perfect for busy weeknights. Brown sugar and soy sauce give green beans a sweet and tangy combo everyone will love.
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    Sweet green beans in baking dish from overhead.
    Sweet and Sour Green Beans and Corn
    Corn and green beans are an often overlooked vegetable combination! Yet, this sweet and tangy green beans and corn recipe makes it sing! It makes a delicious vegetable side that can be served hot or cold with a wide variety of meals.
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    A green beans and corn recipe served with corn on a white plate.
    Instant Pot Asparagus
    This instant pot asparagus is ready in no time flat, and it's so delicious. It only takes a few minutes to make from start to finish.
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    Instant pot asparagus on a platter.
    Teriyaki Eggplant
    This sticky-sweet and savory Teriyaki Eggplant recipe is a delightful way to shake up your Meatless Monday routine. Featuring tender eggplant bathed in a yummy sauce made with soy, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar, this eggplant teriyaki stir fry is the healthy, veggie-forward Asian-inspired dinner you’ve been looking for!
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    How to Air Fry Asparagus and Asparagus Fries
    Are you ready to learn how to Air Fry Asparagus and Asparagus Fries? The process is simple. they're perfect for dipping and they taste amazing!
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    Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
    Warning: these green beans can be addictive! Made with bacon, brown sugar, onion, garlic, soy sauce and simmered in broth for hours, you can easily see why.
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    Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    This Cold Asparagus Salad is a fresh, flavorful way to celebrate asparagus season! Tossed in a sweet mustard vinaigrette, it's light, zesty, and perfect for warm weather. Serve it as a side, appetizer, or light lunch—this one's a crowd-pleaser every time.
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    Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
    Easy Broiled Asparagus
    Beautifully crispy and charred on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside- this broiled asparagus is a super easy 10-minute side dish you need to try!
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    A plate of easy broiled asparagus topped with shredded cheese and garnished with lemon slices.
    Baked Garlic Butter Carrots
    Garlic Butter Carrots are easy and delicious, roasted at 350 degrees, cut or sliced in your favorite shape or using baby carrots, this dish doesn't disappoint. 
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    A white bowl with a serving of garlic butter carrots in it.
    Air Fryer Parmesan Green Beans
    Green beans are a classic side but these air fryer parmesan green beans are so full of flavor, they beat classic by a long shot! These air fryer green beans are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor.
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    Air Fryer Parmesan Green Beans on a white plate.
    Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon
    This Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon recipe will make anyone enjoy asparagus! They’re roasted and caramelized inside bacon slices to add sweet and savory flavor.
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    Asparagus wrapped in bacon on plate with lemon slices.
    Delicious Glazed Carrots
    This Buttery Glazed Carrots recipe is a delicious, budget-friendly, and simple-to-make vegetable side dish. Every cook should have a good glazed carrots recipe in their kitchen repertoire. Delicious glazed carrots go well with just about any protein.
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    delicious glazed carrots
    Grilled Asparagus
    Grilled Asparagus shows you how to grill asparagus with or without marinade, in a pan or foil, served plain, or with lemon, garlic, balsamic or parmesan.
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    Grilled Asparagus.

    Orange chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make meal for the whole family. It takes minimal effort to prepare, and its sweet yet savory flavors will surely please everyone’s palate. The best part about this dish is that it can be made with items in your pantry or refrigerator, so you don’t have to worry about running out of unique ingredients. So remember this classic favorite next time you’re looking for an easy meal idea!

    what to serve with orange chicken
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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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