What Goes With Honey Garlic Chicken? 14 Delicious Side Dish Ideas

Honey garlic chicken is a classic Chinese takeout dish that has become beloved for its sticky sweet and savory sauce. The combination of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger gives the chicken a wonderful umami and subtly spicy flavor.

Serving the chicken with side dishes that go well with it can take the meal to the next level. The right sides can add color, crunch, creaminess, and other textures and flavors that balance out the chicken.

So what should you serve alongside honey garlic chicken? Here are 14 delicious side dish ideas that pair perfectly with this Chinese restaurant favorite

Cauliflower Fried Rice

If you want a low-carb version of regular fried rice, try cauliflower fried rice. It goes great with honey garlic chicken. You can get all the flavor of fried rice without the grains by grating cauliflower into rice-sized pieces and stir-frying it with peas, carrots, eggs, and green onions. The spices and sauces taste great on the cauliflower because it soaks them up. Along with a rich chicken dish, this vegetable side dish adds color and nutrition.

Roasted Broccoli

For a simple and healthy vegetable pairing, try roasted broccoli florets. The high heat of the oven caramelizes the broccoli, giving it a sweet, nutty flavor that complements the garlic-honey glaze on the chicken. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting. Sprinkle on some garlic powder or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor if desired. The crunch of the tender-crisp broccoli gives your meal more varied textures.

Garlic Green Beans

Buttery green beans sauteed with garlic are an easy vegetable side that pairs perfectly with honey garlic chicken. The bright green beans look beautiful next to the golden chicken, providing color contrast. Their fresh, snappy crunch balances the chicken’s soft and sticky texture. Garlic green beans also echo the garlic flavors of the chicken, tying the whole meal together. Just sauté the green beans in olive oil with minced garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Asian Slaw

For a lighter take, try an Asian slaw with flavors that complement honey garlic chicken. Use a base of shredded napa cabbage and carrots dressed with a tangy sesame rice vinegar dressing. You can add ginger, garlic, scallions, cilantro, and a touch of honey to echo the chicken. The crisp coolness of the slaw contrasts with the warm chicken. Add some roasted peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.

Egg Rolls

What better pairing with takeout chicken than homemade egg rolls? Making them from scratch lets you fill them with shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and onions. Fry or bake them until golden brown and crispy. The egg roll wrappers add a delicate crunch, while the filling offers freshness. Dip them in the leftover honey garlic sauce for a flavor boost. Making your own egg rolls is surprisingly easy.

Fried Rice

You can’t go wrong pairing this Chinese restaurant chicken with a classic side of fried rice. The soft, fluffy rice soaks up flavors easily and provides the perfect blank canvas for other ingredients. Cook the rice with soy sauce, eggs, frozen peas and carrots, scallions, and garlic. If you want, you can even add small diced pieces of leftover honey garlic chicken to the fried rice. The simple flavors pair beautifully with the sauce-coated chicken.

Lo Mein Noodles

Lo mein noodles have a pleasing chewy texture that stands up well to saucy chicken dishes. Their neutral flavor absorbs surrounding flavors. Cook them in sesame oil then toss with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, cabbage, and carrots. You can make it veggie style, or add shrimp or chicken for extra protein. The soft noodles contrast with the crispy chicken skin for an enjoyable mix of textures. Lo mein is easy to customize to your preferences.

Coleslaw

Honey garlic chicken is savory and rich, but cool and creamy coleslaw can balance it out. A nice change of pace is the crunch of shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with a mayo-based dressing. Coleslaw has a sour, vinegary taste that balances out the sweet sauce on the chicken. If you want to make it more Asian, you can add celery seeds, lemon juice, scallions, cilantro, and a little sesame oil.

Edamame

As a side dish, try boiled edamame pods for an extra plant protein boost. When cooked, these young soybeans have a nice nutty, buttery taste and a smooth, creamy texture. Their mild taste lets the chicken shine. Just boil them with salt and, if you want, add garlic powder and chili flakes on top. You can also roast them for a crispy crunchy take. Edamame is a healthy snack that you can eat by itself because it has antioxidants.

Cucumber Salad

A cucumber salad is a crisp, refreshing accompaniment for sweet and sticky honey garlic chicken. Cool cucumber slices contrast nicely with the warmth of the chicken. Toss the cucumbers with a tangy dressing, like rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Add some diced onion for a bite and cilantro for freshness. The lightness of the cucumber salad prevents the meal from feeling too heavy.

Rice Pilaf

What’s chicken without some rice on the side? A rice pilaf flavored with garlic makes the perfect base for honey garlic chicken. Cook the rice in broth and olive oil infused with garlic and onions. For a Greek twist, use lemon juice and oregano. For an Indian twist, use cumin and turmeric. You can stir in vegetables like peas or dice up the chicken and mix it in. The possibilities are endless with this versatile side dish.

Sautéed Spinach

Iron-rich spinach helps balance the meal nutritionally, offering an extra serving of vegetables. Sauté the spinach with olive oil and garlic, adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. The tender leaves wilt down quickly to a silky texture that pairs well with the chicken. You can also make a creamy spinach dip by mixing the sautéed spinach with Greek yogurt, garlic, and Parmesan. Spinach provides vitamin C, A, and folate.

Brussels Sprouts

For another green veggie option, try roasted Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully in the oven, becoming crispy on the outside while tender inside. Toss them with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before roasting. Garnish with lemon zest or Parmesan cheese if desired. The nutty flavor and texture of Brussels sprouts stands up well to saucy chicken dishes. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness.

Sweet Potato Fries

Instead of regular fries, change it up with sweet potato fries, which are better for you. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes caramelize in the oven for the perfect hint of sweetness and crispy edges. They taste delicious paired with the honey notes in the chicken. Toss the fries in oil and your favorite seasonings before baking. Sweet potato fries contain fiber, vitamin A, and potassium. Enjoy them as a shareable side for dipping in any leftover sauce.

Quinoa Pilaf

For a high protein side dish, try making a quinoa pilaf. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. Cook the quinoa according to package directions with chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. Then mix in vegetables like corn, tomatoes, peppers, peas, and spinach or kale. Season with garlic, lemon juice, cilantro or Italian seasoning. The light fluffy texture pairs nicely with the chicken.

Cauliflower Mash

If you want a creamy, comfort food side dish, try mashed cauliflower. By blending cauliflower florets, you can create a smooth mash akin to mashed potatoes but with fewer carbs. Cauliflower has a mild flavor, so be sure to season it well, adding garlic, butter, cheese, herbs, etc. The richness balances the sweet and salty chicken. Top it with crunchy fried shallots or scallions for contrast. This low carb side dish is easy to make in minutes.