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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Apr 19, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken

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Pin split image with text showing different recipe ideas of what to serve with sweet and sour chicken.

Here's what to serve with sweet and sour chicken to make it a flavorful and well-balanced lunch or dinner that rivals any takeout place. I've got you covered, from classic options like fried rice or lo mein to side dishes like sweet potato sushi. Pick a few of these recipes and make your perfect plate!

If you're looking for some more Chinese takeout recipes, try my Chinese beef meatballs, peanut butter chicken, and kung pao shrimp.

Square split image showing different recipe ideas of what to serve with sweet and sour chicken.
Jump to:
  • 1. Korokke
  • 2. Panda Express Fried Rice
  • 3. Asian Cucumber Salad
  • 4. Asian Roasted Pork Belly
  • 5. Tofu Stir-Fry
  • 6. Grilled Bok Choy
  • 7. Crab Rangoons
  • 8. Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry
  • 9. Lo Mein
  • 10. Sweet Potato Sushi
  • 11. Air Fryer Frozen Pot Stickers
  • 12. Teriyaki Noodles
  • 13. Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
  • 14. Broccolini Salad
  • 15. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • 16. Roasted Mini Peppers
  • 17. Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
  • 18. Zucchini Fritters
  • 19. Garlic Green Beans
  • 20. Crab Egg Drop Soup
  • 21. Air Fryer French Fries
  • 💭 Tips For Choosing What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken: Korokke (+More Tasty Recipes!)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Sweet and sour chicken has got to be one of the most popular dishes on any Chinese takeout menu. Tangy sweet and sour sauce tossed with crispy, savory, bites of chicken, it's perfection!

Ideally, you want to balance out the very pronounced flavor sauce with starches or other complementary sides, so it's not too much of a good thing. Check out the list below for a few of my favorite pairings when serving Sweet and sour chicken!

1. Korokke

Although sweet and sour chicken is a Chinese recipe, it tastes absolutely delicious with some crispy Japanese croquettes (or korroke). Their signature crunch is from a golden Panko breadcrumb coating that has been fried to perfection!

Korokke
Korokke (or Japanese potato croquettes) are a popular Japanese street food that makes a delicious snack or appetizer! Mashed potato cakes are coated in Panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden and crispy! They are so easy and tasty that you'll always be making them!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of korroke (Japanese potato croquettes)

2. Panda Express Fried Rice

My copycat Panda Express recipe for fried rice always hits the spot when I'm craving takeout! It's quick and easy and makes the perfect base for a big pile of sweet and sour chicken!

Panda Express Fried Rice
Panda Express Fried Rice combines steamed long-grain white rice, eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, and soy sauce for a quality fried rice! Make this fan-favorite recipe at home in no time and pair it with your favorite Panda Express entrees! It's an extremely versatile side dish that goes with all of your favorite Chinese food recipes!
Check out this recipe
Square closeup image of a white bowl filled with fried rice.

3. Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian cucumber salad is one of my favorite lighter side dishes for heartier Asian-inspired dinners. It's cool and crispy with a tangy vinegar flavor that cleanses the palate between bites and balances the sweetness of the chicken.

Asian Cucumber Salad
My easy Asian cucumber salad is full of fresh flavors from garlic, ginger, onion, and a sesame soy sauce vinaigrette. This cool, chilled salad is a refreshing side dish during the summer months and pairs perfectly with any of your favorite Asian-inspired recipes.
Check out this recipe
Best Asian cucumber salad tossed in tangy soy sauce, honey, and ginger dressing.

4. Asian Roasted Pork Belly

There's no better word to describe roasted pork belly with a sweet and sticky Asian glaze than succulent. It's finger-licking good, and it basically melts in your mouth!

Asian Roasted Pork Belly
This Asian roasted pork belly has a crisp outside while the inside is so tender it almost melts in your mouth! With some rice or veggies, it makes a quick and easy 30 minute dinner for any day of the week. It's sweet, salty, sticky, and finger licking good!
Check out this recipe
Square image of roasted aisian pork belly slices covered in sesame seeds and green onion.

5. Tofu Stir-Fry

This tofu stir-fry will add an extra boost of protein to your chicken dinner and comes complete with tender vegetables, too! Serve it takeout style alongside a scoop of sweet and sour chicken and some rice or noodles.

Tofu Stir-Fry
This tofu stir-fry is a delicious 20 minute vegetarian recipe that tastes fabulous on top of rice or noodles! The tofu is cooked until golden and crispy, then tossed with tender vegetables in a savory stir-fry sauce. It makes a great quick lunch or dinner any day of the week!
Check out this recipe
Square image of tofu stir fry.

6. Grilled Bok Choy

When I tell you this grilled bok choy with Asian dipping sauce is worth firing up the grill for, I mean it! This is a memorable yet easy and delicious vegetable side dish that family and dinner guests will love!

Grilled Bok Choy (With Asian Dipping Sauce)
This grilled bok choy is an easy vegetable side dish you can throw on the grill while making the main course. It comes complete with an umami Asian dipping sauce that is finger-licking good. If you haven't made bok choy on the grill, it's a must-try!
Check out this recipe
Wide image showing grilled bok choy.

7. Crab Rangoons

Crab rangoons are creamy, crunchy, and savory, which makes the perfect contrast to sweet and sticky chicken. They are also delicious when dunked in sweet and sour sauce if you want to serve an extra bowl on the side!

Crab Rangoons
These crab rangoons are easy to make with wonton wrappers, then stuffed with a delightfully rich cream cheese filling featuring tender bits of crab meat! They're a perfect appetizer to serve with your Chinese food dinners while watching a game, or just to snack on because they're THAT GOOD! Serve with some soy sauce, sweet and sour, or hot mustard for an amazingly tasty snack!
Check out this recipe
Fried crab rangoons on white plate with sweet n sour sauce.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

8. Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry

Turn a bag of frozen mixed vegetables into an easy and delicious stir-fried side dish! It adds color and nutrients, plus the veggies are coated in their own homemade stir-fry sauce, so there is no shortage of flavor!

Frozen Veggie Stir Fry
This frozen veggie stir fry is a quick and easy vegetarian recipe you can serve over rice or noodles or enjoy on its own as a side dish! It's made with a package of frozen mixed veggies, so there's no chopping or dicing necessary! You don't even need to thaw them out!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of frozen veggie stir fry on a plate.

9. Lo Mein

If you typically order noodles with your takeout, you are probably familiar with lo mein! This homemade version ticks all the boxes and tastes just like you know and love.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
These saucy stir-fried lo mein noodles are packed with fresh veggies and they only take about 15 minutes to make. Enjoy this tasty vegetable lo mein as-is, or add your choice of protein for an incredible chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp lo mein.
Check out this recipe
Wide image of stir fry lo mein noodles, with green onions.

10. Sweet Potato Sushi

Sweet potato sushi is a tasty vegetarian spin on sushi that always makes for a great talking point! The tender sweet potato inside complements the sweetness of the sweet and sour chicken without being overwhelming.

Sweet Potato Sushi
Tasty sweet potato sushi is the perfect sweet and salty combo, with delicious sweet potato, salty nori, and sticky rice! This vegetarian sushi starts with crispy breaded sweet potato wrapped up in perfectly cooked rice, wrapped in nori, and drizzled in teriyaki sauce!
Check out this recipe
Best sweet potato sushi is an easy vegetarian dish to serve drizzled with my tasty teriyaki sauce.

11. Air Fryer Frozen Pot Stickers

There's no shame in grabbing a bag of your favorite frozen pot stickers! If you pop them in your air fryer, they turn out perfectly golden, and no one will be any the wiser!

Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers (Gyoza or Dumplings)
Once you try air fryer frozen potstickers you won't want to make these savory, crispy, little dumplings any other way! Wave goodbye to takeout, because you can make all your favorite Asian-inspired appetizers at home in minutes with your air fryer!
Check out this recipe
Best air fryer frozen potstickers served on white plate with simple dipping sauce.

12. Teriyaki Noodles

These quick and easy teriyaki noodles are always a family favorite at my house. Don't worry about there being too much sauce on your plate; teriyaki and sweet and sour make an explosively delicious flavor combination!

Teriyaki Noodles
These easy teriyaki noodles combine fried stir-fry noodles in tasty teriyaki sauce to make the best base for many great meals. Use my homemade teriyaki sauce for the best-tasting fried noodles ever, then top with your favorite meats and veggies for satisfying Japanese noodle bowls.
Check out this recipe
Closeup on the teriyaki noodles in skillet.

13. Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

White rice is another classic choice when making sweet and sour chicken, and I love using my Instant Pot because it's practically foolproof! You can use long-grain white rice, Jasmine rice, or your preferred white rice variety.

Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
This Instant Pot long grain white rice is a practically effortless way to get perfectly tender and delicious white rice every time! All you have to do is rinse your rice in water before placing it in the pressure cooker with salt! You can say goodbye to the fuss of cooking rice on the stove, plus this versatile side dish goes with just about anything
Check out this recipe
Wide image of long grain white rice cooked in a instant pot.

14. Broccolini Salad

Crispy carrots, broccolini, green onions, and mushrooms tossed in a tasty Asian dressing. It's simple yet elegant and delicious!

Broccolini Salad
My quick and easy broccolini salad is the perfect weeknight side dish to pair with practically any main dish or meaty entree! It’s tossed with a delicious Asian-inspired dressing that elevates this dish to restaurant quality!
Check out this recipe
Broccolini salad on white plate with mushrooms, shaved carrots, and light Asian dressing.

15. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

While you won't likely find sweet potato fries on any takeout menus, they are delicious with sweet and sour chicken! If a little sweet and sour sauce gets on them, all the better.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Baked sweet potato fries are a perfect side dish for everything from burgers to chicken tenders, pork chops, fried fish, and so much more! They're crispy and perfectly balanced with sweet, salty, and savory flavors! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces as an easy and delicious appetizer!
Check out this recipe
Wide image showing sweet potato fries.

16. Roasted Mini Peppers

Roasting these colorful mini peppers brings out their natural sweetness! They're tender-crisp and perfect for adding some veggies to your plate.

Roasted Mini Peppers
These roasted mini peppers are a simple and delicious side dish full of natural sweetness, savory flavor, and vibrant color! They're an excellent addition to any of your favorite proteins and a great way to sneak some vegetables onto everyone's plate. All you need is some fresh peppers, a little bit of olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and a few seasonings to get started!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of roasted mini peppers in a white dish.

17. Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls

When in doubt, pick up some frozen egg rolls and pop them in the air fryer! They crisp up beautifully and are great with a side of soy sauce or kecap manis.

Frozen Egg Rolls Air Fryer
Not only is it super easy to cook Frozen Egg Rolls in an Air Fryer, but it also the very best way to get perfectly crisp egg rolls every time! In a matter of just minutes, your egg rolls are cooked to golden deliciousness and ready to enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Frozen egg rolls after cooking in the air fryer served with sweet and sour sauce.

18. Zucchini Fritters

These fritters are made with vegetables but are crispy and perfectly dippable like fries! They're the best of both worlds!

Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters are an incredibly easy appetizer or snack that's loaded with savory flavors and perfect for any occasion! These crispy cakes are a wonderful way to use up any extra zucchini you have in your kitchen or from your garden! Plus, they're a super delicious way to sneak in veggies for the kids!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of zucchini fritters.

19. Garlic Green Beans

You'll find green beans incorporated into a lot of Chinese takeout recipes, so naturally, they taste great with sweet and sour chicken, too! These green beans have chunks of bacon and garlic in them, which is always a plus.

Garlic Green Beans with Bacon
These garlic green beans are a tasty vegetable side dish that goes well with a variety of main dish entrees! With 8 hearty servings, it's a wonderful holiday recipe because it's easy to prepare and great for serving a crowd! After all, who doesn't love buttery pan-fried garlic green beans with bacon?
Check out this recipe
wide overhead closeup of garlic green beans with bacon.

20. Crab Egg Drop Soup

Sure, you can serve traditional egg drop soup, but this crab egg drop soup totally blows it out of the water! It's just as flavorful but with the added bonus of tender, buttery crab meat!

Crab Egg Drop Soup
This crab egg drop soup is a delicious and easy upgraded version of the popular Chinese restaurant egg drop soup! It's so much better than any takeout soup you can get and an extremely simple soup to make! You'll never want the original version again!
Check out this recipe
wide angled overhead image of the crab egg drop soup served with crisped wonton slices and crab meat.

21. Air Fryer French Fries

Sweet and sour chicken with a side of crispy french fries is always a hit with the kids! It's hard to deny that french fries go great with everything!

Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Air fryer frozen french fries are the best and easiest way to enjoy golden, crispy, fast-food-style fries at home! The fries are done in just minutes, and there's no mess like with deep frying. Pop open a bag of frozen fries while your air fryer heats up, and get ready to serve the freshest french fries ever with your lunch or dinner!
Check out this recipe
wide image of air fryer frozen french fries served with ketchup.

💭 Tips For Choosing What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken

There are a few fool-proof sides that are always acceptable and delicious with sweet and sour chicken! You may have noticed some recurring themes on the list above, almost everything fits into these categories!

  1. Rice. Sweet and sour chicken is commonly served with white rice or fried. Brown rice is earthier but also tasty and balances the sweet and sour flavor nicely, too!
  2. Vegetables. Sauteed or roasted veggies add color, freshness, and oftentimes a nice crunch! Stir-fry them separately for more contrast, or stir-fry them in your sweet and sour sauce for a more cohesive dish!
  3. Noodles. For takeout-inspired comfort food, serve your sweet and sour chicken with noodles! Chow mein or lo mein will make it into a more substantial and filling meal.
  4. Salads. Sweet and sour chicken is indulgent and filling, a salad can be a nice refreshing contrast. A simple garden salad or any salad with an Asian vinaigrette dressing would make a great starter!
  5. Classic Takeout Appetizers. Your favorite takeout appetizers are even better homemade. Serve up some crispy egg rolls, cream cheese wontons, or tender spring rolls with your chicken for the full experience!

Whether you're grabbing it to-go or making it at home, your sweet and sour chicken is about to get a whole lot tastier! Let me know what you like to eat with sweet and sour chicken in the comments below!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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5 from 7 reviews

What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken: Korokke (+More Tasty Recipes!)

Here's what to serve with sweet and sour chicken to make it a flavorful and well balanced lunch or dinner that rivals any takeout place! From classic options like fried rice or lo mein to unique side dishes like sweet potato sushi, I've got you covered! Pick a few of these recipes and make your perfect plate!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 279kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

Croquettes

  • 1¼ lbs potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin, for sauteing the vegetables)
  • ½ small white onion (finely diced, or use yellow onion)
  • ½ small carrot (washed, peeled, and finely diced)
  • ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
  • Oil (for deep frying)

Coating

  • 1-2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups Panko breadcrumb

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Peel and dice 1¼ lbs potatoes. Place them into a pot of water, bring it up to boiling, and cook them for about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan and add your finely chopped ½ small white onion and ½ small carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Season with ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper, and then set the vegetables aside.
  • Once the potatoes are fork-tender, strain the water and place them back into the pot. Give them a good shake to rough up the outsides. Then, use a potato masher to mash them while still warm.
  • Add your sauteed onion and carrot to the mashed potatoes and mix until well combined. Then, divide the mixture into 8 portions and form each one into a flat oval.
  • Make your dredging station by setting up one bowl with 1-2 large eggs (beaten), one bowl with 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour, and another bowl with 2 cups Panko breadcrumb.
  • Add enough Oil to a deep pan for deep frying. Heat it until the temperature reaches 350°F (175°C).
  • Coat each potato oval with flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally coat it with Panko bread crumbs.
  • Place your coated potato ovals into the hot oil and fry until they are crispy and golden brown in color (about 2-3 minutes).
  • Remove the croquettes to a wire rack placed over a paper towel to drain any excess oil and then serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Notes:
  • 1¼ pounds of potatoes should make about 2½ cups of mashed potatoes.
  • You'll want to use a starchy type of potato, such as Russets.
  • Shaking the cooked potatoes is a technique called “Kofuki imo”. It helps to remove extra moisture in the potato, in order to make the specific texture that Korokke is known for, called “Hokku, hoku”.
Storing:
  • Keep any leftovers stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • Reheat your korokke either in an airy fryer or on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) until heated through and crispy.
  • You can make these in advance by preparing them completely and then freezing them before they are fried. Wrap each croquette in plastic wrap and then place them all into a storage bag. They can be frozen for up to 1 month and can be deep-fried straight from frozen. 

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal (14%) | Carbohydrates: 27g (9%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 17g (26%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 23mg (8%) | Sodium: 198mg (9%) | Potassium: 357mg (10%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 557IU (11%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 42mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Japanese

Originally published October 3, 2023

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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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