Chinese Chicken Salad makes a delicious and healthy meal, perfect for any time of the year.
This salad is a refreshing dish that combines various vegetables, fruits, crispy chicken, and nuts.
Although Chinese chicken salad is all ready packed with so many flavors, it sometimes needs some other dishes to balance the meal. So, what to serve with chinese chicken salad?
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some quick and amazing side dishes that you can serve with Chinese chicken salad.
Some of them I personally prefer, and I am sure you will also enjoy these sides along with your Chinese chicken salad. Read on to discover!
What is Chinese chicken salad? What does Chinese chicken salad taste like?
Chinese chicken salad is a fresh and flavorful combination of crisp lettuce, choy sum, chicken slices, crunchy noodles and nuts dressed with a Chinese-style dressing.
The dominant flavor in the salad comes from the dressing, which has a mix of citrus, soy sauce and sesame oil, giving it an Asian flair.
It has a slightly sweet taste consisting of savory umami balanced with nutty toasted sesame notes along with some tangy garlic or ginger flavors.
Overall, it’s light, refreshing and quite delicious.
15 Best Sides served with Chinese chicken salad.
1. Egg Rolls
It is always great to add some crunchy and savory bite to the salad, and egg rolls do exactly that.
You can easily make them at home, or you can grab some from your local restaurants.
They pair perfectly with Chinese chicken salad and create an appetizing meal your family and friends will love.
Discover More: What to serve with Egg Rolls
2. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic Chinese-style side dish that goes with almost every meal.
You can add some eggs, peas, carrots, and corn to make it more nutritious. Also, it’s a great way to use leftover rice at home.
3. Wontons
Wontons are small dumplings that come with various fillings. Whether you want to use chicken, pork, beef, or even tofu, this side dish can be easily prepared at home.
Just add some dipping sauce, and voila! You have a perfect pair for your Chinese chicken salad.
4. Dumplings
Like wontons, dumplings are also filled with different variations of vegetables, meat, and seafood. You can boil or steam them, depending on your preference.
It is a great choice when you have a large group to feed; just prepare them in advance and reheat them before serving.
Explore More: Creative Side Dishes to serve with Potato Dumplings
5. Bok Choy
Cooked bok choy can add a tasty Chinese flavor to your chicken salad.
You can sauté or stir-fry it with garlic and soy sauce. It’s a great addition to the salad as it brings a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
6. Stir-Fried Broccoli and Mushrooms
A tasty and healthy vegan option to add to your salad is stir-fried broccoli and mushrooms.
It gives additional nutritional benefits and a delicious savory taste that can end up being the real MVP of your meal.
7. Hot & Sour Soup
Soup is always a valid option to pair with salad, especially in the colder months.
Hot and Sour soup is a perfect iconic Chinese dish that’s tangy, salty, and a little spicy. It’s a great choice to fulfill your spicy cravings as well.
8. Crab Rangoon
Crab Rangoon is a deep-fried pastry filled with crabmeat and cream cheese, an ideal appetizer to serve with Chinese Chicken Salad.
If you are looking for a crispy and crunchy bite, this is the perfect one!
9. Vegetable Stir Fry
A quick and easy addition, vegetable stir-fry is a healthy option to serve with your salad, especially if you are watching your weight.
You can opt for a variety of fresh vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, carrots, and onions.
10. Sesame Noodles
Sesame noodles make an appetizing, tasty, and filling salad addition.
It’s a great pairing that’s loved by both kids and adults. It is a simple dish made of spaghetti noodles tossed in sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce.
11. Rice Pilaf
Rice Pilaf is an ideal classic dish that is a delicious and simple way to enjoy all the flavors of Chinese chicken salad, especially when served with a crunchy topping like sliced almonds or cashews.
12. Spring Rolls
Spring Rolls are traditional Asian appetizers that offer an excellent accompaniment to Chinese chicken salad due to their savory, salty flavor and crisp texture.
Try them served alongside your favorite dipping sauces, such as soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce.
13. Wonton Soup
Wonton Soup is a classic Chinese dish and is an amazing way to add some extra warmth and flavor to your chicken salad.
You can find wonton soup made with beef, chicken or pork for a delicious variation on the classic recipe.
14. Sweet & Sour Sauce
The perfect accompaniment for any Asian-inspired meal, sweet and sour sauce offers an excellent contrast to the tartness of Chinese chicken salad while still providing a hint of sweetness.
15. Fortune Cookies
Fortune Cookies are classic treats that are the perfect way to end any Chinese-inspired meal.
Enjoy a delicious fortune cookie with your Chinese chicken salad for an extra bit of fun at the dinner table!
What type of bread goes with Chinese chicken salad?
When it comes to Chinese Chicken Salad, the five ideal types of bread to pair it with are focaccia, brioche, multigrain, ciabatta and sourdough.
Focaccia is an Italian flatbread seasoned with herbs and is great for soaking up the flavorful dressing of Chinese Chicken Salad.
Brioche has a light, buttery flavor and its airy texture will complement the chicken and vegetables in the salad.
Multigrain bread offers heartiness and can give a slightly nutty flavor to the crunchy salad.
Ciabatta has a slightly crisp crust encasing a chewy interior that adds texture to the dish.
Sourdough is slightly tangy with a soft center which allows it to hold its shape while still being easy to tear apart.
Each of these bread offers something unique that can elevate your Chinese Chicken Salad experience.
Find Out More: Delicious Recipes to Serve with French Bread
What salad goes well with Chinese chicken salad
1. Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is a hearty salad that features tender chunks of chicken mixed with crispy red onions, bell peppers and celery tossed in a homemade honey mustard dressing.
The sweet and tangy flavor accompanies perfectly with the crunch of the vegetables for a delicious accompaniment to Chinese Chicken Salad.
2. Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Combining flavor-packed ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives and oregano, this salad offers an array of flavors that go well with Chinese Chicken Salad.
Its light yet robust flavor profile makes it a great choice for a light dinner or lunch.
3. Avocado Cobb Salad
Avocado Cobb Salad is a classic salad filled with avocados, hard-boiled eggs, bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles over lettuce for a creamy combination of flavors that pairs wonderfully with Chinese Chicken Salad.
The creamy avocado adds the perfect balance to the crunchy lettuce and salty bacon bits for an unforgettable side dish.
4. Roasted Beet and Mandarin Orange Salad
Sweet mandarin oranges mix with roasted beets in this flavorful salad that will provide a colorful complement to Chinese Chicken Salad.
The sweetness of the oranges balances out the earthiness of the roasted beets in this healthy side dish, sure to please everyone at your table!
5. Apple Walnut Kale Slaw
Apple Walnut Kale Slaw is a unique slaw that combines shredded kale with tart apples, crunchy walnuts and dried cranberries for a refreshing take on a classic slaw recipe that will pair beautifully with Chinese Chicken Salad.
It’s full of healthy ingredients but still packs tons of flavor!
What are the best flavors to go with Chinese chicken salad?
Chinese Chicken Salad is a classic dish and can be enjoyed in numerous flavors.
For a more traditional Chinese flavor, try adding ingredients like garlic, red chili peppers, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
For a lighter taste, add some citrus accents, such as orange or lemon zest, as well as fresh basil leaves.
If you’re looking for something with an Asian flair, add some ginger and hoisin sauce to the mix.
Lastly, top your salad off with crunchy nuts or seeds like cashews or sunflower seeds for added texture.
All of these ingredients will combine to create a flavorful combination that pairs perfectly with Chinese chicken salad.
Learn More: Creative and Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Your Chicken Salad for Lunch
How do you jazz up Chinese chicken salad?
To jazz up Chinese chicken salad, you can add in a variety of different ingredients, such as shredded carrots, bell peppers, sliced almonds, chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or basil, mandarin oranges or diced pineapple for a sweet flavor boost.
Use different types of greens, such as romaine lettuce or spinach, to change the texture and crunch factor.
Incorporate some heat with crushed red pepper flakes. And experiment with dressings like sesame-ginger vinaigrette or an Asian-style peanut dressing to really give it an extra punch!
How do you display Chinese chicken salad on a platter?
Displaying Chinese chicken salad on a platter is an art. Start by arranging the ingredients in a visually appealing way.
Place the crunchy pieces of lettuce and cabbage on the bottom of the platter, followed by thinly sliced red peppers and onions for added color.
Layer the cooked and shredded chicken on top of the vegetables and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Lastly, drizzle the delicious Asian-style dressing over everything to complete the presentation. Serve chilled for maximum flavor and texture contrast.
Wrap Up on what to serve with Chinese chicken salad.
Now that you have the perfect side dish ideas to serve with your Chinese chicken salad, you can easily impress your family members and guests.
Whether you are looking for a side dish to add crunchiness, spiciness, or sweetness, these 10 amazing choices will make a perfect addition to your salad.
Go ahead and try them all, and let the feast begin!
FAQs
How much Chinese chicken salad per person?
For Chinese chicken salad, it is advised to plan for about 1/2 cup of salad per person.
To make sure that everyone can enjoy the salad, this amount may be increased if the other dishes are lighter in nature or if the gathering is particularly large.
When preparing this salad, don’t skimp on the ingredients; use quality vegetables, proteins like diced chicken and shrimp, and flavorful sauces like hoisin or oyster sauce.
To boost the flavor even more, add some crunchy nuts or seeds, such as almonds or sesame, to create a truly amazing dish!
What type of dressing goes with Chinese chicken salad?
Chinese chicken salad is often dressed with a combination of sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and fresh ginger.
This combination of ingredients provides a savory and slightly sweet flavor that complements the crunchy vegetables in the salad.
Other popular dressings for Chinese chicken salad include light mayonnaise mixed with garlic and cilantro or a honey-based dressing like a honey sesame vinaigrette.
Depending on the recipe, you can also add spicier flavors, such as chili paste or sriracha, to your dressing for some added heat.
Notwithstanding what type of dressing you choose, it is important to balance out the flavors of your ingredients – this means not overpowering the vegetables or other ingredients in the salad with too much dressing.
What meat goes with Asian salad?
Chicken is often a popular choice when it comes to an Asian-style salad.
Marinated in an Asian-inspired sauce such as soy, ginger, and garlic, it adds flavor and texture to the salad.
Additionally, grilled beef or pork can be added for a heartier meal.
If you are looking for something lighter, try adding thin strips of raw fish or shrimp.
Tofu is also a great addition for vegetarians or those looking for a plant-based protein option.
In terms of vegetables, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, radishes, bean sprouts, and cabbage can be used to add crunch and texture to the dish.
Finally, top your salad off with some roasted nuts or seeds, such as sesame seeds or peanuts, for flavor and protein.
What to serve with Chinese chicken salad for lunch?
A Chinese chicken salad is a light and refreshing dish that can be served with a variety of items for lunch. Brown rice, noodles, or quinoa can provide a nutty, earthy flavor to the salad.
For an extra crunch, try adding some almonds or cashews on top of the salad. A warm soup such as wonton or egg drop soup would pair nicely with the salad.
If you would like to add more vegetables to the meal, roasted cauliflower, broccoli, or mushrooms are good additions.
Finally, finish off the meal with some fresh fruit such as oranges, apples, pears, and grapes.
What to serve with Chinese chicken thighs?
Chinese chicken thighs are best served with a variety of sides that will complement its savory flavor.
Rice is a classic side dish to serve with Chinese chicken thighs, whether it’s white or brown rice.
If you’re looking for something more flavorful, consider pairing your chicken thighs with fried rice or coconut rice.
Other sides commonly served with Chinese chicken thighs include stir-fried or steamed vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, and carrots.
For an extra punch of flavor, try adding some garlic or ginger to your veggies.
To further enhance the meal, consider adding in sauces such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce, chili garlic paste, or sesame oil.
Finally, top the entire dish off with fresh herbs like basil and cilantro for added color and flavor.
