Honey garlic chicken is a sweet, sticky, and savory chicken dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. The honey and garlic give the chicken a delicious glaze, while keeping it moist and tender. With so many flavors going on, what sides pair best with this chicken?
When choosing sides for honey garlic chicken, you’ll want options that complement the sweet and savory flavors. Starchy carbohydrates like rice, pasta or potatoes help soak up the sauce. Bright, fresh vegetables add color and balance out the richness. Here are some of the best side dish options to consider.
Rice
Rice is one of the most classic side dishes to pair with any saucy chicken dish. The rice soaks up the honey garlic sauce for extra flavor in every bite. Jasmine and basmati rice are ideal choices. Their nutty aroma and fluffy texture offset the chicken nicely. To add more flavor, use chicken broth instead of water when cooking the rice.
Fried Rice
For a heartier side, go for fried rice. The caramelized rice grains offer a wholesome crunch. Meanwhile, peas, carrots and other fried rice ingredients bring a fresh, colorful touch. The egg in fried rice also complements the chicken. To tie it all together, drizzle a bit of the honey garlic sauce over the fried rice.
Coconut Rice
Coconut rice can be an especially nice pairing with honey garlic chicken. The subtle coconut flavor complements the honey glaze well. For coconut rice, use a can of coconut milk instead of water or broth to cook jasmine rice. You can also add shredded coconut for texture.
Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf made with chicken broth is another excellent match for honey garlic chicken. The sautéed onions and aromatic spices like cumin and turmeric in pilaf offer the perfect flavor profile. As a bonus, the spices enhance the garlic notes in the chicken. Dress up the pilaf with toasted almonds or pistachios for some crunch.
Pasta
Pasta is a no-brainer pairing for saucy, glazed chicken dishes. The noodles soak up leftover sauce for added flavor. Pair honey garlic chicken with egg noodles, angel hair pasta or linguine.
Buttered Noodles
Simple buttered noodles go great with honey garlic chicken. The butter helps the noodles soak up sauce, while keeping things light. Boil the noodles until just al dente so they don’t get too soft when sautéed with butter and sauce.
Garlic Noodles
For garlic lovers, garlic noodles are the perfect match. Sauté minced garlic in olive oil, then toss with cooked pasta. Sprinkle on parsley and parmesan cheese. The garlic ramps up the garlic notes in the chicken, while the cheese adds richness.
Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta brings a fresh, herbal flavor to complement the chicken. Basil pesto sauce also has a sweet, garlicky taste that pairs beautifully. For best results, use pesto made with pine nuts instead of walnuts. The nutty pine nut flavor is a better match.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another starchy, sauce-loving choice for honey garlic chicken. Potatoes complement the sweetness and tame the garlic flavor. Go for roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes or potato wedges.
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are an easy, crowd-pleasing pairing. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes, toss with oil and seasonings, then roast at 400°F until browned and tender. For extra flavor, roast halved garlic cloves alongside the potatoes.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes soak up the honey garlic sauce beautifully. For extra richness, use half butter and half milk when mashing them. Top the mashed potatoes with crispy fried shallots or onions for texture.
Potato Wedges
For a fun, casual side, make seasoned potato wedges. Cut potatoes into wedges, season with smoked paprika, then bake or air fry until crispy. Cool ranch or blue cheese dressing can be used for dipping.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables help to balance and lighten rich, saucy chicken dishes. Their crunch, colors and flavors create nice contrast. Here are some top veggie pairings for honey garlic chicken.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a classic pairing for any garlic-based chicken or beef dish. The bright green florets pop against the golden chicken skin. Lightly sauté the broccoli to soften it and bring out the sweet flavor. Drizzle with a touch of lemon juice to brighten it up.
| Cooking Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Roasted Broccoli | Toss broccoli florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. |
| Sautéed Broccoli | Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli and sauté for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. |
| Steamed Broccoli | Place broccoli florets in a steamer basket. Steam for 5 minutes over boiling water until bright green and tender-crisp. |
Asparagus
Asparagus is a sophisticated vegetable pairing. The elegant green spears look beautiful plated with golden chicken. Blanch or roast the asparagus lightly to bring out its sweet flavor. A drizzle of lemon zest vinaigrette over the asparagus finishes it beautifully.
Green Beans
Slender green beans add color and texture contrast to the meal. Blanch and shock the green beans to set their bright green color. Sauté them with minced garlic, salt and pepper for a classic, aromatic side.
Brussels Sprouts
Sweet, nutty Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully when pan-fried.Quarter and pan-fry the sprouts with diced bacon for a hearty pairing. The salty bacon complements the sticky honey garlic chicken wonderfully.
Breads
Warm, freshly-baked bread can round out the meal for sopping up any leftover honey garlic sauce. Go for breads with a tender, airy crumb vs dense, chewy breads. French baguettes, rolls, biscuits and garlic bread are all excellent choices.
Garlic Bread
Warm, garlicky bread is basically destined to go with garlic chicken. Brush bread slices or a halved baguette with garlic butter, then broil or toast until golden and crisp.
Rolls
Soft, pillowy rolls are perfect for soaking up sauce. Bake up classic dinner rolls, hamburger buns or Hawaiian rolls to serve alongside the chicken. Brush with butter as they come out of the oven for extra richness.
Biscuits
Flaky, southern-style biscuits pair deliciously with chicken dishes of any kind. Bake up a batch of easy refrigerated biscuits to round out the meal. Top them with honey butter for an extra touch of sweetness.
Desserts
While honey garlic chicken is savory, the honey notes lend themselves nicely to certain dessert pairings. Citrus desserts, in particular, complement the flavors beautifully. Here are some options to consider:
| Dessert | Features |
|---|---|
| Lemon Sorbet | Tart, refreshing citrus flavor cleanses the palate after the chicken. |
| Lemon Square | Sweet, lemony tartness provides contrast to the honey garlic flavors. |
| Orange Creamsicle Pie | Vanilla and orange complement the honey notes in the chicken glaze. |
| Mango Sorbet | Tropical fruitiness balances the rich garlic flavors. |
Lemon Sorbet
Puckering lemon sorbet makes for a perfectly light, palate-cleansing dessert after honey garlic chicken. The tart lemon cuts through the residual chicken flavors, getting your palate ready for the next meal. Look for fresh, all-natural lemon sorbet.
Lemon Squares
Buttery, sweet-tart lemon squares also pair beautifully with honey garlic chicken. The lemon curd delivers brightness while the shortbread crust provides texture contrast. Make them homemade or purchase gourmet lemon squares.
Orange Creamsicle Pie
This pie combines sweet orange and vanilla creamsicle flavors for subtle fruitiness. The flavors complement honey garlic chicken without overpowering it. Garnish the pie with orange zest for extra citrus aroma.
Conclusion
With its well-rounded sweet, savory and garlicky flavor profile, honey garlic chicken pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes. Starchy options like rice, pasta and potatoes complement it beautifully. Fresh vegetables like broccoli, green beans and asparagus balance the flavors. Warm breads and citrusy desserts like lemon and orange also make excellent pairings. With so many options, you can create the perfect meal around honey garlic chicken.