Chicken satay is a popular appetizer or main dish that combines the delicious flavors of chicken with a savory peanut sauce. Chicken satay is made by marinating strips of chicken in a blend of spices and herbs before skewering and grilling them. The grilled chicken skewers are then served with a dipping sauce, usually a creamy peanut sauce. Chicken satay originated in Indonesia but has become popular all over the world as an appetizer. While the chicken skewers themselves are fairly simple, finding the right sides to serve with this delicious dish can provide a complete and balanced meal. When choosing sides for chicken satay, there are a few key things to consider to complement the flavors of this dish perfectly.
What are some classic sides that pair well with chicken satay?
Some classic side pairings for chicken satay that complement the flavors beautifully include:
- Rice – A simple steamed rice or coconut rice are perfect bases to soak up the flavorful peanut sauce.
- Noodles – Rice noodles or lo mein noodles match the Asian flavors of the satay sauce.
- Vegetables – Quick-stirred veggies like bok choy, broccoli or snap peas balance the meal.
- Cucumbers – Fresh cucumber slices or a cucumber salad add a cooling crunch.
- Papaya Salad – Spicy Thai papaya salad provides a nice contrast in flavors.
- Roti Bread – Warm, soft roti bread can be used to scoop up the satay sauce.
These classic sides all pair nicely with the strong Southeast Asian flavors of chicken satay and peanut sauce. They provide either a neutral base to soak up the sauce or a contrasting flavor and texture to create a more interesting meal.
What are some creative side ideas that would also go well with this dish?
If you want to get more creative with your chicken satay pairings, here are some unique, but still delicious options:
- Coconut Black Rice – Nutty black rice tossed in coconut milk is a tropical side.
- Mango Slaw – A slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots and fresh mango.
- Edamame Hummus – Chilled edamame hummus can be used like the peanut sauce.
- Tempura Vegetables – Crispy fried vegetables like tempura green beans.
- Kimchi Fried Rice – Spicy kimchi fried rice is a Korean take on fried rice.
- Summer Rolls – Fresh rice paper summer rolls with lettuce, herbs, vermicelli.
These sides provide complementary flavors like tropical fruit, spice, and crunch to contrast with the savory chicken and sauce. Get creative mixing and matching different textures and flavors.
What are good side dishes from different cuisines?
Chicken satay is highly adaptable to different cultural cuisines. Here are some examples of good side pairings from various food cultures around the world:
Mexican Style
- Spanish Rice
- Refried Beans
- Guacamole
- Corn Tortillas
Greek Style
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Pita Bread
- Greek Salad
- Roasted Potatoes
Indian Style
- Naan Bread
- Samosas
- Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower
- Basmati Rice
Italian Style
- Bruschetta
- Caprese Salad
- Polenta
- Sauteed Spinach
Chicken satay is highly versatile, so don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from various cuisines. The peanut sauce pairs well with many global flavors!
What are the best vegetable side dishes to serve?
To make this a well-rounded meal, vegetable side dishes make healthy and delicious accompaniments to chicken satay. Some great veggie sides include:
- Stir Fry Vegetables – Quick stir fried veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, water chestnuts.
- Eggplant – Grilled eggplant or Thai style eggplant salad.
- Roasted Cauliflower or Broccoli
- Sauteed Greens – Like bok choy, spinach or Swiss chard.
- Green Bean Salad
- Roasted Carrots
- Grilled Zucchini
Aim for a mix of vegetables that incorporate different colors, textures and cooking methods. Grilled and roasted veggie sides work well with the charred flavors of grilled chicken satay. Crisp, raw salads also balance the dish nicely.
What are good starchy sides to include?
For a well-balanced meal, include a starchy carbohydrate side to round out the chicken and veggies. Good starchy sides include:
- Rice – Either plain steamed or coconut rice.
- Quinoa
- Couscous – Whole grain or Israeli couscous.
- Potatoes – Roasted or mashed potatoes.
- Polenta
- Noodles – Rice noodles, lo mein, pasta.
- Bread – Pita, roti or flatbread.
The starch will soak up the flavorful sauce and provide carbohydrate energy to balance the protein from the chicken. Rice is the most traditional, but experiment with other grains, noodles or quick breads as well.
Conclusion
Chicken satay is highly versatile dish that pairs well with a wide variety of sides and flavors. Play around with different cultural cuisine influences to keep meals exciting and well-balanced. Focus on incorporating fresh vegetables, a starchy carbohydrate and something crunchy or creamy to complement the rich peanut sauce. With an array of tasty sides to choose from, you can create varied meals again and again from this simple chicken skewer recipe. Some fail-safe options include stir fried veggies, rice or noodles, cucumber salad and roti bread. So gather inspiration from around the world and whip up flavorful, seasonal sides to bring this Southeast Asian grilled favorite to life.