What to Serve with Fried Rice – 15 Best Side Dishes
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Fried rice is a go-to comfort food that never lets us down. If you’re wondering what to serve with fried rice, however, you might be stumped. This meal is quick, it’s easy, and it hits the spot every single time.
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If you add a protein to the fried rice like chicken fried rice, it can be a complete meal on its own since it contains meat, veggies, and rice, but if you’re looking for some side dish ideas, we are sharing our 15 favorites below.
Fried rice is easy to make and has simple ingredients and since can be a main course or a side dish to other meals, you’ll find a variety of sides and other main dishes on this the list below to serve with this rice dish.
1. Sweet and Sour Soup
A comforting bowl of warmth, sweet and sour soup has bold flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken fried rice’s mild flavor. Packed with tender pieces of chicken or tofu, vegetables, and the unmistakable tang of vinegar, this soup offers a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
2. Vegetable Stir Fry
Vegetable stir fry is a fresh and simple dish made with veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, green beans, water chestnuts, snow peas, carrots, and snap peas. Tossed in a savory soy sauce, this side or main dish is healthy and satisfying!
3. Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a crispy and addictive! They’re made with rice paper wraps and a filling of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a choice of shrimp, chicken, or tofu. These rolls are commonly served with a side of sweet and savory dipping sauce like hoisin sauce.
4. Chinese Dumplings
Chinese dumplings are a flavorful mixture of minced meat (commonly pork or chicken), fresh vegetables, and seasonings. Whether steamed or pan-fried, the dumplings give a juicy burst of flavor with each bite.
5. Egg Drop Soup
A soothing classic, egg drop soup is simple but delicious. Featuring a clear, seasoned broth with delicate ribbons of beaten egg. Sometimes green onions and a hint of ginger are added for even more flavor. The result is a light and comforting soup that makes a perfect starter or side dish.
6. Egg Rolls
Egg rolls combine a crunchy exterior with a savory interior. Stuffed with a mixture of finely chopped vegetables, ground meat (pork or chicken), and sometimes vermicelli noodles, these rolls are then deep-fried to golden perfection. Serve them with a side of sweet and tangy dipping sauce.
7. Chicken Teriyaki
Fried rice is always at the top of my list of what to serve with teriyaki chicken! Chicken teriyaki is a crowd-pleaser! Grilled or pan-seared, the dish captures the essence of Japanese flavors with the perfect balance of soy, mirin, and sugar. The result is tender, caramelized delicious chicken with a sweet flavor that tastes so good with the nutty flavor of fried rice!
8. Sweet and Sour Pork or Chicken
A timeless classic in Chinese-American cuisine, sweet and sour chicken or pork delivers tons of flavor. Bite-sized pieces of meat are coated in a crispy batter and drenched in sweet and tangy sauce. This makes an easy dinner and the perfect main dish to serve with a classic fried rice recipe.
9. Mongolian Beef
Mongolian beef is a savory stir-fry made with tender slices of beef, typically flank steak or sirloin. The beef is mixed in a rich, dark soy-based sauce with green onions and garlic. Served with homemade fried rice, this meal will be rich and full of flavor! You can also make ground beef Mongolian noodles as well.
10. Orange Chicken
An easy orange chicken recipe gives you a zesty and citrus-infused flavor that combines crispy pieces of battered and fried tender chicken with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This is an easy weeknight meal!
11. Wonton Soup
Wonton soup is a soul-warming classic with wonton dumplings, usually filled with seasoned pork or shrimp, and a clear, flavorful broth. Garnished with green onions and sometimes bok choy, this dish is a go-to for those looking for a great choice to serve with chicken fried rice.
12. Crab Rangoon
Encased in a thin, deep-fried wonton wrapper, these golden wontons offer a delightful crunchy texture on the outside and a creamy, flavorful inside. Served with a side of sweet and sour sauce, Crab Rangoon is a crowd-pleaser that never fails to satisfy and makes a good fried rice side or starter!
13. Beef and Broccoli
Beef and Broccoli is a classic Asian dish! This stir-fry combines tender slices of beef with crisp broccoli florets. Coated in a savory brown sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, this dish is a great recipe to serve with any fried rice recipe.
14. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken is a really popular Chinese food made with crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Serving this Chinese cuisine with your favorite chicken fried rice recipe makes a hearty and majorly satisfying meal!
15. General Tso’s Chicken
This is yet another classic Chinese dish that is great with chicken fried rice! General Tso’s Chicken packs perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Made with crispy, deep-fried chicken chunks coated in a rich and glossy sauce, this meal usually incorporates garlic, ginger, and chili peppers for an extra kick.
