What To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken: 29+ Best Side Dishes [With Pictures]

Wondering what to serve with teriyaki chicken? The best options for pairing perfectly with teriyaki chicken are vegetables, roasted, steamed, and stir-fried – both perfect; grains like simple steamed white rice or quinoa; noodles like ramen or udon noodles; breads like Hawaiian sweet rolls or tortillas; and beverages like ginger ale.

• Vegetables: Steamed or grilled asparagus, stir-fried vegetables, roasted Brussels Sprouts, Asian slaw, seaweed salad, cucumber salad, potato dishes, steamed broccoli
• Grains: Steamed white rice, brown rice, fried rice, sticky rice, quinoa, bulgur, cauliflower rice
• Noodles: Soba noodles, udon noodles, rice noodles, ramen
• Breads: Hawaiian sweet rolls, sesame seed buns, Asian-style bao buns, French baguettes, tortillas
• Beverages: Green tea, sake, white wine, light beer, ginger ale

What Vegetables To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

Steamed or grilled asparagus

This is a nutritious and simple-to-prepare side dish you can have ready in about 15 minutes. It’s light but flavorful, making it a nice balance to the savory chicken.

Stir-fried vegetables

Think about tossing some green beans, bell peppers, and carrots in a pan. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra touch. It’s quick to make and complements the main dish well.

Roasted brussels sprouts

These take longer to cook, but they are well worth the wait. Their crispy edges and soft centers make them an appetizer or side that pairs nicely with chicken teriyaki.

Asian slaw

This Asian dish is easy to make and perfectly complements the teriyaki chicken on a plate. It includes soy sauce, sesame oil, and some teriyaki sauce for an Asian twist. It’s a fantastic dish to serve if you’re looking to balance out the sweet and savory sauce of the chicken.

Seaweed salad

This traditional Japanese dish pairs wonderfully with teriyaki chicken, a Japanese favorite. The salty, umami flavors of the seaweed salad offer a nice contrast to the tasty teriyaki sauce on the chicken.

Cucumber salad

Cucumber salad is great for a lighter, more refreshing option. It usually features a simple salad dressing made from soy sauce and sesame oil, making it a harmonious companion to dishes like teriyaki chicken.

Potato dishes

When considering what to serve with teriyaki chicken, a delicious Japanese dish, don’t overlook the power of potatoes. Mashed potatoes and sweet potato fries are the high-rated recommendations.

Steamed broccoli

Steamed broccoli is an easy, nutritious side dish that pairs well with teriyaki chicken. You can drizzle some teriyaki sauce over the broccoli for added flavor.

What Grains To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

Steamed white rice

Steamed white rice is a common accompaniment for teriyaki chicken. Its mild flavor and fluffy texture complement the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.

Brown rice

If you’re looking for a more nutritious option, brown rice is an excellent choice. It has a slightly nuttier flavor and retains the bran layer, giving it a chewier texture and higher nutritional value than white rice. Brown rice complements the sweet and savory notes of teriyaki sauce well.

Fried rice

Fried rice provides a delightful contrast in texture to teriyaki chicken. The rice is typically fried until it becomes slightly crispy on the outside while remaining tender. This textural interplay adds a satisfying element to your meal, as the tender chicken and crispy rice create a dynamic eating experience.

Sticky rice

In Japanese cuisine, sticky rice, or glutinous rice, is often served with teriyaki chicken. This type of rice has a unique, glutinous, and slightly sweet quality, making it a great match for the flavorful teriyaki sauce. Its sticky texture also helps absorb the sauce, enhancing the dining experience.

Quinoa

For those seeking a more protein-rich and gluten-free alternative, quinoa is an excellent grain choice. It has a delightful nutty flavor and a light, fluffy texture. Quinoa pairs nicely with teriyaki chicken, adding a distinct taste and nutritional boost.

Bulgur

Bulgur is a whole grain rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When paired with teriyaki chicken, which provides protein and flavor, you create a balanced meal combining lean protein benefits with complex carbohydrates and essential nutrients.

Cauliflower rice

If you’re looking for a low-carb or keto-friendly alternative to traditional rice, cauliflower rice is an innovative choice. It’s made by finely chopping cauliflower into rice-sized pieces and can be sautéed or steamed. While it doesn’t taste exactly like rice, it can provide a similar texture and pair well with teriyaki chicken while keeping the meal low in carbohydrates.

What Noodles To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

Soba noodles

These Japanese noodles pair excellently with teriyaki chicken and can be dressed simply with a bit of soy sauce or even some teriyaki sauce for a cohesive meal. Enjoy it as a side, or mix it directly with your chicken pieces for a one-bowl wonder.

Udon noodles

Thicker than soba, udon noodles provide a different texture that goes well with teriyaki chicken. They are an excellent side that can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Rice noodles

These are some of the best side dishes for teriyaki chicken if you want a gluten-free option. They’re light and absorb flavors well, including teriyaki sauce, making them a great choice for pairing with chicken breasts or thighs.

Ramen

Serving teriyaki chicken with ramen is a delightful way to enjoy a fusion of flavors and textures. Teriyaki chicken is known for its sweet and savory flavors, which can complement the rich and savory broth of ramen. The umami in the ramen broth can balance the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce, creating a harmonious taste profile.

What Breads To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

Hawaiian sweet rolls

Hawaiian sweet rolls are known for their soft, slightly sweet nature, making them an enjoyable choice to accompany teriyaki chicken. These rolls can be used to create sliders or simply served alongside the chicken to balance the flavors.

Sesame seed buns

For those interested in crafting teriyaki chicken sandwiches, sesame seed buns offer an enticing, nutty undertone that pairs harmoniously with the teriyaki sauce. The buns’ softness complements the tender chicken.

Asian-style bao buns

Steamed or fluffy Asian-style bao buns are another intriguing option. They can make teriyaki chicken-filled bao buns enhanced with slaw or pickled vegetables for added complexity and texture.

French baguette

You can use a crusty French baguette to make teriyaki chicken sandwiches for a fusion twist. The crunch of the bread contrasts nicely with the tender chicken.

Tortillas

You can use soft tortillas (flour or corn) to make teriyaki chicken wraps if you prefer a wrap-style option. Add some coleslaw or fresh vegetables for added texture and flavor.

What Beverages To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

Green tea

This classic choice pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine. Green tea has a light, fresh flavor that complements the richness of the teriyaki chicken side dish well.

Sake

If you’re up for alcohol, sake is a traditional Japanese rice wine that goes perfectly with teriyaki chicken. Sake’s subtle sweetness and fruity notes can bring out the flavors in the chicken, usually served in a teriyaki sauce.

White wine

A crisp and dry white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, can work well with teriyaki chicken. These wines’ acidity and citrus notes can balance the sauce’s sweetness.

Light beer

A light lager or a Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi can be a refreshing choice with teriyaki chicken. The enthusiasm and mild bitterness of beer can cut through the dish’s richness.

Ginger ale

The ginger flavor in these non-alcoholic beverages can complement the ginger and garlic notes in teriyaki sauce. Plus, they provide a sweet and fizzy contrast.

References:

• Wikipedia – Ramen – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramen
• Wikipedia – Tortilla – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortilla