What Goes Good with Chicken Fried Rice? 20 Amazing Side Dishes to Serve

People all over the world love chicken fried rice, which is a classic comfort food. There is no better way to enjoy soft chicken, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and vegetables than this. But after a while, eating chicken fried rice by itself can get old. That’s why it’s important to find tasty sides that go well with this meal.

I’ve made chicken fried rice at home a lot of times and have tried all sorts of sides to make it taste even better. I’ve tried a lot of different side dishes and have found that 20 of them go really well with chicken fried rice. There are crispy appetizers and hearty mains to choose from, so you can make a plate that is well-balanced.

If you’re looking for ways to jazz up chicken fried rice for dinner, keep reading for my top recommendations on what goes good with this favorite!

Best Chicken Fried Rice Side Dishes

1. Garlic Green Beans

Fresh green beans seasoned with garlic and chili oil is a perfect veggie side The green beans provide crunch while the chili oil kicks up the spice level. This pairs wonderfully with the salty-sweet flavor of chicken fried rice

2. Steamed Dumplings

What’s better than a dumpling? Steamed dumplings with their chewy skin and tasty filling are the ultimate comfort food. When you eat pork or vegetable dumplings with fried rice, the soft and crispy textures go really well together.

3. Kimchi

The sour and spicy kimchi brings out the flavors in the fried rice. You can make your own kimchi or buy it at the store for a quick Korean side dish. The fermented cabbage gives the chicken fried rice a kick of heat and acidity that cuts through the rich flavors.

4. Sesame Noodles

Cold sesame noodles tossed with creamy peanut sauce make a refreshing change of pace from fried rice. The nutty sesame dressing and chewy noodles complement the light sweetness of the fried rice.

5. Egg Rolls

Crispy egg rolls are a no-brainer pairing with chicken fried rice. This Chinese restaurant staple provides crunch to contrast with the soft rice. Make them at home with ground chicken or tofu for a satisfying appetizer.

6. Fried Tofu

Fried tofu cubes lend great texture to balance out fried rice’s texture. Coat the tofu in cornstarch and fry until golden. Then toss in your favorite glaze like sweet chili or teriyaki sauce. The tofu soaks up the sauce beautifully.

7. Potstickers

Much like dumplings and egg rolls, pan-fried potstickers make a tasty pairing with chicken fried rice. Their crispy browned bottoms and tender wrappers are so addicting. Keep a bag of frozen potstickers on hand for quick dinners.

8. Asian Slaw

For a fresh, crunchy side, whip up this Asian slaw. Shredded cabbage and carrots are tossed in a ginger sesame dressing for a sweet-tangy flavor. The cool slaw contrasts wonderfully with piping hot fried rice.

9. Edamame

Warm, salty edamame sprinkled with sesame seeds complements chicken fried rice flawlessly. These addictive soybeans pack protein and fiber to turn your meal into a well-rounded dinner.

10. Fried Rice Cakes

If you can’t get enough of that fried rice flavor, double down with crispy rice cakes! These pan-fried rice cakes develop an irresistible golden crust on the outside while remaining soft inside. The bonus crunch takes your dinner to new heights.

11. Spring Rolls

Both fresh and fried spring rolls pair nicely with chicken fried rice. Fill spring roll wrappers with shredded veggies and greens for a lighter option. Or use ground meat for heartier deep-fried spring rolls. Dip them in peanut sauce for a flavor explosion.

12. Bok Choy

Quick-cooked bok choy sautéed with garlic adds vitamin-rich greens to your plate. The mild flavor of bok choy leaves room for the fried rice to shine. Other greens like broccoli or asparagus also make tasty pairings.

13. Fried Rice

If the fried rice is really hitting the spot, make another batch as a side! Trying different styles like vegetable fried rice, shrimp fried rice, or kimchi fried rice gives you flavor variety.

14. Miso Soup

A comforting bowl of miso soup with tofu and seaweed balances the textures and flavors of chicken fried rice. The savory umami broth and soft tofu provide warmth alongside the fried rice.

15. Beef and Broccoli

For a heartier side, beef and broccoli is a winner. Flank steak or sirloin paired with broccoli florets in a brown sauce gives you a meat and veggie duo. The bold beef flavor stands up to the chicken fried rice wonderfully.

16. Fried Vegetables

Almost any vegetable tastes great stir-fried! Try favorites like zucchini, green beans, broccoli, carrots, or snap peas. Toss in garlic, sesame oil, oyster sauce andfinish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

17. Tempura Vegetables

Crispy tempura vegetables like green beans, sweet potato, and zucchini make fantastic finger food with fried rice. The light tempura batter lets the vegetable flavor shine. Serve with a dipping sauce for dunking.

18. Orange Chicken

Sweet, tangy orange chicken is a popular takeout dish for good reason. Breaded and fried chicken gets smothered in a sticky citrus sauce. The sweet and slight sour notes balance the savory fried rice impeccably.

19. Crab Rangoon

These crispy wontons filled with cream cheese and crab are irresistible. The creamy filling combined with the fried exterior makes a delightful texture contrast to fluffy fried rice. Ready-to-eat crab rangoon can be found in the freezer section.

20. Fried Rice Balls

For fried rice fanatics, try whipped up these deep-fried rice balls for the perfect side. Cooked rice gets shaped into balls, coated in cornstarch, then fried until perfectly crisp on the outside. Popping one after a bite of chicken fried rice is bliss.

Top Tips for Serving Chicken Fried Rice

• Choose a vegetable side for balance like sautéed greens, slaw, or kimchi.

• Pick a crispy appetizer like egg rolls, dumplings, or spring rolls for texture contrast.

• Add a protein like beef, shrimp, or extra chicken for a heartier meal.

• For convenience, keep frozen potstickers, edamame, and crab rangoon on hand.

• Swap out the chicken in the fried rice for a mix of shrimp and pork.

• Whip up a batch of vegetable fried rice for a change of flavors.

• Offer dipping sauces like sweet chili, soy sauce, duck sauce, or hot mustard.

• Add some tang and spice with kimchi, pickled vegetables, or spicy mayo.

• Set out condiments like chili oil, sesame seeds, and sriracha.

• For drinks, cold beer, boba tea, iced green tea, and ginger ale work nicely.

Satisfy Your Chicken Fried Rice Craving

Chicken fried rice is satisfying on its own but really shines when matched with the right sides. I hope these 20 side dish ideas have sparked inspiration for your next chicken fried rice dinner! With the perfect combination of flavors, textures, and colors, you can create a mouthwatering meal that feels like you’re dining at a restaurant. So pick your favorite sides and get ready to enjoy chicken fried rice in a whole new way.