Want to know what to serve with coconut chicken? This simple dinner recipe is great on its own, but it tastes even better with a great side dish. From coconut jasmine rice to roasted potatoes, the options are endless. With one of these sides, you’re sure to create a meal the whole family will love!.
Coconut chicken is a comforting chicken dinner that’s loaded with juicy chicken in a rich and creamy coconut milk sauce. It’s incredibly tasty and, of course, deserves a couple of incredibly tasty side dishes to round it out.
Fortunately, you have tons of options! I’ve put together a list of perfect pairings for coconut chicken so next time you whip up this chicken dinner, you’ll know exactly what to serve it with.
When you make coconut chicken, chicken goes from boring to exotic and tasty in an instant. The chicken tastes sweet and tropical thanks to the coconut milk marinade, which also keeps it very moist and tender.
While coconut chicken is tasty on its own, the right side dishes can take your meal from good to incredible! The key is finding sides that complement and enhance the flavors of the chicken so every bite is amazing.
It’s time for coconut chicken! Here are 15 of my favorite side dishes to go with it. There’s something here for every taste, from crisp, fresh salads to warm, creamy potatoes. Let’s dive in!.
Refreshing Salads
A light, fresh salad is the perfect complement to rich coconut chicken. The tangy, crunchy components cut through the creamy sauce for fantastic contrast.
1. Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is vibrant fresh and full of tropical flavor. Diced mangoes, red onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice combine for a sweet and tangy condiment. The juicy mangoes match the richness of the coconut sauce.
2. Thai Cucumber Salad
A refreshing salad with red onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, and a dressing that is sweet, sour, and a little spicy Fresh herbs like mint and cilantro add zest. It’s an ideal balance for creamy coconut chicken.
3. Avocado Salad
Creamy avocado ripe tomatoes and red onions in a tangy lime vinaigrette provides a nutritious, refreshing kick. Vibrant colors make it as appealing as it is tasty.
Savory Starches
Warm, comforting starches soak up the luscious coconut sauce beautifully. The interplay of textures takes the meal to new heights.
4. Coconut Rice
Cooking rice in coconut milk creates a fragrant, tropical side dish with a subtly sweet flavor. It mirrors and enhances the coconut chicken perfectly.
5. Cilantro Lime Rice
Fresh lime juice and cilantro give rice a bright, zesty twist. The citrus pops against the coconut milk for an exciting flavor contrast.
6. Quinoa
Fluffy quinoa tossed with fresh herbs and vegetables makes a protein-packed, lighter side. It soaks up the sauce nicely without weighing things down.
7. Baked Potatoes
A perfect baked potato is fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin. It’s nostalgic, hearty comfort food that pairs wonderfully with coconut chicken.
8. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are irresistible with coconut chicken. Two rich, smooth textures combine for an ultra-comforting experience.
Crunchy Veggies
Fresh vegetables add color, nutrients, and crunch. Their brightness balances the chicken’s richness for a well-rounded meal.
9. Roasted Broccoli
Nutritious broccoli florets roasted with olive oil, garlic, and spices become caramelized and addictive. The char adds depth of flavor.
10. Sauteed Green Beans
Quick-cooking green beans sauteed with olive oil, garlic, and seasonings until slightly crisp-tender retain their vibrancy and crunch.
11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roasted in the oven become crispy, caramelized, and nutty – a tasty accompaniment with great textural appeal.
Sweet Accents
A touch of natural sweetness accentuates the coconut flavors beautifully. Fruits lend refreshing vibrancy as well.
12. Grilled Pineapple
Caramelized pineapple grilled until slightly charred has a wonderful smoky-sweet complexity. It brings out the chicken’s tropical essence.
13. Baked Apples
Warm baked apples are nostalgic, cozy comfort food. Their tender sweetness mingles flawlessly with the coconut milk sauce.
14. Coconut Fried Bananas
Sliced bananas fried in coconut oil emerge warm, soft, and coated in toasty coconut – an indulgent tropical treat.
Starchy Sides
Hearty starches like rice, potatoes, and breads make splendid bases to soak up every last drop of luscious coconut sauce.
15. Jasmine Rice
Fragrant jasmine rice, popular in Southeast Asian cuisine, offers a sweet, floral foundation for rich coconut chicken.
16. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Natural sugars caramelize when sweet potatoes roast, creating a deliciously sweet and savory side dish.
17. Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread fresh from the oven completes the meal. The rich garlic butter seeps into every nook.
Final Thoughts
From bright, crunchy salads to starchy and sweet comfort foods, the possibilities are endless. With the right sides, coconut chicken goes from great to unforgettable. Now get cooking and enjoy!
What is Coconut Chicken Made Of?
My favorite coconut chicken recipe is my own version of coconut lime chicken. It has juicy chicken thighs in a rich sauce made with garlic, lime juice, full-fat coconut milk, and a little brown sugar for sweetness.
What Does Lime Juice Do to Chicken?
Lime juice serves a couple of purposes in a chicken dish like coconut chicken. First and most obviously, it adds a delicious, bright, tangy flavor.
The other purpose of lime juice is to help tenderize the chicken. The acidity in the citrus juice helps break down the meat fibers creating a juicer, more tender texture.
Creamy Coconut Chicken – Dinner in 30 Minutes
FAQ
What is a good side dish with coconut chicken?
For side dishes, you can pair this with something like Crunchy Cabbage Salad with Sesame Dressing, Cucumber Mango Salad, or Savory Coconut Rice.
What goes well with coconut-crusted chicken?
Bake until the chicken is cooked through, 5-7 minutes. Serve immediately. Coconut crusted chicken is great with sliced avocado, a simple salad, cilantro lime rice + a tropical salsa, or on its own! We love dipping our coconut chicken into cilantro lime cashew crema, which is a fridge staple at our house.
What to eat with coconut curry chicken?
It’s delicious with whatever veggies you have on hand (I used a red bell pepper, some cremini mushrooms, snow peas, and a few handfuls of baby spinach). You can serve it over anything. White rice is the most traditional, but I think it would be great over quinoa or cauliflower rice, too.
What to pair with coconut lime chicken?
Sliced bell peppers and cauliflower or broccoli florets are good choices. I like to serve coconut lime chicken with rice to soak up all of the sauce, but it would be equally good over freshly cooked noodles.