Want to know what to eat with tandoori chicken? Here are 12 tasty side dishes that won’t take away from the chicken’s great taste. From rice to veggies, potatoes, and tasty dips – all perfect for an amazing meal!.
Tandoori chicken – imagine plump, juicy chicken bursting with fragrant Indian spices. It’s like the Indian king of barbecue chicken.
While amazing on its own, sometimes you want some delicious sides to complete the meal. Here are some perfect options that won’t overpower your star dish. Most are vegetarian, too, for a balanced and tasty spread!.
A cool, spicy and tangy green chutney. This no-cook mint cilantro chutney is a must try accompaniment to tandoori chicken.
This easy homemade Indian Cucumber Raita is so refreshing. Made with grated cucumber, yogurt, and flavored with spices, it a perfect easy side dish. Serve it as an accompaniment to biryani, pulao or any Indian meal.
This healthy satisfying kachumber salad is so easy and refreshing. Made with chopped veggies and seasoned with spices, serve it as a side with any Indian food. It is vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.
This popular Indian salad – sliced onion rings tossed in a tangy, spicy dressing and fresh herbs, makes it a perfect accompaniment for your Indian curry. This is not only gluten-free but a no-oil salad. Perfect for Vegetarians and Vegans!.
This Chickpea Salad is a healthy, vegan, protein-rich salad that is easy to put together in just 10 minutes. Chickpeas are combined with fresh veggies, flavored with Indian spices along with tangy lemon juice. Perfect for a snack or quick lunch!.
Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish. It is made with chicken that has been seasoned with ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili peppers in yogurt. Traditionally, it is cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, which gives the dish its unique charred taste. Tandoori chicken is tasty on its own, but it’s even better when served with side dishes that go well with it. There are 15 tasty things you can cook with tandoori chicken in this article.
Popular Side Dishes for Tandoori Chicken
The following are some of the most common and tasty side dishes that go well with tandoori chicken.
1. Naan or Roti
A type of flatbread like naan or roti is one of the most classic pairings with tandoori chicken. The soft, warm bread is perfect for sopping up the flavorful juices and spices left behind on the plate after eating the chicken. Plain naan allows the flavors of the chicken to shine, while garlic or onion naan can add even more flavor.
2. Basmati Rice
Fluffy basmati rice, ideally flavored with cumin or turmeric, provides the perfect blank canvas for the bold spices and flavors of tandoori chicken. The rice soaks up the chicken juices and helps moderate the heat Try coconut or lemon rice for a flavor twist
3. Raita
Cool and creamy raita, made from yogurt, spices, and shredded veggies, helps provide relief from the spicy heat of the chicken. The yogurt-based dish adds a tangy, cooling complement to the charred savoriness of the meat.
4. Salad
Tangy chicken goes well with a simple salad of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and vinaigrette. The fresh herbs and vegetables help cut through the strong, rich flavors.
5. Chutney
Chutneys made from coriander, mint, tamarind, or other herbs and spices make food taste even better. You can put them on the side so you can dip the chicken in them or drizzle them right on top.
More Indian-Inspired Side Dishes
In addition to the classics try these other Indian-inspired sides that work well with tandoori chicken
6. Samosas
These crispy, savory pastries stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas make a delicious starter or side. The flaky pastry shells contrast nicely with the tender chicken.
7. Pakoras
These tasty veggie fritters made from chickpea flour batter are perfect for scooping up those last bits of chicken and sauce. Try paneer or spinach pakoras.
8. Dal
Lentil dals flavored with ginger, garlic, and other aromatic spices pair wonderfully with tandoori chicken. Try options like yellow dal tadka or red masoor dal.
9. Aloo Gobi
This potato and cauliflower dish sautéed with tomato, spices, and cilantro offers a nice vegetarian side option. The interplay of textures between the tender chicken and crunchy cauliflower is great.
10. Papadums
These thin, crispy lentil crackers offer a crunchy, light accompaniment. They’re great for serving with chutneys or dipping in the chicken juices.
Global Side Dishes
Don’t feel limited to just Indian-style sides! Tandoori chicken also pairs well with these global options:
11. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or Brussels sprouts caramelized with spices make a delicious, colorful side.
12. Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with garlic, rosemary, or other herbs are an easy, satisfying pairing.
13. Israeli Couscous
Nutty, chewy Israeli couscous tossed with lemon, herbs, and olive oil offers a Mediterranean twist.
14. Quinoa Tabouli
This fresh quinoa salad with tomatoes, parsley, mint, and lemon juice adds nutrition and bright flavor.
15. Hummus and Pita
Serving hummus and warm pita wedges alongside chicken tandoori can be an appetizing way to incorporate Middle Eastern flavors.
Tips for Serving Tandoori Chicken with Sides
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Allow the chicken to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking before serving to allow juices to reabsorb.
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Garnish the chicken with chopped cilantro or mint and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
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Offer a yogurt-based dip like raita or hummus for dipping the chicken.
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Set out lemon or lime wedges for squeezing over the chicken to balance the spices.
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Add a cooling salad like cucumber raita on the same plate to moderate the heat.
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Offer naan or other bread for tearing off pieces to wrap the chicken in.
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Scatter the chicken on top of rice or quinoa pilaf for an easy complete meal.
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Mix together a few different chutneys in small bowls for sampling different flavors.
Potato & Vegetable Sides
Baby Potatoes cooked with aromatic spices, as a one-pot dish, are perfect to serve as an appetizer or a side dish. These delicious and easy Bombay Potatoes take just 20 minutes to make in the Instant Pot or on stovetop.
Get the Spicy Bombay Potatoes recipe.
This Air Fryer Cauliflower with spices is simple to make and tastes amazing with cilantro yogurt sauce on top. Enjoy as a wonderful low-carb side dish or appetizer.
Get the Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe.
This fragrant and flavorful Turmeric Rice is a healthy alternative to your usual white rice. This colorful rice is easy to make on the stove or in an instant pot. Just follow my recipe.
Get the Turmeric Yellow Rice recipe.
Aromatic Basmati Rice flavored with lemon juice, mustard seeds, ginger and topped with roasted peanuts.
Get the Lemon Rice recipe.
This fragrant and flavorful Peas Pulao (Matar Pulao) is a staple in most Indian homes. Basmati rice is cooked with whole spices and green peas. Pair this peas pulao as a side dish with any chicken dish.
Get the Peas Pulao recipe.
A quick and easy meal – Quinoa & Vegetable Pulao. Quinoa has become a popular choice due to its high protein content and it is perfect paired with veggies for a healthy side dish.
Get the Quinoa & Vegetable Pilaf recipe.
One-pot Vegetable Biryani is very simple to make but still tastes great! It’s made with fragrant basmati rice, lots of vegetables, and whole spices and herbs that smell great.
Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.
Want to make a complete Indian meal? Check out Indian dinner menu ideas and fusion Indian recipes.
What do you like to serve with your Tandoori Chicken curries? Share in the comments your favorite sides.
Did You Need a Simple Tandoori Chicken Recipe?
FAQ
What to serve with tandoori chicken?
This no-cook mint cilantro chutney is a must try accompaniment to tandoori chicken. Get the Cilantro Chutney recipe. This easy homemade Indian Cucumber Raita is so refreshing. Made with grated cucumber, yogurt, and flavored with spices, it a perfect easy side dish. Serve it as an accompaniment to biryani, pulao or any Indian meal.
Can tandoori chicken be cooked in a tandoor?
Indian Mango Lassi: Since both tandoori chicken and fresh naan are traditionally made in a tandoor, this dish has its roots in the Moti Mahal. But since most Western homes aren’t tandoor-equipped, here are some bread recipes you can prepare in the comfort of your home.
Is tandoori chicken vegetarian?
Tandoori chicken is the Indian answer to the best barbecued chicken, and while it is impressive enough on its own, sometimes you need a few sides to round off your meal. All the sides mentioned below have been carefully selected so that they won’t overpower your main dish. Most but one are vegetarian to balance out your menu.
Can you eat paneer with tandoori chicken?
Just like potatoes, paneer is a safe bet as a side. This firm cheese is made for frying and grilling. I chose these dry paneer recipes specifically for their unique flavors that go so well with tandoori chicken.
What is grilled tandoori chicken?
Grilled tandoori chicken is tender and juicy on the inside while maintaining a nice char on the outside, and it has the eye-catching red hue you expect from restaurant-style tandoori chicken. Coated in a homemade tandoori marinade before grilling the chicken to perfection.
What Chutney goes with tandoori chicken?
Mint chutney is a treat for your eyes and taste buds. It is a refreshing chutney with mint, yogurt, green chilies, cilantro, and a few other ingredients to give a refreshing touch to your tandoori chicken. This chutney can also be made and frozen for later use. 12. Cucumber Tomato Chili Salad Tandoori chicken pairs well with this salad.
What is tandoori chicken best accompanied with?
What do you eat with tandoori chicken? Traditionally tandoori chicken is served over basmati rice. You can also serve it with quinoa or brown rice for a healthier grain. For sides, you can serve lettuce cups, warm naan, or roasted vegetables. Why is tandoori chicken red?.
What is usually served with tandoori chicken?
- Cucumber Mint Raita.
- Saffron Rice Pilaf.
- Homemade Naan.
- Mango Lassi (after the meal to aid digestion)
What do I eat with tandoori chicken?
Tzatziki. It may be Greek, but the tanginess of tzatziki is the perfect complement to tandoori chicken and it goes well with samosas and naan bread too. Oct 17, 2019.
What can you do with tandoori chicken?
In a 30-minute dinner, Spiced Tandoori Chicken wrapped in toasted naan with fresh vegetables and chutney is the best thing you could make. You can eat it as a wrap or add it to a bowl of rice or salad.