Knowing what veggies go with sweet and sour chicken can be tough.
After all, sweet and sour chicken is a bit of an unconventional dish. But don’t worry, I’m here to help!
I’ve rounded up 11 of the best veggies to serve with sweet and sour chicken.
Whether you are looking for a veggie that will absorb the sweetness of the sauce or one that will add a bit of crunch, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.
So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these veggies a try the next time you make sweet and sour chicken!
What Veg Goes with Sweet and Sour Chicken?
The best vegetables to serve with sweet and sour chicken are green bell peppers, onions, carrots, and pineapple. You can also add in red bell peppers, celery, or broccoli for more color and flavor.
But there are many more delicious options!
Check out this complete list of the best vegetables to serve with sweet and sour chicken:
1. Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are sweet and plump with a crunchy texture, making them a perfect match for sweet and sour chicken.
There are many different ways you can cook bell peppers with sweet and sour chicken, but some of the most popular methods include stir-frying, roasting, and sauteing.
- Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook bell peppers and chicken together in one dish. Simply add bite-sized pieces of bell pepper to the pan along with your chicken, and cook until both are evenly browned.
- Roasting bell peppers gives them a slight char which pairs well with the sweetness of the sauce. Cut your bell peppers into thin strips, toss with olive oil, and roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
- Sauteing is another simple method that allows the bell peppers to retain their crunch while still being coated in the delicious sweet and sour sauce. Cut your bell peppers into small pieces, add them to the pan with your chicken, and cook until both are cooked through.
See Also: What Rice Goes with Sweet and Sour Chicken?
2. Onions
Onions are often used in recipes for sweet and sour chicken.
They can be used in a few different ways, such as being diced and added to the sauce, or they can be cut into rings and fried along with the chicken.
Onions have a natural sweetness to them, which helps to balance out the flavors in the dish.
They also add a bit of crunch and texture, which contrasts well with the tenderness of the chicken.
3. Carrots
Carrots add color, sweetness, and a little bit of crunch to sweet and sour chicken.
There are many different ways that you can cook carrots with sweet and sour chicken.
- One popular way is to julienne the carrots, or cut them into thin strips, and then stir-fry them with the chicken.
- Another way is to roast the carrots in the oven with the chicken.
- Or, if you want something a little bit different, you could even pickle the carrots and use them as a topping for your sweet and sour chicken.
No matter how you choose to cook them, carrots are a great addition to sweet and sour chicken.
4. Kale
Kale has a strong flavor that can really stand up to the bold flavors in sweet and sour chicken.
It also has a bit of a crunch to it, which is a nice contrast to the tenderness of the chicken.
There are a few different ways that you can cook kale to go with sweet and sour chicken.
- You can simply saute it in some oil until it is wilted down.
- Or, you could roast it in the oven at a high temperature until it is crispy.
- Another option would be to massage it with some oil and then let it sit for a few minutes before adding it to the dish. This will help to soften it up and make it more palatable.
Whichever way you choose to cook it, kale is a great vegetable to pair with sweet and sour chicken.
5. Celery
There are many different ways that you can cook celery with sweet and sour chicken.
One way is to stir-fry the celery with the chicken.
Another way is to add the celery into the sweet and sour sauce.
You can also bake or grill the sweet and sour chicken with some celery on the side.
Celery is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many different ways.
6. Broccoli
Broccoli isn’t everybody’s favorite vegetable.
In fact, it’s often one of the most maligned veggies out there.
But I think broccoli is great, and I especially love it in sweet and sour chicken recipes.
The thing about broccoli is that it soaks up flavors really well.
So when you marinate or sauce your chicken, the broccoli will absorb all those delicious flavors too.
Plus, broccoli has a bit of a crunch to it, which contrasts nicely with the softness of the chicken.
And we all know that texture is important in a good meal!
7. Cauliflower
Cauliflower soaks up flavors really well, making it the perfect candidate for sweet and sour chicken.
The cauliflower will act as a vessel to hold all the deliciousness of the sauce while still being a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals.
Cauliflower is also incredibly versatile.
You can roast it, sauté it, or even fry it.
This means that you can easily incorporate it into your sweet and sour chicken without having to change up your recipe too much.
8. Peas
Peas are like little balls of flavor and they are the perfect size for sweet and sour chicken.
They have a slightly sweet flavor that is offset by their crunchy texture.
They also happen to be one of the healthiest vegetables around.
So not only are they delicious, but they are good for you too!
I like to add peas to my sweet and sour chicken because they add a nice pop of color and an extra layer of flavor.
9. Corn
Corn needs no introduction.
It’s a classic side that goes with so many different main dishes, and sweet and sour chicken is no different.
I love corn because it’s sweet, crunchy, and pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the chicken.
It also adds a pop of color to the dish, making it even more visually appealing.
Corn is such an versatile ingredient and can be used in so many different ways. You can use it fresh, frozen, or canned.
10. Geen Beans
Geen beans is one of those veggies that can go with just about anything.
But I especially love it with sweet and sour chicken.
The sweetness of the sauce pairs so well with the beans, and the crunchiness of the beans is a nice contrast to the chicken.
Plus, green beans are packed with vitamins and minerals, so they make a great addition to any meal.
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more veggies into your diet, or if you’re just looking for a new side dish to try, give green beans a try!
11. Bamboo Shoots
Lastly, why not try something new, like bamboo shoots?
I love bamboo shoots because they have a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.
They also have a firm texture, which contrasts well with the chicken.
And, they’re packed with nutrients!
How to Choose A Vegetable For Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you just aren’t sure what goes well with sweet and sour chicken, here are three things to consider when choosing a vegetable:
- Color: You want a mix of colors on your plate, so choose a vegetable that will add some contrast to the chicken. Green beans or snow peas would be good choices.
- Texture: Consider how the vegetable will hold up when it’s cooked. You don’t want something that will get mushy, so avoid delicate vegetables like spinach or kale. Broccoli, carrots, and peppers are all good options.
- Flavor: The vegetable should be able to stand up to the strong flavors in the sauce without getting lost. Again, broccoli or carrots would work well here.
What Veg Goes with Sweet and Sour Chicken? (11 Best Veggies)
Ingredients
- Bell Peppers
- Onions
- Carrots
- Kale
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Corn
- Geen Beans
- Bamboo Shoots
Instructions
- Pick your favorite vegetables from this post to use with your chicken dish.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Enjoy in no time!