What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

There are many dishes unique to Japan.

And we are very much thankful to them mainly for giving us teriyaki chicken.

You have probably heard the term. But if you have not, teriyaki combines two Japanese words.

“Teri” stands for “shining,” and “yaki” means “broiling or grilling”.

Teriyaki is a sauce made of special wines like sake or mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.

When you glaze your chicken with this, you get that distinct teriyaki look, i.e, juicy and shiny with grill patterns.

You can pretty much “teriyaki” a variety of food items.

But grilling chicken with this wonderful sauce is a crowd pleaser.

It is a Japanese invention but is enjoyed worldwide, especially in the United States.

Teriyaki chicken is a main dish and undoubtedly calls for side dishes.

If you are picky about what to serve with teriyaki chicken, check out our seven best side dishes below.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Teriyaki Chicken?

With teriyaki chicken, you get a multitude of flavors.

But what good is a meat dish without any sides? You will find it a bit boring just chewing on your chicken by itself.

A simple dipping sauce can work wonders, while a salad bowl will take things even higher.

Any side dish works well when there is meat as the main star.

Sides also add variety, texture, and health benefits.

Plus, having side dishes will complement the chicken well.

They fill in the gap between flavors and add essential missing elements to the meat.

All in all, it adds to the overall experience of the meal.

What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Edamame Salad

It is only fitting that we start this list with another Japanese classic.

Yes, we are talking about edamame.

Making a salad with these immature beans is a step up from regular salads.

Edamame beans have a rich nutty flavor that will complement your sweet chicken well.

And did we mention that they’re nutritious as well?

You can toast them lightly with a little salt and pepper for a simple serving.

But if you want more, there’s no harm in experimenting.

Adding other veggies and seasonings will enhance the taste more.

2 – Grilled Asparagus with Garlic and Sesame Sauce

Asparagus is a mainstay when you’re serving meat.

They have a pleasingly pungent smell that works well with different meats, particularly chicken.

Grilling them lightly before serving is a classic.

But you can do much more by coating them with garlic and sesame sauce.

The nutty taste of sesame and garlic oil brings everything together.

It adds character to the asparagus stalks, which already look pleasant when served.

And if coating them isn’t enough, mix them and serve them as a dipping sauce.

You get two for the price of one.

3 – Yasai Itame

With some inspiration from the Chinese, the Japanese made stir frying a mainstay in their kitchens.

And this gave us Yasai Itame. Yasai Itame is another side dish that will bring variety to the table.

It is a stir-fried dish that consists of vegetables and meat.

But you can exclude the meat if you do not want your meal to be too “meaty”.

The main ingredients include bean sprouts, ginger, carrot, onion, and chives.

But with a stir fry dish, there is endless freedom to choose.

No meat dish goes down well without veggies.

The fried vegetables with their crunchy and refreshing textures with sweet, savory chicken is a no-brainer.

4 – Fried Chili Potatoes

Meat and potatoes are the best combos for any meal.

But if you’re tired of the same old recipe, try chili potatoes.

This dish is an Indo-Chinese delicacy.

You fry your potatoes, toss, and mix them with a sweet and spicy sauce.

The result is a mouth-watering side dish, perfect for eating with your teriyaki chicken.

The coating sauce is a mashup of chilies, garlic, soy sauce, and spring onions.

You can add other condiments if needed. Chili potatoes are addictive.

Remember to serve them in small amounts, so they don’t overwhelm your taste buds.

5 – Vegetable Lo Mein

We doubt there is anyone who doesn’t love noodles.

If you love Chinese food, Lo Mein is probably your favorite.

And with chicken, it gets even better.

Firstly, you do not want to confuse Lo Mein with Chow Mein.

They are prepared slightly differently.

Although Lo Mein features boiled noodles, you want to stir-fry them to give them texture.

And since you already have meat on the menu, toss your favorite veggies.

This adds a delightful crunch, perfect with your sweet and juicy teriyaki chicken.

6 – Coleslaw

Mixing dishes from different parts are always good.

And coleslaw is a perfect way to add some Indo-European vibes to the menu.

A bowl of mildly crunchy coleslaw adds a pleasingly sour flavor.

This is a contrast from the sweet and Savory chicken.

But it is undoubtedly a good contrast as you get a different mix with each bite.

This Dutch side dish usually features shredded cabbage mixed with vinegar and salad dressing.

But you can drizzle in a bit of soy sauce or MSG if you want to give it some Asian vibes.

7 – Coconut Sticky Rice with Peanuts

How does a bowl of sticky rice with teriyaki chicken sound? There wouldn’t be “no” for an answer.

This particular recipe involves boiling the rice in coconut milk.

Once it’s done, scoop out a nice serving in a bowl.

Add grated peanuts and coconut shavings for more flavor, and serve.

With the sweet chicken, you’re going to go nuts (no pun intended).

The nutty aroma and taste complement your chicken so well.

This side dish will be a favorite for more dinner parties to come.

Conclusion

With a main course like teriyaki chicken, you want to keep the sides to a minimum.

You do not want to put “too much” into your mouth.

Side dishes like the ones we mentioned here are subtle and do not take away the goodness of the chicken.

That said, the options are uncountable.

A dish like a teriyaki chicken will welcome any side dish all day long.

Anything from a simple dipping sauce to a more gourmet option is a winner.

We hope you find the best side dish that suits your taste buds.

Go ahead and explore the endless possibilities.

And most importantly, Bon Appetit.