What to Serve with Apricot Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Simple yet delicious, apricot chicken has become a popular dish in many places.

If you haven't tasted the dish, it's chicken with apricot sauce.

It's been around for a while, and its popularity has only increased.

Apricot chicken isn't just delicious but also versatile.

You can also make the dish at home if you have the ingredients.

Even if you don't have fresh fruits, you can use apricot jam or canned variety.

But what to serve with apricot chicken?

Since it's versatile, you don't have to wonder much because you can serve plenty of items with apricot chicken.

7 Complementary Sides for Apricot Chicken

With that said, here is a list of the best seven side dishes you can enjoy with apricot chicken.

For a party-style take on side dishes that pair with saucy mains, chili party side dish ideas offers ten crowd-pleasing options.

1 - Rice Pilaf

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Rice and chicken; can you imagine the combination? It's heavenly and pure delight - try chicken fried rice side suggestions for more rice-based pairings.

Apricot chicken pairs well with any rice, but the pilaf takes the top spot.

With many variations being available, you can make your favorite pilaf version.

Pilaf is a rice or wheat dish (in some areas) that typically involves cooking in stock or broth and includes various ingredients such as spices, herbs, veggies, and meat.

You can eat the dish or pair it with other items.

If you are eating with a meat dish like apricot chicken, you can make a veggie version with raisins and herbs.

Two meat dishes can be pretty overwhelming for your palate.

So, a veggie version will balance the palate and also the flavors.

2 - Steam-Fried Vegetables

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What makes this dish unique is the fact that you use very little oil to fry the veggies and retain the beautiful colors; what's more, apricot chicken pairs nicely with vegetables - or consider tempura vegetable side ideas for a light fried option.

So you can serve them side by side.

You have plenty of veggies to choose from, so you can use whatever you have in the fridge.

Carrots, bell peppers, beans, and leafy veggies will taste amazing.

The method for the steam-fried veggies is to fry the ingredients quickly so that they retain the color and steam them until cooked.

Once done, you will have fragrant and colorful veggies ready to be served with the chicken.

3 - Garlic Noodles

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Any noodles taste excellent with apricot chicken, but you can give it a twist by adding a garlic twist for an aromatic flavor - and garlic butter shrimp side pairings show other garlic-forward complements.

While there are several variations, the popular recipe has springy Chinese egg noodles, but you can work with spaghetti too.

You also need a suitable sauce, preferably an umami-packed variety, and tons of garlic for the taste and aroma.

Making the noodles is simple, but if you don't have much idea, you could follow a suitable recipe.

You may also use veggies or meat according to preference.

If you think another meaty dish will be overwhelming, make a veggie version.

It will taste just as good.

4 - Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes

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If you forgot about the ever-favorite mashed potatoes, you must go back to it again.

Mashed potatoes taste excellent with apricot chicken, so you can pair them up.

Besides, potatoes are readily available throughout the year.

So, you can make the dish whenever you want.

You can add herbs and spices to the dish if you want some kick.

Both does the dish taste amazing, but potatoes are also a good source of fiber, and they are filling.

As a result, you feel less hungry, preventing you from gorging on food.

If a creamy starch is the goal, creamy polenta side suggestions offers ten alternatives that match rich sauces and tender chicken.

5 - Cauliflower Rice

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It's yum, and it gels well with apricot chicken - for a richer cauliflower take, see cauliflower cheese side ideas.

Hence, it makes a perfect item to eat with the chicken dish.

Making cauliflower rice is easy as you don't have to do much.

You can use a knife, blender, or a cheese grater to transform the florets into a grain-like structure.

You can use your favorite seasonings to improve the flavor.

There are different ways to cook the dish, but sauteed version tastes incredible.

The cooking process takes fifteen minutes, with prep time up to ten minutes and cooking time five minutes.

6 - Easy Boiled or Steamed Long Rice

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It's yet another rice dish, but who is complaining? Rice and chicken are a superb combo, and it's simple to make.

You can boil or steam the rice according to your convenience on the stovetop.

You only have to put rice and water in a pot and let it boil.

You can then let it simmer until the rice is soft.

Drain the water and let it steam in its heat until you serve it.

For simple, protein-rich additions that work alongside plain rice, hard-boiled egg side ideas lists seven complementary options.

7 - Mixed Veggie Salad with Lemon

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You can bring a crunchy element to your meal by adding a mixed veggie salad.

It's also the last item on the list.

Most veggies and salad greens contain essential dietary nutrients, so you get the goodness, freshness, crunchiness, and flavors all at once.

A mixed veggie salad doesn't have fixed ingredients.

So, you can use your preferred items.

Carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, beet, lettuce, and cabbage are some ingredients you can use.

Lastly, squeeze some lemon juice and mix with the veggies to get that tangy and fresh flavor.

These chicken preparations work with many of the same sides: beer can chicken side pairings and rotisserie chicken side ideas provide further complementary options.