Sophie Bennett
Sweet and spicy chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of vegetables. While the specific vegetables you choose can depend on your personal preferences and what's in season, some great options include bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and green beans. If you're looking for a more substantial side dish, mashed potatoes, wild rice, or cornbread are also delicious options that can complement the flavours of sweet and spicy chicken. For a lighter option, a refreshing salad with rocket, sweet potato, and red onion can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the chicken.
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What You'll Learn
Sweet potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baking sweet potatoes in an oven concentrates and sweetens their flavour. They can be baked in the same oven as the chicken, absorbing the drippings and flavours of the chicken as they cook. For a simple baked sweet potato, toss the sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven.
Sweet Potato Gratin
Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato
For a one-pan meal, sweet potatoes can be roasted alongside chicken pieces seasoned with a spice mix. Try a Cajun seasoning mix of garlic, salt, onion, paprika, oregano, white pepper, and red pepper, or use any spice mix of your choice. Toss the chicken and sweet potato pieces with olive oil and the spice mix, then bake in the oven. You can also add other vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or carrots.
Fragrant Coconut Chicken and Sweet Potato
This skillet meal combines ground chicken or turkey with sweet potatoes, scallions, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, spinach, lime juice, and cilantro. The sweet potatoes are cooked in the skillet until golden and tender, then combined with the chicken and other ingredients. This dish is served over rice and garnished with scallions and cilantro.
Spiced Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
This recipe uses chicken thighs cooked on a sheet pan with sweet potatoes, onion, and garlic. The chicken skin is seasoned with oregano, paprika, and salt, and the vegetables are lightly seasoned. The dish is cooked until the chicken skin is crispy and the vegetables are tender. A squeeze of lime juice adds a tangy finish.
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Green beans
One option is to cook the green beans with egg noodles. Boil the noodles and green beans in a pot of salted water for four minutes, then strain. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook the chicken. Transfer the chicken to a plate and, in the same pan, cook the green beans with mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers. Season with garlic and chilli flakes to taste. This method creates a stir-fry that is packed with vegetables and full of flavour.
Alternatively, green beans can be cooked in an air fryer. This method is healthier and still produces beans that are crispy and full of flavour. For added indulgence, serve with creamy, buttery garlic cloves.
For a lighter option, green beans can be tossed in a skillet with a small amount of finely minced onion and garlic. This recipe is a favourite of one reviewer, who notes that it goes well with almost any chicken recipe.
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Salads
Rocket and Sweet Potato Salad
A rocket and sweet potato salad is a tasty option to pair with sweet and spicy chicken. Spiralized sweet potatoes are mixed with rocket and chopped red onion, topped with chilli and lime juice. This salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the chicken.
Fruity Cauliflower Rice Salad
A fruity cauliflower rice salad is another delicious option. Cauliflower florets are pulsed in a blender to create a rice-like texture, then cooked with red pepper, garlic, and shallots. The mixture is combined with chopped coriander and mango to create a sweet and fragrant salad.
Green Salad
A green salad is a perfect way to showcase the bold flavours of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Adding apples and squash to the mix brings a touch of sweetness and creates a colourful and nutritious side dish.
Summer Salad
For a light and refreshing option during the warmer months, a summer salad featuring watermelon, strawberries, arugula, and basil is a perfect choice. This salad provides a delightful contrast to the richness of sweet and spicy chicken.
Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is always a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with grilled or barbequed chicken. Boil or steam potatoes until tender, then mix with mayonnaise, chopped onions, and mustard for a creamy and tangy side dish.
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Carrots
Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots are a delicious and easy option to prepare as a side dish. For a simple recipe, cut carrots into medallions or slices and combine with red onion slices. Drizzle with a mixture of honey, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and maple syrup. Season with chilli powder, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven until cooked through. This method will give the carrots a sweet and tangy flavour that will complement the sweet and spicy flavours of the chicken.
Honey and Spice Sauce
Another option is to make a sauce with honey, Dijon mustard, butter, maple syrup, and chilli powder. This sauce can be used to coat the chicken and carrots before roasting or stir-frying. The honey and spice sauce will add a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish, enhancing the sweetness of the chicken while also adding a touch of spice.
Stir-Fry
Sweet and Sour
Dates and Pistachios
For a unique twist, try pairing carrots with dates and pistachios. This combination works well with a honey and citrus marinade for the chicken and vegetables. The sweetness of the dates and honey will complement the spicy chicken, while the carrots add a crunchy texture and fresh flavour.
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Cornbread
Casseroles
A popular option is to make a chicken cornbread casserole. This dish combines a creamy and cheesy chicken filling with a sweet cornbread topping. You can add various ingredients to the chicken mixture, such as canned corn, taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, sour cream, and shredded cheese. For an extra kick of spice, include chopped jalapenos or a can of green chilies. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Pepper Jack or Cheddar Jack.
Soups and Stews
BBQ Dishes
Other Meat Dishes
Vegetable Sides
If you're looking for vegetable sides to accompany your sweet and spicy chicken and cornbread, consider roasted vegetables such as butternut squash, onions, and carrots. You can also serve cornbread with egg salad, either as a side or as part of a BBQ spread. For a healthier option, try corn and zucchini fritters topped with fresh basil, Greek yogurt, and roasted corn.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several vegetables that go well with sweet and spicy chicken. Here are some ideas:
- Mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, and green beans
- Kung Pao Brussels sprouts
- Scalloped potatoes
- Rocket and sweet potato salad
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Green beans
- Carrots
Here are some side dishes that would go well with sweet and spicy chicken:
- Wild rice
- Sweet potato gratin
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Potato salad
- Cornbread
- Coleslaw
- Salad with collards, fennel, orange segments, and dried cherries
Here are some vegetable sides that go well with chicken:
- Grilled romaine Caesar salad
- Stir-fried snow peas
- Roasted carrots with Parmesan
- Air-fried green beans with garlic
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Marinated grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, mushrooms, bell peppers, and red onion wedges)
- Herby quinoa
Here are some other side dish options that can go well with sweet and spicy chicken:
- Spicy carrot coins
- Baked or scalloped potatoes with cheese and cream sauce
- Fruity cauliflower rice
- Cornbread
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
