Fried rice is one of those wonderfully versatile dishes that can easily become the centerpiece of a meal or a flavorful side on its own.
But even the best fried rice can benefit from a few complementary dishes, especially when you want to create a more complete and exciting dinner.
If you’re wondering what to serve alongside your favorite rice, this collection brings together plenty of easy recipes to round out the table.
Add a crispy fried egg on top for a simple boost of richness, or pair your rice with vegetables, dumplings, chicken, seafood, or other Asian-inspired favorites.
For a sweeter and tangier combination, an orange chicken recipe makes an excellent companion to savory fried rice. You can also add fresh salads or crunchy vegetables to provide contrast in texture.
And if your homemade rice occasionally turns out a little too soft or becomes mushy fried rice, the right side dishes can still help save the meal and add plenty of texture.
Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or putting together a larger Asian-inspired feast, these fried rice pairings will give you plenty of delicious ideas to try.
20. Crispy Pan Fried Tofu Recipe
This fried tofu recipe gives you beautifully golden, crispy pieces with very little effort.
There’s no need to press the tofu for ages, turn on the oven, or use any special equipment—just a few simple ingredients and a skillet are enough to create a satisfying, protein-rich dish.
A drizzle of sesame oil adds a delicious nutty aroma and extra depth to the crispy tofu.
Because it’s so easy to prepare, this versatile tofu can become a staple for busy weeknight meals. Add it to grain bowls, salads, tacos, wraps, noodle dishes, or a leftover rice dish for an instant upgrade.
It’s also perfect with fried rice, fresh veggies, or your favorite dipping sauce. Make a generous batch and keep the leftovers handy for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.
19. Quick and Easy to Make Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
This Easy Hot and Sour Soup Recipe delivers a wonderful balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy flavors without requiring a long list of hard-to-find ingredients.
It’s a comforting homemade alternative to takeout and comes together quickly enough for a busy weeknight meal. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make hot and sour soup at home, this simplified version is a great place to start.
Traditional versions often include bamboo shoots, tofu, wood ear mushrooms, dried shiitake, enoki mushrooms, and Chinese black fungus.
This approachable recipe focuses instead on ingredients that are easier to find at your local grocery store and more likely to suit the whole family. Chicken adds extra heartiness, but you can easily leave it out or replace it with shrimp or fish.
For a meat-free option, simply use tofu in place of the chicken and choose vegetable stock. The soup has plenty of room for customization, so feel free to adjust the heat and acidity to your liking.
Its savory broth and subtle sweet flavor make it especially satisfying, and it pairs perfectly with fried rice for a complete homemade Asian-inspired meal.
18. Asian-inspired Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings
Sticky Wings are an irresistible appetizer for parties, game days, family gatherings, or casual dinners. Baking the wings instead of deep-frying makes the preparation easier while still giving them a deliciously crisp exterior and juicy meat inside.
Once coated in the sticky sesame sauce, they become wonderfully glossy, savory, slightly spicy, and sweet.
The sauce combines Asian-inspired flavors such as sesame and soy to create a rich coating that clings beautifully to every wing.
If you enjoy the classic combination found in sweet and sour chicken, you’ll love the balance of sweetness and tanginess here, with a gentle kick of spice.
Serve these wings on their own as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or pair them with rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete meal.
A simple bowl of steamed rice can be the simplest side dish, while a crisp cucumber or cabbage salad makes a refreshing choice to serve alongside the sticky wings. Once you try this baked version, you may never feel the need to deep-fry chicken wings again.
17. Healthy Maple Soy Glazed Brussels Sprouts
his Brussels sprouts side dish is a delicious way to add something fresh and flavorful to your holiday table.
Tender sprouts are coated in a rich maple-soy glaze that brings together savory, sweet, and slightly salty notes, creating a sweet and tangy finish that makes every bite irresistible.
The flavorful glaze gives this vegetable dish plenty of character without making it feel overly complicated.
If you enjoy the contrast of savory vegetables with a sweet and sour sauce, this recipe is an especially tasty option for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive dinner.
Serve the Brussels sprouts alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or your favorite holiday main course. They also pair beautifully with other vegetable sides such as leftover fried rice, roasted green beans, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
Whether you’re looking for a lighter addition to a generous holiday spread or simply want a vegetable dish that everyone will actually enjoy, these glazed Brussels sprouts are an easy and flavorful choice.
16. Chicken Teriyaki (Pair with Favorite Fried Rice Recipe!)
This homemade teriyaki chicken is a quick and satisfying dinner that brings together tender chicken and a glossy, caramel-like sauce with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Made with simple pantry staples, it delivers the comforting taste of your favorite takeout without requiring a trip to the restaurant.
Ready in about 20 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen.
It’s also a great option for meal prep, as the chicken reheats well and can be portioned ahead for easy lunches and dinners.
Serve the teriyaki chicken over steamed rice or noodles, or pair it with a delicious side of vegetables for a more complete meal. It also works beautifully alongside chicken fried rice when you want an especially hearty combination.
If you’re looking for a versatile fried rice side, add your favorite vegetables and seasonings for an easy Asian-inspired feast at home.
15. Easy Kung Pao Chicken (Make Fried Rice with this Main Dish!)
Kung Pao Chicken is one of those popular Chinese dishes that brings together everything you want in a satisfying meal: tender chicken pieces, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful sauce that balances savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
It’s a takeout favorite, but making it at home allows you to adjust the heat, sauce, and ingredients to suit your taste.
With a few helpful cooking tips and simple techniques, you can recreate this restaurant-style classic in your own kitchen without making the process complicated.
The chicken stays juicy while the vegetables retain some of their fresh texture, creating a delicious contrast in every bite.
Serve the finished Kung Pao Chicken with fluffy steamed white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
You can also make it part of a larger Asian-inspired meal by pairing it with Chinese fried rice or other favorite sides. Whether you’re cooking for family or simply craving takeout-style comfort food, this recipe is an easy and flavorful choice.
14. Vegan Sichuan Spicy Wonton Dumplings in Chili Sauce
These vegan Sichuan Spicy Wontons are packed with a flavorful vegetable filling and served in a bold chili sauce that gives every dumpling plenty of character.
The wontons are steamed until tender, then coated in the fragrant, spicy sauce for a dish that can work beautifully as an appetizer, side, or satisfying main course.
If your family enjoys Chinese food and experimenting with different kinds of dumplings, this recipe is a particularly fun one to add to the menu.
The combination of delicate wrappers, savory vegetables, and fiery sauce makes these wontons stand out at the dinner table. They’re also a great way to bring restaurant-style Chinese flavors into a homemade meal.
13. Pad Krapow Kung – Thai Basil Shrimp Stir Try with Green Bell Peppers and Oyster Sauce
Bring the bold flavors of Thailand to your table with Pad Krapow Kung, a quick shrimp stir-fry featuring fresh Thai basil, vegetables, lime juice, and a savory oyster sauce.
“Kung” means shrimp, and these succulent pieces cook quickly, making the entire dish ideal for a busy weeknight. You can have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes without sacrificing flavor.
The shrimp and vegetables work especially well when served over fluffy white rice. You can use brown rice as another excellent option.
Fresh basil and lime add brightness to the rich sauce, creating a wonderfully balanced meal that is fast enough for everyday cooking but flavorful enough to feel like something special.
12. Salmon Stir Fry with Veggies and Sesame Seeds
This Salmon Stir Fry is a colorful, nutritious dinner that brings together tender pan-seared salmon, plenty of vegetables, and a delicious homemade stir-fry sauce.
Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an excellent solution for busy evenings when you want something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen.
The salmon is cut into cubes and combined with your favorite stir-fry vegetables before being coated in the flavorful sauce.
For an extra finishing touch, sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then add a drizzle of sriracha mayo if you enjoy a little heat. It’s quick, customizable, and packed with satisfying flavor.
11. Homestyle Crispy Chicken Strips Recipe to Serve with Fried Rice
These homemade crispy chicken strips are a simple family-friendly main dish with a golden, savory coating and tender chicken inside.
Because the recipe uses just a few straightforward ingredients, it’s an easy choice when you need to get dinner on the table without a complicated cooking process.
The crunchy exterior pairs especially well with fried rice, creating a satisfying combination of textures and flavors.
Serve the chicken strips alongside your favorite rice dish for a complete weeknight meal, or add a dipping sauce and turn them into a fun dinner that kids and adults can enjoy. They’re comforting, versatile, and much easier to prepare than you might expect.
10. Juicy and Delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Make juicy BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer in around 20 minutes, without spending time preparing a complicated marinade. The chicken is coated in barbecue sauce and cooked until tender, flavorful, and wonderfully easy to serve.
You can enjoy it as the centerpiece of a simple dinner alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables, or slice the meat and use it in sandwiches, wraps, and burgers.
The air fryer makes this recipe especially convenient for busy days because there’s very little preparation and minimal cleanup afterward. It’s a practical way to turn chicken breast into a flavorful meal without drying it out or spending a long time at the stove.
9. Hearty Pork Spring Rolls
Crispy on the outside and packed with a savory filling, these hearty pork spring rolls are guaranteed to be popular at the table.
The recipe brings together seasoned pork, vegetables, and rice noodles, all wrapped inside delicate pastry before being fried until beautifully golden. The contrast between the crunchy shell and soft, flavorful center makes them especially satisfying.
They can be served as a substantial appetizer for gatherings or enjoyed as a main dish when paired with sauces and other sides. This recipe also carries a wonderful family tradition, having been made for years at gatherings with friends and relatives.
It’s the kind of comforting dish that’s just as enjoyable to prepare and share as it is to eat.
8. Gluten-Free General Tso’s Chicken (Chinese Cuisine)
Enjoy a homemade version of General Tso’s Chicken without relying on traditional takeout ingredients that may not suit everyone.
This recipe recreates the beloved sweet-and-spicy Chinese-American favorite while making it gluten-free, soy-free, Paleo-friendly, and free from the top eight common allergens.
The result is a flavorful dinner that can be prepared quickly when the craving for Chinese takeout strikes.
Americanized Chinese food isn’t always the easiest cuisine to navigate when you’re avoiding certain ingredients, so a homemade version gives you much more control over what goes into the meal.
Serve this juicy chicken with rice or your favorite delicious side dishes for a satisfying dinner that proves allergy-friendly food can still be bold and delicious.
7. Sweet and Sour Chinese Cashew Chicken
Forget ordering takeout when you can make this flavorful Cashew Chicken right in your own kitchen.
This homemade version combines tender chicken with crunchy cashews and a delicious sweet-and-sour sauce, while keeping the recipe gluten-free and soy-free. It’s a lighter alternative to many restaurant versions and makes excellent leftovers for the next day.
This recipe also became the starting point for an entire collection of recreated takeout-style chicken dishes, including sesame, sweet and sour, and other popular variations.
Once you discover how easy it is to achieve that restaurant-inspired flavor in a cast-iron skillet, you may want to try them all. It’s a family-friendly weeknight dinner that brings plenty of Chinese-inspired flavor to the table with vegetarian side dish.
6. Make at Home Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
There’s no need to order takeout when this homemade Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry can be ready in about 30 minutes.
Tender pieces of chicken and crunchy vegetables are quickly cooked together in a rich, savory teriyaki sauce, creating a flavorful meal with very little effort.
Serve everything over steaming white rice to soak up the delicious sauce and turn it into a complete dinner. This recipe is not only quicker than a restaurant order but can also be more affordable and easier to customize.
It’s the sort of reliable meal that works perfectly for busy weeknights, and the leftovers are just as enjoyable the next day. Once you try it, it may become a regular favorite.
5. Tasty Indonesian Chicken Satay Recipe with Peanut Sauce
Bring the flavors of Bali to your kitchen with these delicious Indonesian Chicken Satay skewers. Marinated chicken is grilled until beautifully cooked and served with a simple peanut dipping sauce that has just the right amount of spice.
The combination of smoky grilled meat and creamy, nutty sauce makes these skewers perfect as an appetizer, party dish, or satisfying main course. They’re also wonderfully convenient to prepare ahead.
Marinate the chicken the night before, or freeze the uncooked skewers for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw them and grill. Preparing the chicken close to serving time helps keep it juicy and prevents the meat from becoming dry.
4. Honey Garlic Chicken with Soy Sauce
Sweet honey, fragrant garlic, and savory soy sauce create an irresistible glaze for this easy chicken dinner. The chicken breasts stay tender and juicy while becoming coated in a glossy, sticky sauce that perfectly balances salty and sweet flavors.
Garlic adds plenty of aroma, while the simple sauce gives the dish a rich finish without requiring complicated ingredients or lengthy preparation. It’s an excellent choice for a busy weeknight when you need something quick that the whole family will enjoy.
Serve the chicken with rice, vegetables, or your favorite side dishes and spoon some of that flavorful sauce over everything. Simple, satisfying, and incredibly versatile, this recipe can easily become a regular dinner favorite.
3. Kalbi Style Flanken Ribs (with Fried Rice as Side Dish)
Recreate the experience of Korean BBQ at home with these tender Kalbi-style Flanken Ribs. Thin-cut beef short ribs are coated in a simple sauce featuring soy and garlic, allowing the meat to absorb plenty of savory, deeply satisfying flavor before cooking.
Flanken ribs are a familiar favorite at Korean BBQ restaurants, where they’re often served sizzling hot and can come with a surprisingly high price tag. Making them at home gives you the chance to enjoy the same style of dish for a much more casual meal.
Pair the ribs with fluffy fried rice, steamed rice, or noodles to complete the dinner. The combination of tender beef, rich marinade, and a flavorful side makes this an impressive yet approachable meal.
2. Easy Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken (Serve with Cauliflower Rice, Egg Rolls and Egg Drop Soup!)
Let the slow cooker do most of the work with this easy Mongolian Chicken recipe. The chicken slowly cooks in a sweet and savory sauce that gives it the familiar flavor of Chinese takeout, but with the convenience of a homemade meal.
Once the chicken is ready, you have plenty of options for serving it. Spoon it over white, brown, basmati, or jasmine rice, or choose cauliflower rice if you prefer a lower-carb option.
For a more complete takeout-inspired dinner, add egg rolls and a bowl of egg drop soup on the side.
It’s an especially useful family recipe because the preparation is straightforward, the flavors are crowd-pleasing, and the slow cooker handles much of the cooking for you.
1. Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick (Serve with Fried Rice)
These Teriyaki Chicken skewers are a fun and flavorful choice for easy to make at home summer dinners, backyard gatherings, or casual entertaining.
Tender chicken is marinated in a homemade Asian-inspired sauce flavored with garlic, ginger, and sesame before being grilled until perfectly cooked. The result is a delicious balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors, with plenty of umami in every bite.
The marinade also doubles as a flavorful basting sauce, making the chicken even more delicious as it cooks.
Serve fried rice for a complete meal, or offer them as an easy appetizer at your next gathering. Grill and oven instructions are included, so you can prepare them regardless of the weather or equipment available.
20 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Rice
Wondering what to serve with fried rice tonight? Discover 20 best side dishes to elevate your fried rice experience. Find delicious recipes and ideas!
Ingredients
- Crispy Pan Fried Tofu Recipe
- Quick and Easy to Make Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
- Asian-inspired Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings
- Healthy Maple Soy Glazed Brussels Sprouts
- Chicken Teriyaki (Pair with Favorite Fried Rice Recipe!)
- Easy Kung Pao Chicken (Make Fried Rice with this Main Dish!)
- Vegan Sichuan Spicy Wonton Dumplings in Chili Sauce
- Pad Krapow Kung - Thai Basil Shrimp Stir Try with Green Bell Peppers and Oyster Sauce
- Salmon Stir Fry
- Homestyle Crispy Chicken Strips Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
- Pork Spring Rolls Recipe
- Gluten-Free General Tso's Chicken (Soy-Free, Paleo, Top-8 Allergy-Free)
- Chinese Cashew Chicken (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free)
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
- Indonesian Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Kalbi Style Flanken Ribs
- Easy Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
Instructions
- Choose any Recipes served with Fried Rice from the post that you like.
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
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