22 Easy and Tasty Teriyaki Chicken Sides

Teriyaki chicken is a beloved dish, but finding the right sides to complement its sweet and savory flavors can be a challenge.

Many of us struggle to create a well-rounded meal that enhances the star of the show without overshadowing it.

Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with a selection of easy and tasty side dishes that will take your teriyaki chicken dinner to the next level.

In this article, I’ll share 22 delicious sides that pair perfectly with teriyaki chicken, from classic rice dishes to refreshing salads and everything in between.

These options are simple to prepare and will add variety to your plate, ensuring a satisfying and balanced meal every time.

Let’s dive into these mouthwatering teriyaki chicken companions that will make your dinner a hit!

22 Delicious Sides to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken

1. Ramen Stir Fry 

Ramen stir fry is a fast and tasty side dish that goes great with teriyaki chicken.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Boil Ramen Noodles: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Stir-fry Vegetables: In a pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, stir-frying until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables: Add the bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas to the pan. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender.
• Combine Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the vegetables.
• Add Sauce: Pour in the soy sauce and mix everything together until well combined and heated through.
• Optional Protein: If using tofu or shrimp, stir-fry them separately and add to the noodle mixture.
• Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

2. Chow Mein

Chow mein is a flexible and simple noodle dish that pairs really well with teriyaki chicken.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Cook Noodles: Prepare the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Stir-fry Garlic and Vegetables: In a large skillet or wok, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables: Add the cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts to the skillet. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender.
• Combine Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the vegetables.
• Add Sauces: Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
• Optional Protein: If using chicken, beef, or shrimp, stir-fry them separately and add to the noodle mixture.
• Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

3. Soba Noodle Bowl 

Soba noodle bowls are a light and healthy option to serve alongside teriyaki chicken. These buckwheat noodles are packed with nutrients and pair well with fresh vegetables.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Cook Soba Noodles: Prepare the soba noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
• Arrange Noodles: Place the cooked noodles in serving bowls.
• Add Vegetables: Top the noodles with cucumber slices, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced radishes.
• Add Sauce: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the top.
• Optional Protein: Add boiled eggs or tofu for additional protein.
• Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds and shredded nori strips over the bowl.
• Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature.

4. Sesame Noodle Salad 

A sesame noodle salad is an ideal cold side dish that complements the warm, savory flavors of teriyaki chicken. It’s refreshing and easy to prepare in advance.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Cook Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
• Make Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
• Toss Noodles: In a large bowl, toss the cooled noodles with the dressing.
• Add Vegetables: Add sliced bell peppers and chopped scallions to the noodles.
• Optional Heat: Add a splash of chili oil if you prefer a bit of heat.
• Chill: Chill the salad before serving for the best flavor.
• Garnish: Garnish with additional sesame seeds and chopped peanuts.
• Serve: Serve cold.

5. Steamed White Rice

Steamed white rice is a timeless side dish that pairs perfectly with teriyaki chicken. It’s simple to make and lets the flavors of the chicken shine.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Rinse Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
• Combine Ingredients: Combine the rice and water in a pot or rice cooker.
• Cook Rice:
  • Rice Cooker: Follow the rice cooker’s instructions.
  • Stovetop: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the water is absorbed.
• Rest and Fluff: Let the rice sit covered for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

6. Fried Rice

Fried rice is a tasty and crispy side dish that adds a nice texture to your teriyaki chicken meal. 

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Cook Eggs: Scramble the eggs in a large skillet or wok and set aside.
• Stir-fry Garlic: In the same pan, stir-fry garlic until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables: Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
• Combine Rice and Eggs: Add cooked rice and scrambled eggs to the pan.
• Season: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice, stirring well to combine all the flavors.
• Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

7. Pineapple Fried Rice

Pineapple fried rice is a tasty mix of sweet and savory flavors that adds a tropical twist to your teriyaki chicken meal.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Cook Eggs: Scramble the eggs in a large skillet or wok and set aside.
• Stir-fry Garlic: In the same pan, stir-fry garlic until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables and Pineapple: Add mixed vegetables and pineapple chunks, cooking until tender.
• Combine Rice and Eggs: Add cooked rice and scrambled eggs to the pan.
• Season: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice, stirring well to mix all the flavors.
• Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

8. Vegetable Rice Pilaf

Vegetable rice pilaf is a flavorful dish that takes simple rice up a notch by adding a mix of colorful vegetables.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Rinse Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
• Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables: Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
• Add Rice: Stir in the rice to coat it with the oil and vegetables.
• Add Broth and Season: Pour in the vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
• Cook Rice: Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes until the broth is absorbed.
• Fluff and Serve: Fluff the pilaf with a fork before serving.

9. Butter Rice

Butter rice is a rich and tasty side dish that adds a creamy touch to your teriyaki chicken meal. It’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Rinse Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
• Combine Ingredients: Put the rice in a pot with chicken broth and a pinch of salt.
• Cook Rice: Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes until the rice is cooked through.
• Add Butter: Stir in the butter until it’s fully melted and mixed in with the rice.
• Fluff and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving.

10. Spring Rolls 

Spring rolls are a crispy and versatile side that pairs well with teriyaki chicken. These rolls are filled with fresh vegetables and sometimes meat, then wrapped in a thin pastry and fried until golden.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts, and cooked shrimp or chicken if using.
• Roll Spring Rolls: Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface. Add a small amount of the filling in the center. Fold the bottom edge over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly. Seal the edge with a bit of water.
• Heat Oil: In a large pan or deep fryer, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot.
• Fry Spring Rolls: Carefully add the spring rolls to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
• Drain: Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Serve: Serve hot with sweet chili or plum dipping sauce.

11. Pork Potstickers

Pork potstickers are tasty dumplings that are easy to make and can be prepared in advance and frozen. They’re a great side dish or appetizer to serve with teriyaki chicken.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Filling: In a bowl, mix together the ground pork, chopped green onions, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
• Assemble Potstickers: Place a dumpling wrapper on a flat surface. Add a small spoonful of the pork mixture in the center. Fold the wrapper over and pinch the edges to seal.
• Freeze (optional): If not cooking immediately, place potstickers on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag for storage.
• Pan-fry Potstickers: Heat a small amount of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add potstickers in a single layer and cook until the bottoms are golden brown.
• Steam Potstickers: Add water to the pan, cover, and steam until the filling is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Serve: Serve hot with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

12. Crab Rangoon 

Crab Rangoon are creamy, crispy little parcels that make a perfect starter or side dish for teriyaki chicken. 

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Filling: In a bowl, mix together the crab meat, cream cheese, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Assemble Crab Rangoon: Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Add a small spoonful of the crab mixture in the center. Fold and seal the edges to create a small pouch.
• Heat Oil: In a large pan or deep fryer, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot.
• Fry Crab Rangoon: Carefully add the Rangoon to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
• Drain: Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Serve: Serve hot with sweet and sour dipping sauce.

13. Steamed Broccoli 

Steamed broccoli is a simple and healthy side dish that pairs well with teriyaki chicken. It’s quick to prepare and keeps its bright green color and nutrients when steamed.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into florets.
• Steam Broccoli:
  • Steamer Basket: Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for about 5 minutes until tender but still crisp.
  • Pot Method: Place the broccoli in a pot with a small amount of water and cover. Steam for about 5 minutes.
• Season: Lightly season the steamed broccoli with salt and pepper.
• Optional Flavoring: Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for extra flavor.
• Serve: Serve immediately.

14. Roasted Cauliflower 

Roasted cauliflower is a tasty, low-carb option that adds a nice flavor to your teriyaki chicken meal. When roasted, cauliflower gets a slightly nutty taste and crispy edges.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets.
• Season Cauliflower: Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or five-spice powder.
• Roast Cauliflower: Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the edges are crispy and browned.
• Serve: Serve hot as a flavorful side dish.

15. Bok Choy 

Bok choy stir-fried with garlic and ginger is a quick and tasty vegetable side that goes great with teriyaki chicken. This leafy green vegetable is common in Asian cooking and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Heat Oil: Heat the oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.
• Stir-fry Garlic and Ginger: Add the minced garlic and ginger, stir-frying for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add Bok Choy: Add the chopped bok choy and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender-crisp.
• Season: Add a splash of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil, stirring well.
• Serve: Serve hot as a light and flavorful side dish.

16. Maple Glazed Carrots

Maple glazed carrots offer a sweet contrast to savory teriyaki chicken. They’re easy to make and the maple syrup gives them a lovely caramelized exterior.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Heat Butter: In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Cook Carrots: Add the carrots to the pan and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
• Add Maple Syrup: Add the maple syrup and a pinch of salt, stirring to coat the carrots.
• Glaze Carrots: Continue cooking, stirring often, until the carrots are tender and the syrup has reduced to a glaze, about 10-15 minutes.
• Serve: Serve hot as a sweet and slightly caramelized side dish.

17. Roasted Green Beans 

Roasted green beans tossed in a sesame-soy sauce are a delicious and easy side dish that pairs well with teriyaki chicken.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Green Beans: Toss the trimmed green beans with olive oil.
• Roast Green Beans: Spread the green beans on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through.
• Make Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey.
• Toss Beans in Sauce: Once the beans are done, toss them in the sesame-soy sauce mixture.
• Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.

18. Cucumber Salad 

Cucumber salad is a cool and refreshing side that’s perfect for balancing the rich flavors of teriyaki chicken. It’s quick to make and adds a crisp texture to your meal.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumbers.
• Make Dressing: In a bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar is dissolved.
• Combine: Add the sliced cucumbers (and red onion if using) to the bowl with the dressing. Mix well to coat the cucumbers.
• Rest: Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

19. Asian Slaw 

Asian slaw is a crisp and colorful side dish that adds both texture and visual appeal to your teriyaki chicken dinner. It’s packed with vegetables and tossed in a flavorful dressing.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Vegetables: Shred the green and purple cabbage, carrots, and thinly slice the bell peppers.
• Make Dressing: In a bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and soy sauce until the sugar is dissolved.
• Combine: Toss the shredded vegetables with the dressing until well coated.
• Rest: Let the slaw sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
• Serve: Just before serving, add chopped cilantro and peanuts for extra crunch.

20. Japanese-style Potato Salad

Japanese-style potato salad is a creamy side dish with a hint of vinegar that pairs well with teriyaki chicken. It’s similar to Western potato salad but with a unique twist.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Boil Potatoes: Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Mash Potatoes: Slightly mash the potatoes, leaving some chunks for texture.
• Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the carrots, cucumber, and onion.
• Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with Japanese mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and finely chopped vegetables.
• Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature.

21. Crunchy Thai Peanut Chicken Salad 

This crunchy Thai peanut chicken salad is a hearty side dish that’s full of fresh vegetables and protein. It’s a great option if you want to add more substance to your meal.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Prepare Vegetables: Shred the cabbage and carrots, and thinly slice the bell peppers.
• Cook Chicken: Use pre-cooked chicken or cook and shred the chicken.
• Make Dressing: In a bowl, mix peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, and sriracha until smooth.
• Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, chicken, bell peppers, and peanuts.
• Add Dressing: Toss the salad with the peanut dressing until everything is well coated.
• Serve: Top with fresh cilantro just before serving.

22. Cauliflower Fried Rice 

Cauliflower fried rice is a tasty, low-carb side dish that pairs well with teriyaki chicken. It’s a great option if you’re looking to cut down on carbs or add more vegetables to your meal.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Rice the Cauliflower: Pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower instead.
• Scramble Eggs: In a large skillet or wok, scramble the eggs and set them aside.
• Stir-fry Garlic: In the same pan, add a small amount of oil and stir-fry minced garlic until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables: Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and cook until tender.
• Add Cauliflower Rice: Add the cauliflower “rice” to the pan and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until the cauliflower is cooked but still has a bit of crunch.
• Combine Ingredients: Add the scrambled eggs back to the pan and mix well.
• Season: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the cauliflower fried rice, stirring well to combine all the flavors.
• Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Summing Up

Teriyaki chicken is a delicious main dish, and now you have 22 fantastic sides to choose from to complete your meal.

Whether you’re in the mood for classic steamed rice, a low-carb cauliflower fried rice, or a refreshing cucumber salad, there’s something for everyone.

These sides not only complement the sweet and savory flavors of teriyaki chicken but also add variety to your plate.

Remember, the key to a great meal is balance – mix and match these sides to create a well-rounded dinner that satisfies all your cravings.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect pairing.

So, next time you’re cooking teriyaki chicken, try one (or more!) of these sides to elevate your dining experience.

Happy cooking and enjoy your flavorful feast!