Tandoori chicken is an excellent entree for any occasion, but with so many options, it is hard to choose what to serve with tandoori chicken. I’ve collected traditional side dishes and some that are a little out of the box (but delicious). However, I can promise you that there is something on this list for everyone!
What is Tandoori Chicken?
Tandoori chicken is a famous Indian chicken dish marinated in a spicy yogurt mixture called tandoori masala, giving it its distinctive red color. Recipes feature chicken (whole or parts) cooked in an authentic tandoor oven (cylindrical clay oven). Since most kitchens don’t have access to a tandoor, you will find grilled or baked tandoori chicken recipes that attempt to recreate the cooking technique.
Start with a Recipe for Tandoori Chicken
Grilled tandoori chicken is tender and juicy on the inside while maintaining a nice char on the outside, and it has the eye-catching red hue you expect from restaurant-style tandoori chicken. Coated in a homemade tandoori marinade before grilling the chicken to perfection.
Yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and tandoori marinade deliver all the elements of a truly great baked tandoori chicken – this recipe cooks in the oven in less than an hour!
What to Serve With Tandoori Chicken
For those deciding what to serve with tandoori chicken, here are my suggestions for warm bread, fluffy rice, fresh salads, dipping sauces, and even more of the best side dishes to complement the fragrant, brightly-colored chicken.
- 1. Garlic Naan
- 2. Flatbread
- 3. Vegan Naan
- 4. Moong Dal
- 5. Dal Palak
- 6. Masoor Dal
- 7. Yakhni Pulao
- 8. Basmati Rice
- 9. Turmeric Yellow Rice
- 10. Tomato Rice
- 11. Saffron Rice
- 12. Vegetable Pulao
- 13. Serrano Crema
- 14. Raita
- 15. Mango Pico De Gallo
- 16. Toum
- 17. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 18. Chickpea Tahini Salad
- 19. Cucumber Yogurt Salad
- 20. Sumac Onions
- 21. Kachumber Salad
- 22. Onion Salad
- 23. Onion Bhaji
- 23. Okra
- 24. Cauliflower Pakoras
- 25. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- 26. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
- 27. Roasted Potatoes
- 28. Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- 29. Indian Mango Lassi
Bread
Going back to the origins of the dish at the Moti Mahal, a natural side dish for tandoori chicken is fresh naan, especially since traditional tandoori chicken and naan are both prepared in a tandoor. But since most Western homes aren’t tandoor-equipped, here are some bread recipes you can prepare in the comfort of your home.
1. Garlic Naan
All you need to make amazing sourdough naan with creamy garlic butter at home is a sourdough starter and a cast-iron skillet – it’s as easy as that!
Photo Credit: Barley and Sage
2. Flatbread
Prepare this easy-to-make flour and water flatbread with only four ingredients – a perfect recipe for beginners!
Photo Credit: My Morning Mocha
3. Vegan Naan
This vegan naan is a foolproof recipe for a light, fluffy, and delicious side for juicy tandoori chicken.
Photo Credit: Sun Glow Kitchen
Lentils
Earthy, whole-grain dal (or lentils) pairs well with beautifully charred tandoori chicken to complete your meal.
4. Moong Dal
Piping hot moong dal is a filling and delicious side dish you can make in an hour using simple pantry ingredients.
5. Dal Palak
Dal palak is a healthy and comforting dish made with red lentils, fresh spinach, and warm Indian spices. For all you spinach lovers out there, try palak gosht.
Photo Credit: Cooking Gorgeous
6. Masoor Dal
Red lentils combine with creamy coconut milk, fresh spinach, and lime juice to make Goan-inspired masoor dal. The easy recipe is a family favorite and is ready in 30 minutes!
Rice
If there’s one thing flavorful meals like kabsa and biryani have taught me – chicken and rice make a great pairing! I mean, there are Halal Carts across New York dedicated to serving chicken over rice. If you’re still not sure what to serve with tandoori chicken, consider making rice.
7. Yakhni Pulao
Mutton yakhni pulao starts with smooth and velvety yakhni before simmering with the rice. You can also make chicken yakhni pulao using whole chicken or chicken pieces.
8. Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a staple in my home. Prepare foolproof basmati rice on the stovetop using only four ingredients for a simple dish you can pair with everything from aloo keema and butter chicken masala to tandoori chicken.
9. Turmeric Yellow Rice
Fragrant turmeric yellow rice is a tasty alternative to plain basmati rice to take your meal up a notch.
Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry
10. Tomato Rice
Hearty tomato rice is so good you’ll want to eat it straight out of the pot with a spoon.
Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry
11. Saffron Rice
Saffron rice, made with long-grain basmati rice and fragrant saffron threads, boasts a vibrant yellow color and delicious flavor that tastes great with chicken dishes such as joojeh kabob and tandoori chicken.
12. Vegetable Pulao
Instant Pot vegetable pulao is an easy-to-make side dish you can pair with any meal.
Photo Credit: Simple Sumptuous Cooking
If you enjoy warm tandoori flavor, try one of these tandoori recipes!
Sauces
Chutney (or brightly flavored sauces) like raita and mint chutney are a common addition to the classic Indian dish, but here are a few more options:
13. Serrano Crema
I usually serve serrano crema with roasted Peruvian chicken, but the spicy green sauce tastes great with Indian food.
More Hot Sauce Recipes:
14. Raita
Prepare a refreshing raita dip using full-fat Greek yogurt or dahi, crispy cucumbers, and aromatic spices.
15. Mango Pico De Gallo
16. Toum
Easy-to-make toum combines generous amounts of garlic, oil, and fresh lemon juice for a deliciously creamy sauce you’ll want to pair with everything.
Salad
Pairing your favorite tandoori chicken recipe with a light salad and a few lemon wedges is not only a great idea for hot summer days, but it’s also a healthy, low-carb option.
17. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Combine fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado to make this easy, light side dish.
18. Chickpea Tahini Salad
Make chickpea tahini salad for a tasty side salad with fresh ingredients. If you love chickpeas, you can make this easy chana masala recipe to serve as a side dish.
19. Cucumber Yogurt Salad
The cucumber yogurt salad features crunchy cucumbers tossed in creamy yogurt with fresh dill, garlic, and lemon for a quick and easy side dish.
Photo Credit: Maple and Mango
More Cucumber Salad Recipes:
20. Sumac Onions
Bright and tangy sumac onions are the perfect condiment for grilled meats, kabobs, and salads, and all you need is red onion, ground sumac, and lemon. Or you can serve the chicken with sumac cucumbers instead!
21. Kachumber Salad
Making kachumber salad is quick and easy. All you need to do is chop the vegetables and mix them with lemon juice, herbs, and spices.
22. Onion Salad
Laccha pyaaz is an Indian onion salad with thinly sliced onions, fresh lemon, green chiles, and chopped cilantro for a light side.
Photo Credit: Spice Up the Curry
Vegetables
Warm vegetables are a delicious side to serve with tandoori chicken. By the end of this list, your mouth will be watering.
23. Onion Bhaji
Make crispy onion bhajis (or pakoras) from scratch for an appetizer or side you can make in just 20 minutes!
Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
23. Okra
Air fryer okra or bindi is the easiest and tastiest way to enjoy okra as a delicious side dish or low-carb snack!
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine
24. Cauliflower Pakoras
Cook cauliflower florets in a crispy spiced batter to make cauliflower pakoras that are crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside – perfect for dipping in raita and chutney alongside tandoori chicken.
Photo Credit: A Mummy Too
25. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Healthy cilantro lime cauliflower rice is great as a low-carb side dish for grilled or baked chicken.
Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum
26. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
Add a unique flavor to your plate with turmeric-roasted cauliflower. It is an easy, flavorful, and fuss-free side dish.
Plus- if you’re roasting tandoori chicken in the oven, you can cook them together for a quick sheet-pan meal.
27. Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are a go-to side dish, and they cook on a baking sheet alongside whatever you’re making.
For even more tasty potato recipes, try air fryer red potatoes or air fryer fingerling potatoes.
28. Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Find out why grilled a grilled sweet potato in foil is the perfect addition to any meal, from summer cookouts to backyard get-togethers.
Drinks
29. Indian Mango Lassi
Creamy Indian mango lassi combines fresh mango, yogurt, honey, and freshly ground cardamom.
More Indian Recipes:
Noreen
Sunday 20th of November 2022
I just saw this on Twitter and I cannot wait to try all of these recipes!
Tressa Jamil
Sunday 20th of November 2022
You will have to report back here when you have made a few of them!