What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken

What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken – Grilled Tandoori Chicken is an excellent dish for any occasion, but have you ever asked yourself what to serve with Tandoori Chicken? We’ve collected traditional sides to pair with tandoori chicken, and some that are a little out of the box (but delicious). One thing I can assure you is that there is something on this list for everyone!

WHAT IS TANDOORI CHICKEN?

Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and generously spiced, giving the meat its signature red color. The recipe features chicken (whole or parts) that cooks in a tandoor; since most kitchens do not have access to a tandoor, you will find Grilled or Baked Tandoori Chicken recipes that attempt to recreate the cooking technique.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TANDOORI CHICKEN

For those deciding What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken, we’ve collected bread, lentil, drink, rice, sauce, salad, and vegetable sides that are sure to compliment the bright orange, fragrant chicken you’re planning to prepare.

BREAD

A natural side to serve with Tandoori Chicken is naan, especially since they’re both traditionally prepared in a tandoor. But since most Western homes aren’t tandoor-equipped, here are some recipes for bread you can easily prepare at home.

1. Sourdough Naan With Garlic Butter

All you need to make amazing Sourdough Naan with Garlic Butter at home is a sourdough starter and a skillet; it’s as easy as that.

2. Flour and Water Flatbread

Flour and Water Flatbread come together with a few main ingredients; it’s an easy-to-prepare and perfect for beginners.

3. Vegan Naan

Vegan Naan is a fool-proof recipe made with few ingredients for a light, fluffy, and delicious side.

LENTILS

Earthy and bright dal pairs well with the beautifully charred chicken to complete the meal.

4. Moong Dal

Piping hot Moong Dal is a soothing, filling, tasty side that’s ready in about an hour with simple ingredients.

5. Dal Palak

Dal Palak or spinach dal is a healthy, comforting, and delicious meal made with red lentils, spinach, and warm Indian spices.

6. Instant Pot Masoor Dal

Fennel, coriander, turmeric, and mustard add flavor to our Instant Pot Masoor Dal. Lentils combine with creamy coconut, spinach, and lime juice for a protein-rich meal that’s ready and on your table in 30 minutes! 

DRINKS

7. Mango Lassi

Creamy Mango Lassi is made from mango, yogurt, honey, and freshly ground cardamom, and it’s the perfect companion for a hot day!

RICE

If meals like kabsa and biryani have taught us anything, it’s that rice and chicken go hand in hand.

8. Yakhni Pulao

Experience the ultimate Indian comfort meal with our irresistible mutton Yakhni Pulao! Begin by crafting a smooth and velvety Yakhni before cooking the rice. Layered with yakhni-infused fragrant basmati rice, tender chunks of mutton, crisp fried onions, and aromatic Indian spices

9. Basmati Rice

Basmati Rice is a staple in our home; the fragrance, texture, and length will leave you wanting more. Prepare our basmati rice recipe on the stove-top as we do with only four ingredients for a side you’ll want to pair with everything. We serve ours with Aloo Keema, Moong Dal, and Grilled Tandoori Chicken.

10. Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice

Fragrant and flavorful Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice is a tasty alternative to white rice.

11. Tomato Rice

Hearty, comforting, and full of warming spices, this Tomato Rice can be eaten straight out of the pot.

12. Instant Pot Vegetable Pulao

Instant Pot Vegetable Pulao is so easy to make, and it’s a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

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If you love tandoori chicken, try one of these Tandoori favorites!

SAUCES

Chutney and sauces like raita are a good option to serve with tandoori chicken; they are creamy, herby, and bright, making them the perfect palette-cleanser.

13. Serrano Crema

Serrano Crema contains serrano chilies, fresh cilantro, a pop of garlic, and a combination of sour cream and yogurt to give the sauce a nice creamy texture.

14. Easy Raita Recipe

Whip up our Easy Raita Recipe in just minutes using spiced yogurt, cucumber, onions, and cilantro for a cooling and refreshing dip.

15. Mango Salsa

Colorful and full of flavor, Mango Salsa uses fresh mango, jalapeño, onion, tomato, and lime juice to create a delicious garnish you’ll want to pair with everything.

SALAD

Simple, light, and refreshing, pairing tandoori chicken with a salad is a healthy low-carb option.

16. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad

This salad is loaded with fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado; olive oil and lime finish Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad to make a perfect side dish.

17. Chickpea Salad

Make Chickpea Salad ahead of time or on the day of for a tasty side with fresh ingredients and full of protein.

18. Cucumber Yogurt Salad

This refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad Recipe features crunchy cucumbers, creamy yogurt, fresh dill, garlic, and lemon; it’s a quick and easy side dish that is SO GOOD!

19. Sumac Onions

Bright and tangy, our marinated Sumac Onions or sumac onion salad (sogan salatasi) is a perfect condiment to pair with grilled meats, kabobs, salads, and vegetable side dishes. 

20. Kachumber Salad

Kachumber Salad is made with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumber, and onions and is done in under 15 minutes with no cooking required.

21. Indian Onion Salad

Laccha pyaaz, or Indian Onion Salad contains thinly sliced onion rings, lemon, green chili, and cilantro for a quick and easy side dish.

VEGETABLES

Warm vegetable sides are the perfect complement to chicken tandoori. Don’t believe me? Take a glimpse at these sides and tell me your mouth isn’t watering by the end.

22. Onion Bhaji

Crispy Onion Bhajis are made from scratch for an appetizer or side you can easily make in just 20 minutes.

23. Air Fryer Okra

Air Fryer Okra is the easiest and tastiest way to enjoy okra as a delicious side dish or low-carb snack!

24. Cauliflower Pakoras

Cauliflower Pakoras have a crispy spiced batter, and they are soft and tender on the inside.

25. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Healthy Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a perfect, tangy low-carb side to pair with any meal.

26. Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is full of delicious parmesan flavor; this recipe will become one of your favorite side dishes.

27. Pickled Red Onion

Bright, tangy, and fresh, these Pickled Red Onions are a perfect garnish or side for any dish.

28. Roasted Potatoes in the Oven

Crispy Roasted Potatoes in the Oven are a go-to side dish, and they easily cook alongside whatever you’re making.

YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY: 

• Karahi Gosht (Lamb or Mutton Karahi)
• Butter Chicken Masala (Murgh Makhani)
• Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
• And more of our Indian and Pakistani recipes!