What Goes Well With Tandoori Chicken: 30+ Delicious Sides to Elevate Your Indian Feast

Tandoori chicken with sides

Tandoori chicken – that smoky, spicy, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken that’s the star of any Indian BBQ. I’ve been cooking it for years, and lemme tell you, while it’s amazing on its own, pairing it with the right sides takes your meal from good to AMAZING!

I remember the first time I made tandoori chicken for friends. I served it solo, and while everyone loved it, something was missing. That’s when I started experimenting with different sides, and wow, what a difference the right accompaniments make!

Today, I’m sharing my favorite sides that go perfectly with tandoori chicken. These pairings will help you create a balanced, flavorful meal that’ll impress even the most discerning foodies.

Rice Dishes That Complement Tandoori Chicken

Rice is the perfect canvas for soaking up all those delicious tandoori chicken juices. Here are some rice dishes that pair beautifully:

1. Indian Lemon Rice

This sunshine-yellow rice dish brings a citrusy brightness that cuts through the rich flavors of tandoori chicken. The turmeric gives it a gorgeous color while the roasted peanuts and lentils add a satisfying crunch.

2. Kabuli Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pilaf)

The nutty earthy taste of chickpeas combined with fragrant Basmati rice creates a hearty side that stands up well to the bold flavors of tandoori chicken.

3. Saffron Rice

The warm, floral notes of saffron elevate simple rice to something special. The beautiful golden color also looks stunning next to the reddish hues of tandoori chicken.

4. Vegetable Pulao

A one-pot rice dish loaded with mixed veggies and whole spices. It’s filling, nutritious, and provides a nice textural contrast to the tender chicken.

5. Kashmiri Fruit Pulao

For something a bit different, try this sweet and savory rice dish with dried fruits. The sweetness provides an interesting contrast to the spicy tandoori chicken.

Vegetable Sides for Tandoori Chicken

Balance your meal with some vegetable sides that complement rather than compete with your tandoori chicken:

6. Roasted Curry Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets seasoned with curry spices and roasted until they develop caramelized edges are irresistible alongside tandoori chicken.

7. Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks

Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and seasoned with anti-inflammatory turmeric. These make a low-carb, gluten-free side that’s ready in under 20 minutes.

8. Stuffed Green Bell Peppers

Small bell peppers stuffed with spicy potato filling create a flavor explosion when served with tandoori chicken.

9. Cauliflower Manchurian

This Indo-Chinese fusion dish features crispy cauliflower florets in a sweet and sour sauce. The contrasting flavors work beautifully with tandoori chicken.

10. Baby Corn Masala

Tender baby corn in a flavorful tomato-based curry sauce provides a nice counterpoint to the smoky chicken.

Potato Sides (Because Potatoes Go With Everything!)

Potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser and pair exceptionally well with tandoori chicken:

11. Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and flavored with garlic and rosemary. These are simply irresistible!

12. Bombay Potatoes

Baby potatoes tossed with spices and dressed with lemon juice, green chilies, and cilantro. The crispy exteriors and soft interiors make them a perfect side.

13. Aloo Chaat

Crispy baby potato halves topped with chaat masala, lemon juice, and tamarind chutney. This street food-inspired side adds a fun element to your meal.

14. Indianish Potato Salad

A twist on classic potato salad with Indian spices. It’s like a trip to India for your taste buds!

15. Grilled Gunpowder Potatoes

Buttery, spicy grilled potatoes with chaat masala. They’re a bit more work than other potato sides, but totally worth the effort.

Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) Options

Paneer provides a nice protein option for vegetarians and pairs wonderfully with tandoori chicken:

16. Hariyali Paneer Tikka

Paneer cubes marinated in a cilantro and mint leaves mixture, then grilled. The fresh herbs complement the spicy tandoori chicken beautifully.

17. Paneer Kabab

Soft cubes of paneer with vegetables, marinated, skewered, and grilled. Colorful and flavorful!

18. Paneer Tikka

Similar to tandoori chicken in preparation, paneer tikka offers a vegetarian counterpart with similar flavors.

19. Palak Paneer

Creamy spinach puree with cubes of paneer cheese. The rich, creamy texture balances the bold flavors of tandoori chicken.

Refreshing Salads & Cooling Dips

Balance the heat of tandoori chicken with these refreshing sides:

20. Kachumber Salad

A fresh, crunchy salad of diced cucumber, tomatoes, and onions with lemon juice and spices. It’s light, refreshing, and the perfect counterpoint to rich tandoori chicken.

21. Green Coriander Chutney

This bright, zingy chutney adds a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness of the chicken.

22. Onion Raita

A cooling yogurt dip with chopped onions that helps temper the spiciness of tandoori chicken.

23. Mint Raita

Yogurt, mint sauce, fresh mint, salt, cilantro, and a little milk make for a refreshing dip that complements tandoori chicken perfectly.

24. Dahi Baingan (Fried Eggplant in Yogurt)

Lightly fried eggplant mixed with yogurt, onions, garlic, and cilantro. A soothing side that offsets the heat of the chicken.

25. Indianish Slaw

A twist on traditional coleslaw with Indian flavors. A bit creamy, a bit spicy, and a bit tangy – just what tandoori chicken needs!

Bread Options

Bread is perfect for scooping up every last bit of flavor:

26. Garlic Naan Bread

Soft, pillowy bread with garlic flavor that’s perfect for making impromptu tandoori chicken wraps.

27. Whole Wheat Naan

A healthier version of naan made with whole wheat flour. It’s soft, fluffy, and has a lovely yeasty taste.

28. Keema Naan

Naan stuffed with spicy ground lamb. If you’re looking to make your meal extra special, this is it!

Fusion Sides for the Adventurous

If you’re feeling a bit experimental, try these fusion sides:

29. Cheesy Tikka Masala Pasta

Italian meets Indian in this fusion dish. The tomato curry sauce works surprisingly well with pasta and tandoori chicken.

30. Corn and Jalapeño Slaw

Perfect if you’re planning tandoori chicken tacos! This Mexican-inspired slaw adds freshness and a bit of heat.

Quick Pickles & Chutneys

Add some tangy, sweet, or spicy notes with these quick additions:

31. Quick Pickled Onions

Add a zingy bite and a splash of pink to your plate with these quick-pickled onions.

32. Mango Chutney

The sweet-tangy flavor of mango chutney is the perfect foil for spicy tandoori chicken.

My Personal Favorites for Different Occasions

After years of experimenting, here are my go-to combinations:

For a Casual Backyard BBQ:

• Tandoori chicken
• Indianish potato salad
• Kachumber salad
• Mint raita
• Cold drinks

For a Formal Dinner:

• Tandoori chicken
• Saffron rice
• Palak paneer
• Garlic naan
• Mango chutney

For a Quick Weeknight Meal:

• Tandoori chicken
• Lemon rice
• Quick pickled onions
• Store-bought naan (when you’re in a hurry!)

Tips for Creating a Balanced Tandoori Chicken Meal

1. Consider textures – Pair the tender chicken with something crunchy like a fresh salad.
2. Balance flavors – Include something cooling (like raita) to balance the spices in the chicken.
3. Think about colors – Create a visually appealing plate with contrasting colors.
4. Don’t overdo it – Choose 3-4 sides at most to avoid overwhelming your meal.
5. Prep ahead – Many of these sides can be made in advance, making your meal service easier.

Final Thoughts

Tandoori chicken is a star on its own, but with the right supporting cast, it becomes a full-blown culinary experience. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, a formal dinner, or just making a weeknight meal special, these sides will help you create a balanced, delicious feast.

Remember, you don’t need to make ALL these sides (although that would be an epic feast!). Pick a few that appeal to you and that you have time to prepare. Even just one or two well-chosen sides can transform your tandoori chicken from a dish into a memorable meal.

What’s your favorite side to serve with tandoori chicken? I’d love to hear about your own combinations in the comments below!

Happy cooking and enjoy your tandoori feast!