Ever found yourself staring at a pot of delicious curry chicken and wondering, “What the heck should I serve with this?” Trust me, I’ve been there too many times! Nothing’s worse than having an amazing main dish with nothing to complement it. That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide to the best side dishes for curry chicken that’ll take your meal from good to absolutely mind-blowing!
Whether you’re cooking an Indian-style curry, a Caribbean version, or something in between, I’ve got you covered with options that’ll soak up that delicious sauce, balance the spices, and create a complete meal that’ll impress even your pickiest dinner guests
Rice Dishes: The Ultimate Curry Companions
Rice is probably the most classic pairing with curry chicken, and for good reason! It soaks up all that flavorful sauce and provides a neutral base that lets the curry shine.
Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is the gold standard for serving with curry chicken Its long grains and aromatic fragrance make it the perfect canvas for your curry,
- Why it works: The delicate texture absorbs curry sauce beautifully
- Pro tip: Try different cooking methods like steaming or boiling for varied textures
- Flavor variations: Add saffron, cumin, or cardamom pods while cooking for extra flavor
Zeera (Cumin) Rice
This simple but flavorful rice dish is cooked with cumin seeds and other whole spices for an aromatic kick.
"Jeera rice or zeera rice is steamed, aromatic Basmati rice flavored with cumin and other whole spices. It is a simple gluten-free side dish ready in 20 minutes in your instant pot or stovetop."Coconut Rice
For a tropical twist that complements curry chicken beautifully:
“Coconut rice adds a subtly sweet and aromatic element to the meal, perfectly balancing the bold flavors of curry chicken. This side dish brings tropical flavors to the table, enhancing the dining experience with its creamy texture.”
Saffron Rice
The warmth and color of saffron makes for a beautiful and tasty rice dish that pairs perfectly with chicken curry. The golden hue adds visual appeal to your plate!
Bread Options: For Sopping Up Every Last Bit
If you’re like me, you want something to scoop up every last drop of that curry sauce. That’s where these bread options come in!
Naan Bread
Naan is a soft, slightly chewy Indian flatbread that’s perfect for scooping up curry.
- Regular Naan: Soft and pillowy, perfect for tearing and dipping
- Garlic Naan: Adds an extra layer of flavor with roasted garlic
- Peshwari Naan: Stuffed with honey, roasted almonds and cashews for a sweet contrast
“Naan bread is a quintessential accompaniment to curry chicken, offering a soft and slightly chewy texture that perfectly complements the rich and savory flavors of the dish.”
Roti/Chapati
“Roti is a whole wheat flatbread that’s a staple in most Indian homes. Also known as chapati or phulka, this popular Indian bread is best enjoyed with lentils, curries and stir-fries.”
Paratha
Flaky and layered, paratha is another excellent bread option:
“Paratha is a soft and flaky flatbread. Wheat flour or atta is kneaded with water, salt and oil to make soft dough balls. Each ball is then rolled out and cooked on a hot griddle with some ghee or oil.”
Puri
For something a little different, try these puffy fried breads:
“Puri or poori is a puffy Indian bread made of wheat flour dough, oil, salt and water. The dough is rolled into discs and deep fried for golden, slightly crispy puri bread.”
Cooling Yogurt Sides: To Balance the Heat
Curry can be spicy, and these cooling yogurt-based sides provide the perfect balance.
Raita
“Raita offers a cooling and invigorating contrast, typically made from yogurt mixed with cucumbers, mint, and various spices. This yogurt sauce serves as a revitalizing, cooling dip that balances the heat of the curry.”
Some fantastic raita variations include:
- Onion Raita: “Onion raita is a cooling yogurt side dish or dip that’s almost essential with spicy Indian food like curries, biryani and kebabs.”
- Boondi Raita: “Boondi raita is a cooling Indian side dish with chilled yogurt, boondi, and a few spices.”
- Beetroot Raita: “Beetroot raita is a fresh and fun side with yogurt as the starring ingredient and beets.”
Dahi Bhalla
“Dahi bhalla or dahi bara are fried lentil balls dipped in cold, sweetened yogurt. Topped with a variety of chutneys and spices, these balls are so soft, they will melt in your mouth!”
Dahi Baingan
“Dahi baingan is an Indian yogurt side dish that’s made with lightly fried eggplant, onions, garlic and cilantro mixed with yogurt.”
Lentil Dishes: For Extra Protein and Substance
Lentil dishes add wonderful texture, nutrition, and substance to your curry chicken meal.
Maash ki Dal
“Maash ki daal or white urad dal has a slightly thick texture unlike other lentils. It has a nutty, warm and savory taste that goes very well with Indian breads like naan or tandoori roti.”
Whole Masoor Dal
“Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) tastes great with bread, white or brown rice, or even as a side for your main dish. A tempering of ghee, onions, garlic, and cumin takes it to the next level.”
Chana Dal
“This easy chana dal recipe made in the instant pot has a nutty taste that transforms into such a flavorful dish when tempered with fried onions, cumin and green chillies.”
Dal Makhani
“Dal makhani is a gem of Punjabi cuisine. Curried Indian black lentils and kidney beans are cooked in tomatoes, spices, butter and cream.”
Vegetable Sides: For Nutrition and Color
Adding vegetables to your curry chicken meal not only boosts nutrition but also adds beautiful colors to your plate!
Bombay Potatoes
“Bombay potatoes are crispy and slightly spicy with soft insides. Baby potatoes are steamed in the instant pot or stovetop, tossed in a few spices and dressed with lemon juice, green chillies and cilantro.”
Aloo Sabzi (Spiced Potatoes)
“This dry aloo sabzi (dry spiced potatoes) comes together easily with a few simple ingredients like yellow potatoes, onions, garlic and some spices.”
Spinach Saag
“Spinach Saag is a traditional Indian dish made from pureed spinach and a blend of aromatic spices. It serves as a nutrient-rich and flavorful side for curry chicken.”
Roasted Vegetables
“Roasted vegetables provide a nutritious and colorful accompaniment to curry chicken, enhancing the meal with their natural sweetness and smoky undertones. A colorful medley of seasonal selection, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots, not only adds visual appeal but also complements the rich flavors of the curry.”
Fresh Salads: For Crunch and Brightness
A fresh salad adds wonderful texture contrast and brightness to a curry meal.
Kachumber
“This is a fresh, easy chopped salad traditionally served with curries and dals. The vegetables are dressed with lemon juice, salt, and a little cumin and chili.”
Cucumber Salad
“Cucumber salad, with its crisp texture and invigorating taste, offers a cooling contrast to the warmth of curry chicken. Made with fresh cucumbers and a light cucumber dressing, this side dish is both invigorating and satisfying.”
Indian Chickpea Salad
“Indian chickpea salad is a super easy recipe that’s bursting with some great flavors. A mix of chickpeas with pomegranate, onion, tomato, cucumber, cheese, lemon, and chat masala makes for a healthy side to pair with chicken curry.”
Crunchy Additions: For Texture Contrast
These crispy sides add fantastic texture to complement your creamy curry.
Poppadoms
“Poppadoms, with their light and crispy texture, serve as a perfect complement to the rich and flavorful curry chicken. These thin, crunchy discs are a traditional accompaniment in Indian cuisine, adding a delightful contrast to the meal.”
Samosas
“Samosas, with their crispy pastry and flavorful filling, make a perfect side dish to accompany curry chicken. These delightful pockets can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including a savory vegetarian filling.”
Pakoras
For more crunchy goodness, try pakoras:
- Classic pakoras
- Chicken pakoras for a twist
- Courgette pakoras for a veggie version
Sweet and Tangy Chutneys: To Enhance Flavors
Chutneys add wonderful flavor dimensions to your curry chicken meal.
Mango Chutney
“Mango chutney adds a sweet and tangy dimension to the meal. Its flavor profile, combining ripe mangoes with spices and vinegar, complements the savory taste of curry chicken.”
Tomato Chutney
“Our fresh tomato chutney is a little like salsa” and provides a tangy contrast to curry chicken.
Herb Chutney
“Our pea-green herb chutney is made from coriander, mint, roasted pistachios and green chilli.”
Fusion Options: For Something Different
If you want to try something a bit different, these fusion sides work surprisingly well!
Fried Plantains
“Fried plantains, a popular side dish in many tropical cuisines, add a delightful sweetness and crispy texture that pairs excellently with curry chicken. The Caribbean influence of this dish offers a sweet contrast to the spicy and savory flavors of curry.”
Paneer Tikka
“Paneer tikka, with its smoky and tangy flavors, serves as an excellent vegetarian side dish to accompany curry chicken. Utilizing expert grilling techniques, this Indian dish combines paneer cheese and a blend of spices for a delightful taste experience.”
Pickled Vegetables
“Adding an invigorating contrast to the rich flavors of curry chicken, pickled vegetables offer a zesty and tangy accompaniment that enhances the overall dining experience.”
Mix and Match for the Perfect Curry Meal
When I’m planning a curry chicken meal, I like to include:
- 1 rice or bread option
- 1 cooling yogurt dish
- 1-2 vegetable sides
- 1 chutney or pickle
This gives a nice balance of flavors, textures and temperatures that makes the meal feel complete. The best part is, you can mix and match based on your preferences and what ingredients you have available!
So next time you make curry chicken, don’t just serve it with plain rice! Try some of these amazing side dishes and transform your meal into a truly special feast. Trust me, your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
What’s your favorite side dish to serve with curry chicken? I’d love to hear your go-to combinations in the comments below!
Our favourite side dishes for curry
If you love to mop up curry sauce with a pillowy naan, we have recipes that’ll youll want to try. If you’ve never made your own bread before, Indian flatbreads are a good place to start. Tom Kerridges quick flatbreads couldn’t be simpler – the dough doesnt require any resting and, after kneading for a couple of minutes and dividing, the balls of dough are roughly flattened ready to be fried.
Anjum Anand’s grilled flaky naans will need a few hours for the dough to rest, but they are packed with a heady mixture of spices, including ajwain seeds, which are a little like an extra-pungent thyme. Try our peshwari naan stuffed with honey, roasted almonds and cashews for a touch of sweetness to offset your curry. Alternatively, our easy naan bread recipe is made in a frying pan. For a plant-based alternative, try our vegan naan.
If you’re nervous about working with dough, we have ideas for sprucing up shop-bought naans, too. These cheese & chilli naans make Indian pizzas out of supermarket breads, while Roopa Gulati gives us three more ways of jazzing up naans – with rosemary, garlic and mint, or harissa.
Thepla bread is another popular Indian flatbread. Our version of this Indian bread with courgettes & coriander is made in a frying pan. Versions of unleavened, pancake-like roti or chapati bread are also ideal accompaniments to spiced sauces. Or make these puffed up ajwain puris flavoured with carom seeds.
Bhajis and pakoras
For more bites of deep-fried, lightly-spiced goodness, why not try our classic pakoras, chicken pakoras for a twist, and our courgette version.
Jamaican Curry Chicken
FAQ
What is a good side dish with curry?
Rice is a natural pairing for all types of curries. You can’t go wrong with rice and any type of curry. Flat breads, like paratha, roti, dosas and naan are good with Caribbean, South African and South Asian curries, since they are all rooted in South Asian cuisine, the home of those breads.
What is curry usually served with?
Curry is typically eaten with rice (especially Basmati or Jasmine) or various types of flatbread like naan, roti, or dosa, which are used to scoop up the dish. Other common accompaniments include chutneys and raita (yogurt-based side), pickles, salads, or papadums. The specific pairing often depends on the regional origin of the curry, with some curries served over rice and others with bread.