Complementing The Chicken Hot Pot: A Guide To Delicious Sides

Chicken hot pot is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes to make it a hearty and satisfying meal. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken hot pot:

- Green vegetables like peas, green beans, or broccoli

- Pickled vegetables, such as pickled red cabbage and beetroot slices

- Bread, especially crusty bread or garlic bread, is perfect for mopping up gravy

- Corn cobs, seasoned with herbs and butter

- Salads, such as a fresh garden salad or a chilled potato salad

- Cheesy garlic biscuits

- Sweet potato fries

- Soups or stews, like a spicy acorn squash stew or split pea soup

Green vegetables

• Leafy greens: You can add leafy greens such as spinach, bok choy, or napa cabbage to your hot pot. These vegetables cook quickly and add a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to your dish.
• Green Beans: Green beans are a crunchy and tasty option to serve alongside chicken hot pot. They provide a nice contrast in texture and pair well with the flavours of the dish.
• Broccoli: This tree-like vegetable is packed with nutrients and can be steamed, boiled, or roasted to accompany your chicken hot pot.
• Asparagus: Asparagus is a seasonal vegetable that can be grilled, roasted, or steamed. It adds a touch of elegance to your meal and pairs well with chicken.
• Peas: Peas are a sweet and vibrant green vegetable that can be added to your chicken hot pot or served as a side dish. They are a good source of dietary fibre and vitamins.
• Green Cabbage: Green cabbage, such as savoy or spring cabbage, can be shredded and added to your hot pot or served as a side. It adds a crunchy texture and a mild flavour that pairs well with chicken.

When preparing green vegetables, consider blanching or lightly steaming them to retain their vibrant colour and crisp texture. You can also roast or grill certain green vegetables, such as broccoli or asparagus, to add a charred flavour to your dish.

Pickled vegetables

If you're making a Chinese-style hot pot, you could try pickled mustard greens, which can be found in the canned foods aisle of a Chinese grocery store. Pickled mustard greens are a great way to add a crunchy texture and a sharp, sour flavour to your meal. Alternatively, you could use non-spicy white kimchi or pickled cabbage from Shandong for a similar effect.

If you're making a Japanese-style hot pot, you might want to serve pickled vegetables like daikon radish on the side. Daikon radish has a mild flavour and a crisp, refreshing texture, making it a great palate cleanser between mouthfuls of hot pot.

You could also try pickling some of the vegetables that are already in your chicken hot pot. For example, if your hot pot contains carrots, parsnips, or other root vegetables, you could try pickling them beforehand to give them a tangy twist.

Bread

Crusty Bread

A simple, fresh crusty bread with a thick spread of butter is the perfect side to chicken hot pot. This type of bread is versatile and can be used to soak up the gravy or to make a sandwich with any leftover chicken.

Garlic Bread

If you're looking for something with a bit more flavour, garlic bread is another delicious option. You can make your own by spreading butter, olive oil, or margarine on bread and sprinkling it with garlic salt or powder. You can also add some dried parsley or other herbs for extra flavour. Then, bake it in the oven until it's toasted.

French Bread

French bread is a type of crusty bread that has a chewy texture and a thick crust. It's often used for sandwiches, but it can also be served as a side. If you want to switch things up, you can make garlic French bread by combining the previous two suggestions.

Potato Bread

Chicken hot pot is often served with potatoes, so why not try potato bread? This type of bread is made with mashed potatoes, flour, butter, and milk, and it has a soft and fluffy texture. It's a great way to enjoy the flavour of potatoes in a different form.

Corn cobs

Instant Pot Method:

Using an Instant Pot to cook corn on the cob is a beginner-friendly and efficient process. It cooks the corn to perfection without the need for constant monitoring. Here are the steps:

• Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
• Place a trivet in the Instant Pot and pour in water (around 1-2 cups for 4 ears of corn).
• Place the corn on the trivet. You can stack them horizontally or vertically to fit more.
• Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the sealing position.
• Set the pressure cooking time. For firmer corn, cook for 2 minutes, and for softer corn, cook for 3 minutes. If cooking unshucked corn, cook for 4 minutes.
• Once the cooking cycle is complete, do a Quick Release of the pressure by turning the steam release knob to the Venting position.
• Open the lid carefully and remove the corn.
• Slather with butter, sprinkle with salt, and serve!

Stovetop Method:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add the corn to the boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes if you want it crisp. Avoid over-boiling, which can lead to mushy corn.
• Remove the corn from the pot and serve with your desired toppings.

Tips for Perfect Corn on the Cob:

• Choose fresh corn with bright green husks that are tightly wrapped around the cob.
• Look for plump, bright, and milky kernels that are tightly arranged in rows.
• Select corn with soft, moist, and slightly sticky silk. The more silk, the better.
• Avoid corn that has been out in the sun all day or has dry, brown, or yellow husks.
• Store corn in an airtight container in the refrigerator, preferably with the husks still on to protect its flavor.
• Experiment with different cooking times to achieve your desired level of tenderness.
• For corn off the cob, cook the whole ears of corn and then cut the kernels off to use in salads, salsas, soups, or freeze for later use.

Serving Suggestions:

Corn on the cob is delicious served simply with butter and salt, but here are some fun variations to elevate your side dish:

• Lime, butter, and chili powder
• Butter, Parmesan, and garlic
• Olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice
• Cheddar cheese and bacon
• Try making Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) or Taiwanese Street Corn for a tasty twist.

Potato-based foods

Chicken hot pot is a hearty meal that can be made more filling and delicious with the addition of potato-based foods. Here are some ideas for potato-based sides and toppings to serve with your chicken hot pot:

Sliced Potatoes

Sliced potatoes are a classic topping for chicken hot pot. To prepare, simply slice potatoes into rounds and layer them on top of the hot pot filling in an overlapping pattern. Brush the potatoes with melted butter and cook in the oven until they are golden brown and cooked through. This will add a crispy and savoury element to your meal.

Mashed Potato

Mashed potato is a comforting and creamy side dish that pairs well with the savoury flavours of chicken hot pot. Boil and mash potatoes with butter, milk, and seasoning to create a smooth and fluffy side. You can also add herbs and spices like garlic, rosemary, or paprika to elevate the flavour of your mashed potatoes.

Roasted Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are a heartier option that can add a crispy texture to your meal. Cut potatoes into wedges or cubes, toss them in olive oil and your choice of seasonings, and roast them in the oven until they are golden brown. You can experiment with different seasoning blends to create roasted potatoes that complement the flavours of your chicken hot pot.

Potato Salad

If you're looking for a lighter potato-based option, potato salad can be a refreshing side dish. Boil potatoes until they are tender, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Mix the potatoes with a dressing made from mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and your choice of herbs and spices. You can also add chopped vegetables like celery or onion to your potato salad for added texture and flavour.

Crispy Potato Cakes

For a unique and crispy potato-based side, try making potato cakes. Grate potatoes and mix them with flour, egg, and seasoning to create a thick batter. Form the batter into patties and fry them in a pan with oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Potato cakes can add a crunchy texture and a delicious savoury flavour to your chicken hot pot meal.

Frequently asked questions