Side Dish for Garlic Chicken

[valerie]

Tomorrow night I am making Alton Brown's Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic (but I usually add around 50-60 cloves!). For some reason, I am having trouble deciding what to make with it. When I make this during the week for dinner, I just cook up some pasta, but since my in-laws are coming for dinner, I thought I would make something a step or 2 up from plain pasta.

Nothing fancy, but I am thinking orzo, and I have come up with these 2 recipes so far that sound good:

Orzo with Parsley and Lemon Zest

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/orzo-with-parsley-and-lemon-zest-recipe/index.html

Garlic-Herb Orzo Pilaf Recipe

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Ga...

For the orzo with lemon zest, does that go with the garlic chicken? And my concern about the garlic-herb orzo is that will that be too much garlic? I love garlic, but garlic with garlic?

Any thoughts? It has been a long week and I can't decide! Thanks.

[Caitlin McGrath]

I think the orzo with lemon zest would be great; garlic and lemon is a classic flavor combo. I'd choose it over the garlic-herb just so there will be more flavor differentiation on the plate. The lemon would be a bright counterpoint to the delightful earthiness of the chicken.

[valerie]

Thank you!

[salsailsa]

I agree that garlic pilaf with garlic chicken would be too much garlic.

I like the idea of the lemon. A lemon pinenut rice pilaf would good or you could do something with Orzo and mushrooms.

For potatoes , Pommes Anna is a nice change from the typical potato dishes.

Actually, greek lemon roasted potaoes would also go really nicely.

[valerie]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have a few restrictions, which is why I picked those 2 options -- I have 2 small kids, and my son can't have dairy, so no parmesan cheese or butter. I saw a recipe for one version with pinenuts that sounded really good too, but no nuts. My kids are actually more adventurous eaters than my husband, but mushrooms are not too popular around here (I like 'em, so oh well), so now you can see why I am trying to keep it simple!

[jfood]

jfood agrees that the garlic-herb orzo as a side to the 40-clove is not a good choice. The 40-clove is one of his favorites and he uses the Beard recipe. the garlic is wonderful. the lemon parsley sounds wonderful to complement the chicken.

[rednails]

I also like the orzo with lemon idea but feel the plate needs more color. How about adding some sauteed red/orange/yellow bell peppers to the orzo? I'm not sure what other side dish you have in mind, and don't think the peppers will alter the flavor of the orzo too much.

[normalheightsfoodie]

This is one of my favs. I usually serve it with rice. I actually put the chicken on a serve of a bed of rice.

I think it would also be great with mashed taters.

I would also add steamed fresh spinach as your green..good Luck!

[valerie]

I am starting with a simple salad, but I guess I could add a vegetable as well. Too late for me to get asparagus or peppers, so maybe I will just throw together some peas and pearl onions....thanks again!

[torty]

I like the orzo with parsley and lemon zest idea. My mind keeps going to using some of the pan juices which will be very flavorful. Maybe stir some into the orzo to finish it. I also like the idea of roasting potatoes along with the chicken and then sprinkling a fine mince of lemon zest and parsley or herb of choice over all. For color in the orzo you can finely grate carrots and add them near the end to preserve color and give a little texture.

[valerie]

Just to report back, I went with the orzo with parsley and lemon zest. It was perfect. I went sort of easy on the lemon, so it had a hint of lemon, but it was fine. I also made peas and pearl onions with a little bit of Earth Balance (can't use butter) and salt & pepper. Good call from all who suggested a vegetable to add some color!

Turned out great, and maybe next time I will try the roasted potatoes with lemon. Thanks!

[normalheightsfoodie]

Sometimes when I make it, I add some small red potatoes into the pot while it cooks. Fingerlings would be good too. This way you get two things done at once. Add some extra salt.