What Goes with Chicken Schnitzel?

What suits chicken schnitzel best is anything that balances the weight of a crisp, fried crust — a tangy salad and a light starchy side. A lemony green salad or coleslaw cuts through the greasy feel of the schnitzel, while mashed or roasted potatoes make the plate more filling. Which salads complete a schnitzel?The traditional companion for chicken schnitzel is a green leaf salad dressed with nothing more than lemon juice; the lightness of the salad and the sharpness of the lemon balance the weight of the fried breadcrumb crust. Coleslaw or pickles serve a similar purpose; the two options each offer a fresh textural contrast to the crunch of the schnitzel. What sides and sauces work best?Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or fries are the most common starchy sides for schnitzel; mash in particular gives a soft contrast against the crisp exterior. Pasta salad also appears on some tables, though a light dressing keeps the plate from feeling too heavy. For sauce, tartar sauce or a lemon butter sauce is the classic choice for schnitzel; the tangy, pickled flavor of tartar sauce balances well against the fried crust. If tomato sauce is chosen instead, its light acidity plays the same balancing role, though this pairing shows up more in Italian-style presentations. On the vegetable side, plain vegetables like steamed broccoli or charred zucchini work as a neutral companion against the schnitzel's dominant flavor; keeping the vegetable lightly seasoned matters, so it doesn't compete with the taste of the breadcrumb crust. Chicken schnitzel is also sometimes turned into a sandwich; in that case, pickles, lettuce and mustard tucked into the bread add a fresh, tangy layer against the schnitzel's crisp exterior. A yogurt-based dressing instead of mayonnaise keeps the sandwich version lighter. How thick the breadcrumb coating is also shapes the sauce that suits it; a thin coating is fine with a light sauce, while a thick, crunchy one calls for a richer tartar sauce or lemon butter. On plates made for children, ketchup, while not traditional, is a frequently chosen alternative sauce. The traditional companion for a Vienna-style schnitzel is potato salad; it's dressed with vinegar and mustard rather than mayonnaise, which balances the greasy feel of the fried meat with something sour. For drinks, chicken schnitzel goes well with a light white wine or a cold beer; the crunch of the schnitzel is completed by the freshness of these drinks. In short, whatever goes with chicken schnitzel should either carry a tang to lighten the fried crust or a neutral starch to make the plate filling. The size of the portion also affects what goes with it; a large schnitzel is usually served with just one plain side, while a smaller portion can be paired with a few different sides at once, making the plate look and taste richer.