25 Delicious Sides to Serve with Chicken Salad (That’ll Make Your Meal Complete!)

Have you ever made a gorgeous batch of chicken salad and then stood in front of your fridge thinking, “now what goes with this?” I’ve been there too many times! Chicken salad is one of those versatile dishes that’s perfect for lunches, brunches, baby showers, or quick dinners – but finding the perfect side dish can sometimes be a head-scratcher.

After years of experimenting (and some questionable pairings I won’t mention), I’ve compiled what I think are the absolute best sides to serve with chicken salad. Whether you’re serving it on croissants, in lettuce cups, or straight up with a fork, these side dishes will take your meal from good to unforgettable!

Quick Overview: Top Side Dishes for Chicken Salad

Before we dive into the details here’s a quick glance at some crowd-pleasing options

• Fresh veggie sticks with dip
• Fruit salad or fresh fruit
• Potato chips or crackers
• Pasta salad
• Green salads
• Soups (especially in cooler months)
• Bread and butter pickles
• Potato salad
• Macaroni and cheese

Fresh Vegetables

Nothing complements the creamy texture of chicken salad like the satisfying crunch of fresh veggies. Here are some easy options:

• Carrot and celery sticks with ranch dip
• Cucumber slices (so refreshing!)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli florets with lemon aioli dip
• Roasted cauliflower
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• Pickles (dill or bread & butter)

I personally love putting out a veggie tray when serving chicken salad sandwiches at gatherings. The veggies add color to your table and give guests something crunchy to munch on alongside their sandwiches.

Fruit Options

The sweetness of fruit creates a perfect balance with savory chicken salad. Try these fruity sides:

• Diced pineapple
• Sliced strawberries and grapes
• Mandarin orange segments
• Chopped apples
• Melon balls (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon)
• Berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• Kiwi slices
• Diced mango or peach

For a more put-together option create a fruit salad by combining your favorites, or mix fruit with a light yogurt dip or poppyseed dressing. At my last summer gathering I served a watermelon, feta and mint salad alongside chicken salad croissants, and it was a huge hit!

Pasta Salads

Pasta salad and chicken salad? Double salad might sound strange but trust me – it works! Some winning combinations include

• Rotini with Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, and Parmesan
• Bowtie pasta with pesto, halved grape tomatoes, and mozzarella
• Fusilli with Greek dressing, feta, cucumber, red onion, and kalamata olives
• Wagon wheel pasta with ranch dressing, shredded carrots, snap peas, and red bell pepper
• Lemon orzo with feta – this one’s my personal favorite!

Pasta soaks up dressing beautifully and makes for a hearty addition to your meal. If you’re bringing chicken salad to a potluck, pasta salad is the perfect companion dish.

Potato-Based Sides

Potatoes and chicken salad are a match made in heaven. Consider these options:

Potato Salad

• Red potatoes with red onion, celery, parsley, and yellow mustard dressing
• Baby potatoes with scallions and grainy mustard vinaigrette
• Roasted sweet potato salad with feta, spinach, and red wine vinegar
• Fingerling potatoes with dill and dijon mustard lemon dressing

Roasted Potatoes

• Roasted red potatoes with herbs
• Sweet potato wedges
• Garlic parmesan potato wedges

Potato Chips

For the simplest option, a bowl of kettle-cooked potato chips adds the perfect crunchy contrast to creamy chicken salad.

Soups

In cooler months, soup and chicken salad sandwiches make a comforting duo:

• Tomato soup – a classic choice!
• Vegetable rice soup
• Butternut squash soup
• Potato soup with ham
• Bacon cheddar soup
• Cucumber soup (for summertime)

I’ve found that creamy soups complement chicken salad particularly well. My family loves when I serve chicken salad with a bowl of warm potato soup on chilly evenings.

Salads and Slaws

Yes, more salad to go with your salad! But these provide different flavors and textures:

Coleslaw

• Traditional creamy coleslaw
• Vinegar-based slaw
• Asian-inspired slaw with sesame ginger dressing

Green Salads

• Caesar salad
• Simple garden salad
• Spinach and arugula salad with bacon, cranberries, and glazed pecans
• Kale and pomegranate salad

Grain Salads

• Quinoa salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, and red wine vinegar
• Quinoa with black beans, corn, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice
• Farro ancient grain salad with curry dressing

Breads and Crackers

While chicken salad is often served on bread already, additional bread options make great sides:

• Croissants – buttery and flaky, perfect for making into sandwiches
• Sourdough bread – the subtle tang complements chicken salad beautifully
• Whole grain bread – a healthier option that adds fiber
• Pita bread – perfect for stuffing with chicken salad
• Cornbread – adds a touch of sweetness
• Crackers – from simple saltines to fancy multigrain varieties
• Cheese straws – for something a little different

Comfort Food Sides

Sometimes you want something a bit more substantial with your chicken salad:

• Macaroni and cheese – creamy comfort food at its finest
• Baked beans – especially good with BBQ-flavored chicken salad
• Cornmeal pancakes – unexpectedly delicious with chicken salad
• Fried rice – for an Asian-inspired twist

Dips and Spreads

Serve these alongside your chicken salad for added flavor dimensions:

• Hummus with pita chips
• Guacamole with tortilla chips
• Ranch dressing for dipping veggies
• Tzatziki – Greek yogurt dip with cucumber and dill

Ideas for Different Occasions

For a Lunch Meeting

• Chicken salad on croissants
• Fresh fruit cups
• Kettle chips
• Iced tea or lemonade

For a Baby or Bridal Shower

• Chicken salad tea sandwiches on mini croissants
• Fruit and cheese kabobs
• Vegetable crudités with dip
• Sparkling water with fruit

For a Picnic

• Chicken salad sandwiches wrapped in parchment paper
• Individual bags of chips
• Pasta salad in mason jars
• Fresh fruit
• Cold beverages

Making Your Chicken Salad Shine

Remember that the type of chicken salad you make might influence what sides pair best with it. For example:

• Classic chicken salad (with celery and mayo) goes well with almost anything
• Curry chicken salad pairs beautifully with fruit sides
• Greek chicken salad (with feta and olives) complements Mediterranean sides like hummus
• BBQ chicken salad works well with heartier sides like baked beans or mac and cheese
• Asian-inspired chicken salad pairs well with rice or sesame noodles

My Personal Favorites

I’ve tried countless side dishes with chicken salad over the years, but my go-to combination for serving guests is chicken salad on mini croissants with a side of fresh fruit salad and kettle chips. It’s simple but always gets compliments!

For family dinners in winter, I love serving chicken salad with a bowl of tomato soup and some crispy bread for dipping. In summer, nothing beats chicken salad with a watermelon and feta side salad.

Tips for Serving

• If serving chicken salad for a party, consider offering it as part of a “build your own” station with various breads, toppings, and sides
• Think about temperature contrast – cool chicken salad pairs nicely with warm sides like roasted vegetables or soup
• Consider texture – crunchy sides balance the creaminess of chicken salad
• Don’t forget beverages! Iced tea, lemonade, or a crisp white wine all complement chicken salad beautifully

Final Thoughts

The beauty of chicken salad is its versatility – there’s really no wrong answer when it comes to what to serve alongside it. The best side dish ultimately depends on your personal taste, the occasion, and the season.

My advice? Experiment! Try different combinations until you find your perfect match. And remember, sometimes the simplest sides (like good potato chips or fresh fruit) are the most satisfying companions to a well-made chicken salad.

What’s your favorite side to serve with chicken salad? I’m always looking for new ideas to try!