Let’s face it – chicken and potatoes are like that reliable friend who’s always there for you. But sometimes, even the most dependable duo needs a little something extra to make dinner truly spectacular. I’ve been cooking family meals for years, and I can tell you that finding the perfect side dish can transform your basic chicken and potatoes into a meal everyone will rave about!
Whether you’re serving up crispy fried chicken with creamy mashed potatoes or a classic roasted chicken with golden potato wedges, I’ve got you covered with sides that’ll take your meal from “meh” to “magnificent!”
Veggie Sides That Complement Chicken and Potatoes
1. Roasted Carrots
There’s something magical that happens when you roast carrots. They get all caramelized and sweet which pairs perfectly with savory chicken and starchy potatoes.
I love making them with
- A drizzle of honey for sweetness
- A sprinkle of thyme for earthiness
- A touch of butter for richness
The best part? You can roast them on the same sheet pan as your chicken if you’re making a one-pan meal. Talk about easy cleanup!
2. Green Beans with a Twist
Plain green beans? Boring! But green beans with some pizzazz? Now we’re talking!
Try these variations
- Parmesan Roasted Green Beans: Toss with olive oil, garlic, and plenty of parmesan before roasting
- Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon: Let your slow cooker do the work while the bacon adds amazing flavor
- Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds: Quick, easy, and adds a nice crunch
I made these for my picky nephew last weekend, and he actually asked for seconds! That’s what I call a veggie victory.
3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I know what you’re thinking – “Brussels sprouts? Really?” Yes, REALLY. When roasted properly, these little cabbages get crispy on the outside and tender inside.
The key is high heat (around 425°F) and not overcrowding the pan. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until they’re caramelized and slightly charred. Trust me, they’re nothing like the mushy green balls your grandma used to serve!
Salads That Brighten Up Chicken and Potatoes
4. Couscous Salad
When chicken and potatoes feel heavy, a light and colorful couscous salad is the perfect counterbalance. Mine includes:
- Fluffy couscous (it cooks in just 5 minutes!)
- Crunchy cucumbers
- Sweet pomegranate seeds
- Toasted nuts
- Fresh herbs like mint and parsley
The best part? You can make it ahead of time, and it actually tastes better as the flavors meld together.
5. Spinach Salad with Bacon
Sometimes you need something crisp and fresh to cut through the richness of chicken and potatoes. A spinach salad with warm bacon dressing does exactly that!
I like to add:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Sliced mushrooms
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Toasted almonds
The warm bacon dressing wilts the spinach just slightly, creating this amazing texture contrast that makes this salad totally crave-worthy.
6. Three-Bean Salad
This classic picnic side is actually perfect with chicken and potatoes! It’s got protein, fiber, and a tangy dressing that works as a nice contrast to your main dish.
My version uses:
- White beans
- Kidney beans
- Green beans
- A simple vinaigrette with a touch of honey
It’s super easy to throw together and keeps well in the fridge for days, making it perfect for meal prep.
Comfort Food Sides for Chicken and Potatoes
7. Mac and Cheese
Sometimes, you just need to go all in on comfort food. When I’m serving chicken and potatoes to a crowd, I often add my ultra-cheesy mac and cheese to the mix.
The secret to my mac and cheese is using FIVE cups of sharp cheddar. I’m not playing around when it comes to cheesiness! It’s especially amazing alongside fried chicken and mashed potatoes.
8. Corn Soufflé
Light as a cloud but rich in flavor, corn soufflé is one of those sides that people always ask for the recipe. It uses three kinds of corn:
- Fresh kernels
- Creamed corn
- Corn muffin mix
Add some jalapeños for a sweet and spicy kick, and you’ve got a side dish that’ll steal the spotlight from your chicken!
9. Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
This dish is like the Swiss Army knife of side dishes – it’s got veggies, it’s got carbs, and it’s got CHEESE. What more could you want?
The combination of tender rice, crisp-tender broccoli, and gooey cheese sauce is absolutely killer with roasted chicken. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids to eat their broccoli without complaints!
Quick and Easy Sides for Weeknight Dinners
10. Sautéed Asparagus
When you need something fast but fancy-looking, sautéed asparagus is your best friend. It takes just 15 minutes from start to finish!
The key ingredients are:
- Butter and olive oil (the combo gives amazing flavor)
- Minced garlic
- Fresh lemon juice and zest
It looks super elegant on the plate but requires minimal effort – perfect for those nights when you’re already juggling chicken and potatoes.
11. Balsamic Mushrooms
Mushrooms and chicken are a match made in heaven. The earthiness of the mushrooms complements the chicken beautifully, while the balsamic adds a tangy sweetness.
I just sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic, add a splash of balsamic vinegar, and let it reduce until the mushrooms are glossy and flavorful. It takes about 10 minutes total, and the result is so good you might forget about the chicken altogether!
12. Sugar Snap Peas
Sometimes simple is best. Sugar snap peas need almost no preparation – just a quick wash and trim, then a 5-minute sauté in a bit of oil with salt and pepper.
They add a fresh, crisp element and bright green color to your plate of chicken and potatoes. Plus, they’re sweet enough that even vegetable skeptics usually enjoy them.
Special Occasion Sides for Chicken and Potatoes
13. Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
When I’m serving chicken and potatoes for a special dinner, I like to elevate the sides a bit. Asparagus with homemade hollandaise sauce feels fancy but isn’t actually that difficult.
The creamy, buttery hollandaise perfectly coats the tender asparagus spears, and the bright yellow sauce looks stunning next to the green vegetable. It’s a showstopper that pairs beautifully with a classic roast chicken and potatoes.
14. Yellow Squash Casserole
This Southern classic deserves more attention! Tender yellow squash in a creamy sauce, topped with buttery cracker crumbs? Yes please!
The mild flavor of yellow squash works well with chicken, and the crispy cracker topping adds a nice textural contrast to creamy mashed potatoes. It’s comfort food with a touch of elegance.
15. Dinner Rolls
Sometimes the perfect side for chicken and potatoes is simply something to sop up all those delicious juices and gravy. Homemade dinner rolls are perfect for this!
Making your own might sound intimidating, but with a good recipe, they’re actually pretty straightforward. And there’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread to make your dinner feel special.
Final Thoughts
The best side dishes for chicken and potatoes depend on a few factors:
- The cooking method for your chicken (fried, roasted, grilled?)
- The style of potatoes (mashed, roasted, wedges?)
- The season and available produce
- How much time you have
I personally love pairing roast chicken and potatoes with something green and something with a bit of acidity to cut through the richness. But honestly, all of these sides would work wonderfully!
Remember, cooking should be fun and flexible. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations until you find your perfect chicken and potato pairing. Your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
What’s your go-to side dish for chicken and potatoes? I’d love to hear about your favorite combinations in the comments below!
From garlicky asparagus to bacon biscuits to saffron potatoes.
Published OnApril 16, 2021
Photo by JULIA GARTLAND. PROP STYLIST: SOPHIE PAPPAS. FOOD STYLIST: ANNA BILLINGSKOG.
So, you’re making chicken for dinner. Maybe it is oven-fried or feta-brined or milk-braised. But it is chicken and it needs a side. That’s where these 27 recipes come in.
This sweet and sour citrus salad, with juicy oranges, sticky dates, and crunchy almonds, is the perfect foil to rich, fatty roast chicken. Or crispy chicken cutlets, sliced into strips.
Sure, you could sauté asparagus with just oil and salt. But things get infinitely more interesting with thinly sliced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime.
A side dish that might steal the show. (Don’t tell the chicken.) Next time you’re grilling breasts or thighs, whip up this mustardy grilled zucchini salad to go with.
Made with just self-rising flour, rendered bacon fat, and buttermilk, these biscuits would very much like to be teamed up with fried chicken or chicken nuggets.
A humble potato salad that gets along with everyone it meets. Don’t skip the diced chives or onion powder—both bring a super-savoriness that will have you coming back for seconds.
Oh, cheese bread! Pair a slice (or three) with literal chicken salad or salady chicken.
Because if you’re grilling chicken, you might as well grill your salad, too. Bitter chicories love a bold char, and don’t even get us started on the fennel-seedy dressing with chiles and garlic.
But wait! you say. I’m eating this chicken for dinner, not breakfast! That’s a-okay. These simple-as-heck, strategically spiced potatoes are excellent anytime of day.
The secret to these stunners from Yasmin Fahr? The braising liquid, which “reduces down to a thick consistency that coats and infuses the potatoes, also giving them a bright, orangey color.”
Culinary historian Michael W. Twitty recommends serving his Genius rice with chicken, and who are we to disagree? Make extra candied garlic if you know what’s good for you.
Italian tonnato sauce is traditionally served with veal, so you bet your bottom dollar that it’s A+ with chicken, too. Especially when spring jewels like asparagus and fava beans are involved.
A riff on Julia Child’s creamed spinach. The creaminess comes not from cream, but from flour’s thickening prowess, plus butter (because if it’s inspired by Julia, of course it involves butter).
The only roasted broccoli recipe you’ll ever need. That’s it!
Just like a really good bag of salt-and-vinegar potato chips—only instead of crunchy and crackly, soft and plush. A simple roast chicken would thank you kindly.
“If you love smoked paprika, the odds are high that you’ll love these carrots,” writes Dorie Greenspan. “They’re roasted in a hot oven after they’ve been rolled around in a mix of honey, vinegar, cumin, cayenne, and smoked paprika.”
For leaner (aka blander) chicken cuts, like breasts, a rich side dish is just the ticket. Think: meaty mushrooms, creamy labneh, and enough puckery lemon to grab your attention.
Sure, you could roast or sauté or boil broccoli. But you could also leave it alone, like in this crunchy salad. Feel free to swap in whatever fruit or nut you have on hand.
A minimalist masterpiece from Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage. The ingredient list is in the title: miso and butter and onions and that’s it.
“Since traditional Persian rice can take years to perfect and hours to make,” writes Samin Nosrat, “I’m including this Persian-ish variation, which I accidentally devised one night when I found myself with a few extra cups of just-boiled basmati rice on my hands.”
Why yes, this dill yogurt would go great with your chicken, too. This crispy-creamy template from Abra Berens would work well with any roasted veg, from fennel to cauliflower.
Sometimes simple does it. If your chicken recipe has a lot going on already, opt for a pared-down side dish like these sprouts.
Sweet potato wedges get treated to a jammy peperonata and peppery greens. This would be excellent with a cold glass of white wine.
No cream is needed for this decidedly creamy corn dish. Indeed! Our senior food stylist Anna Billingskog will explain the rest.
Scallions need no more than a hunk of butter to become their best selves, slouchy and sweet—it’s impossible to eat just one.
Summer chicken, we’re ready for you. This coleslaw gets its extra-good looks from two types of cabbage (green and red), plus orangey carrots and emerald parsley.
“If you’ve never had cooked radishes before, you’ll be delighted,” writes Darra Goldstein. “Though they retain some crunch, their flavor mellows, and the muted red of their skin is alluring.”
Meek cabbage? No more! Sauté with cream, onion, ginger, and garlic for a, ahem, suspiciously delicious result.
Whats your go-to side with grilled chicken? Let us know in the comments!
Mediterranean Baked Chicken Dinner (Lemon Garlic Chicken Potato Bake)
FAQ
What food to make with chicken and potatoes?
- Creamy tarragon chicken & potato bake. …
- Chicken & crispy capers with new potatoes. …
- Truffle chicken & potato gratin. …
- Chicken piccata with garlicky greens & new potatoes. …
- Roast chicken with dill & potatoes. …
- One-pot chicken with chorizo & new potatoes. …
- Spanish chicken with chorizo, potatoes & chickpeas.