When you’ve got a delicious plate of chicken and biscuits ready to go, finding the right side dishes can take your meal from good to absolutely incredible. As someone who’s served this comfort food classic more times than I can count, I’ve learned that the perfect sides can make all the difference!
Chicken and biscuits is already a hearty, satisfying meal on its own – whether you’re making a creamy casserole version or serving crispy fried chicken alongside fluffy biscuits. But adding complementary sides creates a more balanced, nutritious, and exciting meal for everyone at your table.
In this guide, I’ll share my favorite side dishes that pair beautifully with chicken and biscuits, based on years of cooking experience and endless family dinners. Let’s dive into these delicious options that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Why You Should Serve Side Dishes with Chicken and Biscuits
Before jumping into specific recommendations let’s talk about why side dishes are so important with chicken and biscuits
- Balance the richness: Chicken and biscuits can be quite rich and filling. Fresh, acidic, or lighter sides help cut through this richness.
- Add nutrition: Vegetable sides bring essential nutrients to round out your meal.
- Enhance presentation: A colorful array of sides makes your dinner table look more inviting and impressive.
- Satisfy different tastes: Side dishes ensure everyone finds something they love on their plate.
- Create a complete meal: Especially when serving guests, multiple dishes create a more satisfying dining experience.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken and Biscuits
1. Sautéed Spinach with Garlic
This quick nutritious side brings a fresh green element to your plate. The slight bitterness of spinach contrasts beautifully with the rich savory flavor of chicken and biscuits.
Why it works The garlicky notes cut through the richness of the main dish while providing a nutrient-packed veggie option that cooks in minutes.
Quick recipe: Heat olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic until fragrant, then add fresh spinach and cook until just wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
2. Roasted Asparagus with Garlic
Asparagus roasted until tender-crisp with garlic brings an elegant touch to your chicken and biscuits.
Why it works: The slight sweetness that develops when asparagus roasts pairs nicely with savory chicken, while maintaining a distinct texture that stands up well against soft biscuits.
Quick recipe: Toss asparagus spears with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until bright green and slightly crispy on the ends.
3. Creamy Coleslaw
This classic side brings crunch and creaminess that complements chicken and biscuits perfectly.
Why it works: The crisp texture and tangy dressing offer a refreshing contrast to the warm, soft components of your main dish.
Quick recipe: Combine shredded cabbage and carrots with a dressing of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. For the best flavor, make it a few hours ahead so flavors can meld.
4. Cauliflower Rice
For a lighter, lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully alongside chicken and biscuits.
Why it works: It absorbs the flavors of your chicken dish while adding volume to your meal without excessive heaviness.
Quick recipe: Pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until rice-sized, then sauté with a bit of butter or olive oil until tender. Season with herbs and spices of your choice.
5. Three Bean Salad
This colorful, protein-packed side adds both visual appeal and nutrition to your meal.
Why it works: The vinegary dressing provides acidity that cuts through the richness of chicken and biscuits, while the beans add fiber and protein.
Quick recipe: Combine kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and green beans with diced red onion, parsley, and a dressing of olive oil, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar.
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
The combination of caramelized Brussels sprouts and crispy bacon creates an irresistible side dish.
Why it works: The slight bitterness of Brussels sprouts and saltiness of bacon complement the savory flavors in your chicken dish.
Quick recipe: Halve Brussels sprouts and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes, adding chopped bacon in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
7. Southern-Style Collard Greens
This traditional Southern side is a natural pairing with chicken and biscuits.
Why it works: The tender greens with their savory, slightly tangy flavor profile provide a perfect accompaniment to your main dish.
Quick recipe: Sauté bacon pieces until crisp, add diced onion and garlic, then add chopped collard greens, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Simmer until tender.
8. Fresh Green Salad with Vinaigrette
A simple green salad brings freshness and lightness to balance your meal.
Why it works: The crisp textures and bright flavors cleanse the palate between bites of rich chicken and biscuits.
Quick recipe: Toss mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a simple lemon vinaigrette (olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper).
9. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Sweet, tender carrots add color and nutrition to your plate.
Why it works: The natural sweetness of carrots contrasts with the savory main dish, creating a pleasant flavor balance.
Quick recipe: Simmer sliced carrots until just tender, then add butter, honey, salt, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Toss until glazed and slightly caramelized.
10. Mashed Potatoes
This comfort food classic pairs wonderfully with chicken and biscuits.
Why it works: The creamy texture creates a delicious base for soaking up gravy or sauce from your chicken.
Quick recipe: Boil peeled, chopped potatoes until tender, drain, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
11. Pickled Vegetables
Tangy pickled veggies add brightness and acidity to cut through rich flavors.
Why it works: The vinegary punch and crisp texture provide contrast to the soft, rich components of your main dish.
Quick recipe: Quick-pickle cucumber slices, red onion, or okra in a solution of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for at least an hour before serving.
12. Fruit-Based Side
Consider applesauce, cranberry sauce, or a simple fruit salad for a sweet counterpoint.
Why it works: Fruit brings natural sweetness that complements savory chicken dishes in an unexpected but delightful way.
Quick recipe: For a quick fruit salad, combine seasonal fruits like berries, apple chunks, and orange segments with a light honey-lime dressing.
How to Choose the Right Sides
When deciding which sides to serve with your chicken and biscuits, consider:
- Balance of flavors: Include something acidic or fresh to cut through richness
- Variety of colors: Aim for a colorful plate with different vegetables
- Texture contrasts: Combine crisp, soft, and crunchy elements
- Preparation method: If your chicken is fried, avoid too many other fried sides
- Seasonality: Use in-season produce for the best flavor and value
FAQ About Serving Chicken and Biscuits
Q: What’s the simplest side dish I can make that pairs well with chicken and biscuits?
A: A simple green salad with vinaigrette is quick, easy, and provides a fresh contrast to the rich main dish.
Q: I’m serving chicken pot pie with biscuits on top. What sides work best?
A: Since your main dish already contains vegetables, lighter sides like a fresh salad or roasted asparagus complement it without overwhelming.
Q: How can I make my side dishes healthier?
A: Focus on vegetable-forward sides, use healthy fats like olive oil instead of butter when possible, and incorporate steaming or roasting rather than frying.
Q: What if I’m short on time?
A: Quick options include microwaved frozen vegetables dressed with a bit of butter and seasoning, pre-made coleslaw, or a simple salad with store-bought dressing.
Q: Can I make any sides ahead of time?
A: Yes! Coleslaw, three-bean salad, and many roasted vegetables actually taste better when made a day ahead, allowing flavors to develop.
Final Thoughts
The perfect chicken and biscuits meal is all about balance. While your main dish delivers comforting, hearty satisfaction, your sides can bring freshness, nutrition, and contrasting flavors that elevate the entire dining experience.
I’ve found that including at least one green vegetable and one fresh or acidic component creates the most satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving a family weeknight dinner or hosting a special gathering, these side dishes will help you create a memorable meal that has everyone asking for the recipes!
What’s your favorite side dish to serve with chicken and biscuits? I’d love to hear about your family traditions and kitchen successes in the comments below!
What To Eat With Rolled Biscuits
I love love love chicken pot pie and topping it with rolled buttermilk biscuits makes it that much better! This recipe is simple to make and filled with all the comforting flavors. A creamy sauce, juicy chicken, vegetables, and lots of spices make this a great pairing for biscuits.
This is another way to use biscuits. It is a fun and family friendly recipe that just requires flattening biscuits and filling them. Then they all get baked together in a pan and served pull apart style. How fun!
Similar to the cheesy potato bread, this monkey bread is meant to be pulled apart when enjoying it. It uses biscuit dough cut up and rolled in a delicious cinnamon sugar mixture to bake into a tasty treat that everyone will love! And it whips up quickly for a hassle free dessert.
Rhubarb Jam and Butter
This is my favorite way to enjoy fluffy biscuits! Take a warm biscuit, spread some rhubarb jam and honey butter and call it a day. Or, do butter on one side and jam on the other for two different bites! Or do a little peanut butter and honey i youre feeling a little crazy.
Often times biscuits are served with sausage gravy, but I like to serve homemade biscuits with vegetarian gravy for a lighter take. You could also add some collard greens and green tomatoes to really hammer home the southern flavor.
These sandwiches are awesome to meal prep! They are topped with crispy bacon, a runny egg, and cheddar cheese. This one also has a honey that is spiced with hot sauce for an extra kick.