Ever found yourself staring at those delicious city chicken skewers, wondering what on earth to serve alongside them? Trust me, I’ve been there too! City chicken might sound urban and fancy, but it’s actually a nostalgic comfort food that deserves some equally awesome sidekicks on your plate
At CooksCrafter, we’ve experimented with countless combinations to find the perfect partners for this retro dish. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or entertaining guests, these sides will take your city chicken from good to absolutely unforgettable!
Let’s dive into our top 15 side dishes that’ll make your city chicken sing with flavor!
Classic Sides That Never Disappoint
1. Mashed Potatoes
Is there anything more comforting than creamy buttery mashed potatoes? We don’t think so! This easy-to-make side dish is the ultimate companion for city chicken.
The smooth texture of mashed potatoes creates the perfect contrast to the savory crunch of city chicken. Plus, they soak up any gravy or sauce like a dream. For an extra touch of indulgence, try making herbed brown butter mashed potatoes – the nutty flavor of brown butter takes this classic to new heights!
2. Roasted Vegetables
When we need to add color and nutrition to our city chicken dinner, roasted veggies are our go-to. The caramelized edges and sweet, savory flavors complement the meat skewers perfectly
Try tossing carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers in olive oil with some simple seasonings. The crispy texture and vibrant colors make for a gorgeous plate that tastes as good as it looks!
3. Macaroni and Cheese
Nothing says comfort food like mac and cheese alongside your city chicken! The creamy, cheesy goodness pairs wonderfully with the savory meat skewers.
We love how the cheese sauce coats every piece of pasta, creating a rich, satisfying bite. For an extra special touch, try adding a crispy breadcrumb topping – that textural contrast is simply divine!
4. Coleslaw
Looking for something refreshing? Coleslaw brings a welcome crunch and tanginess to balance the richness of city chicken.
The crisp cabbage and carrots dressed in a creamy sauce cut through the savory flavors beautifully. It’s one of those sides that makes each bite of your meal feel complete and balanced.
Southern-Inspired Accompaniments
5. Cornbread
There’s something magical about cornbread with city chicken. The slightly sweet, crumbly texture is the perfect foil for savory meat skewers.
We love how cornbread soaks up sauces while adding a homey, comforting element to the meal. It’s simple to make yet adds so much to your dinner table!
6. Baked Beans
Baked beans bring a sweet and smoky element that pairs beautifully with city chicken. The contrast of tender beans in that rich sauce alongside your meat skewers is simply unbeatable.
These aren’t just any side dish – they’re practically a tradition with meat-based meals! The combination of flavors creates a truly satisfying dinner experience.
7. Tennessee Onions
Have you tried Tennessee onions yet? This Southern classic features sweet onions baked in a rich, buttery broth until they reach caramelized perfection.
The savory-sweet flavor profile creates a beautiful harmony with city chicken. It’s one of those sides that might not be as well-known but will definitely have your guests asking for the recipe!
Veggie-Forward Options
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Don’t wrinkle your nose! Roasted Brussels sprouts are nothing like the boiled versions you might remember from childhood. When roasted properly, they develop crispy edges and caramelized flavors that are absolutely delicious.
These nutritious little gems, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, make a fantastic accompaniment to city chicken. For an extra special touch, try the maple-roasted version for a hint of sweetness!
9. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Green beans don’t have to be boring! When tossed with garlic and Parmesan, they transform into a side dish worthy of your city chicken.
The beans retain their fresh crunch while soaking up all that garlicky, cheesy goodness. It’s a simple way to add color and nutrition to your plate without sacrificing flavor.
10. Slow-Cooker Green Beans
For a hands-off approach that delivers big on flavor, try slow-cooker green beans with your city chicken. Adding garlic, onions, and bacon creates a savory side that practically cooks itself.
We love how the slow cooking melds all the flavors together while still maintaining that vibrant green color. It’s a fantastic option when you want to focus on perfecting your city chicken!
Potato Variations
11. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerling potatoes offer a creamy texture and nutty flavor that pairs exceptionally well with city chicken. Their small size means more surface area for caramelization – and more deliciousness!
Roast them with olive oil, salt, and herbs for a simple but incredibly tasty side. The crispy exterior and tender interior create a wonderful textural experience alongside your meat skewers.
12. Twice-Baked Potatoes
For a more indulgent potato option, twice-baked potatoes are hard to beat! These creamy, cheesy spuds elevate any meal to special occasion status.
The combination of fluffy potato mixed with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, then baked again to perfection, creates a side dish that might just steal the show from your city chicken (but in the best possible way!).
13. Smashed Potatoes
If you’re looking for something between mashed and roasted, smashed potatoes are your answer! These baby red potatoes are boiled, smashed, and then baked until crispy on the outside while remaining creamy inside.
The textural contrast works beautifully with city chicken, and you can customize them with different herbs and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
Fresh and Vibrant Sides
14. Broccoli Grape Pasta Salad
For something a little different, try this refreshing pasta salad that combines broccoli florets, juicy grapes, and pasta in a creamy dressing.
The surprising combination of flavors and textures makes this a standout side that will have everyone asking for seconds. The sweetness of the grapes balances beautifully with the savory city chicken.
15. Southern Cobb Salad
A hearty salad can be the perfect counterpoint to city chicken, and a Southern Cobb delivers big on flavor and satisfaction!
Loaded with grilled chicken, avocado, blue cheese, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and fresh greens, this salad brings multiple flavor dimensions to your meal. The variety of ingredients ensures there’s something for everyone at the table.
Tips for Pairing Sides with City Chicken
When planning your menu, consider these helpful tips:
- Balance your textures – Pair crispy city chicken with something creamy like mashed potatoes
- Think about colors – Add vibrant greens or colorful roasted veggies for visual appeal
- Consider preparation timing – Choose some make-ahead sides to reduce stress at dinner time
- Mix hot and cold – A warm main with a cool salad creates nice temperature contrast
- Don’t forget the bread – Garlic bread or dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up sauces
What Makes a Perfect City Chicken Meal?
The best city chicken dinners include a balance of flavors and textures. Here’s what we recommend including:
| Category | Examples | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Starchy Side | Potatoes, rice, pasta | Provides satisfying fullness |
| Vegetable | Roasted veggies, green beans | Adds nutrition and color |
| Fresh Element | Salad, slaw | Lightens the meal |
| Bread | Dinner rolls, cornbread | Perfect for sopping up flavors |
Final Thoughts
City chicken might be a blast from the past, but paired with these delicious sides, it deserves a regular spot in your dinner rotation! Whether you go classic with mashed potatoes or venture into something more unique like Tennessee onions, these sides will elevate your meal and have everyone coming back for more.
At CooksCrafter, we’re all about bringing comfort food classics back to life with the perfect accompaniments. Next time you’re serving up those tasty meat skewers, remember this list and watch your dinner transform from simple to spectacular!
What’s your favorite side to serve with city chicken? We’d love to hear about your family traditions and favorite pairings in the comments below!
2 – Roasted Vegetables
We toss in some carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers. They get crispy edges and a sweet, caramelized flavor. Roasted veggies also add a great crunch.
These mix balance city chicken’s hearty nature. Perfect with a dash of olive oil and some seasoning. Trust us, they’re a hit.
Who doesn’t love a plate of colorful, roasted goodness?
6 – Baked Beans
Cornbread is our go-to side for city chicken. It’s moist, slightly sweet, and crumbles just right. This balances the savory flavors of the skewers perfectly. The buttery taste enhances every bite.
We love how it adds a comforting, homemade touch to the meal. Cornbread soaks up any extra sauces on the plate, making it a must-have.
City Chicken
FAQ
What to serve with chicken?
Read on for some of our favorite side dishes to serve with chicken, based on five basic methods of cooking this beloved bird. And remember, you can always pair baked chicken with a side for fried chicken, roasted chicken with a side for grilled chicken, and so on. You’ll have a winner-winner chicken dinner no matter the combo.
What side dishes go with chicken?
And boy are there are ton of options! Here, you’ll find the perfect sides to pair with chicken. Try one of our vegetable side dishes that include roasted carrots, asparagus, or potatoes in every form. Make comforting casserole recipes like the yellow squash casserole or try the sweet potato wedges for a healthy chicken dinner.
Is chicken a good side dish for a weeknight dinner?
Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner component. It’s budget-friendly, healthy, and easy to cook. Plus, you can prepare it dozens of ways. Because plain chicken doesn’t have a ton of flavor on its own, you can get really creative with your side dishes. There’s truly a chicken side dish for everyone on this list.
Are corn on the cob a good side dish for Barbeque Chicken?
Plus, corn on the cob will forever be a classic side dish for barbeque chicken. “Everyone always loves these beans, and they are a sweet, filling, and yummy addition to a plate of potato salad and the smoky barbeque we all love,” says recipe creator aleasa.
What is a good side dish with city chicken?
What to serve with city chicken? Plenty of people make a gravy with the pan drippings and serve with mashed potatoes. Really you would treat this as any meat main dish. We eat it with a hearty side dish like mashed potatoes and green beans.
What side dishes go well with chicken?
- Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad. PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE. …
- French Onion Cabbage Gratin. …
- Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots. …
- Air Fryer Green Beans. …
- Smashed Brussels Sprouts. …
- Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples. …
- Sweet Potato Salad. …
- Creamy Tuscan Orzo.
Is city chicken a Polish dish?
Yes, city chicken is a Polish-American comfort food dish that features skewers of pork and sometimes veal, shaped to resemble chicken drumsticks, and breaded and fried. It is a resourceful, Depression-era creation from the Polish communities in the Great Lakes region and Pennsylvania, where chicken was more expensive than pork or veal.
Is city chicken a Pittsburgh thing?
City chicken came out of the Polish and Ukrainian communities who settled in the Great Lakes region prior to the Great Depression. With many of these immigrants concentrated in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, the dish is tied to the two cities, though it cropped up in places like Detroit and Buffalo as well.