40 Mouthwatering Side Dishes That Go Perfectly With Chicken

Let’s face it – chicken is probably sitting in your fridge right now, waiting to be transformed into tonight’s dinner. But we’ve all been there, staring at that chicken breast wondering, “What the heck am I gonna serve with this?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to what’s good with chicken!

Chicken might have a reputation for being a blank canvas (boring some might say), but that’s actually its superpower. With the right side dishes, your chicken dinner transforms from “meh” to “magnificent” faster than you can say “winner winner chicken dinner!”

As someone who cooks chicken at least three times a week (don’t judge me), I’ve experimented with countless sides. Today I’m sharing my top picks plus favorites from culinary experts that’ll make your chicken shine, no matter how you’re cooking it.

Quick-Reference Guide: Best Sides Based on Cooking Method

Before diving into specific recipes, here’s a handy guide based on how you’re preparing your chicken:

Potato-Based Sides (The Ultimate Comfort Pairing)

Potatoes and chicken are basically BFFs in the food world. Here are some can’t-miss potato sides:

1. Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes

These might be the easiest tastiest potatoes ever! Crispy outside creamy inside, and seasoned with flavor-packed onion soup mix. The perfect no-brainer side when you’re focusing on your chicken.

2. Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes

Imagine this hot, crispy potatoes spooned onto a cloud of whipped feta, then topped with lemon zest and fresh herbs The creamy-meets-crispy texture combo is what food dreams are made of!

3. French Onion Baked Potatoes

These aren’t your average baked potatoes! Stuffed with caramelized onions and gooey cheese, they bring the flavors of French onion soup to your plate. Perfect with a simple grilled chicken breast.

4. Basic Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes the classics are best. Pro tip: heating the milk and butter before adding them makes a HUGE difference in texture and helps your potatoes stay hot longer.

5. Mom’s Scalloped Potatoes

Tender potatoes in creamy sauce with a golden top – pure comfort food that’s been making chicken dinners special for generations.

Fresh and Vibrant Veggie Sides

When your chicken dish is rich, these lighter sides provide perfect balance:

1. Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots

These carrots will have you wondering why you don’t roast carrots more often! The roasting concentrates their sweetness, and Parmesan adds amazing umami flavor.

2. Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, but not these babies! Crispy, cheesy, and utterly addictive. Even the skeptics will be reaching for seconds.

3. Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Inspired by the Chinese takeout favorite, these spicy, saucy sprouts might just upstage your chicken! Adjust the heat level by adding more or fewer chili peppers.

4. Air Fryer Green Beans

These come with a bonus: 8 cloves of creamy, buttery garlic that get air-fried alongside the beans. Spread that roasted garlic on some bread and thank me later!

5. Stir-Fried Snow Peas

Quick-cooked to retain their crunch and sweetness, these snow peas with mushrooms are perfect with Asian-style chicken dishes.

Grain and Pasta Sides That Satisfy

These hearty sides turn chicken into a complete meal:

1. Creamy Tuscan Orzo

If you love risotto but hate how long it takes, this one-pot orzo dish is your new best friend. Minimal prep, easy cleanup, but fancy enough for dinner parties!

2. Orzo al Limone

This lemony, cheesy orzo is so good you might forget about the chicken altogether. The bright citrus notes cut through richer chicken preparations beautifully.

3. Wild Rice

The nutty flavor and chewy bite of wild rice makes it stand out. This recipe uses slowly cooked onions and chicken stock for extra savoriness.

4. Perfect Polenta

“Polenta is nothing more than coarsely ground cornmeal,” says Chef John, who recommends a ratio just shy of 1:4 polenta to liquid. It’s the perfect base for saucy chicken dishes.

5. Old School Mac n’ Cheese

Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese? This version has a crunchy potato chip topping and is perfect with fried chicken. Try mixing up the cheeses – sharp cheddar plus Gruyère or Gouda is amazing!

Seasonal Salads and Fresh Sides

When the weather’s warm, these lighter options are just what you need:

1. Greek Salad

Simple, refreshing, reliable. Fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing make this bright salad perfect for spring and summer chicken dinners.

2. Bruschetta Pasta Salad

All the fresh flavors of bruschetta (sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil) in a pasta salad form. Perfect for summer potlucks alongside grilled chicken.

3. Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

Crunchy apples and tart cranberries bring life to this quinoa salad. The slightly sweet and lemony dressing is so good you’ll want to put it on everything.

4. Sweet and Peppery Watermelon Salad

Watermelon, strawberries, arugula, and basil create a refreshing counterpoint to grilled chicken on hot summer days.

5. Grilled Corn Salad

When you’ve already got the grill fired up for chicken, throw some corn on too and make this easy summer side that’s perfect for munching.

Fall and Winter Favorites

These cozy sides pair perfectly with chicken during the cooler months:

1. Roasted Fennel with Delicata Squash & Apples

This trio of fall farmers’ market favorites creates a side dish that’s elegant enough for dinner parties but easy enough for weeknights.

2. Sweet Potato Gratin

Just like traditional potato gratin but with sweet potatoes layered with cheese and herby cream sauce, baked until bubbly. It’s a showstopper!

3. French Onion Cabbage Gratin

Don’t underestimate this humble veggie side! Crisp browned cabbage wedges smothered in rich Gruyère sauce with jammy caramelized onions might become your new obsession.

4. Sweet Potato Salad

With the perfect balance of textures and sweet-tangy flavors, this superfood salad is ideal for fall and makes great lunch leftovers too.

5. Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

Fast, easy, minimal cleanup, and delicious – what more could you want? The natural sweetness of butternut squash complements savory chicken beautifully.

Classic Southern Sides (Perfect with Fried Chicken)

If you’re frying up some chicken, these southern classics are the way to go:

1. Fried Okra

Crispy, crunchy, and utterly addictive, this southern staple will transport you straight to a Texas grandma’s kitchen.

2. Yellow Squash Casserole

With its crispy cracker topping and creamy interior, this comfort food classic is a potluck favorite for good reason.

3. Slow-Cooked Green Beans

Why cook something for two hours when it normally takes five minutes? Because, as Chef John says, it produces “one of the most delicious things you’ll ever taste.” Don’t forget cornbread for dipping in that flavorful juice!

4. Buttermilk Coleslaw

The tanginess from buttermilk gives this creamy coleslaw a special twist that pairs perfectly with BBQ or fried chicken.

5. Perfect BBQ Baked Beans

Sweet, filling, and the perfect companion to potato salad and smoky barbecued chicken. A summer cookout essential!

Quick and Easy Weeknight Sides

When time is tight but you still want something special:

1. Microwave Corn on the Cob

Sometimes the simplest method is best. This no-fuss approach lets you focus on perfecting your chicken.

2. Simple Broccolini

Full of garlicky, lemony flavor, the contrast between crunchy stems and tender florets makes this quick side extra satisfying.

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Even cooking novices can nail this easy recipe. Just toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast until caramelized. So simple, so good!

4. Mushroom Rice

An easy, tasty side that gets rave reviews. Pro tip: use cremini mushrooms and increase the garlic and onion for maximum flavor.

5. Lemon-Glazed Carrots

The perfect balance of sweet and tangy. As one reviewer notes, “You need the sugar and butter to make a glaze, but the lemon cuts through the sweetness.”

My Personal Favorites

I gotta admit, I’ve tried pretty much all these sides with chicken, but these five have earned permanent spots in my rotation:

1. Creamy Tuscan Orzo – I make this at least twice a month. It’s quick, uses one pot, and tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant.

2. Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots – My kids actually ask for these! That’s how good they are.

3. Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes – I serve this when I want to impress without much effort. The contrast between crispy potatoes and creamy whipped feta is AMAZING.

4. Greek Salad – My go-to when I need something fresh and light with grilled chicken in summer.

5. French Onion Cabbage Gratin – This converted me from a cabbage-hater to a cabbage-lover. Trust me, it’s that good!

Final Thoughts

Chicken doesn’t have to be boring! With these versatile side dishes in your repertoire, you’ll never have a dull chicken dinner again. Mix and match based on the season, your mood, and how you’re cooking your chicken.

Remember, the beauty of chicken is its versatility – so don’t be afraid to experiment with different sides until you find your perfect pairings. What’s your favorite side to serve with chicken? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Now go forth and make your chicken dinners winners!

Chicken and rice pair well with a wide variety of side dishes, including roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and green beans, fresh salads such as a green salad or a cucumber raita, and other starches like potatoes or corn. You can also enhance the meal with various sauces, such as gravy, teriyaki, or a yogurt-based sauce.

Great side dishes for a chicken cheesesteak include classic options like french fries, onion rings, and coleslaw. Other popular choices are sweet potato fries, various salads (like potato or garden salad), and roasted or fried vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower.