- Mashed potatoes (4 mentions)
- Rice/Rice pilaf (4 mentions)
- Green beans (4 mentions)
- Roasted vegetables (3 mentions)
- Caesar salad (3 mentions)
- Garlic bread (2 mentions)
- Sweet potato/Sweet potato fries (3 mentions)
- Broccoli (2 mentions)
- Spinach (mentioned throughout as stuffing and as a side)
- Various other vegetables and sides (1-2 mentions each)
So you’ve mastered the art of making stuffed chicken breast – congrats! Whether you’ve gone with spinach and cheese mushroom and herbs, or something more exotic, you’re probably wondering what sides will make your dinner complete. I’ve been there too, staring at my beautiful stuffed chicken and thinking “now what?”
I’ve put together this comprehensive guide of the best side dishes that’ll complement your stuffed chicken breast perfectly. These sides range from classics to creative options that’ll make your dinner sing!
Why Choosing the Right Side Dish Matters
When serving stuffed chicken breast, picking complementary sides isn’t just about filling the plate The right side dishes can
- Balance the richness of the stuffed chicken
- Add contrasting textures (crispy, creamy, crunchy)
- Introduce complementary flavors
- Complete the nutritional profile of your meal
Let’s dive into the best options that’ll make your stuffed chicken breast shine!
Potato-Based Sides for Stuffed Chicken
1. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic pairing that never disappoints. Their creamy, buttery goodness complements the savory chicken perfectly. To elevate your mashed potatoes:
- Add roasted garlic for extra flavor
- Mix in some sour cream for tang
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs like chives or parsley
2. Crispy Potato Wedges
Potato wedges offer that perfect contrast of crispy exterior and fluffy interior. They’re universally loved and easy to make!
Quick Recipe:
- Cut potatoes into wedges
- Toss with olive oil, rosemary, paprika, salt and pepper
- Bake at 425°F for 30-35 minutes until golden and crispy
3. Sweet Potato Fries
For a healthier alternative with a touch of sweetness, sweet potato fries are fantastic. Their natural sweetness pairs wonderfully with savory chicken.
Pro tip: Serve them with a garlic aioli or ranch dipping sauce for extra yum factor!
Rice and Grain Companions
4. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf provides a neutral yet flavorful base that soaks up all the delicious juices from your chicken. It’s simple but effective!
Quick Recipe:
- Sauté rice with onions and garlic
- Add broth instead of water
- Stir in fresh herbs before serving
5. Wild Rice Pilaf
For a more nutrient-dense option, wild rice pilaf brings a nutty flavor and interesting texture that stands up well to stuffed chicken.
6. Quinoa
Protein-packed quinoa makes for a satisfying side that complements stuffed chicken beautifully. Toss it with fresh herbs and vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor.
Vegetable Sides That Shine
7. Roasted Vegetables
A medley of roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips caramelize to sweet perfection in the oven. The variety of colors and textures make for an appealing presentation.
Pro tip: Drizzle everything with a bit of balsamic reduction for a pop of flavor!
8. Green Beans
Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and olive oil make a quick and healthy side dish. They add nice color contrast and a slight crunch that balances the tender chicken.
For an elevated version, try green beans almondine – the toasted nuts add fantastic texture!
9. Garlicky Sautéed Spinach
If your chicken is stuffed with spinach, why not double down? Sautéed spinach with olive oil and garlic is a quick, nutritious side that’s ready in minutes.
10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer or oven-roasted Brussels sprouts develop a delicious caramelized exterior while staying tender inside. They’re a surprising favorite even for veggie skeptics!
Fresh and Light Options
11. Caesar Salad
The crunch of romaine lettuce and zesty dressing in a classic Caesar salad beautifully balances the richness of stuffed chicken breast.
Quick Assembly:
- Crisp romaine lettuce
- Creamy Caesar dressing
- Shaved Parmesan cheese
- Crunchy croutons
12. Cucumber Salad
For a refreshing palate cleanser, cucumber salad is perfect. Toss thinly sliced cucumbers in a simple vinaigrette, maybe adding some red onions or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
13. Green Bean Quinoa Salad
This hearty yet fresh salad combines protein-rich quinoa with crisp green beans for a nutritious side that pairs wonderfully with chicken.
Bread and Carb Options
14. Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for soaking up any delicious juices from your stuffed chicken.
Pro tip: Make it extra special by using a crusty baguette slathered with compound butter (mix softened butter with minced garlic, herbs, and a pinch of salt).
15. Dinner Rolls
Fresh from the oven, warm dinner rolls can round out a meal of stuffed chicken breast beautifully. They’re perfect for soaking up any extra sauce or gravy.
Creative Side Dishes for Special Occasions
16. Mushroom Risotto
Nothing pairs quite like mushroom risotto when you’ve got a main dish as rich as stuffed chicken breast. The creamy Arborio rice cooked with earthy mushrooms creates a delightful dish that is both comforting and luxurious.
17. Butternut Squash Risotto
For a seasonal twist, butternut squash risotto offers sweet, nutty flavors that complement chicken beautifully. It’s a bit more labor-intensive but worth the effort for special occasions!
18. Zucchini Noodles
For a lighter, more health-conscious option, zucchini noodles offer the texture of traditional pasta without the heavy carbs. Quickly sauté them with some olive oil and garlic for a fresh counterbalance.
Quick and Easy Sides When You’re Short on Time
When you’re focused on getting that stuffed chicken breast perfect, you might want sides that don’t require much attention. Here are some quick options:
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: Ready in a fraction of the time
- Microwaved Frozen Vegetables: Dress them up with butter and herbs
- Pre-washed Salad Mix: Just add dressing and you’re good to go
- Store-bought Garlic Bread: Pop it in the oven during the last 10 minutes of cooking your chicken
Planning Your Menu: Balancing Your Plate
When planning what to serve with stuffed chicken breast, consider these tips:
- Balance textures: If your chicken is creamy and tender, add something crisp or crunchy
- Mind the weight: Heavy stuffed chicken pairs well with lighter sides
- Color your plate: Add colorful vegetables for visual appeal and nutrition
- Consider cooking methods: If your oven is full with chicken, choose stovetop or no-cook sides
My Personal Favorites
I’ve tried many different sides with stuffed chicken breast over the years, and my personal favorites are:
- Roasted garlic mashed potatoes – The creamy texture and garlic flavor complement almost any stuffed chicken
- Sautéed green beans with almonds – The perfect amount of crunch and freshness
- Caesar salad – The cool, crisp contrast to the warm chicken is just perfect
Final Thoughts
Stuffed chicken breast is versatile enough to pair with countless side dishes. Whether you prefer classic comfort food sides like mashed potatoes and green beans, or want to experiment with more creative options like quinoa salad or zucchini noodles, there’s something for every taste.
The best part? Many of these sides can be prepared while your chicken is in the oven, making for efficient meal preparation. So next time you’re serving stuffed chicken breast, try one (or a few!) of these delicious sides to create a memorable and satisfying meal.
What’s your favorite side to serve with stuffed chicken breast? I’d love to hear about your go-to pairings in the comments below!
How “Marry Me” Chicken Got Its Name
Many of you have probably heard of Ina Gartens “Engagement Roast Chicken” before, but this, if I may say, is so much tastier. When I created this dish in 2016, I was trying to develop recipes that would fire people up to get in the kitchen. I had produced one of Delishs first truly viral recipes, Tuscan Chicken Pasta (my baby, if we’re being honest), and was hungry for a skillet version that had similar ingredients but was even saucier. With that in mind, I developed a “Sicilian Chicken Skillet”, but wasnt sold on the name…until a stroke of genius hit on video shoot day. After we spooned the sauce over the chicken for the last shot, our videographer Chelsea grabbed a fork to try the final result. Once she took a bite, she blurted out, “Id marry you for that chicken!” and the now-famous name was born. This is a chicken dinner so good, you just might get a proposal by the last bite.
How To Make Marry Me Chicken
• Chicken: This is one my favorite ways to use up boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which can be notoriously bland and boring, yet are ideal to cook up on a busy weeknight. Still, this sauce is so good, you can pair it with pretty much any protein. Serve with chicken thighs, pork, even pasta. • Garlic: I always lean toward the camp of the more garlic, the better, but in my opinion, two large-ish cloves finely chopped or grated provided a great base but didn’t overpower the sauce. Feel free to add more to taste depending on the size of your cloves. • Thyme: The peppery, woodsy bite of fresh thyme is why I went with this particular herb, but you can sub in more basil if you don’t have any on hand. • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Any dish with cream should have a little bit of heat, but if you’re extremely spice-averse (or serving this to anyone who is), you don’t have to include it (but I highly suggest even a pinch if possible). • Chicken Broth: If you’re making a vegetarian dish—like serving the sauce over pasta—any vegan or vegetable store-bought or homemade stock won’t take anything away from the final result. Just make sure it’s low-sodium, as I always want to be able to control the seasonings as much as I can. • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This is the secret weapon to this recipe, as it gives such a complex, sweet and tangy addition to the sauce without having to use speciality ingredients you have to hunt down at the store. Plus, you can make it all year-round with sun-dried tomatoes, as using fresh tomatoes, depending on the season, will affect the quality of the dish. • Heavy Cream: Yes, including cream was inevitable to get the desired consistency for the sauce. I found in testing that only 1/2 cup is all you need, so you wont feel overstuffed at the end of the meal. • Parmesan: This also helps bring out depth to the sauce and melts right into it. I go for the block or wedge and grate myself, which I’d always encourage a home cook to do if they have the time. It truly makes such a difference in the end.
There’s a reason I call for searing the chicken before letting it finish in the oven. You get a beautiful golden brown crust, and it helps keep the chicken super-moist and flavorful. Plus, the base of the sauce is any chicken fat that has rendered out during this initial sear. It may seem like an unnecessary extra step, but trust me, it makes a huge difference.
On to the sauce: Using whatever schmaltz is left in the pan, a combination of garlic, fresh thyme, and a touch of red pepper flakes for just a hint of heat get a quick toast; this brings out the aromatics’ fragrance and color.
Stir in the heavy cream, broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, then let the sauce reduce a bit to meld and thicken. Its as easy as that!
Finally, return the seared chicken to the skillet and let it roast in the oven until the chicken cooks totally through.
Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer to a plate, and spoon plenty of the sauce on top along with fresh basil.
The full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.
How To Make Stuffed Chicken Breast – Better Than Ruth’s Chris!
FAQ
What is a good side dish for chicken breast?
Once the chicken goes into the oven, it’s hands-off cooking, which leaves you with just enough time to toss together a quick stovetop side, like cauliflower rice, spinach, a pot of couscous, or some meaty, herbed mushrooms.
What are some side dishes that pair well with crockpot chicken and stuffing?
- Steamed Broccoli.
- Fresh Garden Salad.
- Frozen Peas…cooked, of course
- Corn on the Cob with butter and salt OR lime juice and chili powder.
- Tortilla Chips with Melted Cheese (add jalapeños for an extra kick)
- Garlic Bread.