The BEST sides for chicken salad! These are the best things to eat with lunch or dinner chicken salad.
In the warmer months, it’s a great main dish. It’s also great for a luncheon, baby shower, or light dinner.
You can quickly bake or boil some chicken breasts, use rotisserie chicken, or roast chicken that you already have left over.
Combine that with a creamy dressing like sour cream, greek yogurt, Miracle Whip, or mayo. The addition of mustard, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, or curry powder and other seasonings make it super flavorful!
You can keep the recipe really simple, or add in some other fresh ingredients and mix-ins to create a new twist.
(Or make the whole meal really easy and buy your chicken salad premade at the grocery store!)
Are you planning a lunch or dinner featuring chicken salad croissants but wondering what else to add to your plate? Trust me, I’ve been there! As someone who absolutely loves hosting gatherings, I’ve experimented with countless side combinations to find the perfect match for these delicious sandwiches.
Chicken salad croissants are already a winning combo – creamy chicken salad nestled in buttery, flaky pastry is pretty much heaven. But the right side dishes can transform this simple sandwich into a memorable meal that’ll have your guests asking for seconds (and your recipes!).
In this article, I’ll share my favorite sides that complement chicken salad croissants perfectly, creating balanced meals with contrasting textures and complementary flavors. Whether you’re planning a casual lunch, elegant brunch, or dinner party, I’ve got you covered!
Fresh and Crunchy Side Dishes
When serving something as rich and creamy as chicken salad on buttery croissants, you need something with crunch and freshness to balance things out.
1. Mixed Green Salad with Light Vinaigrette
A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing provides the perfect contrast to the rich chicken salad. The crisp greens and acidic dressing cut through the creaminess beautifully.
Pro tip: Avoid heavy, creamy dressings since your main dish already has plenty of richness. Stick with light vinaigrettes – lemon or balsamic work especially well!
2. Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This refreshing combo is one of my go-to sides for chicken salad croissants
- Sliced cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Light dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper
The cool, crisp textures and clean flavors provide a delightful counterpoint to the sandwich.
3. Coleslaw
Coleslaw and chicken salad go well together, and for good reason. When I serve chicken salad croissants, I like vinegar-based coleslaw better than creamy coleslaw. The tanginess helps clean my palate between bites of the rich sandwich.
4. Fresh Fruit Salad
A medley of seasonal fruits brings natural sweetness and juiciness that pairs wonderfully with savory chicken salad. Try combinations like:
- Berries, melon and grapes in summer
- Apples, pears and citrus in cooler months
The fruity sweetness creates a lovely flavor contrast while adding nutritional balance to your meal.
Savory and Hearty Options
If you’re looking for something more substantial to round out your meal, these heartier sides won’t disappoint.
5. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a natural companion to chicken salad croissants, but I recommend using a lighter version with herbs and vinaigrette rather than another mayo-heavy dish. This creates better flavor balance overall.
6. Pasta Salad
A vibrant pasta salad with colorful vegetables and a tangy dressing works beautifully alongside chicken salad croissants. Just avoid creamy pasta salads that might compete with your main dish.
My favorite combination includes:
- Bow-tie pasta
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
- Italian dressing
7. Light Soup
A light, brothy soup can keep you warm and go with your sandwich without being too heavy. In cooler months, I love serving chicken salad croissants with:
- Butternut squash soup
- Clear chicken broth with vegetables
- Light vegetable soup
The contrast between the warm soup and cool sandwich creates a satisfying meal experience.
8. Chips
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one! The satisfying crunch of chips provides textural contrast that works wonderfully with soft, creamy chicken salad. Kettle-cooked or baked chips are my preference for a more substantial crunch.
Sweet and Tangy Sides
These sides offer a contrasting flavor profile that can really elevate your chicken salad croissant meal.
9. Pickled Vegetables
The tangy acidity of pickled veggies cuts through the richness of chicken salad beautifully. Try:
- Dill pickles
- Pickled carrots
- Pickled red onions
I like to serve these on the side so guests can add them as desired.
10. Fruit Chutney
A sweet and savory fruit chutney, like mango or apple, adds a complex flavor dimension that pairs wonderfully with chicken salad. The sweet-tangy-spicy notes create an interesting counterpoint to the creamy sandwich.
11. Apple Slices with Cheese
When you mix crisp, fresh apples with sharp cheddar cheese, you get a great contrast in texture and flavor. This simple side adds elegance and balance to your meal.
12. Ambrosia Fruit Salad
For something a bit more indulgent, ambrosia fruit salad combines sweet fruits with coconut, marshmallows and a light creamy dressing. It’s like having a side and dessert in one!
Beverage Pairings
Don’t forget about drinks! The right beverage can enhance your chicken salad croissant experience.
13. Peach Iced Tea
This refreshing beverage complements chicken salad croissants perfectly, especially in warmer months. The subtle sweetness and fruity notes create harmony with the savory sandwich.
14. Lemonade
Classic, tart lemonade provides palate-cleansing acidity that works wonderfully with rich chicken salad.
15. Light White Wine
For adult gatherings, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio makes an excellent pairing. The acidity and light fruit notes complement the sandwich without overwhelming it.
Presentation Tips
Almost as important as what you serve is how you present your chicken salad croissants and sides. Here are some simple ways to make your presentation look better:
- Use fresh herbs as garnish (parsley or dill work great)
- Serve on colorful plates to create visual appeal
- For parties, consider making mini chicken salad croissants
- Line the croissant with lettuce to prevent sogginess
- Arrange sides in small, individual portions for a more elegant look
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I warm the croissant before adding chicken salad?
Generally, no. Cold chicken salad is best served on room-temperature croissants. Warming might make them too soft and potentially soggy. However, very lightly toasting a day-old croissant can enhance its texture.
Can I make chicken salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead lets the flavors develop nicely. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge and assemble your croissants right before serving.
What’s the best chicken to use for chicken salad?
Poached or roasted chicken breast is ideal. It’s lean, flavorful and easy to dice. I try to avoid canned chicken because the texture and flavor just aren’t the same.
How can I make my chicken salad healthier?
Try using Greek yogurt or light mayo instead of regular mayonnaise. Adding extra veggies like celery and bell peppers increases nutrients and fiber too.
How do I prevent croissants from getting soggy?
Two tricks I swear by:
- Don’t overfill the croissant
- Line it with a lettuce leaf to create a barrier between the filling and bread
Final Thoughts
Chicken salad croissants are already delicious on their own, but pairing them with the right sides elevates them to a complete, balanced meal. Whether you go for something fresh and crunchy, savory and hearty, or sweet and tangy, the key is creating contrast and complementary flavors.
My personal favorite combo is a chicken salad croissant with a small mixed green salad and a few pickle spears on the side, finished with a glass of peach iced tea. It’s simple but perfectly balanced!
What’s your favorite side to serve with chicken salad croissants? I’d love to hear your combinations in the comments below!
Cheese and cracker platter
To keep the menu super easy and light, consider setting out a cheese platter.
Today, most stores have a good selection of cheeses. To make a cheese platter, just put a few different kinds of cheese, crackers, and maybe some olives or fruit on it.
Everyone loves a charcuterie board!
If you want to eat something with chicken salad that is keto-friendly, fresh vegetables are a great choice.
Make it a platter and set out some vegetable dip or ranch dressing.
Fire up the grill or turn on the oven and roast a medley of veggies.
Carrots, brussel sprouts, green beans, and asparagus are great options for roasting or grilling.
Crunchy, cold broccoli salad is a fresh alternative to traditional chicken salad sides.
It comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.
Don’t let the name fool you, this surprisingly becomes a favorite!
An egg and cheese sandwich is a great way to serve chicken salad for dinner because it makes you feel good.
You may be wondering what kind of soup goes with chicken salad?
Here are the best soups to serve with chicken salad sandwiches:
Cucumber salad is a quick, easy, and versatile summer side dish.
It’s light and crunchy, which makes it the perfect accompaniment to hearty chicken salad.
1 Sweet potato fries
A healthier alternative to french fries are sweet potato fries.
You can make them from scratch, or take a supermarket shortcut and buy them frozen.
They can be seasoned with savory spices, or made sweet with cinnamon and sugar.
The colorful nature of asian slaw makes it a very aesthetically-pleasing side dish.
But don’t let it’s lovely appearance fool you – it’s really delicious!
You can make it easier by purchasing a pre-shredded slaw mix at the store.