If you’re wondering what to serve with tacos tonight, you’re in the right place! We all love tacos, but in my book, the sides (and the drinks!) are an equally important part of taco night. Any side for tacos, from chips and guac to dressed greens, will add varied textures and flavors to the meal, making it more satisfying and more fun to eat.
You’ll find 21 of my favorite side dishes for tacos below. They’re all fresh and healthy, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options mixed in for everyone to enjoy. With recipes for dips, veggies, grains, and more, you’ll never have to wonder what to serve with tacos again!.
Chicken tacos are a classic weeknight dinner staple loved by many. Their flavorful shredded or grilled chicken filling pairs perfectly with warm tortillas and zesty toppings. However, the side dishes served alongside chicken tacos can really take the meal to the next level.
The right sides not only go well with the tacos’ flavor, but they also have great textures that are different from the left sides. You’ll want to serve sides that stand out whether you’re having a casual family taco night or a fiesta-themed party.
In this article, we’ll explore 21 of the most mouthwatering side dish options to serve with chicken tacos. From authentic Mexican classics to fun fusion twists, there’s something for every palate and occasion.
Traditional Mexican Sides for Chicken Tacos
When looking for traditional pairings, you can’t go wrong with classic Mexican dishes like:
Spanish Rice
Savory tomato-based Mexican rice, studded with peas and carrots, is a hearty, flavorful accompaniment. Its mild spice profile pairs nicely with chicken tacos without overpowering them. Serve it as a bed for your tacos or on the side.
Refried Beans
Refried beans that are warm and creamy go great with crispy tacos. They give tacos substance and a smooth, earthy flavor that balances out more spicy toppings. Black beans are also good for you if you want a lower-fat option.
Elote
Grilled corn slathered in creamy mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder is hands-down one of the most craveworthy sides. The sweet corn and tangy creaminess pairs fabulously with chicken’s richness.
Pico de Gallo
A fresh pico de gallo salsa, made with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, adds a bright, crisp topping or dipping side. It’s super quick to make and really livens up a chicken taco meal.
Lighter Sides for Balance
If your chicken tacos already pack some heat, cooling, lighter sides can provide balance:
Jicama-Mango Slaw
Thinly sliced jicama and mango tossed in a chili-lime dressing makes for a sweet, crunchy slaw. It’s a great low-carb swap for traditional cabbage slaws.
Avocado Salad
Avocados, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro mashed together make a simple, creamy salad that is both light and filling, like tacos.
Cucumber-Melon Salad
A mix of diced cucumbers and melons like honeydew or cantaloupe, tossed in lime juice and mint, makes for a hydrating, fruity side. The sweetness contrasts spicy tacos beautifully.
Cauliflower Rice
You can make Mexican rice without gluten by sautéing cauliflower with onions and cumin until it turns into rice. It’s especially good with grilled chicken tacos.
Fun Crunchy Sides
Crispy sides provide irresistible textural contrast and ramp up the flavor:
Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
A crunchy bed of tortilla chips, served with creamy homemade guacamole, is a no-brainer pairing. You really can’t go wrong with this classic combo.
Air Fried Zucchini Fries
Lightly breaded zucchini wedges, air fried until golden, offer a healthier, crunchy alternative to potato fries. They’re addictively good dipped in avocado crema.
Jicama Sticks
Fresh jicama cut into sticks makes for a lower-carb swap for tortilla chips. Crisp and mildly sweet, they’re great for scooping guacamole and salsas.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Wedges of sweet potato, tossed in oil and spices, then oven baked are tasty and kid-friendly. Their natural sweetness balances spicy chicken tacos.
Creamy & Cheesy Sides
Rich, creamy sides complement the flavors of chicken tacos for a truly indulgent meal:
Loaded Nachos
A platter of nachos, piled high with melted cheese, black beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream, makes for an ultimate game day pairing.
Chili Con Queso
Warm queso dip punctuated with green chilies is irresistible for dipping chips and spooning over tacos. The creaminess counters the tacos’ crunch.
Mexican Street Corn Dip
This baked dip combines all the flavors of elote—creamy pureed corn, mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder—for a decadent, party-ready side.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
A bubbly, cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is comfort food at its finest. It’s a satisfying vegetarian side option.
Fiesta-Ready Sides
For parties or potlucks, vibrant, make-ahead sides really up the fiesta vibes:
Confetti Corn Salad
A fresh corn salad tossed with tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and a lime vinaigrette is potluck perfection. It travels well and adds color.
Watermelon Jicama Salad
Chunks of watermelon and jicama, feta cheese, and mint, tossed in a lime dressing, make for a visually stunning summer side.
Mexican Fruit Salad
A mix of pineapple, mango, melon, jicama, and cucumber, dusted with chili powder and lime juice, is sweet, spicy, and refreshing.
Southwest Roasted Veggies
A medley of corn, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions, roasted with Mexican spices, makes a hearty and healthy side.
Fun Fusion Options
For a creative twist, try out-of-the-box sides like:
Mango-Jalapeño Slaw
Shredded green cabbage, mango, and pickled jalapeños in a sweet-tart dressing fuses tropical flavors with a kick. It pairs wonderfully with Baja fish tacos.
Korean Gochujang Potatoes
Roasted potato wedges coated in a sweet-spicy Korean gochujang sauce offer an unexpected but delicious pairing with grilled chicken tacos.
Tex-Mex Succotash
A southern succotash, sautéed with corn, peppers, zucchini, and poblano chilies, merges American and Mexican flavors.
Caprese Quinoa Salad
Protein-packed quinoa tossed with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar, makes for a unexpected Mediterranean-Latin mashup side.
So next time taco night rolls around, try out a new side dish pairing! Serving up the right combination of flavors, textures, colors, and recipes from authentic to unique will make your chicken tacos a true feast.
Veggie Sides for Tacos
Healthy Taco Salad If you’re wondering what to serve with tacos, you can never go wrong with a simple salad. Toss your favorite greens with cilantro lime dressing, or make a heartier taco salad with avocado, crunchy veggies, black beans, and savory vegan taco “meat. ”.
Veggies on the grill: Add cilantro lime dressing or chipotle sauce to these and they’ll taste just as good as the tacos!
Grilled Avocados Who needs guac when you can have grilled avocados? Stuff the creamy, lightly charred halves with a tart veggie “ceviche,” or serve them simply with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.
Cucumber Gazpacho This cool, creamy soup is essentially salsa verde in gazpacho form, so naturally, it’s a great choice to serve with tacos. Top it with fresh herbs, charred corn, or even pico de gallo to take it over the top!.
Salsa Recipes to Serve with Tacos
Tomatillo Salsa What’s Taco Tuesday without chips and salsa? Serve this recipe for dipping with chips, or top it onto tacos for extra zesty flavor!.
Pico de Gallo This traditional fresh salsa is all about the tomatoes, so use the best ones you can find! Along with lime juice and zest, they make it juicy, tangy, and bright.
Mango Salsa Luckily for us, this 7-ingredient salsa comes together in 5 minutes flat! For a fun variation, use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh chiles or pickled red onions instead of raw ones.
Pineapple Salsa It’s sweet, it’s spicy, and it’s so darn fun! I like to chop the pineapple, red onion, and jalapeño really finely so that I can get a little of everything in each bite.
Kiwi Avocado Salsa Verde: If you want to serve tacos with something completely different, try this salsa verde! The kiwi adds a surprising sweetness, and the avocado makes it creamy, which goes well with all the fresh ingredients.
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FAQ
What to have with chicken tacos for dinner?
Pico de gallo, salsa, crema, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious. Really anything goes with these tacos.
What is a good side dish for tacos?
A great side dish for tacos can be Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, or salsa. These are classic options that complement the flavors and textures of tacos.
What sides come with tacos?
12 Side Dishes to Round Out Taco Night01 of 13. Taco Slaw. View Recipe. 02 of 13. Mexican Rice II. View Recipe. 03 of 13. Frijoles de Olla. View Recipe. 04 of 13. Mexican Corn. View Recipe. 05 of 13. Fresh Pineapple Salsa. View Recipe. 06 of 13. Lime Cilantro Rice. View Recipe. 07 of 13. Spicy Tex-Mex Salad. 08 of 13. Zesty Quinoa Salad.