Whats for dinner tonight? More than likely its super easy, extra delicious chicken in some form. Chicken, especially at dinnertime, is a beautiful thing. Its a friend to special occasions and side dishes everywhere. There’s no denying the versatility of chicken and how it saves us on the most time-crunched of weeknights. What’s not so stress-free? The bad reputation chicken has for being. sort of a blank canvas. So let’s not even risk it. It’s easy to keep a meal feeling new and interesting by switching up what you serve with it. Easy recipes like sweet potato gratin and Parmesan-crusted Brussels sprouts make this easy. To guarantee our chicken dinners will always be winners, check out our list of 40 extra flavorful sides to pair with our favorite chicken dishes.
Want more side dish inspiration? Our best side dishes will make any weeknight dinner a thousand times better. And don’t forget dessert!.
Roasted chicken is a beloved staple that makes for a comforting and versatile meal However, choosing the perfect side dishes to serve alongside the juicy, flavorful bird can sometimes be a challenge The good news is that roasted chicken pairs beautifully with a wide variety of sides that can take your meal from basic to gourmet.
We’ll look at 15 tasty side dishes that go well with roasted chicken in this article. From hearty potatoes and roasted vegetables to fresh, crisp salads and fluffy grains, you’ll find lots of ideas for your next chicken dinner.
Hearty Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic pairing with roast chicken. They provide a comforting, starchy base that soaks up the delicious pan juices and complements the chicken’s richness. Some great potato side dishes include:
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes are hard to beat. For extra flavor, use broth or pan drippings from the chicken to boil the potatoes. Then mash them with butter, cream, and fresh herbs.
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Cubes of potato tossed in olive oil and roasted until crispy provide texture contrast to juicy chicken. Season them with garlic, rosemary or other herbs.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce make for an indulgent and satisfying side. Sharp cheddar or gruyere work well.
Hasselback Potatoes
The outside of these coin-shaped potatoes is browned and crispy, while the inside is soft and tender. Rub with olive oil and seasonings before roasting.
Colorful Roasted Vegetables
Roasted veggies add both nutrition and vibrant color to complete a chicken dinner. Some easy options include:
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
A pop of orange comes from roasted sweet carrots with a balsamic glaze. They also balance the chicken’s richness.
Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli florets drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with minced garlic then roasted is a quick and healthy side.
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Halved brussel sprouts roasted with crispy bacon bits adds a sweet, nutty flavor and crunch.
Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
Cubed butternut squash roasted with maple syrup, cinnamon and thyme is a seasonal fall favorite.
Fresh Salad Sides
A crisp, fresh salad lightens up a chicken meal. Try these flavorful salad combinations:
Kale Caesar Salad
Tender kale, crunchy croutons, parmesan and a zesty dressing give this salad a nutritional boost.
Greek Salad
Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta and red onion tossed in a red wine vinaigrette screams Mediterranean flavor.
Apple Walnut Salad
Sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries and mixed greens with a apple cider vinaigrette is a fall favorite.
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Baby spinach, fresh strawberries, feta and candied pecans taste amazing with a poppyseed dressing.
Hearty Grains and Legumes
Grains and beans add fiber, protein and hearty texture to complement roast chicken. Consider these satisfying sides:
Quinoa Pilaf
Quinoa tossed with sauteed veggies like corn, peas, carrots or peppers makes a protein-packed side.
Brown Rice with Lentils
Steamed brown rice mixed with French lentils provides an earthy, nutty base for the chicken.
Farro with Mushrooms
Nutty farro simmered with earthy sauteed mushrooms and finished with parsley is simple but delicious.
Baked Beans
Sweet maple baked beans offer contrasting flavor and tender bean texture next to the chicken.
Pasta and Bread Sides
Extra sauce and flavors can be soaked up by carbs like bread and pasta to finish off a chicken dinner. Some options include:
Buttery Egg Noodles
Wide egg noodles boiled then tossed in butter or cream make a comforting bed for chicken.
Garlic Bread
Slices of crusty bread brushed with garlicky butter or oil and toasted are easy to make and tasty.
Mac and Cheese
Elbow pasta baked in an ultra-cheesy sauce is a family favorite chicken accompaniment.
Popovers
These light, airy rolls are a nice alternative to biscuits or cornbread with chicken.
The possibilities are endless when pairing sides with roasted chicken. From mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables to fresh salads, you can’t go wrong. Experiment with different flavor and texture combinations to find your favorites. With the perfect accompaniments, roasted chicken can be transformed into a fabulous home cooked meal.
French Onion Cabbage Gratin
Thought vegetables couldn’t be the star of the show? This French onion cabbage gratin is here to blow your mind. Crisp browned cabbage wedges are smothered in a rich Gruyère sauce packed with jammy caramelized onions and topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a side that’s so indulgent and irresistible, you might be tempted to make it the main event. Get the French Onion Cabbage Gratin recipe.
We thought about why we don’t roast carrots more often after reading this recipe. When they roast, their flavor gets stronger and sweeter. Combine that with a lot of umami-rich Parmesan and a little lemon, and you have a dish that you will want to eat over and over again. Try it for yourself—carrots might just become your new favorite go-to side.
Get the Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots recipe.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
Olive Garden is one of the most popular Italian American restaurants in the country and, other than the salad, soup, and breadsticks, we figure that that popularity is in large part driven by one dish and one dish alone: fettuccine Alfredo. Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the best comfort foods because it is so creamy and has a rich cheese sauce. Here are some easy tips on how to make the dish perfectly.
Get the Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo recipe.
Roasted Chicken #onestopchop
FAQ
What is good to serve with roasted chicken?
Sides for a roast chickenCrispy roast potatoes with rosemary, za’atar and salsa verde. Chaat masala potatoes with yoghurt. Roast potatoes with green sauce and tahini. Grilled carrots and tofu with harissa. Carrots and leeks, Turkish style. Grilled red cabbage with gorgonzola and grapes.
What is a good side dish for rotisserie chicken?
To complete your rotisserie meal, here are some of the best side dishes to indulge in!Mashed Potatoes. Mashed potatoes are one of the most loved side dishes – and for good reason! . Garlic Broccoli. Broccoli is packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Buttery Cornbread. Macaroni and Cheese. Rice Pilaf.
What are good sides to pair 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.