What Should I Serve with Roast Chicken? 15 Delicious Side Dish Ideas

Roast chicken is a beloved dinner staple in many households. It’s a filling main dish because the meat is tender and the sauce is savory. However, it can be hard to decide what to serve with roast chicken. Side dishes that go well with the chicken without taking over are what you want.

After cooking many roast chickens over the years, I’ve discovered some fantastic side dish pairings that never disappoint Here are my top 15 recommendations for what to serve with roast chicken

Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Roast chicken goes well with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. The butter and cream add a touch of richness that goes well with the savory meat, and the potatoes soak up the tasty chicken juices. If you want the creamiest soup, mix Yukon Gold and russet potatoes. Add roasted garlic or crispy bacon bits to plain mashed potatoes to make them more interesting.

Roasted Root Vegetables

When you roast root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, their natural sugars turn into caramel and their flavors become stronger. Along with tender roast chicken, they add bright colors and a satisfying crunch. Before you roast the vegetables, toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. I love this honey balsamic roasted carrot recipe.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes baked with cream, cheese, and garlic are a heartier and more decadent potato dish. The creamy potatoes get a great crust on top as they bake. The potatoes marry well with the chicken’s richness. Gruyère, cheddar, or Parmesan cheese work great.

Garlicky Green Beans

Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and olive oil make for a quick, easy veggie side. The bright green color looks fantastic next to golden roast chicken. Add toasted almonds or lemon zest to brighten the beans’ flavor. Green beans offer some vitamin C, fiber and potassium to round out the meal.

Honey Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots add natural sweetness and color to balance savory roast chicken. Peeling and cutting carrots into sticks allows them to soak up the glaze evenly. Simmer the carrots in a skillet with butter, honey or maple syrup, salt and pepper until tender. The brown sugar glazed carrot recipe is amazing.

Butternut Squash Risotto

Creamy risotto makes a nice change of pace from potatoes or rice. The addition of cubed butternut squash gives the risotto a lively color and sweetness to pair well with chicken. Spooning the risotto onto dinner plates lets you artfully arrange the roast chicken on top.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

While some may see Brussels sprouts as boring, roasting transforms them into an irresistible side dish. Roasted sprouts caramelize and develop a deep, nutty flavor. Toss halved sprouts in olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese before roasting. They hold up well against the richness of the chicken.

Stuffing or Dressing

No roast chicken dinner feels complete without a scoop of savory stuffing or dressing on the side. Rustic bread cubes soaked in chicken broth and baked with onion, celery, herbs, and spices complement the chicken perfectly. Get creative with ingredients like apples, sausage, cranberries, pecans or mushrooms.

Spinach Salad with Cranberries and Feta

A spinach salad provides color contrast and cuts the richness of roast chicken. Toasted walnuts add crunch, tangy cranberries offer sweetness, and feta lends its signature briny bite. Whisk together a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and maple syrup. Massage into the spinach just before serving.

Hasselback Potatoes

Slicing potatoes into thin, accordion-like slices maximizes their crispy edges and creaminess when baked. Dotting hasselback potatoes with butter and herbs adds flavor. The potatoes bake up with eye-catching ridges and make an impressive presentation alongside roast chicken.

Wild Rice Pilaf

Nutty, chewy wild rice teams up perfectly with tender roast chicken. Toast the rice in butter before simmering in chicken broth seasoned with garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir in toasted pecans or dried cranberries once cooked. The herbed wild rice pilaf recipe is excellent.

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Roasting broccoli transforms it from boring to beautiful. Chopped broccoli florets roast up crisp-tender with caramelized edges. Toss with olive oil, salt, and grated Parmesan before roasting. The melty cheese gives a savory depth that pairs nicely with chicken.

Dinner Rolls

Warm, fluffy dinner rolls are great for sopping up the pan juices and gravy left from roast chicken. Brush rolls with butter or garlic herb butter before serving. Parker House rolls, potato rolls, or popovers work well. Or go classic with homemade buttermilk biscuits.

Coleslaw

Crunchy coleslaw adds great texture contrast and brightness next to juicy roast chicken. Use bagged coleslaw mix for convenience or thinly slice cabbage yourself. Toss with a tangy dressing of mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Customize with carrots, bell peppers, pineapple, or peanuts.

Gravy

A flavorful gravy ties everything together when serving roast chicken. Simmer pan drippings with chicken stock, flour or cornstarch, and seasonings to form a smooth gravy. Let it reduce to concentrate the chicken essence. Drizzle the gravy over chicken, potatoes, rice, or biscuits for added moisture and savoriness.

When planning dinner around roast chicken, you have lots of delicious side dish options. Complementary sides like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, rice pilaf, and coleslaw will round out your meal beautifully. With flavorful accompaniments like these, roast chicken dinner is sure to satisfy.