Chicken Alfredo is a popular dinner dish, but the right side dishes make this creamy pasta dish stand out as a meal to remember. These side dishes go great with Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a surprise party.
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food that balances creamy richness with tender white meat chicken and al dente fettuccine noodles. This classic Italian dish was invented by Alfredo di Lelio, and the creamy Alfredo sauce continues to make it a favorite across Italian restaurants worldwide.
If you serve the right side dishes with your chicken Alfredo, you’ll have a full meal that tastes great and fills you up. These dishes make great side dishes whether you want something light, something hearty, or something in between. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Many people love chicken alfredo, a creamy, rich pasta dish. But what should you serve with this heavy meal? The right side dishes can turn your chicken alfredo from a simple weeknight dinner to a meal that looks like it came from a restaurant. In this article, we’ll look at 25 of the best side dishes to serve with chicken alfredo.
Garlic Bread
A no-brainer side for chicken alfredo is garlic bread. The combination of the salty, garlicky bread with the creamy pasta is a match made in heaven. Freshly baked garlic bread is ideal, but even just toasting some bread and rubbing it with a garlic clove elevates this simple side.
BroccoliBroccoli is a healthy vibrant side dish that pairs nicely with chicken alfredo. Lightly steamed or sautéed broccoli provides a fresh slightly bitter flavor that cuts through the rich sauce. For added flavor, toss the broccoli with a little olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad with crunchy romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and a tangy dressing helps balance the richness of chicken alfredo. It adds freshness as well as a variety of flavors and textures.
BruschettaBruschetta makes an excellent starter or side with chicken alfredo. On toasted bread, fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar make a dish with bright, bold flavors that go well with the creamy pasta.
Caprese Salad
Much like bruschetta, a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar provides a refreshing, lighter complement to chicken alfredo. The mozzarella also mirrors the creaminess of the pasta.
Green Beans
Quick-cooked green beans are a versatile veggie side. Blanch or briefly sauté them to retain their crunch. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes for a flavor boost. Their fresh, slightly grassy taste balances the richness.
Asparagus
Both roasted and grilled asparagus pair beautifully with chicken alfredo. The smoky char flavor from grilling or the caramelized roasted flavor complements the sauce. A squeeze of lemon brightens up the asparagus’s earthy notes.
Tomato Salad: Tossing a simple tomato salad with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and fresh basil makes a quick and tasty side dish for chicken alfredo. Cherry tomatoes are good because they go well with the rich pasta because they are sweet.
Zesty zucchini, cooked in a pan or on a grill, is a quick, healthy side dish that adds color to your plate. Adding a little olive oil and parmesan cheese to zucchini makes the mild flavor even better. For extra richness, top with alfredo sauce.
Mushrooms
Sautéed, roasted, or grilled mushrooms offer a savory, umami-rich side for chicken alfredo. Meaty portobello mushrooms are ideal for grilling. Wild mushrooms like shiitake or cremini work well sautéed with garlic and thyme.
Spinach
A quick sauté of spinach in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes provides vitamin-rich greens. The slight bitterness balances out chicken alfredo’s indulgence. Sprinkle on parmesan cheese or lemon zest for extra flavor.
Breadsticks
Soft, warm breadsticks are pretty much required eating alongside chicken alfredo. Bake or fry up breadsticks from scratch or use ready-made ones. Dip them right into that creamy sauce for an extra hit of richness.
Meatballs
Homemade or store-bought meatballs make a hearty, protein-packed side for chicken alfredo. Italian-seasoned beef or turkey meatballs simmered in tomato sauce pair nicely with the cheesy pasta.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
What better side for a creamy pasta than creamy mashed potatoes? Infuse them with roasted garlic and finish them with cream cheese, butter, and parmesan for an ultra-rich accompaniment to chicken alfredo.
Bacon
Crispy cooked bacon crumbles make a savory garnish for chicken alfredo. They add a hit of smoky flavor and crunchy texture. Cook thick-cut bacon until browned and crispy, then sprinkle on top of the pasta.
Shrimp
For a surf and turf meal, garlic shrimp or bacon-wrapped shrimp complement chicken alfredo wonderfully. The briny seafood contrasts with the rich chicken and pasta. Grilled lemon shrimp also helps cut through the sauce’s creaminess.
Scallops
Like shrimp, seared or grilled scallops add elegance and creamy texture to chicken alfredo in one seafood dish. Their subtle sweetness pairs nicely with the Parmesan in the pasta sauce.
Salmon
Grilled or baked salmon fillets make a lighter protein pairing next to chicken alfredo. Salmon provides healthy fats and a tender, flaky texture to contrast the creaminess of the pasta.
Pesto
A bowl of pasta tossed with pesto makes a delicious pairing alongside chicken alfredo. The pesto’s fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan offers a lighter, herbaceous foil to the rich sauce.
Polenta
Creamy, cheesy baked polenta is a satisfying alternative to garlic bread or mashed potatoes. For extra richness, top the polenta with sautéed mushrooms, tomato sauce, or a drizzle of alfredo.
Risotto
Like polenta, creamy risotto is a gluten-free, grain-based side option for chicken alfredo. Parmesan risotto has a similar richness to the pasta but with al dente rice as the star.
Grilled Vegetables
A skewer or platter of grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes makes a colorful, lighter side for chicken alfredo. Their charred flavors pair well with the smoky chicken and creaminess.
1 Lemon Zest Asparagus
For a lighter side, try roasted asparagus with a drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkle of lemon zest. It’s a refreshing complement to the rich creamy sauce of your main dish.
Nothing complements alfredo pasta quite like cheesy breadsticks. They are soft and gooey on the inside and have a buttery, cheesy crust. They soak up the Alfredo sauce so well.
Caesar Roasted Broccoli
Caesar dressing and parmesan cheese bring out the best in roasted broccoli. The crispy, cheesy texture of this green vegetable makes it a crowd-pleasing side dish for chicken Alfredo.
Grilled zucchini brings a smoky, light flavor to your alfredo pasta. Season with olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper for a simple side that’s healthy yet flavorful. The zucchini also adds a pop of color to your plate.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo
FAQ
What side dish is good with chicken alfredo?
Fried green pepper, buttered toast, grilled green pepper, baked broccoli, fresh green beans sautéed in salt and pepper, or steamed snap peas. These help you feeling less bloated after eating pasta and also help make chicken alfredo into a whole and hearty meal!.