Roasted Chicken and Vegetables – juicy, golden chicken, caramelized veggies, and pan juices you’ll want to drink. This is the “I-don’t-want-to-cook” dinner I make once a week and somehow never get tired of.
This is the kind of dinner that saves me on the nights I just don’t want to think. Everything goes into one pan, chicken, veggies, garlic, a splash of balsamic, and the oven takes over. It smells amazing, tastes even better, and honestly? We fight over the good bits.
Remo and I both go for the olives first, but those roasted cherry tomatoes? They steal the show. They basically burst in your mouth and soak up all that smoky, garlicky flavor. We make this at least once a week, and somehow, it never gets old.
Chicken is a dietary staple in many households. It’s affordable, easy to cook, and goes great with a variety of side dishes. However, it can be challenging to come up with creative vegetable sides to serve with chicken night after night. If you feel like you’re stuck in a chicken dinner rut, this article is for you!
Below I will share 25 of the best vegetable side dishes to serve with chicken. These sides range from classic roasted veggies to fresh salads and creamy casseroles. I’ve also included helpful tips for cooking vegetables and pairing them with chicken. With this list you’ll never be bored with chicken dinner again!
The Best Veggies to Serve with Chicken
Chicken is versatile enough to pair well with almost any vegetable However, there are some veggies that are particularly well-suited as chicken sides Here are some of the top vegetables to serve with chicken
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Potatoes: Chicken goes well with potatoes whether they are mashed, baked, roasted, or fried. Potatoes are hearty, filling, and soak up chicken juices.
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Carrots: Glazed, roasted, or sautéed carrots add a pop of color and natural sweetness.
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Broccoli: Roast florets or make a broccoli casserole for a crowd-pleasing chicken side.
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Green beans: Fresh, crunchy green beans balance out chicken’s richness. Toss in garlic or bacon for extra flavor.
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Sweet potatoes: Bake sweet potato fries or wedges for a lighter alternative to white potatoes.
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Cauliflower: Roast cauliflower florets or rice cauliflower for low-carb sides.
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Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts get nice and crispy when roasted in the oven.
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Corn: Grilled corn on the cob is a classic summer side for chicken.
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Spinach: Sautéed spinach or a spinach salad adds nutrition without much effort.
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Asparagus: Quick-roasting or grilling asparagus coaxes out its flavor.
25 Best Vegetable Sides for Chicken
Here are 25 delicious vegetable side dishes to complement chicken dinners:
1. Baked Potatoes
Russet or sweet potatoes, baked whole, make the perfect vessel for chicken juices, butter, sour cream, bacon, and other tasty toppings. Wrap in foil for easy cleanup too!
2. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a comforting classic. For extra richness, use broth or cream instead of milk.
3. Hasselback Potatoes
These fancy sliced potatoes roast up crispy on the edges and fluffy on the inside. Fill the slits with garlic or cheese for bonus flavor.
4. Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
Instead of regular french fries, you can eat sweet potato fries. Toss in oil and spices and roast until crispy.
5. Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce, scalloped potatoes are indulgent and delicious.
6. Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad with hard-boiled eggs, onion, celery, and a touch of mustard is a staple summer side.
7. Roasted Broccoli
Roasting broccoli in the oven caramelizes it for a deep, nutty flavor. Toss with lemon, chili flakes, or Parmesan.
8. Broccoli Casserole
For a cheesy broccoli dish, combine broccoli, cheese, rice or breadcrumbs, and bake into a casserole.
9. Broccoli Slaw
Thinly sliced raw broccoli stems make an easy crunchy slaw. Toss with shredded carrot, cabbage, and dressing.
10. Green Bean Casserole
This classic Thanksgiving side combines green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions.
11. Green Beans Almondine
Sautéed green beans tossed with browned butter and toasted almonds is a simple, elegant side.
12. Roasted Green Beans
Roasting green beans in the oven caramelizes their natural sugars for amazing flavor.
13. Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots develop a deeper, sweeter flavor. Coat with honey or maple syrup for a glaze.
14. Glazed Carrots
Simmer peeled baby carrots in butter, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup for candied deliciousness.
15. Roasted Cauliflower
Break cauliflower into florets, coat in oil and spices, and roast until caramelized and tender.
16. Cauliflower Rice
Rice cauliflower in the food processor for a low-carb, gluten-free “rice” with chicken flavor.
17. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts get nice and crispy when roasted with just oil, salt, and pepper.
18. Creamed Spinach
Chopped spinach cooked in a creamy sauce makes an easy, tasty side dish.
19. Sautéed Spinach
Fresh spinach sautéed in olive oil with garlic and lemon is a fast, healthy side.
20. Corn on the Cob
Boil, grill, or roast corn on the cob slathered in butter. Sprinkle with chili powder or cheese.
21. Succotash
This southern stew of corn, lima beans, and veggies is a hearty chicken companion.
22. Asparagus Spears
Quick-roasting or grilling asparagus brings out its flavor. Serve drizzled with lemon.
23. Roasted Root Vegetables
A sheet pan of mixed roasted veggies like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, is simple and delicious.
24. Roasted Beets
Earthy, sweet roasted beets lend great color to a chicken dinner plate.
25. Garden Salad
A fresh mixed greens salad with veggies and vinaigrette complements chicken perfectly.
Tips for Cooking Veggies for Chicken
When preparing vegetable sides for chicken, keep these tips in mind:
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Roast veggies on a baking sheet at 400°F until lightly browned for deep flavor.
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Sauté vegetables like spinach, carrots, and green beans in olive oil over medium-high heat.
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Season simply with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley.
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Don’t overcook – you want veggies to remain brightly colored and slightly crunchy.
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Toss veggies in a sauce like balsamic, lemon juice, or pesto for a flavor boost.
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Combine complimentary flavors – potatoes and rosemary, carrots and cinnamon, etc.
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Make ahead – roast and refrigerate veggies to reheat easily on chicken night.
Pairing Vegetables and Chicken
When putting together your chicken dinner plate, keep these vegetable pairing tips in mind:
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Serve starchy sides like potatoes, corn, or rice with simple baked or grilled chicken.
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Pair roasted, sauteed, or fresh veggies with chicken dishes with complex sauces.
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Offer a salad and steamed or roasted veggies for lighter chicken meals.
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Mash or puree veggies like cauliflower or sweet potatoes for chicken soup.
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Mix veggies like peppers, onions, and mushrooms right into chicken fajitas or stir fries.
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Combine lighter sides like slaws or spinach salads with fried or crispy chicken.
Sample Chicken and Vegetable Dinner Plates
Here are just a few ideas for building complete chicken dinner plates using the vegetable side dish suggestions:
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Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots
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Chicken Caesar salad with romaine, parmesan, and croutons
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Fried chicken, coleslaw, and corn on the cob
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Grilled chicken kabobs, rice pilaf, and grilled veggies
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Chicken noodle soup with pureed cauliflower and green beans
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Chicken fajitas with sautéed peppers and onions in tortillas
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Chicken cordon bleu, roasted broccoli, and potato au gratin
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Chicken curry, raita, and steamed spinach
Put an End to Boring Chicken and Veggies
With this list of 25 vegetable side dishes for chicken, you’ll never have a boring chicken dinner again! From classic roasted potatoes to fresh broccoli slaw and everything in between, you’re sure to find the perfect match for any chicken meal.
Vary your prep methods and play with different seasonings and sauces to keep veggie sides exciting. And don’t forget to build balanced dinner plates that offer a satisfying variety of flavors and textures in every bite. With a bit of creativity, the possibilities for chicken and vegetables are truly endless.
How To Make Roasted Chicken And Vegetables
First, heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and get your biggest baking dish. I like to use a 9×13.
In a big bowl, toss your potatoes, onion, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and olives. Add half the garlic, olive oil, balsamic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat.
In a separate bowl, do the same with your chicken and the remaining garlic, oil, vinegar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it a good toss so every piece gets love.
Spread the veggie mixture into the baking dish and make sure it’s in an even layer. Nestle the chicken pieces over the top, this way, all those delicious juices drip down and flavor the veggies as it bakes.
Can I prep it ahead?
Yes, and I do it often. Just season everything and layer it in the pan, then cover and refrigerate. Add 10 extra minutes to the bake time if it’s going straight from fridge to oven.
Cooking Basics: How To Stirfry
FAQ
What vegetables go well with chicken?
Carrots, celery, peas, asparagus, zucchini, tomatoes, squash, green beans, snow peas, mushrooms, eggplants, bok choy, and so on and so forth. I cant think of any vegetables that wouldn’t pair with chicken in some way.
What pairs nice with chicken?
Recipes like roasted Brussels sprouts or roasted potatoes are great picks. For fried or oven-fried chicken, cozy classics like mashed potatoes or garlic butter crescents are always winners. That too goes for saucy chicken casseroles (because who doesn’t like some extra sauce and gravy with their taters and crescents?).
What is good to eat chicken with?
Best Chicken Side DishesHoney Roasted Carrots. The Best and Creamiest Mashed Potatoes. Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms. Easy Roasted Cauliflower. Creamy Potatoes au Gratin. Air Fryer Broccoli. Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower.