Chicken is the most versatile meat because you can pair it with any side dish and it will most likely work out. Oh well, you may even pair it with another type of chicken, and it will be a winner winner chicken dinner! However, we are here to help you out with the most mouthwatering combinations that will make the chicken dish ultra-versatile. From salads and roasted vegetables to rice and pasta, we’ve covered all the suitable side dishes for chicken.
Lyonnaise Potatoes
The key to creating the perfect Lyonnaise Potatoes is by cutting the potatoes exactly ¼ inch-thick rounds. This way, the insides will be tender and the edges will be crispy. To start, boil the potatoes over high heat, and simmer them for about 4 minutes before draining them out. Next, take a non-stick frying pan and put 2 tablespoons of butter.
Now, add the sliced onion and ¼ teaspoon of salt until it caramelizes (about 12 minutes). Then transfer the onion to a bowl and add the remaining butter to the pan. Now it’s time to put the potatoes and season them with salt and pepper. Cook them for a few minutes until they are brown. Finally, add the onions to the pan and toss and turn for about 2 minutes before you garnish them with parsley.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Russet potatoes (peeled and sliced into ¼ inch rounds)
- 1 yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup parsley leaves (chopped)
- 5 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
Cheesy Mushroom, Lentil, and Rice Bake
This is a great alternative to plain old brown rice as it is packed with flavors. To begin, pre-heat the oven to 375F. Now, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large frying pan and add onion to it once heated. Let the onions get caramelized for about 10 minutes before adding the mushrooms. Turn the stove to medium-high, and add salt and pepper to the mixture. It should take about 5 minutes for the mushrooms to soften.
Then, turn off the stove, and take a large bowl to whisk the eggs, milk, and cheese together. After this, add the mushroom/lentil/rice mixture, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Next, take a baking dish and brush the insides with olive oil before transferring the mixture into it.
Finally, sprinkle the grated cheese on top, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for15 minutes. To create a golden brown creation, remove the foil and bake again for 10 minutes before it’s ready to be served.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of brown rice (cooked)
- 2 ½ cups of lentils (cooked)
- 1 lb. cremini mushrooms (quartered)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 yellow onion (halved and thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons Pecorino Romano cheese (finely grated)
- ½ parsley leaf (chopped)
- Ground pepper
- Kosher salt
Strawberry Watermelon Caprese Salad
Here’s a sweet and fresh side dish for chicken that is great for lunch especially in the summer. Easiest to put together, all you need is a large bowl to combine the strawberries, watermelon, olive oil, and feta cheese. To season, add salt and pepper and toss a few times. You can garnish it with basil and serve it grilled chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries (chopped)
- 3 cups watermelon (chopped)
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Also Read: 4 Super Easy Low Sodium Chicken Recipes
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo is a simple yet delicious form of carb that you can add as a side dish with chicken. To make this, cook the pasta in a large bowl of boiling salted water and drain it. In the meantime, place a large skillet over medium heat and add butter and cream until they combine to reach a creamy bubbling consistency. Now, add salt, pepper, and parmesan to the skillet and whisk till it slightly thickens. Then simmer it for 2 minutes before adding the cooked pasta to the skillet. Finally, toss and turn until all the strands are coated with the sauce and garnish with parsley to serve.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fettuccine
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan (grated)
- 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
Creamy Mushroom Peas
This is a great side dish with both baked and grilled chicken. To create this simple dish, take a small saucepan and boil the peas until they become tender (about 5 minutes). Then, drain them and set aside. On a medium saucepan, set the stove to medium heat, and add butter. Next, put onions and mushrooms in the pan and sauté for a few minutes. Now, sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for a minute. Finally, add cream, pepper, salt, and nutmeg gradually to create a thick sauce. Just add the peas, mix a little, and serve!
Ingredients
- 2 cups green peas (frozen)
- 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 cup light cream
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Zucchini
Here’s a side dish for chicken for all the health enthusiasts out there. To make this, take a large skillet over medium heat and put oil. Next, add garlic and cook for half a minute. Then, put zucchini and oregano to cook for about 10 minutes. Finally, season it with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. To add flavor, garnish it with parmesan.
Ingredients
- 3 large zucchini (roundly cut)
- ¼ cup Parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes (crushed)
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
Also Read: How Long to Bake Chicken at 350?
Conclusion
Even though chicken will do great on its own, different side dishes help to make courses more flavorful. We’d suggest you try out the recipes of all the side dishes featured in this article because they are nothing short of bursts of flavor to tag along with roasted, baked, or grilled chicken!
