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These side dishes for chicken make it a meal! Pick from top ideas like roasted and sauteed vegetables, rice, pasta, salads, and more.

Side dishes for chicken
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Making chicken and want to make it into a meal? Here are our top 50 side dishes for chicken! As two cookbook authors, we’ve combed through our archives to find the best sides to pair, and we must say—these meal ideas have us inspired.

There are colorful roasted and sauteed vegetables, fluffy rice and quinoa, creamy mashed potatoes, savory focaccia bread, and loads of crisp salads. There’s something for just about every season and occasion, whether you’re serving it up simple baked chicken, fancy chicken piccata, or carefree chicken tacos.

And now…50 top side dishes for chicken!

More chicken recipes

What chicken recipe are you planning to cook up? (Tell us in the comments below.) If you’re looking for more with this tasty protein, we’ve got loads of ways to make it into a stunning meal. Here are a few of our top chicken dinner ideas:

Frequently asked questions

What are some healthy side dishes for chicken?

Roasted vegetables or grilled vegetables are a classic choice. Try asparagus, broccoli, carrots, or a mix of your favorites.
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is always refreshing.
Quinoa or brown rice are nutritious grain options that pair well with chicken.
Roasted sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries make a flavorful side.

What are some more unique side dishes for chicken?

Fruit salsas, like mango salsa or pineapple salsa, add a sweet and tangy twist.
Polenta or grits offer a creamy, comforting side dish.
Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and herbs provide an umami-rich option.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze are a delicious and sophisticated choice.

What are some kid-friendly side dishes for chicken?

Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser.
Baked French fries offer a fun and crispy option.
Corn on the cob is a summer favorite.
Fruit salad provides a healthy and refreshing side.

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50 Side Dishes for Chicken

Green Beans Almondine
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These side dishes for chicken make it a meal! Pick from top ideas like roasted and sauteed vegetables, rice, pasta, salads, and more. See below for our Green Beans Almondine recipe.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegetables
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound French green beans (Haricot verts)*
  • 2 tablespoon salted butter (or olive oil or plant-based butter, for vegan)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Trim the green beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
  2. Blanch the beans: Add the beans to the boiling water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes (or 4 to 5 minutes for standard green beans)*, until tender but still crisp. Right when the beans are tender, remove them from the boiling water with tongs and transfer them to the bowl of ice water. Once cool, drain and pat them dry on a clean dish cloth. (You can blanch the beans up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate until completing Step 3.)
  3. Cook the beans: In a medium skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not yet browned. Add the dried green beans and salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through and almonds are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more, until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest. Taste and add a few more pinches salt if necessary. 

Notes

*French green beans are thinner and more tender than standard green beans, but standard beans also work. Blanch them 4 to 5 minutes until just tender.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!