Chicken is such a versatile main dish. You can serve it with virtually anything. But sometimes, you just want to try something new. If you’re looking for inspiration, I have 25+ side dishes for chicken that are so EASY to make and are absolutely delicious.
25+ Best Side Dishes for Chicken that Are so Easy to Make
1. Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Carrots pair perfectly with chicken, and this recipe adds both honey and balsamic vinegar for a subtly sweet, tangy flavor.
After roasting your glazed carrots, you’ll top the dish off with some feta and freshly ground pepper.
2. Roasted Broccoli
Quick. Easy. Delicious. It’s hard to beat roasted broccoli as a chicken side dish. And this recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something healthy to serve the kids.
Just toss some fresh broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, paprika and pepper. Roast for 14-15 minutes and enjoy!
3. Baked Feta Roast Potatoes
Roasted potatoes and feta are so delicious together, especially when served with chicken. You only need a handful of ingredients for this dish: potatoes, feta, olive oil, spices, garlic, lemon and honey.
I like to boil the potatoes first before roasting to make them extra crispy.
4. Greek Lemon Rice
Here’s a dish that will add so much flavor to your meal, thanks to the fresh lemon. Use the freshest ones you can find (juice and zest).
You’ll also need onion, garlic, broth, salt, pepper, herbs and olive oil.
Medium-grain white rice is preferred, but you can likely use any variety you prefer. Just adjust the spices and lemon juice to your liking.
5. Lemon Orzo
One of my favorite side dishes for chicken. The lemon adds so much flavor, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to match your taste.
I like to add roasted peppers or a vegetable to the orzo just for some extra flavor and nutrients.
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6. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Honey, butter and corn – is there a better combination? Fresh corn works best for this recipe, but frozen can be just as tasty (and convenient).
You won’t believe how easy it is to prepare this dish. You’ll saute shallots with corn in olive oil before adding the butter and honey. Sprinkle on some salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
7. Japanese Zucchini
A simple recipe that you’ll find yourself making all the time. Teriyaki and soy sauce pair so well with the zucchini. Add some sweet onion and spices, and you have a lovely side dish for chicken.
The whole thing cooks in a non-stick skillet, so cleanup is easy.
8. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
This is one of the easiest dishes to prepare, and even the kids will love it. Baby carrots save you time from having to peel and they offer a subtler, sweeter flavor.
The sauce is the star of the show here. It’s a blend of butter, brown sugar, honey, allspice and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, and stir it occasionally.
Then, add the carrots and allow them to cook until the glaze thickens.
9. Giada’s Creamy Sweet Corn with Pancetta
Despite the long list of ingredients, this side dish is easy to make. It combines olive oil with pancetta, shallot, fennel, sweet corn, mascarpone cheese, Parmesan cheese and fresh spices.
The whole thing comes together in 15 minutes or less.
Not a fan of pancetta? Use bacon instead or skip it entirely.
10. Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Looking for healthier side dishes for chicken? These Brussels sprouts are a great option. First, you’ll steam your veggies until fork-tender.
Then, toss with olive oil and salt, lay them out on parchment paper and then use the bottom of a glass to smash them. Cover with grated Parmesan cheese and then bake for 12-15 minutes.
You can likely cook these in an air fryer, too, if you want them extra crispy.
11. Potatoes and Green Beans
For an easy side dish, it doesn’t get much better than roasted potatoes and green beans. You can customize this recipe any way you like. I like to add fresh herbs or spices.
Want to spice it up? Use taco seasoning.
12. Creamy Parmesan Rice
Creamy, cheesy and satisfying. You’ll definitely want to use long-grain white rice for this recipe. The creamy, buttery and lemony sauce is so delicious.
The rice takes about 20 minutes to cook, but it’s all done in one pan, which makes cleanup even easier.
13. Garlic Butter Zucchini Mushrooms
A healthy side dish that’s flexible and easy to prepare. Feel free to use any mushrooms you want, but the recipe calls for the button variety.
You’ll prepare the zucchini with onions, garlic, herbs and, of course, the mushrooms.
It only takes about 25 minutes to make this side dish.
14. Cucumber Tomato Salad
I love refreshing side dishes for chicken like this one. They’re perfect for summer. You’ll combine English cucumbers with tomatoes, red onion and a delicious dressing made with water, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and dill. Add crumbled feta cheese and avocado if you want.
Let this salad marinate for at least an hour before serving to maximize the flavor. Try preparing it the night before so you’re not rushing.
15. Oven Roasted Carrots and Green Beans
Simple, healthy and tasty. Take a half a pound of carrots and a half a pound of green beans, and toss them with oil, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper.
Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes and serve.
You can save a few minutes by cooking this dish in the air fryer.
16. Southwest Pasta Salad
Skip the grilled chicken in this recipe to make it the perfect side dish for your main course. Mix rotini pasta with black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, tomato, cilantro and chipotle ranch dressing.
Run the pasta under cool water before tossing it with the rest of the ingredients. Drain well so that the dish isn’t too watery.
Related: My Go-To Chipotle Chicken Bowl Recipe
17. Mexican Coleslaw
You’ll need chef knives and a mixing bowl for this recipe, which is broken down into these parts:
- Dressing made from mayo, sour cream, lime juice and taco seasoning.
- Slaw from coleslaw, red bell pepper, diced tomato, corn kernels, black beans, jalapeno pepper and fresh cilantro.
No cooking is necessary for this recipe, so it’s just mixing.
18. Fritos Corn Salad
Frito corn salad starts with you mixing the following ingredients together in a large bowl:
- Corn
- Bell pepper
- Shredded cheese
- Mayo
- Black pepper
Before serving, add in crushed Chili Cheese Fritos and garnish with fresh cilantro.
19. Pasta Caesar Salad
Bowtie pasta, chopped romaine hearts, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, croutons, salt and pepper come together in an easy-to-make salad. It’s as simple as cooking your pasta al dente and tossing all of the ingredients together.
20. Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
One of the quickest side dishes for chicken is these roasted parmesan green beans. In a baking dish, you’ll roast your green beans with olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and garlic powder.
21. Crack Corn Salad
One hour is all it takes for this crack corn salad to be done. Creamy salad blends your main ingredients for a delish lunch made with:
- Bacon
- Corn
- Cheddar
- Tangy ranch
- Red bell pepper
- Green onion
- Cilantro
In a mixing bowl, make your dressing out of mayo, sour cream, ranch dressing mix and lime juice. Pour in the remaining ingredients, toss and then season. Cover and allow to sit for 30+ minutes before serving.
22. Potato and Green Bean Salad
Boil your potatoes and green beans in a large stock pot. Add olive oil to a mixing bowl and then add some shredded cheese, lime juice, onion, zest and a handful of other ingredients. Dill, capers and olives are added in.
Finally, your potatoes and green beans are added. Combine well and serve.
23. Green Pea Salad
Simple and easy to make, this classic green pea salad calls for a handful of ingredients:
- Crisp peas
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Onion
And you’ll make a sweet and salty dressing to go on top of it all. Mayo and sour cream come together well with this recipe, along with shredded cheese on top and bacon pieces.
24. Crispy Roasted Cauliflower
Preheat your oven to 425F while you use a large mixing bowl to toss the following ingredients together:
- Cauliflower florets
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Toss until everything is evenly coated and then spread on a baking sheet in an even layer. Roast until golden brown, which should be 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top during the last five minutes of roasting. Serve hot.
Related: 15+ Side Dishes for Salmon You’ll Want to Make Every Time
25. Sauteed Vegetables
Choose your favorite veggies to add to this dish, along with rice or quinoa. For this recipe, the author chose red and yellow peppers, broccoli florets, green beans, cashews and pineapple. If you want to add even more flavor (is that even possible?), try mushrooms or add a dressing on top.
Peanut butter dressings are a good option.
26. Easy Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is easy to make. You’ll want to break the recipe down into two parts:
- Broccoli salad: Florets, red seedless grapes, red onion, sharp cheddar cheese, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds and raisins.
- Buttermilk peppercorn dressing: Mayonnaise, buttermilk, honey, lemon juice, black peppercorns and kosher salt.
Serve with any type of chicken you’re preparing.
