Have you ever pulled a golden-brown chicken pot pie from the oven and wondered what to serve with it?.
As someone whos spent years perfecting the art of comfort food pairings, Ive found that the secret lies in the balance – crisp alongside creamy, fresh against rich, light meeting hearty.
From vibrant salads drizzled with honey-citrus vinaigrette to maple-glazed carrots thatll make your mouth water, Im thrilled to share my favorite side dishes thatll turn your chicken pot pie into an unforgettable feast.
Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food. With its flaky, golden crust and steaming hot filling of tender chicken, veggies, and creamy sauce, it’s no wonder this dish has been a beloved staple for generations.
But a great chicken pot pie deserves an equally delicious side dish to complement it. The right sides can take your pot pie dinner from basic to gourmet
Here are over 20 side dish ideas to try with your next homemade or store-bought chicken pot pie to make it a meal to remember.
The Key to Picking Sides for Chicken Pot Pie
When choosing sides for chicken pot pie, balance and contrast are key. The rich, savory filling and buttery crust call for sides that provide texture, temperature, and flavor contrast
Aim for a mix of:
- Crisp, fresh flavors to balance the heartiness of the pie
- Cool, light sides to contrast the steaming hot pie
- Crunchy and creamy textures for interest
- Complementary seasonal ingredients
Vibrant salads, roasted veggies, crusty breads, and more are all excellent contenders. Read on for the best chicken pot pie side pairings.
Classic Homestyle Sides
Some old favorites never let you down. These hearty sides have been served with pot pie for a very long time.
Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, smooth mashed potatoes are a no-brainer pairing. For extra richness, use heavy cream and butter. Roasted garlic or herbs like chives, parsley or dill add even more flavor.
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
You must have warm, soft rolls ready to soak up the pot pie gravy. Brush them with melted butter or herbs for irresistible flavor.
Creamed Corn or Buttered Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn is a classic pairing, especially creamed corn enriched with butter and cream. Grilled or boiled corn on the cob also balances perfectly.
Fresh Biscuits
Flaky, homemade biscuits straight from the oven complete the downhome meal. Serve them warm with butter and jam.
Mac and Cheese
Cheesy baked macaroni and cheese is the best comfort food ever. The creamy, rich pasta complements the pot pie perfectly.
Simple Sides Ready in 10 Minutes
Short on time? These fast, fuss-free sides can be prepped in just 10 minutes or less.
Garlic Sautéed Greens
Sauté spinach, kale, chard or other greens in olive oil and garlic for an easy veggie.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Roast carrot coins or batons tossed in honey, olive oil and thyme for 10 minutes.
Sautéed Green Beans
Blanch green beans briefly, then sauté in olive oil and seasoning of choice.
Roasted Potatoes
Cube potatoes, toss in oil, salt, and rosemary and roast at 450°F for 15-20 minutes.
Quick Pickles
Thinly slice cucumbers, carrots, radishes or onions and pickle in vinegar brine.
Fresh, Crisp Salads
Salads with bright flavors and crunch balance the richness perfectly.
Greek Salad
Tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onion and feta cheese over greens with a red wine vinaigrette.
Apple Walnut Salad
Sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and blue cheese over mixed greens with apple cider dressing.
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Chopped kale, quinoa, chickpeas, avocado, feta or goat cheese with a zesty citrus dressing.
Spinach Salad
Baby spinach, strawberries, red onion, almonds and poppyseed dressing for a hint of sweetness.
Seasonal Roasted Vegetables
Pick vegetables at their seasonal peak and roast them to caramelized perfection.
Spring – Asparagus, green beans, peas
Summer – Zucchini, summer squash, corn, tomatoes
Fall – Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, beets
Winter – Root veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, celery root
Roast at 400°F-450°F with olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs like rosemary, thyme or oregano.
Hearty Whole Grains
Nutty whole grains make satisfying sides with their chewy texture and fiber.
Brown or Wild Rice
Fluffy, nutty rice is a great foundation for pot pie gravy. Mix in herbs or toasted nuts for extra flavor.
Quinoa
Cook quinoa in chicken broth for extra richness. Stir in vegetables, herbs, cheese or nuts.
Barley
Pearled barley cooked in chicken or veggie broth provides a pleasing chewy contrast to the pie.
Farro or Wheat Berry Salad
Cook wheat berries or farro, then toss with veggies, nuts and tangy vinaigrette while still warm.
More Classic Pairings
Round out your pot pie dinner with even more beloved favorites.
Buttery Green Beans
Blanched green beans tossed in butter are a simple, tasty pairing.
Creamed Spinach or Creamed Peas
These creamy veggie sides complement the pie’s texture beautifully.
Scalloped or Au Gratin Potatoes
Slices of creamy, cheesy potatoes are comfort food magic.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread muffins or squares slathered with honey butter.
Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta tossed with a zesty dressing and fresh veggies.
Coleslaw
Creamy cool slaw with crunchy cabbage and carrots.
And for Dessert…
End your meal on a sweet note with fruit or a touch of chocolate.
Mixed Berry Shortcake
Sweet biscuits topped with juicy berries and whipped cream.
Apple Crisp
Warm apple crisp is cozy comfort with vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate Mousse
Light, airy chocolate mousse is a sophisticated finish.
Fruit and Pound Cake
Slice pound cake and serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
A homemade chicken pot pie is such a treat. With the perfect side dishes, you can turn pot pie night into an easy yet memorable dinner any night of the week.
“The secret to an unforgettable chicken pot pie experience lies in the art of contrast—where the buttery, silky richness of the pie meets the crisp, fresh bite of a perfectly paired side dish.”
When working with a rich, creamy pot pie, consider sides that add brightness and acidity.
A simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.
Roasted green beans with garlic and a squeeze of fresh citrus provide a light, fresh counterpoint.
Even a simple mix of crisp cucumber and radishes with a splash of vinegar and fresh dill can transform each bite of your savory pot pie into a perfectly balanced experience.
9. Arugula Salad w/ Lemon Vinaigrette (View Recipe)
10. Roasted Green Beans w/ Garlic (View Recipe)
11. Crisp Cucumber and Radishes w/ Fresh Dill (View Recipe)
- Always add something that makes the dish brighter, like fresh herbs or acidic foods like citrus.
- Consider including a raw component for maximum texture contrast
- If serving multiple sides, vary their temperatures
- Use seasonal ingredients at their peak for the best flavor
- Keep portions of rich sides smaller than light, fresh ones
Remember, the perfect side dish doesnt compete with your pot pie – it complements it.
Each element should work in harmony, creating a dining experience thats greater than the sum of its parts.
Temperature Balance: Hot Meets Cold
Just as important as texture is the interplay of temperatures.
While the hot pot pie warms you up, a cold side dish can wake up your taste buds and make every bite more interesting.
Imagine a cool, crisp cucumber salad with fresh dill, its refreshing nature perfectly complementing the warm, comforting pot pie.
Or, serve your piping hot pie with a room-temperature quinoa salad that has dried cranberries and toasted pecans on top. The different temperatures will make the meal more interesting.
3. Crisp Cucumber Salad w/ Fresh Dill (View Recipe)
4. Quinoa Salad w/ Dried Cranberries and Toasted Pecans (View Recipe)
What to Serve With Chicken Pot Pie
FAQ
What is the best way to warm up chicken pot pie?
Option 1: Microwave – Obviously, this is likely the easiest way to reheat a slice of pot pie. When using the microwave, it is best to start with a thawed pie. All microwaves vary, but I found that 1-2 minutes is sufficient. Sep 15, 2021.
What do you eat chicken pie with?
- Sweet Potatoes
- Whole Grain Rice
- Herb-Roasted Potatoes
- Biscuits
- Garlic Bread
- Quinoa or Rice Pilaf
- Cornbread
What is the correct way to eat a pot pie?
I remove the top crust, eat the entire interior of the pot pie then eat the bottom and side crust saving the delicious, crispy top crust for last. I prefer each bite to have a balance of soft crust, crunchy crust, and filling.
What dessert should I serve with chicken pot pie?
Seasonal Desserts to Complement Your Pot PieSummer – Warm Berry Cobbler (View Recipe) . Fall – Maple Pumpkin Pudding (View Recipe) . Winter – Spiced Poached Pears (View Recipe) . Spring Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp (View Recipe) . [Bonus] Spring – Lemon Lavender Mini Cakes (View Recipe).