This easy dinner recipe goes great with so many awesome sides. The only difficult part is deciding which to try first.
Whether youre looking for fun veggies, quick sides for busy nights, or picky eater-approved dishes, this post is loaded with great options to satisfy the entire family.
Thankfully, creamy chicken casserole and its buttery Ritz cracker topping have a versatile flavor that pairs great with plenty of easy sides like white rice, brown rice, or even a side of green beans.
Serve crisp vegetables with creamy poppy seed chicken casserole for a wonderful contrast in textures. Itll make your taste buds tingle with excitement!.
Done the right way, salads are exciting, filling, and flavorful. Plus, the best part is that they come together in minutes! Simply grab your favorite mixing bowl and toss everything together.
Serving bread is an easy way to make your poppyseed chicken dinner stretch. Nothings more satisfying than a warm, chewy slice of bread or a tender, cloud-like roll. Its pure comfort food, folks.
Keep the whole family gathered around the table a bit longer by surprising them with a sweet treat. After all, dessert isnt just for a special occasion!.
Chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hard to beat with its soft chicken, creamy sauce, and cheese or cracker topping. Even though the casserole is the main dish, you still need some tasty sides to enjoy with it. So what should you serve alongside this homey, hearty dish?.
Here are 15 delicious options for side dishes that pair perfectly with chicken casserole.
Starches That Complement Chicken Casserole
Since chicken casserole can be very heavy and rich, starchy sides with different textures go well with it. Here are some excellent options .
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Mashed potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic. Opt for lighter mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes for variety.
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Rice – Plain white rice or flavored options like cilantro lime rice or curry rice.
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Pasta – Buttered noodles, mac and cheese, pasta salad.
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Bread – Dinner rolls, biscuits, cornbread, or slices of crusty bread for dipping.
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Tater tots – These crispy potato nuggets provide a fun texture contrast.
Crunchy Veggie Sides
The tender, creamy casserole benefits from fresh, crunchy vegetables on the side:
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Green salad – Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions.
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Coleslaw – Cabbage tossed in a zesty dressing.
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Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, or squash.
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Sautéed green beans – Tossed with garlic, lemon, and toasted almonds.
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Steamed vegetables – Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or asparagus.
Fresh Fruit Options
Fruits make a light, refreshing contrast:
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Waldorf salad – Apples, celery, walnuts, raisins, mayo.
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Fruit salad – Melon, berries, pineapple, grapes.
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Citrus salad – Oranges, grapefruit, lemon.
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Applesauce – Sweetened or unsweetened.
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Cranberry sauce – Tart, sweet, saucy.
Hearty Bean Sides
Beans and legumes add protein:
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Baked beans – Slow-cooked with onions, bacon, spices.
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Cowboy beans – With ground beef, onions, barbecue sauce.
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Black beans and rice – Kidney or pinto beans also work.
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Chickpea salad – Chickpeas, cucumber, onion, lemon juice.
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Lentil salad – With bell pepper, parsley, lemon, olive oil.
Comforting Casserole Companions
Some classic comfort sides mirror the casserole’s hominess:
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Squash casserole – Summer or winter squash baked with cheese.
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Corn casserole – With corn, cream, eggs, cheese.
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Potato gratin – Sliced potatoes baked in cream and cheese.
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Mac and cheese – A forever family favorite.
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Chicken and rice – Leftover chicken boosts plain rice.
What to Avoid Serving with Chicken Casserole
While most sides work well with chicken casserole, a few things are better avoided:
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Heavy cream or cheese-based sides – Too much richness.
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Spicy or highly seasoned sides – Can clash with the casserole flavors.
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Large salads with heavy dressings – Overpowers the main dish.
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Rich desserts – Makes the meal too heavy overall. Stick with something light like fruit.
With so many options like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, fresh fruit salads, bean sides, and classic comforts like mac and cheese, you’re sure to find the perfect complement to your chicken casserole. The key is to balance the richness of the casserole with lighter textures and flavors. With a well-rounded meal, chicken casserole becomes an even more satisfying family dinner.
Wine and cocktails
If you want to make any dinner feel a little fancier, crack open a good bottle of wine or mix up your favorite drink.
Just because your meal is served in a baking dish doesnt mean you cant fancy it up with somethin extra. Garnish adds flavor and texture, making an easy chicken casserole recipe taste even better.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Parsley or chives
- Red pepper flakes
- Southern hot pepper vinegar
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole for an easy dinner #cooking #casserole #dinnerrecipe #food
FAQ
What do you serve with casserole?
Green Salad : A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can balance the richness of a casserole. Garlic Bread : Perfect for casseroles that are saucy or cheesy, garlic bread adds a nice crunch and flavor. Steamed VegetablesColeslaw.
What can you have chicken casserole with?
Serve with mashed or boiled potatoes, or rice. The sauce tastes better with bone-in chicken thighs, but if you’d rather have boneless chicken, that’s fine too; just read the recipe tips to see how to change the steps.
Is casserole a main dish or a side dish?
Casseroles Are a Great Side Dish Option When we talk about a “casserole”, we basically mean any one-dish meal that’s baked in a deep, wide baking dish (ie, casserole dish). Casseroles are typically either a main dish or a side dish.
What to have as a side dish with chicken?
Ready in 30 minutes or less. Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges | Ready in 30 minutes. Jamie’s Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob | Ready in 15 minutes. Italian Peas | Ready in 15 minutes. Parmesan Garlic Orzo | Ready in 25 minutes. Buttery Garlic Green Beans | Ready in 20 minutes. Balsamic Glazed Carrots | Ready in 15 minutes.