* If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan – 51 BEST Side Dishes

If you’re wondering what to serve with your chicken parmesan, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 51 of the most popular side dishes for chicken parmesan.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with chicken parmesan are brown butter noodles, arugula salad, roasted potato wedges, and sauteed spinach. You can also serve roasted broccoli, zucchini noodles, coleslaw, or grilled asparagus salad. For something fun and tasty, try cheddar waffles.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Starches

Chicken parmesan is even tastier when you serve it with a filling starchy side.

Pasta is a no-brainer option, but why not go with a rice or quinoa dish if you’re looking to switch things up.

Feeling adventurous? Go all in with a cheesy savory waffle!

Brown butter parmesan noodles

You can serve your chicken parmesan with plain pasta, but if you want to make your meal a bit extra, toss it in some brown butter first.

This liquid gold gives your pasta a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs superbly with your chicken parmesan’s tangy tomato sauce. 

And adding panko breadcrumbs gives this pasta dish a  surprising crunch. 

Why we love this recipe: it transforms basic pantry staples into a comforting dish.

Featured recipe
Brown butter parmesan noodles
Make it garlicky
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Make it cheesy
Authentic cacio e pepe

Hoagie rolls

Enjoy chicken parmesan on the go by stuffing one into a hoagie roll.

You can buy these rolls at the store, but making your own bread is actually really fun and rewarding.

Plus your house will smell amazing.

Why we love this recipe: you can make a big batch and freeze them so you’ll always have a hoagie roll, just in case.

Featured recipe
Homemade hoagie rolls
Make it low-carb
Keto French bread
Make it different
Pretzel hoagies

Cheddar cheese waffles

Turn your chicken parmesan into the ultimate brunch meal by pairing it with a stack of freshly made waffles.

But these aren’t your typical belgian waffles. 

Instead of adding extras like sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract the recipe goes for savory flavors like cheese, paprika, and garlic powder.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fun twist on fried chicken and waffles.

Featured recipe
Cheddar cheese waffles
Add some veggies
Zucchini cheddar waffles
Make it different
Sweet potato waffles

Roasted potato wedges

I love fries, but I really love potato wedges.

You get more fluffy potato goodness, and a better flavor because there’s more surface area for the seasoning to stick to.

It’s a win-win.

You can season them however you want – keep it simple with garlic powder and herbs, or go crazy with chili powder and lime.

Why we love this recipe: it’s got some great tips for getting the perfect potato wedges.

Featured recipe
Roasted potato wedges
Make it creamy
Herb and garlic mashed potatoes
Make it fun
Hasselback potatoes

Spinach pesto quinoa

Quinoa is my favorite rice alternative – it’s satisfying, has a similar texture to rice, and it’s loaded with protein and fiber. 

You can eat it as is, mix it with your favorite salad, or my go-to method: toss it in pesto sauce. 

The pesto sauce gives your quinoa a bright, herby note that melds nicely with the tomato sauce on your chicken.

Why we love this recipe: you only need four ingredients to make this.

Featured recipe
Spinach pesto quinoa bowl
Add mushrooms
Garlicky mushroom quinoa
Skip the quinoa
Basil pesto couscous

Polenta with garlic basil butter

Have you ever seen polenta in the store and wondered what you could do with it?

Well, it’s pretty similar to mash and brings the same comforting vibes.

Especially when you mix it with garlic butter.

Prop your chicken parmesan on top of this polenta and scoop some additional tomato sauce over it for a delicious meal.

Why we love this recipe: it’s an excellent starchy alternative to pasta.

Featured recipe
Polenta with garlic basil butter
Ditch the stovetop
Mushroom polenta casserole
Make it cheesy
Cheesy polenta

Vegetables

Serve your chicken parmesan with these veggie sides for a nourishing meal!

Roasted veggies are a great option that involves minimal hands-on cooking, but you can also fire up your stove and steam some veggies if you’re in a rush. 

Sauteed lemon garlic spinach

This sauteed spinach is a healthy side dish you can whip up at a moment’s notice. 

It’s made with five ingredients and takes five minutes to put together. 

But it doesn’t lack any flavor! The spritz of lemon brightens the spinach and makes it extra tasty.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great when you’re in a real rush.

Featured recipe
Sauteed lemon garlic spinach
Make it hearty
Spinach and artichoke pasta bake
Make it creamy
Creamed spinach and artichokes

Roasted broccoli and mushrooms

Roasting vegetables enhances their natural flavors and caramelizes the edges to bring an addicting crunch.

The recipe seasons the broccoli and mushrooms with lemon pepper, but feel free to experiment here.

Psst… don’t overcrowd your sheet pan to prevent the veggies from steaming. 

Why we love this recipe: your oven does all of the work for you!

Featured recipe
Roasted broccoli and mushrooms
Skip the broccoli
Garlic mushrooms, cauliflower skillet
Make it decadent
Broccoli and mushroom casserole

Steamed asparagus

Another healthy side dish you can serve with your chicken parmesan is steamed asparagus. 

The vibrant spears have a distinctive grassy flavor that I love with tomato, and they’re chock-full of good-for-you vitamins and nutrients.

The Wooden Skillet serves these steamed asparagus spears with a drizzle of olive oil, but you can also go with a squeeze of lemon juice (like with the spinach) for a fresh, citrusy bite. 

Why we love this recipe: asparagus always reminds me of summer.

Featured recipe
Steamed asparagus
Fire up the grill
Lemon and feta grilled asparagus
Make it indulgent
Italian baked asparagus 

Salads

Chicken parmesan is impressive enough on its own that you can easily get away with serving it alongside a handful of greens.

But if you’ve got a bit more time, try it it up with a creamy coleslaw or a grilled veggie salad for a heartier meal.

Easy arugula salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/215750638389527407/

You can’t really go wrong with a basic side salad.

The arugula will bring a peppery and slightly bitter taste to your plate, which will cut right through the heavy chicken parmesan.

Psst… for a more delicate flavor, use baby arugula.

Why we love this recipe: you only need six ingredients, two for the salad and four for the dressing.

Featured article
Easy arugula salad
Change the greens
Simple spinach salad
Add more veggies
Italian salad

Grilled vegetable salad

Not a fan of leafy salads? Try this one instead. 

The smokiness of the veggies, combined with the zesty lemon dressing provides a perfectly balanced bite.

Psst… you can use any veggies you like, there are no rules!

Why we love this recipe: it’s super healthy and great for summer.

Featured recipe
Grilled vegetable salad
Fire up the oven
Roasted lemon pepper zucchini
Skip the zucchini
Chopped asparagus salad

Greek yogurt coleslaw

Creamy coleslaw is a quintessential barbecue side, but it works great with chicken parmesan too.

The bright, tangy flavor is just what you need to lighten up your meal, and it will provide a cooling contrast to the warm, cheesy chicken.

Why we love this recipe: it uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for some extra tang.

Featured recipe
Greek yogurt coleslaw
Make it lighter
Vinegar coleslaw
Change the flavor
Cilantro apple slaw

Kale Caesar salad

Growing tired of the traditional Caesar? Switch things up with this easy recipe!

Aside from adding crisp kale to the mix, Little Broken also skips the egg yolks and goes with Greek yogurt as the base for the dressing. 

You’ll still get that creaminess but with fewer carbs and less guilt.

Pair this jazzed-up salad with your chicken parmesan for a guilt-free meal. 

Why we love this recipe: it tastes like it came from a professional kitchen.

Featured recipe
Kale Caesar salad
Back to basics
Caesar salad
Make it different
Butter lettuce salad

Low-carb alternatives

Love starchy sides but trying to cut down on carbs? Don’t worry – these tasty alternatives have your back. 

Trade in your pasta for zucchini noodles and those crispy fries for baked eggplant spears.

They may not taste exactly the same, but you’ll still get a delicious meal! 

Zucchini noodles

To keep things low carb, serve your chicken parm with some zucchini noodles (otherwise known as zoodles).

Zucchini has a neutral, slightly sweet flavor and will take up the flavors of your tomato sauce just like pasta would.

Psst… a spiralizer is the best way to transform this veggie into noodle-like strands, but a sharp chef’s knife or vegetable peeler works too!

Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 67 calories.

Featured recipe
Zucchini noodles
Make it refreshing
Marinated zucchini noodles
Try another low-carb alternative
Pesto spaghetti squash

Cauliflower tots

This recipe transforms q plain, boring head of cauliflower into delightfully crispy and cheesy treats.

They’re lighter than your usual tater tots and taste fantastic.

Serve these golden nuggets alongside your chicken parm, with an extra helping of tomato sauce for dipping!

Pro tip: to ensure maximum crispiness, squeeze out as much moisture from your riced cauliflower as possible.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a clever way to sneak more veggies into your meals.

Featured recipe
Cauliflower tots
Try another veggie
Cheddar broccoli tots
Go back to basics
Homemade tater tots

Harissa-spiked parsnip puree

This parsnip puree is an excellent low-carb alternative to your usual mashed potatoes. 

Parsnip has a sweet flavor, so the Mom 100 adds sour cream and harissa to the mix to balance it out. 

The results? A silky smooth puree with a subtle tang and delectable heat – just what you need with a dish as rich as chicken parmesan. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s an easy and tasty way to highlight an underrated veg. 

Featured recipe
Harissa-spiked parsnip puree
Fire up the oven
Rosemary garlic roasted parsnips
Skip the parsnips
Mashed rutabaga with sour cream and dill

Baked jicama fries

Love serving French fries with your chicken parmesan? Try these baked jicama fries instead!

They take a bit longer to make because you have to boil the jicama sticks before baking them, but the extra time is worth it!

The jicama fries come out perfectly golden and tender inside – perfect for mopping up your chicken parmesan’s tasty sauce. 

Why we love this recipe: you can enjoy second servings guilt-free.

Featured recipe
Baked jicama fries
Another alternative
Baked zucchini fries
Make a favorite
Sweet potato fries 

The best side dishes to serve with chicken parmesan

  • Brown butter parmesan noodles
  • Hoagie rolls
  • Cheddar cheese waffles
  • Roasted potato wedges
  • Spinach pesto quinoa
  • Polenta with garlic basil butter
  • Sauteed lemon garlic spinach
  • Roasted broccoli and mushrooms
  • Steamed asparagus
  • Easy arugula salad
  • Grilled vegetable salad
  • Greek yogurt coleslaw
  • Kale Caesar salad
  • Zucchini noodles
  • Cauliflower tots
  • Harissa-spiked parsnip puree
  • Baked jicama fries

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan (51 Ideas)

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your chicken parmesan.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: australian
Keyword: chicken parmesan side dishes, what to serve with chicken parmesan
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 160kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion brown butter parmesan noodles
  • 1 portion sauteed lemon garlic spinach
  • 1 portion cauliflower tots
  • 1 portion easy arugula salad
  • 1 portion zucchini noodles
  • 1 portion polenta with garlic basil butter … and more

Instructions

  • Prepare your chicken parmesan according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: brown butter parmesan noodles, hoagie rolls, cheddar cheese waffles, roasted potato wedges, spinach pesto quinoa, polenta with garlic basil butter, sauteed lemon garlic spinach, roasted broccoli and mushrooms, steamed asparagus, easy arugula salad, grilled vegetable salad, greek yogurt coleslaw, kale caesar salad, zucchini noodles, cauliflower tots, harissa-spiked parsnip puree, and baked jicama fries.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 160kcal

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating