If you’re wondering what to serve with your chicken tenders, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 48 of the most popular side dishes for chicken tenders.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with chicken tenders are mac and cheese, poutine, broccoli rice casserole, and honey butter peas. You can also serve onion rings, Southern-style green beans, zucchini waffles, or veggie stuffed tater tots. For salad options, try a kale ceasar salad or a macaroni salad.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Broccoli rice casserole
Looking for an easy midweek side for chicken tenders that everyone will love.
Try this cheesy broccoli rice casserole.
It takes a little while to cook, but you’ve got the benefit of hitting two birds with one stone. You get carbs and veggies!
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for sneaking vegetables into kids.
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Broccoli rice casserole
Go low-carb
Cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice
Ditch the rice
Broccoli cheese bake
Skillet honey butter peas
This recipe transforms your plain old peas into a delicious, indulgent side dish.
The peas are first sauteed in butter, then cream cheese and honey are added, creating a creamy sauce with a slightly sweet flavor.
Psst… why not add some corn too?
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for days when you’re in rush.
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Skillet honey butter peas
Try corn
Herbed corn
Make it different
Creamed peas and pearl onions
French onion mac and cheese
This recipe takes your typical mac and cheese up a notch by adding elements of French onion soup to the mix.
Golden brown, caramelized onions are swirled with your cheesy bechamel and pasta, infusing both with a rich, sweet and nutty flavor.
You’ll be mopping up the sauce with your chicken tenders!
Why we love this recipe: one bite instantly lifts your mood.
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French onion mac and cheese
Change the flavor
Jalapeno popper mac and cheese
Skip the pasta
Four-cheese stuffed spaghetti squash
Poutine
This dish is by far my favorite thing to come out of Canada.
Crispy fries and chewy, melty cheese curds smothered in piping hot gravy.
You can enjoy your chicken tenders on the side, but I like to mix them with the fries and cheese curds before pouring in the gravy.
YUM!
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Authentic Canadian poutine
Make a crowd-favorite
Loaded potato skins
Make it Southern-inspired
Cajun sweet potato wedges
Zucchini and carrot tots
Skip the store-bought frozen tater tots and make this healthier version instead.
Each tot is jam-packed with shredded veggies and cheese, giving you a delightful blend of mildly sweet and salty flavors.
Enjoy these tasty treats alongside your crispy chicken tenders and your choice of dipping sauce.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a fun twist on a classic.
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Oven-baked zucchini carrot tots
Change the veggies
Cauliflower tots
Make it different
Zucchini fries
Buttermilk coleslaw
There are hundreds of coleslaw recipes out there, but for me, this buttermilk coleslaw takes the crown.
The buttermilk makes your slaw extra tangy and there’s a hint of horseradish in there too – just what you need to cut through any greasiness from the chicken.
Why we love this recipe: it’s way better than what you’ll get from your grocery deli.
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Buttermilk coleslaw
Skip the mayo
Greek yogurt coleslaw
Add another veg
Jicama coleslaw
Cucumber Caprese salad
Keep things light with a summer salad.
This salad will keep you cool and hydrated on a warm day and you won’t have to spend any extra time cooking.
Feel free to customize it too. Add some avocado for creaminess, or some red onions for more crunch.
Why we love this recipe: it’s only got 5 ingredients.
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Cucumber Caprese salad
Go Mexican
Mexican chopped salad
Make it tangy
Dill pickle pasta salad
Beer-battered onion rings
Get the full fast food experience in the comfort of your own home with a meal of chicken tenders and onion rings.
The key to this fast food classic lies in keeping the batter light (with beer!). This will give your rings a crisp and golden crust that’s simply irresistible.
Psst… don’t forget the comeback sauce.
Why we love this recipe: it’s even better than what you get at restaurants.
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Beer-battered onion rings
Make it fun
Baby bloomin’ onions
Skip the onions
Beer-battered fried pickles
Gruyere and green onion waffles
Serve a fun and tasty twist on the traditional chicken and waffles by pairing your tenders with some savory waffles.
Then drizzle them both with some homemade hot honey for the ultimate brunch meal.
Why we love this recipe: it’s uniquely tasty.
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Gruyere and green onion waffles
Stick to the basics
Classic Belgian waffles
Make it keto-friendly
Jalapeno poppers chaffles
Instant pot Southern-style green beans
Give your chicken tenders the full Southern treatment by serving them alongside these green beans.
They’re super tender and full of smoky, savory goodness.
This dish usually takes about an hour, but if you have an Instant Pot, you can enjoy it in less than 20 minutes.
Pro-tip: Reduce the pressure cooking time to 2-3 minutes for crunchier green beans.
Why we love this recipe: who doesn’t love bacon?
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Instant pot Southern-style green beans
Keep it simple
Lemony steamed green beans
Make another favorite
Soul food collard greens
Loaded mashed potatoes
Spruce up your plain old mashed spuds with the help of classic loaded baked potato fixings like sour cream, bacon, and cheddar cheese.
Adding sour cream and cream cheese makes your mash even creamier and more indulgent.
While the crisp bacon bits add a satisfying crunch.
Why we love this recipe: it’s an easy upgrade that yields a decadent, crowd-pleasing mash.
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Loaded mashed potatoes
Keep it simple
The best basic mashed potatoes
Go low carb
Garlic mashed cauliflower
Spinach and artichoke dip
Swap your normal tomato or BBQ sauce for something a little different.
This dip is a comforting mixture of spinach, artichokes, and cheese – it has grassy undertones and is filled with nutrients.
Plus you can serve it hot or cold!
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for sharing.
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Spinach artichoke dip
Make it refreshing
Perfect guacamole
Make it addicting
Warm ranch crack dip
British baked beans
Baked beans in England and America are TOTALLY different dishes.
But they’re both equally delicious.
And if you’ve never tried the British version, you’re in for a treat (they even sell them in KFC!).
Pro tip: for best results, use dried beans – it requires additional prep, but it’s worth it.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a warm and hearty dish that won’t break the bank.
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British baked beans
Go American
Spicy baked beans with bacon
Make it cheesy
Cheesy white bean tomato bake
Pickled jalapenos
These pickled jalapenos are an excellent pick-me-up for chicken tenders.
The sharp, spicy bite will keep your meal from getting too heavy and wake up your tastebuds.
Psst… these are great in a chicken tender sandwich (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!).
Why we love this recipe: it’s foolproof – anyone can make these quick pickles.
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Pickled jalapenos
Lose the spice
Quick cucumber pickles
Make it different
Jalapeno poppers
Macaroni salad
If mac and cheese is too much for you, what about a macaroni salad?
It’s perfect for a summer party or a picnic and will provide a nice creamy contrast to your chicken tenders.
Pro tip: use fresh herbs if you can, they make a massive difference to the salad.
Why we love this recipe: you can make it ahead of time and it will only get better.
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Macaroni salad
Change the flavor
Bacon ranch pasta salad
Skip the pasta
Southern potato salad
Kale Caesar salad
Skip the usual grilled chicken and pop a couple of chicken tenders over this kale ceaser salad instead.
The salad is best when you chill it for 10 minutes before serving so the healthy greens can soak in all the yummy Greek yogurt dressing.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a tasty twist on a classic Caesar salad.
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Kale Caesar salad with Greek yogurt dressing
Make it hearty
Three bean salad
Make it simple
Chopped kale salad
What sauce goes with chicken tenders?
Nashville hot sauce is my favorite sauce to serve with chicken tenders. But if you want to stick with the classics, go for honey mustard or ranch dressing (or one of these tried and tested substitutes for ranch dressing)
Feeling adventurous? Try gochujang sauce.
The best sauce to serve with chicken tenders:
Related: The Best Ways To Reheat Chicken Tenders
What To Serve With Chicken Tenders – Honey Butter Peas
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter cubed
- 1/2 pack cream cheese 4 ounces, softened
- 1 pack peas 16 ounces
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup parmesan grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pan on medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onion and saute until soft and translucent, add the garlic and saute for another 30 seconds.
- Add the peas and heat for 10 minutes, or until the peas are cooked through.
- Turn the heat to low and mix in the cream cheese, honey, and most of the parmesan. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Serve immediately, sprinkling with any leftover parmesan.
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