If you’re wondering what to serve with your Italian chicken, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 14 of the most popular side dishes for Italian chicken.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with Italian chicken are pesto rigatoni, roasted asparagus and tomatoes, potato wedges, green salad, and mushroom risotto. Try broccoli casserole, smoky creamed kale, or orzo stuffed peppers for unique but tasty side dishes.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Pesto rigatoni
Creamy, pesto-covered pasta is always going to be delicious, but a sprinkle of chili garlic breadcrumbs takes this dish up a notch.
It adds a crunchy, slightly spicy bite to the pasta.
And topping the meal with some sliced Italian chicken is the icing on the cake!
Check out the recipe here.
Psst… any kind of pasta will do – but try rigatoni if you can get it.
Roasted asparagus and tomatoes
Looking for a light and healthy dish to serve with your Italian chicken?
Look no further than these roasted asparagus and tomatoes.
Both vegetables are chock-full of vitamins and minerals, and they’re tasty too. The tomatoes are sweet and juicy, while the asparagus is more earthy.
Plus, there’s virtually no hands-on cooking time – just prep your vegetables and let your oven do the rest of the work.
Garlic parmesan potato wedges
You can’t go wrong with a side of fries for your Italian chicken.
But if you feel like shaking things up, why not make these potato wedges instead?
They’re easier to make, and you get more fluffy potato goodness.
And to make it more Italian, season your wedges with a classic garlic parmesan combination – simple but delicious.
I wouldn’t blame you for eating an entire batch of these baked garlic parmesan potato wedges yourself.
Italian green salad
This Italian-style green includes fresh lettuce, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, mozzarella, and (the surprise ingredient) some pepperoni slices.
The salty pepperoni adds a meaty element that pairs really well with the chicken.
This Italian green salad is perfect when you’re in a rush or it’s too hot to cook.
Mushroom risotto
Risotto is a luscious, creamy dish that wouldn’t be out of place in an upscale restaurant, but it’s also really easy to make at home.
Mushroom risotto is a classic (make sure to use a mix of mushrooms for the best flavor), but other flavors I like include lemon and parmesan risotto or zucchini risotto.
Enjoy your mushroom risotto with a hefty serving of Italian chicken and a cold glass of Chardonnay.
Broccoli cheese casserole
Want to enjoy the comforting mac and cheese goodness without the added carbs?
Make this keto-friendly broccoli casserole instead.
This dish features cooked broccoli florets, smothered in a familiar (and very cheesy) sauce. It’s a great way to get veggie haters to try something green.
And tastes amazing with some added protein in the form of Italian chicken.
Smokey creamed kale
This creamed kale is an excellent vegetable side dish for your Italian chicken, especially during the holiday season.
This dish uses kale instead of the traditional spinach, but dare I say it’s actually better?
The bitterness of the kale offsets the creamy sauce, giving you a perfectly-balanced bite.
And the smoked paprika in the cream sauce adds another layer of flavor.
Want a taste?
Check out Faith Durand’s smoky creamed kale recipe.
Mashed cauliflower
Italian chicken would go superbly with classic creamy mashed potatoes.
But if you’ve never tried mashed cauliflower – I really recommend it!
The key to the perfectly creamy and flavorful mash?
Roasting your florets first – this caramelizes the natural sugars in your cauliflower and draws out the moisture to prevent the mash from getting watery.
Try it out with The Dinner Bell’s creamy mashed cauliflower recipe.
Baked polenta fries
Looking to try something different with your polenta?
Turn it into crispy fries!
The fries take 40 minutes to bake, but the wait’s worth it when you taste these crispy, golden treats with their soft, creamy inside.
Serve the baked polenta fries alongside the Italian chicken with a hefty serving of marinara sauce for dipping.
Ratatouille
Introduce a little fusion into your meal with some French ratatouille.
It doesn’t look very fancy, but it more than makes up for it in flavor.
The warm notes that come through from the tomatoes will pair with your vibrant chicken beautifully.
This ratatouille is a tasty one-pot wonder (which means less washing up!)
Lemon arugula couscous salad
Love fresh, spring flavors? This couscous salad is made for you.
It’s loaded with fresh herbs, cucumbers, and feta cheese so it’s creamy, salty, crunchy, and tangy all at once.
Then everything is tied together with a refreshing lemon dressing.
All this lemon arugula couscous salad needs is a protein element like Italian chicken.
Greek orzo stuffed peppers
Fancy trying something now?
Give these stuffed peppers a try.
This stuffing is a Greek-inspired mixture of orzo, feta cheese, olives, and balsamic vinegar. Then the peppers are topped with some fresh tomatoes for that summer feel.
Psst… the stuffed peppers work great with quinoa instead of orzo too.
Bacon-wrapped green bean bundles
Bacon elevates the humble sauteed green beans to new heights.
The beans are roasted, but with a quick blanch first to make sure they retain some crunch.
And they’re brushed with a brown sugar and butter mixture to give them a slightly sweet taste, which will complement your herby Italian chicken brilliantly.
Try these bacon-wrapped green bean bundles today.
Maple glazed rainbow carrots
Add vibrant splashes of color to your chicken with a side of these glazed rainbow carrots.
Thanks to the grainy mustard in the glaze, there’s a little acidity in there to keep the dish light. And the pomegranate seed garnish adds some sharpness to counteract the sweet maple.
These maple glazed rainbow carrots are a feast for your eyes AND taste buds.
The best side dishes to serve with Italian chicken
- Pesto rigatoni
- Roasted asparagus and tomatoes
- Garlic parmesan potato wedges
- Italian green salad
- Mushroom risotto
- Broccoli cheese casserole
- Smokey creamed kale
- Mashed cauliflower
- Baked polenta fries
- Ratatouille
- Lemon arugula couscous salad
- Greek orzo stuffed peppers
- Bacon-wrapped green bean bundles
- Maple glazed rainbow carrots
What To Serve With Italian Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 portion Italian chicken
Instructions
- Prepare your Italian chicken according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: pesto rigatoni, roasted asparagus and tomatoes, garlic parmesan potato wedges, Italian green salad, mushroom risotto, broccoli cheese casserole, smokey creamed kale, mashed cauliflower, baked polenta fries, ratatouille, lemon arugula couscous salad, greek orzo stuffed peppers, bacon-wrapped green bean bundles, and maple glazed rainbow carrots.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!