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  4. The Best Sides To Accompany Those Chicken Dinners

The Best Sides To Accompany Those Chicken Dinners

Mary Shannon Hodes, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Mary Shannon Wells
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Perfect Baked Potatoes
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner component. It's budget-friendly, healthy, and easy to cook. Plus, you can prepare it dozens of ways. Because plain chicken doesn't have a ton of flavor on its own, you can get really creative with your side dishes. Chicken will go with just about anything, so we picked out some of our favorite chicken dinner sides that are packed with flavor. Whether you want to go healthy with a veggie side or heavy with a macaroni and cheese recipe, you'll love these side dishes for chicken. You've probably got a rotisserie chicken in the fridge or some chicken breasts in the freezer, so it's time to get them out and pair them with these sides. From picky kids to health-nut parents, there's truly a chicken side dish for everyone on this list.
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Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans

Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davic

Recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans

You won’t believe the flavor this short ingredient list can create.

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Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Although this hearty grain bowl is a well-rounded vegetarian meal on its own, it would be delicious topped with grilled or roasted chicken for even more protein.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

This veggie version of a classic macaroni and cheese can be made up to one day in advance to help you out the night you’re serving. Not a fan of broccoli? We have tons of macaroni and cheese recipes that will go with chicken just as well.

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Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

These flavorful carrots are pretty enough for a company-is-coming spread.

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Perfect Baked Potatoes

Perfect Baked Potatoes
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Perfect Baked Potatoes

There aren’t many dishes that a perfect baked potato won’t complement. This no-fail, no-fuss recipe will win every time.

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Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans

Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans

For a healthy dinner or lunch, serve grilled or roasted chicken over this colorful salad.

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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Instead of cooking up another box of pasta, try this quick gnocchi recipe topped with grilled chicken for new flavor.

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Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons

Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons

Brussels sprouts recipes are everywhere these days, but we bet you haven’t had one like this yet.

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Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette

Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette

Instead of walking back and forth between the grill and stovetop, cook your chicken and side dish on the grill together. This simple, fresh recipe is perfect for summer.

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Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Instead of roasting or mashing your potatoes, you should be smashing them. Let this recipe prove it to you.

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Field Pea, Corn and Bacon Salad

Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Field Pea, Corn and Bacon Salad

This fresh salad would make for a filling summer dinner over a bed of greens with grilled shrimp, chicken or steak on top.

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Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone

Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone

You’ll want to make extra burst tomatoes to add to sandwiches and omelets all week.

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Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing

This colorful salad is a big step up from the mayonnaise-laden, vegetable-free versions.

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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Spicy Pineapple Slaw
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Spicy Pineapple Slaw

This sweet and spicy slaw is a healthy, flavorful option for any summer picnic or potluck. It would specifically go great with barbecue chicken.

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Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Rice

Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Rice
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Rice

You could add shredded chicken to the stuffing or serve these stuffed tomatoes alongside grilled or roasted chicken.

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Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions Recipe
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

Guests will have no idea that this beautiful side dish only took 10 minutes of hands-on time.

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Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kaye E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Southern favorite Texas Caviar inspired this colorful salad, so you know it will be a crowd-pleaser.

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Cuban Black Bean-and-Yellow Rice Bowls

Cuban Black Bean-and-Yellow Rice Bowls
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cuban Black Bean-and-Yellow Rice Bowls

Top this hearty, colorful bowl off with some grilled or roasted chicken, and your family will be stuffed (with the good-for-you stuff).

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Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad

Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad

This wow-worthy side dish is full of fresh summer flavor, and the Honey Vinaigrette can be made up to two days in advance.

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Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions

Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions

There’s not much that a warm serving of mashed potatoes doesn’t taste good with, especially when that serving has bacon in it.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    View All

    1 of 20 Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans
    2 of 20 Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
    3 of 20 Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
    4 of 20 Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
    5 of 20 Perfect Baked Potatoes
    6 of 20 Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans
    7 of 20 Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
    8 of 20 Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons
    9 of 20 Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette
    10 of 20 Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
    11 of 20 Field Pea, Corn and Bacon Salad
    12 of 20 Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone
    13 of 20 Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing
    14 of 20 Spicy Pineapple Slaw
    15 of 20 Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Rice
    16 of 20 Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions
    17 of 20 Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad
    18 of 20 Cuban Black Bean-and-Yellow Rice Bowls
    19 of 20 Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad
    20 of 20 Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions

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    The Best Sides To Accompany Those Chicken Dinners
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