What Goes Good With Chicken Parmesan? 21 Side Dishes!

What goes good with chicken parmesan? Let’s find out the best pastas and other side dishes for this amazing recipe!

A classic dinner night with guests, be it friends or family, must have chicken parmesan as one of the main courses. It cannot be any other way. For most people, chicken parmesan is comfort food. A delicious and crispy chicken smothered in a decadent tomato sauce and loads of mozzarella cheese. It is a literal definition of comfort. 

Chicken parmesan is considered to be the most ordered chicken dish ever. It is one of the most popular and most loved chicken dishes. Most of the family have chicken parmesan as their weekend night meal. It is like tradition similar to taco Tuesdays. 

It might be confusing when you hear chicken parmigiana instead of chicken parmesan. However, it might come as a surprise that chicken parmigiana is another name for chicken parmesan. It does sound very Italian and fancy, but it is the same thing. Chicken parmesan is a classic, all-American recipe despite having roots in Italy. 

What Goes Good With Chicken Parmesan? Delicious Side Dishes!

Several delicious sidelines and dishes that can complement chicken parmesan and make the overall meal more appealing. Salads, vegetables, and rice are some of the most popular options. So without further ado, let’s dive in!

1) Tomato Salad

While, in the first instance, tomato salad may look dull and unsavory. It is the best side dish to complement the chicken parmesan without hassle. If you are short on time but still want a great side dish for the menu, tomato salad is your secret dish. 

All you have to do is slice the tomatoes and top them off with freshly chopped basil and onions with a generous amount of salad dressing that will go well with all of it. The refreshing salad will not only be light, but the ingredients will perfectly pair up with chicken parmesan.

2) Quinoa

A healthy side dish with chicken parmesan can be challenging to select. One of the best options would be a perfect and healthy side dish for chicken parmesan in quinoa. Quinoa is a superfood that is loaded with nutrients. If you avoid rice, quinoa can be the best bet to fill the gap for the side dish.

The crunchy texture of quinoa with a tender and juicy chicken loaded with cheese will provide the perfect flavor for your meal. If you want, you can top off your quinoa with ingredients such as minced garlic and olive oil.

3) Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato is as American as chicken parmesan. It is a perfect side dish for anything you can guess, even chicken parmesan.

The hearty side dish of mashed potatoes will make a filling meal perfect for the dinner menu. Loaded with cheese and butter, mashed potato is the side dish that you can never go wrong with. 

4) Classic Caesar Salad

If you are looking for a classic salad that will go well with chicken parmesan, Caesar salad is your best bet. Caesar salad is a refreshing, fulfilling, and nutritious side dish that will be one of the ways to make your chicken parmesan an addictive meal.

A good tip is to garnish your salad with lemon to add a zesty flavor. The creamy salad makes a perfect combination to go with the tender and cheesy chicken. 

5) Jersey Salad

Another salad that pairs well with chicken parmesan is the jersey salad. This salad is a perfect way to add some green vegetables with refreshing salad dressings into your diet. You can add veggies such as lettuce, cabbage, and carrots. 

The crunchy croutons in the salad with the crispy and tender parmesan chicken are an excellent combination for your dinner night. You must make sure that only those vegetables that will go well with the dressing should be added. 

6) Garlic Broccoli

Broccoli might not be your favorite vegetable, but nothing can beat the delicious flavor of garlic broccoli. This side dish is a fantastic way to use broccoli that your kids would love, and it will be a nutritious meal as well. 

Another plus point of this side dish is that it is hassle-free. You can make it in under ten minutes, and it will be a perfect combination of chicken parmesan. The vibrant green color will also make your dinner plates presentable. 

7) Brown Rice

Although the main dish is cheesy, the idea of brown rice as a side dish is amazing for chicken parmesan. Rice and chicken parmesan make a healthy balance for the savory, cheesy, tender, and juicy chicken meal. 

You can go for white rice if you want, but brown rice has a higher nutritious value than white rice. You can stir fry the rice with your choice of veggies such as broccoli and mushrooms to add more nutrition to your diet.

8) Saffron Rice

Not everyone can afford saffron or has it lying in their pantry. If you are expecting special guests for the evening, then saffron rice is your best bet for a side dish with chicken parmesan. Saffron is one of the most expensive and luxurious ingredients you can buy.

Saffron rice is fragrant and appealing. It is a perfect option to make your dinner plates fancy and presentable. They are easy to make, so they will not be a hassle for you at all. 

9) Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are nutritious veggies with a unique flavor, and they can be made in many different ways.

This makes it the perfect side dish to be paired up with chicken parmesan. Throw in some garlic with brussels sprouts and toss olive oil over them before roasting them in the oven. 

10) Roasted Broccoli

Despite the lack of enthusiasm for broccoli, it goes incredible with chicken parmesan. It is an easy, hassle-free, and affordable side dish. Just coat your florets with olive oil and salt and pepper seasoning and roast them well in the oven. The crunchiness and roasted flavor would complement your main dish. 

11) Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad is an option when you want to use broccoli but adds more flavor. All you have to do is create a great salad dressing with feta cheese, onions, and chopped almonds. This would not only make your side dish elegant but will also be fulfilling and refreshing. 

12) Cucumber Salad

When your meal is hearty and loaded with cheesy goodness, you might want to consider a refreshing salad for the side. Cucumber salad is an excellent option for the side dish, and it is easy to make. It will bring the nutrients, refreshment, and mouthful of flavors in one side dish.

All you have to do is chop some onion and cucumber and top it off with white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. 

13) Garlic Bread

The easiest option for chicken parmesan has to be garlic bread. The chicken parmesan and garlic bread duo are like peanut butter and jam. Yes! They taste that good together. 

Plus, garlic bread is hassle-free and affordable. If you are on a budget but want to make a perfect meal of chicken parmesan, then it does not get better than garlic bread. The leftover tomato sauce and cheese on your plate can be wiped off with garlic, and it would taste equally impressive. Your guests would be obsessed. 

What Pasta Goes Well With Chicken Parmesan?

Apart from the above-mentioned sidelines, a few unique options blend in quite well with chicken parmesan. If you want to complement your chicken parmesan with a rare sideline, this list is for you!

14) Spaghetti

Chicken parmesan is often served with spaghetti, and the marinara is its sauce. Many restaurants often serve chicken parmesan with pasta as the side dish, and spaghetti is the most common type of pasta used. 

For extra flavor and a fancy presentation, garnish fresh basil and parsley on top of it. This would add a refreshing taste and make your meal delicious and fulfilling. 

15) Rigatoni

This dried short-cut pasta is an excellent option if you make a one-pot chicken parmesan or try something different. The pasta can be quickly cooked without any hassle. Still, it has a unique flavor and taste that makes it an excellent option for your cheesy meal.

16) Penne

Penne pasta is a popular option that is often used for this dish. It is an excellent pasta if you are cooking baked chicken parmesan as penne has a delicious taste when it is baked. You can garnish fresh basil and parmesan cheese as well as mozzarella cheese for extra goodness. 

17) Fettuccine

Fettucine pasta would add extra heartiness and flavor to your meal as it is a thick form of pasta with a unique flavor. You can also use the marinara sauce for this, which would give you a classic Italian vibe in your meal. It is a misconception that fettuccine can only be used for alfredo. Fettuccine is an excellent pasta for many main courses, including chicken parmesan.

18) Macaroni

Mac and cheese are comfort food for all Americans, and it is a staple in Thanksgiving meals as well. Another idea to use macaroni is for chicken parmesan. It will be even better than mac and cheese! It has a tender, juicy chicken with a marinara sauce loaded with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. 

What to serve with chicken parmesan besides pasta?

19) Creamy Spinach

Spinach is a green vegetable with high nutritious value. It is easy to make, and it will be a fulfilling side dish for your meal. The creamy and savory side dish is a hassle-free and budget-friendly option for the time when you want a great meal with less effort.

20) Cheese bread

If the cheese in chicken parmesan is not enough for you, this side dish is perfect. Cheesy bread may be a little time-consuming to cook, but it is easy to make and requires little effort. Plus, it pairs perfectly well with chicken parmesan and creates an Italian meal for you. 

21) Garlic knots

Apart from being a classic game night snack, garlic knots are a good option for a side dish with chicken parmesan. They are easy to make and are not very time-consuming. The savory scent of freshly baked garlic knots is, in a word – heavenly. You can garnish oregano, basil, and parsley on the garlic knots for an additional flavor and refreshing taste. 

What Vegetable Goes With Chicken Parmesan?

If you hope to add extra nutritional value to your meal but are confused about vegetables, that would go well with chicken parmesan; you are at the right place! You can add numerous vegetables as a side dish with chicken parmesan, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, and potatoes. 

It is up to you how you want to serve these vegetables:

• You can make a great salad dressing and create a scrumptious salad;
• You can also add croutons to your salad to add extra crunchiness and savory taste to your side dish;
• You can also sauté them with garlic or roast them in an oven;
• You can make the potatoes in fries, mashed or as wedges.

Adding vegetables to your daily meal is very important for a healthy diet. This way, you can enjoy your chicken parmesan and get all the nutrition, vitamins, and proteins required from your meal. 

Final Words

This article has you all covered for the next time you decide to make chicken parmesan. Whether you serve creamy spinach, quinoa, or a classic Caesar salad, your chicken parmesan will taste decadent and heavenly. It is a combination of comfort food and culinary miracle both in one main course. 

The next time you decide to create a perfect menu with your chicken parmesan, you have a variety of options from vegan to cheesy, as well as healthy side dishes. You will be able to cook a perfect meal that is delicious, fulfilling, and filled with nutrition. The side dishes mentioned in the article are easy to make, hassle-free, and budget-friendly. 

If you plan to have an Italian night for dinner, all you have to do is choose one or two side dishes that you want with chicken parmesan, and you will be good to do. A perfect meal and red wine will be the most incredible dinner night your guests will remember. 

Other Side Dishes:

• What To Eat With Pierogies? 17 Sides To Serve Right Now! 
• 19 Ingredients: What Goes Good with Tequila?
• What To Serve With Lamb Chops? 18 Sides For Lamb Chops! 
• What Goes Good With Ham? 35 Side Dishes (Dinner, Steak & Baked)