What Do You Eat With Chicken Casserole? 15 Delicious Side Dishes

Chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food. With its tender chicken, creamy sauce, and cheese or cracker topping, it’s hard to beat. But while the casserole may be the star of the show, you still need some tasty side dishes to round out the meal. So what should you serve alongside this homey, hearty dish?

Here are 15 delicious options for side dishes that pair perfectly with chicken casserole.

Starches That Complement Chicken Casserole

Chicken casserole can be quite rich and heavy so starchy sides that provide contrasting textures are great complements. Here are some excellent options

• Mashed potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic. Opt for lighter mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes for variety.

• Rice – Plain white rice or flavored options like cilantro lime rice or curry rice.

• Pasta – Buttered noodles, mac and cheese, pasta salad.

• Bread – Dinner rolls, biscuits, cornbread, or slices of crusty bread for dipping.

• Tater tots – These crispy potato nuggets provide a fun texture contrast.

Crunchy Veggie Sides

The tender, creamy casserole benefits from fresh, crunchy vegetables on the side:

• Green salad – Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions.

• Coleslaw – Cabbage tossed in a zesty dressing.

• Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, or squash.

• Sautéed green beans – Tossed with garlic, lemon, and toasted almonds.

• Steamed vegetables – Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or asparagus.

Fresh Fruit Options

Fruits make a light, refreshing contrast:

• Waldorf salad – Apples, celery, walnuts, raisins, mayo.

• Fruit salad – Melon, berries, pineapple, grapes.

• Citrus salad – Oranges, grapefruit, lemon.

• Applesauce – Sweetened or unsweetened.

• Cranberry sauce – Tart, sweet, saucy.

Hearty Bean Sides

Beans and legumes add protein:

• Baked beans – Slow-cooked with onions, bacon, spices.

• Cowboy beans – With ground beef, onions, barbecue sauce.

• Black beans and rice – Kidney or pinto beans also work.

• Chickpea salad – Chickpeas, cucumber, onion, lemon juice.

• Lentil salad – With bell pepper, parsley, lemon, olive oil.

Comforting Casserole Companions

Some classic comfort sides mirror the casserole’s hominess:

• Squash casserole – Summer or winter squash baked with cheese.

• Corn casserole – With corn, cream, eggs, cheese.

• Potato gratin – Sliced potatoes baked in cream and cheese.

• Mac and cheese – A forever family favorite.

• Chicken and rice – Leftover chicken boosts plain rice.

What to Avoid Serving with Chicken Casserole

While most sides work well with chicken casserole, a few things are better avoided:

• Heavy cream or cheese-based sides – Too much richness.

• Spicy or highly seasoned sides – Can clash with the casserole flavors.

• Large salads with heavy dressings – Overpowers the main dish.

• Rich desserts – Makes the meal too heavy overall. Stick with something light like fruit.

With so many options like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, fresh fruit salads, bean sides, and classic comforts like mac and cheese, you’re sure to find the perfect complement to your chicken casserole. The key is to balance the richness of the casserole with lighter textures and flavors. With a well-rounded meal, chicken casserole becomes an even more satisfying family dinner.