Lemon chicken is a bright, refreshing dish that features juicy chicken pieces bathed in a zippy, lemon-accented sauce. With its tangy citrus flavors, lemon chicken begs to be served alongside sides that can stand up to and complement its bold personality.
After analyzing numerous recipes and food blogs I’ve compiled a list of 20 of the very best side dishes to pair with lemon chicken. These sides run the gamut from hearty grains to crisp salads to roasted veggies, all of which will add delicious contrast and dimension to a lemon chicken dinner.
Overview of Popular Side Dishes for Lemon Chicken
Here’s a quick rundown of some of my top recommended side pairings for lemon chicken:
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Rice – A bowl of steamy white or brown rice is a simple yet totally tasty pairing for lemon chicken The rice soaks up the zesty sauce beautifully,
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Pasta – Buttery noodles like linguine or spaghetti complement lemon chicken wonderfully Toss the pasta with a bit of the lemony sauce for extra flavor
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Bread – A crusty loaf of bread or even just a slice of garlic bread is great for dipping in the sauce.
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Salads – Bright, fresh salads like spinach, mixed greens, or Greek salad add a nice crunch and acidity to balance the chicken.
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Roasted veggies – Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or carrots caramelizes their natural sugars and makes them irresistible alongside lemon chicken.
The 20 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Lemon Chicken
Without further ado, here are my picks for the very best side dish pairings to take your lemon chicken to the next level:
1. Basmati Rice
Fluffy basmati rice is a totally classic pairing with lemon chicken. The fragrant, fluffy grains soak up the lemony sauce beautifully. For best results, serve the basmati rice with a pat of butter stirred in.
2. Pasta
A big bowl of linguine, spaghetti, or other long noodles tossed with a bit of olive oil makes the perfect partner for lemon chicken. For extra flavor, toss the hot pasta right in the lemony pan sauce before serving.
3. Crusty Bread
There’s nothing like a slice of crusty artisanal bread for sopping up every last drop of the delicious lemon chicken pan sauce. French bread, ciabatta, or sourdough all pair wonderfully.
4. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes are an irresistible side for lemon chicken. For best results, whip the potatoes with butter, whole milk, and a touch of garlic powder.
5. Steamed Broccoli
The vibrant green color of steamed broccoli looks beautiful next to golden lemon chicken. For extra flavor, toss the steamed broccoli with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
6. Greek Salad
A refreshing Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese pairs perfectly with zesty lemon chicken. The brightness of the salad balances the richness of the chicken.
7. Roasted Carrots
Roasting carrots with just a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper caramelizes their natural sweetness – making them an amazing pairing for lemon chicken.
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Buttery, roasted Brussels sprouts offer the perfect crunch and earthiness to complement bright lemon chicken. Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, and garlic before roasting.
9. Rice Pilaf
Aromatic rice pilaf infused with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs is a quick and easy side for lemon chicken. The nutty pilaf soaks up the sauce nicely.
10. Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread is simple but oh-so satisfying alongside lemony chicken. Brush bread slices with melted butter mixed with minced garlic before broiling.
11. Quinoa
Protein-packed quinoa offers a super nutritious side to pair with lemon chicken. For extra flavor, make quinoa pilaf seasoned with herbs.
12. Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are an easy and delicious pairing for lemon chicken. Coat potato wedges with olive oil and seasoning and roast until browned and tender.
13. Mixed Greens Salad
A fresh and simple green salad dressed with a lemony vinaigrette cools the palate between bites of chicken. Top greens with avocado and tomato.
14. Steamed Green Beans
Vibrant steamed green beans round out the plate nicely when served alongside lemon chicken. Toss beans with lemon pepper seasoning while hot.
15. Pasta Salad
Chilly pasta salad with veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers makes a refreshing side for hot lemon chicken straight from the oven.
16. Couscous
Fluffy couscous tossed with lemon zest, olive oil, and fresh parsley offers a delicious nutty, citrusy side for lemon chicken.
17. Butter Noodles
For ultimate comfort food, serve lemon chicken over a heaping pile of buttered egg noodles. The butter and carbs pair perfectly with the sauce.
18. Glazed Carrots
Sweet glazed carrots balance the tartness of the lemon chicken beautifully. Peel and slice carrots, then simmer in a butter-honey glaze until tender.
19. Focaccia
Slice up a loaf of fluffy rosemary focaccia to soak up the lemony pan sauce and juices from the chicken. Perfection!
20. Asparagus
Quickly blanched, then drizzled with olive oil asparagus makes an elegant and tasty side pairing for lemon chicken.
So there you have it – 20 side dish ideas to take your lemon chicken to new heights! From fluffy grains to crunchy veggies, you’re sure to find the perfect accompaniment. Any of these sides would go beautifully with classic oven baked lemon chicken or even lemon chicken instant pot recipes.
Tips for Serving Lemon Chicken and Sides
Here are a few handy tips to ensure lemon chicken dinner success:
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Brighten up side dishes – Many sides pair even better with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest over top.
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Roast veggies ahead – Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts can be done ahead of time so they’re ready when chicken is done.
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Make extra sauce – Have extra lemony pan sauce on hand to drizzle over rice, pasta, or bread.
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Cook chicken on sheet pan – Roast chicken and vegetables together on one sheet pan for easy cooking and serving.
With the right combination of bright, fresh sides, lemon chicken transforms into an incredibly vibrant, appealing, and balanced dinner. Next time you make this zesty classic, try one of these 20 recommended side dish pairings for an unforgettable meal. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love These Delicious Side Dish Ideas for Lemon Chicken
- These tasty side dishes complement your healthy lemon chicken recipe very well!
- Offering different side dishes to a familiar meal can help you introduce new foods to your family in a better way.
- Pairing an easy lemon chicken recipe with a flavorful side dish makes for the easiest dinner during a busy week!
- Selecting a healthy side dish for dinner tonight is a great place to start when creating a meal plan for the week.
There are a few affordable pantry ingredients that you can always keep on hand, that will make whipping up an entire meal easy and fast! You don’t need all of these for every recipe listed here, but they are a great starting off point.
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic
- Lemon zest or fresh lemon juice
- Parmesan cheese
- Chicken broth
- Balsamic vinegar
- Unsalted butter or garlic butter
- Onion powder
- Sour cream
- Soy sauce
- Extra-virgin olive oil
You can click on each recipe post to see a full list of ingredients, but if you have most of these in your fridge or pantry, you’ll be dinner ready most nights of the week.
And now, without further ado, here is a very hearty list of the best side dishes for lemon chicken!
Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken Breasts | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
FAQ
What is a good side dish for lemon chicken?
Since there’s lots of sauce that deserves to be soaked up, we love serving the chicken over rice, orzo, or mashed potatoes, or with a side of crusty bread. A simple leafy greens salad or steamed green beans are also nice additions to round out the meal.
What tastes good with lemon chicken?
Maple Glazed Carrots: You can’t go wrong with maple syrup and Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect, easiest side dish for lemon chicken. Cucumber Tomato Salad: This simple recipe makes a classic and delicious salad. This Cucumber Tomato Salad is light, refreshing and so so easy to make!
What to pair with lemon pepper chicken?
Lemon Pepper Chicken pairs great with fresh seasonal veggies and rice of any variety. If you want to really making it a filling meal, I have some suggestions. Lemon Kale Caesar Salad, Roasted Red Pepper Salad or Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad would be lovely.
What to serve with lemon grass chicken?
How to serve Lemongrass Chicken? Serve over rice, rice noodles or for a low-carb option, serve in lettuce wraps or with cauliflower rice. Can this be made with tofu? Yes, use firm tofu, and crumble it, blotting it well first.