Delicious Pairings: What Goes With Chicken and Mac and Cheese?

Let’s be honest – chicken and mac and cheese is basically the ultimate comfort food duo. But sometimes, you want to elevate this classic pairing into a complete meal that’ll knock everyone’s socks off. As someone who’s experimented with countless side dishes (and suffered through some epic fails), I’m here to share what actually works with this dynamic duo.

Why Chicken and Mac and Cheese Work So Well Together

Before diving into the side dishes, let’s talk about why chicken and mac and cheese are such besties on your plate. The tender, savory chicken provides protein that balances the rich creamy goodness of mac and cheese. Whether you’re serving grilled chicken tenders BBQ pulled chicken, or simple roasted chicken alongside your favorite mac and cheese recipe, the combination just works.

I personally love making my chicken with some simple seasonings while keeping my mac and cheese super cheesy – the contrast is chef’s kiss

Best Vegetable Sides for Chicken and Mac and Cheese

When you’ve got two heavy hitters like chicken and mac and cheese, adding vegetables brings balance and nutrition to your plate. Here are my favorite veggie sides:

Roasted Broccoli

Broccoli and cheese are a match made in heaven, and roasted broccoli brings a delightful char and crispy texture.

Quick Recipe: Toss broccoli florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes until the edges are crispy and slightly browned.

Green Beans

Simple green beans provide a fresh crunch that contrasts beautifully with creamy mac and cheese.

Serving Tip: Keep green beans tender-crisp with a bright green color for the best texture contrast with your mac and cheese.

Brussels Sprouts

My candied Brussels sprouts with bacon are TO DIE FOR with mac and cheese and chicken. The sweet, caramelized flavor with smoky bacon bits creates an incredible flavor profile.

Asparagus

Pan-fried asparagus is elegant yet simple. It’s one of the more easy-going side dishes that can be prepped in minutes while your mac and cheese is baking.

Buttered Corn

Sweet buttered corn kernels sautéed until lightly browned provide a sweet contrast to the savory elements on your plate.

Fresh Salads That Complement Chicken and Mac and Cheese

Adding a crisp, refreshing salad helps cut through the richness of mac and cheese while complementing your chicken. These are my go-to salads:

Simple Green Salad

A basic green salad with cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and maybe some shredded carrots dressed with a vinaigrette lightens up the meal.

Coleslaw

Coleslaw’s creamy, tangy crunch works beautifully alongside mac and cheese and chicken. I prefer mine with a lighter dressing rather than heavy mayo to balance out the richness.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This is my secret weapon! A spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted almonds in a poppy seed dressing provides a sweet-tangy contrast that refreshes your palate between bites of creamy mac and cheese.

Asian Cucumber Salad

For something different, try a tangy Asian cucumber salad with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a hint of garlic. The cool crispness is so refreshing against the warm, cheesy pasta.

Bread and Starchy Sides

Yeah, I know mac and cheese already has carbs, but sometimes more is MORE. These bread and starchy sides are worth the extra calories:

Garlic Bread

Crispy, buttery garlic bread is perfect for sopping up extra cheese sauce. Plus, the garlicky flavor adds another dimension to your meal.

Cornbread

Sweet, crumbly cornbread provides a delightful textural contrast to creamy mac and cheese. The subtle sweetness also pairs beautifully with chicken, especially if it’s BBQ flavored.

Sweet Potato Fries

The natural sweetness and crispy texture of baked sweet potato fries make for an addictive side that contrasts with the creamy mac and cheese.

Baked Potatoes

A fluffy baked potato topped with a pat of butter can be a surprisingly good complement to mac and cheese and chicken. It’s comfort food overload in the best possible way!

Fruit-Based Sides and Desserts

Fruit provides a welcome sweetness and acidity that cuts through the richness of mac and cheese:

Applesauce

Warm applesauce adds a sweet contrast to the savory, cheesy dish and pairs wonderfully with chicken too.

Cinnamon Baked Apple Slices

These caramelized, tender apple slices add a sweet-spicy note that’s especially good with BBQ chicken and mac and cheese.

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

This retro classic with pineapple, oranges, whipped cream, and coconut brings a tropical sweetness that surprisingly works with the savory elements of your meal.

Desserts to Complete Your Meal

After a hearty meal of chicken and mac and cheese, these desserts provide the perfect sweet ending:

Brownies with Ice Cream

A warm, fudgy brownie topped with vanilla ice cream provides the perfect chocolate fix after a savory meal.

Apple Pie

Classic apple pie with a flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced filling is especially good in fall and winter alongside comfort foods like mac and cheese and chicken.

Carrot Cake

Spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting offers a nice transition from the savory mac and cheese while complementing the meal’s overall comfort food vibe.

Making It a Complete Meal: Sample Menus

Here are some of my favorite complete meal combinations featuring chicken and mac and cheese:

Weeknight Family Dinner

• BBQ pulled chicken
• Creamy mac and cheese
• Roasted broccoli
• Simple green salad
• Brownies for dessert

Casual Weekend Gathering

• Grilled chicken tenders
• Homemade mac and cheese with crispy topping
• Coleslaw
• Garlic bread
• Apple pie with vanilla ice cream

Comfort Food Extravaganza

• Fried chicken
• Mac and cheese with extra cheese
• Buttered corn
• Sweet potato fries
• Cinnamon baked apples for dessert

Tips for Balancing Your Plate

When serving chicken and mac and cheese together, keep these tips in mind:

1. Consider contrasting textures – If your mac and cheese is super creamy, add something crunchy like roasted veggies or a crisp salad
2. Balance richness with acidity – Vinegar-based salad dressings or pickled vegetables help cut through the richness
3. Add color to your plate – Mac and cheese is yellow, chicken is often brown – brighten things up with colorful vegetables
4. Think about portion sizes – Since both chicken and mac and cheese are filling, keep portions reasonable and add plenty of vegetables

My Personal Favorite Combination

If I had to pick just one perfect meal combining chicken and mac and cheese, it would be crispy fried chicken thighs alongside super creamy mac and cheese with a sharp cheddar and gruyère blend, served with a simple strawberry spinach salad and candied Brussels sprouts on the side. And definitely brownies with ice cream for dessert!

The combination of crispy, juicy chicken with creamy, cheesy pasta, sweet-tangy salad and caramelized Brussels sprouts hits all the flavor and texture notes I crave. It’s indulgent but balanced, with the salad providing freshness to cut through the richness.

Final Thoughts

Chicken and mac and cheese don’t need much help to make a delicious meal, but adding thoughtfully chosen side dishes elevates the experience to something truly special. Whether you’re cooking for picky kids or hosting a casual dinner party, these pairings will ensure your comfort food classic is complemented perfectly.

What’s your favorite side dish to serve with chicken and mac and cheese? I’m always looking to try new combinations, so drop me a comment below with your go-to sides!

Remember, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to comfort food – the best sides are the ones that make YOU happy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve made myself hungry writing this and need to go whip up some mac and cheese!