Are you staring at those Jimmy Dean chicken biscuit sandwiches wondering what else to add to your dinner plate? I’ve been there too! Nothing’s worse than having your main dish ready but drawing a blank on what to serve alongside it. Chicken and biscuits is such a classic comfort food combo, but it deserves some equally delicious sidekicks to make a complete meal
As a busy home cook myself, I’m always looking for simple but tasty sides that can transform a basic dinner into something special. That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide of sides that perfectly complement chicken and biscuits. Whether you’re serving a family dinner or entertaining guests these pairings will definitely impress!
Why Good Side Dishes Matter
Before diving into specific suggestions, let’s talk about why picking the right sides matters. According to Merriam-Webster, to “serve” food means not just to bring it to the table, but to furnish or supply something needed or desired. When we serve sides with chicken and biscuits, we’re not just filling the plate – we’re creating a balanced meal that satisfies on multiple levels.
The perfect side dish should:
- Complement the flavors of your chicken and biscuits
- Add nutritional balance to your meal
- Provide contrasting textures and colors
- Make the meal feel complete and satisfying
Now let’s get to the good stuff – what exactly should you serve with those delicious chicken and biscuit sandwiches?
Vegetable Sides for Chicken and Biscuits
1. Southern-Style Green Beans
Nothing pairs better with chicken and biscuits than classic Southern green beans. I cook mine with a bit of bacon, onion, and garlic for that authentic flavor.
Quick Recipe:
Sauté 2 strips of chopped bacon until crispy. Add 1 diced onion and cook until translucent. Toss in 1 pound of trimmed green beans, 2 minced garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and a dash of red pepper flakes. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until tender.
2. Honey Glazed Carrots
Sweet glazed carrots offer a perfect contrast to savory chicken and biscuits.
Quick Recipe:
Slice 1 pound of carrots into coins. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet, add carrots and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Creamy Coleslaw
The crunch and tang of coleslaw cuts through the richness of chicken and biscuits.
Quick Recipe:
Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, and pepper. Toss with 4 cups shredded cabbage and 1 grated carrot. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These little green gems roast up crispy on the outside and tender inside – a perfect texture contrast!
Quick Recipe:
Toss 1 pound halved Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
5. Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn is a classic pairing with chicken that the whole family will love.
Quick Recipe:
Boil husked corn for 5-7 minutes. Roll in butter and sprinkle with salt, or get fancy with herb butter by mixing softened butter with chopped herbs, garlic, and a bit of lemon zest.
Starchy Sides for Chicken and Biscuits
6. Mashed Potatoes
Is there anything more comforting than creamy mashed potatoes alongside chicken and biscuits?
Quick Recipe:
Boil 2 pounds of peeled, cubed potatoes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with 1/2 cup warm milk, 4 tablespoons butter, salt, and pepper. For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream or sour cream.
7. Mac and Cheese
This crowd-pleaser is especially popular with kids but satisfies the grown-ups too!
Quick Recipe:
Cook 8 oz elbow macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, make a cheese sauce by melting 2 tablespoons butter, whisking in 2 tablespoons flour, then slowly adding 2 cups milk. Simmer until thickened, then stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Combine with drained pasta.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
The sweetness pairs surprisingly well with savory chicken dishes.
Quick Recipe:
Boil 3 large sweet potatoes until tender. Mash with 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Top with a mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 3 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Fresh and Light Sides
9. Garden Salad
A simple garden salad adds freshness and crunch to balance the meal.
Quick Recipe:
Toss mixed greens with sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrot, and red onion. Dress with a simple vinaigrette made from 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
10. Fruit Salad
For a sweet counterpoint, especially if serving chicken and biscuits for brunch, try a fresh fruit salad.
Quick Recipe:
Combine your favorite seasonal fruits – strawberries, grapes, melon chunks, berries, and apple slices work great. Toss with a little honey and lime juice to keep everything fresh.
Soup Pairings
11. Tomato Soup
There’s something so satisfying about dipping a biscuit into warm tomato soup!
Quick Recipe:
Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil. Add 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, then blend until smooth. Finish with 1/2 cup heavy cream.
12. Butternut Squash Soup
The sweet, velvety texture of butternut squash soup makes a luxurious side for chicken and biscuits.
Quick Recipe:
Sauté 1 diced onion in butter until soft. Add 4 cups cubed butternut squash, 1 diced apple, 3 cups chicken broth, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Blend until smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup cream.
Southern-Inspired Sides
13. Collard Greens
You can’t get more Southern than collard greens alongside chicken and biscuits!
Quick Recipe:
Cook 4 strips of chopped bacon until crisp. Add 1 diced onion and cook until soft. Add 1 bunch chopped collard greens (stems removed), 2 cups chicken broth, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Simmer covered for 45 minutes until tender.
14. Black-Eyed Peas
These hearty legumes add protein and fiber to your meal.
Quick Recipe:
Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil. Add 2 cups pre-soaked black-eyed peas, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 ham hock, 1 bay leaf, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender.
15. Cornbread
I know we already have biscuits, but in some regions, cornbread is the perfect complement to chicken!
Quick Recipe:
Mix 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, whisk 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup melted butter, and 1 egg. Combine wet and dry ingredients, pour into a greased 8×8 pan, and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
Making It a Complete Meal
When planning what to serve with chicken and biscuits, think about balance. If your chicken is fried, maybe go lighter on the sides with fresh vegetables. If your chicken is in a creamy gravy, something acidic like a vinegar-based slaw can cut through the richness.
Here are some winning combinations:
- Fried chicken biscuits + coleslaw + honey glazed carrots
- Chicken and gravy over biscuits + green beans + mashed potatoes
- Chicken pot pie filling over biscuits + garden salad + corn on the cob
Time-Saving Tips
We all know how hectic dinnertime can get! Here are some shortcuts:
- Prep veggies ahead of time and store in the fridge
- Use frozen vegetables when fresh isn’t practical
- Make bigger batches of sides and repurpose them for other meals
- Some sides like coleslaw and fruit salad actually taste better made a few hours ahead
Final Thoughts
Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this talk about food has made me hungry. I think I might need to whip up some chicken and biscuits with sides for dinner tonight!
Happy cooking!
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Chicken and Biscuits?
The chicken and biscuits dish is delicious, no doubt.
But it’s rich and filling, and you may not be able to do as much as you want.
So, side dishes can come in handy during such situations.
As stated earlier, the dish is versatile and works well with many items.
So, having several dishes will be more fun, and everyone can enjoy the meal.
If you are going to serve the chicken and biscuits to guests, only one dish will not be sufficient, and it won’t look good either.
So, let’s find out what you can serve alongside the casserole.
3 – Creamy Coleslaw
Chicken tastes great with any vegetable, so we added coleslaw to the list too.
It’s a typical dish but something that everyone loves.
Cabbage is easy to get, and you can even find sliced veggies on the market.
Hence, even if you don’t have the time to shred, slice, or grate the vegetables, you can get the readymade version.
You can also add carrots, pepper, onion, cheese, and mayonnaise for a creamy texture.
Netherland is attributed as the birthplace of coleslaw, but every other place has a version.
Today, you can find many variations, and each tastes fresh and delicious.
You can use green, purple or red cabbage or all of them for a colorful appearance.
Cabbage isn’t just fresh and delicious but it has protective antioxidant properties too.
It also has vitamins and plenty of minerals and so you get nutrients and flavors all at once.
CHICKEN AND BISCUITS | Creamy Chicken and Biscuits Bake | One Pot Meal
FAQ
What is a good side to go with chicken and dumplings?
Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes seasoned with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg offer a sweet and savory side dish option. This hearty and flavorful dish is an excellent choice to accompany your chicken and dumplings. Maple Glazed Carrots: Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect, easiest side dish for Chicken and Dumplings.
What goes well with biscuits for dinner?
Fried Chicken: Biscuits pair well with fried chicken, often served in a meal or as a sandwich. Cheese: Melted cheese or cheese spreads can complement the flaky texture of biscuits. Stews or Soups: Use biscuits to soak up the broth of hearty stews or soups. Feel free to get creative with your toppings and pairings!
What pairs well with chicken as a side?
- Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad. PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE. …
- French Onion Cabbage Gratin. …
- Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots. …
- Air Fryer Green Beans. …
- Smashed Brussels Sprouts. …
- Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples. …
- Sweet Potato Salad. …
- Creamy Tuscan Orzo.
What side to eat with chicken and waffles?
Fried rice is a perfect addition if you want to serve up some chicken and waffles for supper. 2. Mac n Cheese – Probably one of the more popular side dishes for chicken and waffles, the best mac and cheese serves up noodles in a warm and creamy cheese sauce.