Chicken legs are an affordable, tasty, and versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways. From oven-baked to fried, grilled to slow-cooked, chicken legs always make for a satisfying meal. However, a great chicken leg dinner isn’t complete without equally delicious side dishes
So what should you serve with chicken legs? With so many options, it can be tricky to narrow it down. To help you out I’ve gathered 28 of the best chicken leg side dishes that will perfectly complement your crispy, juicy chicken. From potatoes and veggies to soups, salads and more there’s something here for every craving!
Potato Sides for Chicken Legs
Potatoes are always a safe bet when it comes to chicken sides. Here are 7 potato dishes that will make your chicken leg dinner complete.
1. Classic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a comforting, classic choice. They provide a nice contrast to the crispy chicken skin. A dollop of gravy takes these spuds over the top!
2. Twice Baked Potato Casserole with Bacon
For next-level indulgence, twice baked potato casserole loaded with crispy bacon and gooey cheese is hard to beat. It’s like the best of mashed potatoes and baked potatoes combined.
3. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Scalloped potatoes get an upgrade with the addition of melty cheese and sweet, jammy caramelized onions. This will be your new favorite potato dish!
4. Ina Garten’s Potato Salad
Put a gourmet spin on potato salad with Ina’s recipe featuring creamy mayo, Dijon mustard and fresh herbs. It’s potato salad gone upscale!
5. Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Honey & Feta
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Then they’re drizzled with spicy honey and tangy feta for a stellar side.
6. Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks
For potato pops with crunch, stack sliced potatoes and shreds of Parmesan, then bake until crispy and golden. Irresistible!
7. Seasoned Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes look so elegant but they’re easy to make. Roasted with garlic, rosemary and thyme, they’re perfectly seasoned.
Simple Veggie Sides for Chicken Legs
If you’re looking for something lighter and healthier, veggies make excellent chicken leg companions. Here are 5 easy veggie dishes to consider.
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli
Roasting brings out the sweet, nutty flavors of Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Simple seasoning lets the veggies shine.
2. Oven Roasted Asparagus
Fresh asparagus simply tossed in olive oil and roasted is an easy springtime side. Add lemon juice and Parmesan for extra flavor.
3. Maple Dijon Roasted Carrots
Roasting carrots concentrates their natural sweetness, which pairs perfectly with maple syrup and spicy Dijon in this glazed carrot recipe.
4. Zucchini Fritters
For a crispy, savory side, zucchini fritters are a great choice. Grated zucchini is combined with eggs, flour and cheese, then fried.
5. Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
Buttery creamed spinach is an American steakhouse classic for good reason. It’s rich, ultra creamy and pairs with just about anything.
Warm, Comforting Soup Sides
What better way to complete a chicken leg dinner than with a cozy, comforting bowl of soup? Here are 5 soups that work wonderfully.
1. Panera Autumn Squash Soup
This copycat recipe mimics Panera’s popular autumn soup starring roasted butternut squash in a creamy, ginger-spiced broth.
2. Cabbage Roll Soup
All the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls distilled into an easy, hearty soup. It’s total comfort food.
3. Cream of Asparagus Soup
An elegant, velvety cream soup highlightling tender asparagus. It’s a classic for springtime when asparagus is fresh.
4. Mexican Corn and Chicken Soup
A zesty, south-of-the-border inspired soup with corn, chicken and Mexican spices like cumin and chili powder.
5. Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup
Thrifty and tasty, this crockpot soup uses up leftover Easter or holiday ham along with potatoes, carrots, peas and more.
Fresh and Tangy Chicken Leg Salad Sides
Chicken legs pair deliciously with lighter, brighter cold salads. Here are 7 salad recipes that work wonderfully.
1. Cucumber Onion Salad
A retro classic combining crunchy cucumbers and onions in a sweet and sour dressing. It’s perfect summer picnic food.
2. Amish Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Creamy broccoli salad studded with crispy bacon, sweet raisins, onions and cheddar is an old-fashioned potluck favorite.
3. Lemon Garlic Butter Bean Salad
Buttery beans meet lemon garlic dressing and fresh veggies like tomatoes and kale for a tasty, protein-packed salad.
4. Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon
Corn, pasta, bacon and herbs in a homemade creamy pesto dressing – could this summer salad get any better?
5. Spicy Roasted Chickpea Salad
Crunchy, protein-rich roasted chickpeas dressed up with smoky roasted red peppers for a spicy, satisfying salad.
6. Greek Orzo Salad
Orzo pasta, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, onion, herbs…this Greek orzo salad has it all in refreshing harmony.
7. Korean Cucumber Salad
Cool cucumbers meet a sweet, spicy and tangy Korean-inspired dressing for a light and vibrant side salad.
More Fabulous Chicken Leg Side Dishes
Beyond the usual sides, here are 7 more recipes that pair wonderfully with chicken legs. Get ready to think outside the box!
1. Havarti & Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese levels up with the addition of creamy Havarti cheese. Kids and adults alike will devour this comfort food.
2. Butter Parmesan Noodles
Buttery egg noodles tossed in Parmesan make an easy, decadent side dish that’s strangely addicting.
3. Hoisin Broccoli Noodles
For a lighter noodle dish, try noodles made from broccoli florets tossed in a sweet and savory hoisin sauce.
4. Mushroom and Wild Rice Pilaf
Earthy mushrooms and nutty wild rice combine with toasted nuts and raisins in this satisfying pilaf.
5. Spinach Mushroom Quinoa Skillet
This healthy one-pan dish brings together quinoa, sauteed mushrooms and spinach for a quick, meatless side.
6. Uncle Roger’s Egg Fried Rice
According to YouTube star Uncle Roger, this simple fried rice recipe makes fried rice with properly “fried” rice texture.
7. Texas Toast Garlic Bread
For quick garlic bread, spread Texas toast with butter and garlic then toast until crisp and golden.
Sample Chicken Leg Dinner Menu
Now that you have plenty of side dish ideas for chicken legs, it’s time to start planning your menu! Here’s a sample chicken leg dinner menu to give you inspiration:
Main: Oven Baked Chicken Legs
Side 1: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Side 2: Roasted Broccoli
Side 3: Cucumber Onion Salad
Dessert: Skillet Cookie topped with Vanilla Ice Cream
With juicy baked chicken legs and a medley of satisfying savory sides and a sweet dessert, this well-rounded dinner menu has everything needed for a stellar meal. Feel free to mix and match the sides based on your preferences. The possibilities are endless!
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish thats perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Looking for a new staple fall side? This sweet potato salad will be the answer to your prayers. Filled with the perfect balance of textures and sweet-tangy flavors, this superfood salad has everything we could ever want in a sweet potato dish. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is not only an ideal last-minute side, but makes for great lunch leftovers throughout the week
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If you love creamy risotto, but not the time it takes to make it, this Italian-inspired orzo recipe is for you. It all comes together in one pot, with starch from the miniature pasta helping to thicken the sauce to great effect. The prep here is minimal and cleanup is easy, but the payoff makes this dish totally dinner party-worthy, all year round.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Orzo recipe.
When you’re looking for simple, refreshing, and reliable, you’d be hard pressed to find a dish better than classic Greek salad. Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad is one you’ll turn to all spring and summer long.
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French Onion Cabbage Gratin
Thought vegetables couldn’t be the star of the show? This French onion cabbage gratin is here to blow your mind. Crisp browned cabbage wedges are smothered in a rich Gruyère sauce packed with jammy caramelized onions and topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a side that’s so indulgent and irresistible, you might be tempted to make it the main event. Get the French Onion Cabbage Gratin recipe.
This recipe made us wonder, Why don’t we roast carrots more often? When they roast, their flavor concentrates and sweetens. Pair that with copious amounts of umami-packed Parmesan and just a touch of lemon, and you’ve got a super-irresistible dish that you’ll come back to again and again. Try it for yourself—carrots might just become your new favorite go-to side.
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You only have 30 mins, make Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs
FAQ
What do you eat with chicken legs?
A refreshing coleslaw or roasted vegetables make excellent side dishes for chicken drumsticks. Their contrasting flavors and textures complement the savory taste of the chicken perfectly. A refreshing coleslaw or roasted vegetables make excellent side dishes for chicken drumsticks.
What side dishes go well with chicken?
- Crispy Parmesan Potatoes. Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm. …
- Creamy Polenta. Elise Bauer. …
- Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Garlic and Chile Oil. …
- Coconut Lime Rice. …
- Baked Acorn Squash with Butter and Brown Sugar. …
- 5-Minute Yamitsuki Cabbage. …
- Garlic Fried Rice. …
- Lyonnaise Potatoes.
What to have with chicken legs for dinner is easy?
- Twice Baked Potatoes. These Twice Baked Potatoes are a great side dish to add to your next dinner. …
- Charred Broccolini with Lemon, Garlic, and Parmesan. …
- Creamed Corn. …
- Best Green Beans Almondine Recipe. …
- Black Bean Salad. …
- Delish Arugula Spinach Salad. …
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad. …
- Carrot Ribbon Salad with Arugula.
What side dishes go with chicken?
And boy are there are ton of options! Here, you’ll find the perfect sides to pair with chicken. Try one of our vegetable side dishes that include roasted carrots, asparagus, or potatoes in every form. Make comforting casserole recipes like the yellow squash casserole or try the sweet potato wedges for a healthy chicken dinner.
What to serve with chicken?
Read on for some of our favorite side dishes to serve with chicken, based on five basic methods of cooking this beloved bird. And remember, you can always pair baked chicken with a side for fried chicken, roasted chicken with a side for grilled chicken, and so on. You’ll have a winner-winner chicken dinner no matter the combo.
What goes well with chicken legs?
Cooking techniques like toasting the rice before simmering it in broth add depth to the dish, creating a delightful accompaniment to the savory chicken legs. Macaroni and cheese, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, serves as a classic and comforting side dish that pairs exceptionally well with chicken legs.
What side dishes go well with chicken ala King?
Yes, the best side dishes for chicken ala king can also be used for chicken legs. Options like mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and garlic bread complement both dishes perfectly. Their versatile flavors and textures make them a great accompaniment for a variety of chicken dishes.
What makes a good chicken dinner?
But a good chicken dinner is more than just the wings, thighs, or breasts alone. It’s also about the side dishes for chicken that help to make the meal complete. And boy are there are ton of options! Here, you’ll find the perfect sides to pair with chicken.
Are chicken drumsticks a good side dish?
Share it with friends! When it comes to a satisfying meal, chicken drumsticks are a go-to favorite. They’re juicy, flavorful, and perfect for various recipes. But what truly sets a meal apart are the side dishes that complete the meal.