5 from 3 votes
Chicken and dumplings are a quintessential American dish that has been around for centuries.
This recipe is hearty, filling, and the perfect comfort food on a cold winter day.
So if you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner idea that will leave your family feeling happy and satisfied- this one’s it.
It’s a popular Southern dish, but what should you serve with them? There are many options to choose from.
We have compiled a list of 15 side dishes that pair well with chicken and dumplings.
These include cornbread, collard greens, mashed potatoes – or any other vegetables you prefer.
Table of Contents
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings? 15 BEST Side Dishes
Chicken and dumplings are comfort food that’s been loved by Americans for generations.
The dish offers the perfect balance of hearty, creamy soup mixed with fluffy biscuits.
In addition, you can be sure that there’s a side dish for you to serve with it, no matter what your tastes might be.
1 – Sautéed Collard Greens
This Southern staple is an excellent way to get some nutritional greens into your diet while still feeling like you’re indulging in a hearty meal.
They are low-calorie but high in fiber, so they’ll help keep you full longer than other green veggies would.
To saute them, add a little bit of oil to your pan and saute them over medium heat- constantly stirring – until they are wilted.
2 – Mashed Potatoes
This classic dish is perfect for satisfying any craving you might have when it comes to comfort food.
They’re essentially potatoes whipped up with milk or dairy substitute, butter, salt, and pepper.
The key here is not overcooking the potatoes but instead letting them get nice and tender in the boiling water before mashing them into a creamy consistency on their own time.
Also, try to use at least one type of dairy alternate for vegan or lactose-intolerant guests.
3 – Buttered Carrots
These are a classic side dish as well, and they go with just about any main course.
If you want them even more delicious, add some herbs like thyme or rosemary after they’ve been boiled in water until tender.
Drain the carrots from their liquid before adding your butter (or vegan alternative) and salt/pepper to taste.
You can also throw in red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy.
4 – Fried Onion Rings
Who doesn’t love fried onion rings?
They’re crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside, with that sweet flavor coming through perfectly alongside anything else you’re serving.
The key to making them is to let your onions sit in cold water for at least 30 minutes before frying.
If you don’t, they can go from crispy and perfect for burning on the outside while still undercooked and limp inside with just a few seconds of exposure to heat.
5 – Roasted Asparagus
Pick up ahead of asparagus at the grocery store and roast it in your oven.
It’s so easy, and you can make them with just salt or pepper to taste if you don’t want anything else on there.
This is one side dish that won’t go bad before anyone has eaten their fill of chicken dumplings.
6 – Cornbread Stuffing Balls
If you’re looking for something different than traditional bread stuffing and cranberry sauce, try these cornbread balls instead.
Mix some leftover holiday cornbread (or any other type) with canned vegetable broth until moist but not overly wet.
Roll into small golf ball-sized spheres, then sauté all sides in a bit of olive oil.
7 – Baked beans
If you’re not into traditional Southern-style baked beans, try different variations with ingredients like molasses, maple syrup, or bacon to give them more flavor.
You can also experiment with dried fruit instead of the sugar and molasses found in most recipes for added sweetness.
Serve these up alongside your favorite chicken dumplings recipe for an extra boost of fiber.
8 – Rice Pilaf
Any side dish that’s made from the rice will be an excellent accompaniment because there’s plenty of carbs to go around as well as protein if you cook some meat or beans in with the rice.
The dish will be a bit higher in calories than some of the other options here, but it’s worth keeping on hand for those times when you need something more substantial to fill up with alongside your chicken and dumplings.
9 – Red Cabbage Coleslaw
This is a classic favorite for serving alongside chicken and dumplings because it provides all of the crunches that you need without overloading on carbs like mashed potatoes might do.
It’s also an excellent choice if you’re looking to up your vegetable intake. Serve with apple cider vinegar so that the cabbage doesn’t get too watery.
10 – Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, but they’re also perfect for serving alongside chicken and dumplings.
This is the same idea as macaroni and cheese with its rich cream sauce will hold up well when served next to spicy flavors like in the main course.
You can add any vegetables you want depending on what’s available at your grocery store; try not to overdo it since potatoes and onions are high in carbs.
To make it a little more flavorful, you can add some dry mustard to the cream sauce or top with shredded cheese.
11 – Garlic and Parmesan Broccoli
This is an excellent choice for people looking for something lighter than potatoes but still hearty enough to complement the heavy flavors of the main dish.
It’s also versatile so that it goes well served as pasta in place of carbs like spaghetti noodles.
The broccoli will shrink while cooking, so make sure not to overcook them too much before adding them into the pan.
It’s essential to add the Parmesan cheese and garlic after they’ve cooked, or else it will just sink to the bottom.
12 – Parmesan-Cauliflower Gratin
This is another excellent option for people looking for something lower carb than potatoes but still hearty enough to complement the heavy flavors of chicken and dumplings.
It can also be used as a side dish like you would use macaroni with alfredo sauce; in that case, make sure not to overcook them before adding them into pan since cauliflower tends to get watery when boiled too long.
The grated parmesan cheese helps give this dish its light cheesy flavor while keeping it low in carbs even though there’s no flour involved (just eggs).
13 – Cucumber and Broccoli Salad
This is a lovely fresh option for people looking to lighten things up while still providing some additional flavor and crunch.
The cucumbers provide the coolness that ties together this dish but don’t be afraid of adding in other vegetables like radishes or carrots if you’re not into a raw cucumber.
The dish is simple to prepare, requiring only a handful of ingredients prepared ahead and stored in the fridge.
14 – Steamed Green Peas
These peas provide extra protein and fiber to the dish and make it easier for those looking to cut back on carbs.
They’re also a great way to get the kids involved in cooking, as they will enjoy shelling and peeling them themselves while taking part in preparing dinner.
The key to making these peas taste delicious is to cook them in butter with salt and thyme.
You can also cook green peas in chicken broth for a savory, creamy taste that will make you forget about mashed potatoes.
15 – Roasted Butternut Squash
This vegetable is suitable for those who want to eat gluten-free. It tastes good and is low in calories.
But it’s also filling, so if you eat it with other things like crackers and cheese, it will be enough for dinner.
You can prepare it ahead of time, so it’s ready when you need it, or just put it together before serving quickly by roasting the squash at 400 degrees Fahrenheit with olive oil spray until fork tender takes about 20 minutes, depending on the size of squash pieces.
Then, all you need is some salt and pepper for seasoning.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a side dish to serve with your chicken and dumplings, consider one of these tasty options.
At this point in the year, it’s getting harder to find something new that will work well.
But fear not; we’ve got some tried-and-true favorites that are sure to please any palate.
Whether you like sweet or savory dishes, spicy or mild flavors, there’s an option here for everyone.
So which do you think would be best? Let us know in the comments below.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings – 15 BEST Side Dishes
Recipe by Kimberly BaxterCourse: Side Dishes
Servings
1
serving
Prep time
10
minutes
Cooking time
10
minutes
Total time
20
minutes
Ingredients
Sautéed Collard Greens
Mashed Potatoes
Buttered Carrots
Fried Onion Rings
Roasted Asparagus
Cornbread Stuffing Balls
Baked beans
Rice Pilaf
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
Garlic and Parmesan Broccoli
Parmesan-Cauliflower Gratin
Cucumber and Broccoli Salad
Steamed Green Peas
Roasted Butternut Squash
Directions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
- Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
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About The Author
Kimberly Baxter
Kimberly Baxter is a nutrition and dietetics expert, holding a Master’s Degree in the field. With over four years of study in the US, she graduated in 2012. Kimberly’s passion lies in creating and capturing wholesome foods through baking and food photography. Her work aims to inspire others to embrace healthier eating habits.
As a passionate foodie and skilled cook, Kimberly started EatDelights.com to combine her love for cooking with her desire to inspire others to enjoy flavorful and wholesome meals. Through her blog, she aims to provide readers with a wide range of mouthwatering recipes that are both easy to follow and satisfying to eat.
See author's posts
5 from 3 votes
Hello, I'm Kimberly Baxter, a nutrition and dietetics expert with a Master's Degree in the field. With over four years of study in the US, I graduated in 2012 and have since dedicated my passion to creating and capturing wholesome foods through baking and food photography. My expertise lies in inspiring others to embrace healthier eating habits, and as a food enthusiast and skilled cook, I founded EatDelights.com to share flavorful and wholesome recipes with my readers.
Now, let's delve into the concepts related to the article "What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings? 15 BEST Side Dishes" to provide a comprehensive understanding:
-
Chicken and Dumplings:
- Described as a quintessential American dish.
- Emphasizes its popularity as comfort food, particularly on cold winter days.
- Highlights the dish's balance of hearty, creamy soup with fluffy biscuits.
-
Southern Cuisine:
- Refers to chicken and dumplings as a popular Southern dish.
- Mentions collard greens and cornbread, both Southern staples, as side dish options.
-
Side Dishes:
- Lists 15 side dishes that pair well with chicken and dumplings.
- Covers a variety of options ranging from vegetables to starches.
-
Collard Greens:
- Described as a low-calorie, high-fiber Southern staple.
- Suggested method of preparation involves sautéing with oil until wilted.
-
Mashed Potatoes:
- Described as a classic comfort food made with potatoes, milk or dairy substitute, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Emphasizes the importance of not overcooking the potatoes for a creamy consistency.
-
Buttered Carrots:
- Classic side dish suitable for various main courses.
- Suggested enhancement with herbs like thyme or rosemary.
-
Fried Onion Rings:
- Described as crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Highlights the importance of soaking onions in cold water before frying.
-
Roasted Asparagus:
- Suggested as an easy side dish roasted in the oven with salt or pepper.
-
Cornbread Stuffing Balls:
- Alternative to traditional bread stuffing, involves using leftover cornbread mixed with vegetable broth.
-
Baked Beans:
- Suggested variations include using ingredients like molasses, maple syrup, or bacon for added flavor.
-
Rice Pilaf:
- Emphasizes that rice-based side dishes provide ample carbs and protein.
-
Red Cabbage Coleslaw:
- Recommended for its crunch and lower carb content compared to mashed potatoes.
-
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes:
- Potatoes with a rich cream sauce, suitable for pairing with the main course.
-
Garlic and Parmesan Broccoli:
- Lighter than potatoes but still hearty, versatile, and complements the main dish.
-
Parmesan-Cauliflower Gratin:
- Suggested as a lower-carb alternative to potatoes, emphasizing the use of cauliflower.
-
Cucumber and Broccoli Salad:
- Fresh option with coolness, suggesting customization with additional vegetables like radishes or carrots.
-
Steamed Green Peas:
- Provides extra protein and fiber, recommended for those looking to cut back on carbs.
-
Roasted Butternut Squash:
- Suitable for a gluten-free option, low in calories, and filling.
-
Conclusion:
- Encourages readers to consider one of the listed side dishes.
- Reiterates the versatility of the suggested options to cater to various tastes.
-
Author Information:
- Kimberly Baxter introduced as a nutrition and dietetics expert with a Master's Degree.
- Founder of EatDelights.com, showcasing a passion for cooking and inspiring healthier eating habits.