This list of healthy side dishes for chicken will help you create the perfect dinner for your family. Plus, I’m sharing one of my favorite shortcuts to help you get a tasty meal on the table even faster!
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Alexia. Quick, healthy meals are possible with Alexia!
This post was originally published on October 17, 2017 and has now been updated with more healthy side dish recipes to help you create the perfect chicken dinner for your family.
We all know that eating healthy is important, but it can be hard to find the time and motivation to cook a healthy meal.
It’s so easy for us to get stuck in a rut of ordering takeout or making a side dish recipe that is delicious, but not great for you.
In this post, I’ll share some simple side dishes for rotisserie chicken (store-bought, or one you roast yourself) that will make your dinner even better. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights and they’re also great for entertaining guests.
I’ll also share one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts. As busy moms, we don’t have a lot of time to spend on ourselves. And I get it. We all want to take care of our families well. But finding time for yourself during the day is important, too.
We all deserve a few minutes to bring our stress levels down and just breathe. If I manage to have a little extra time, I certainly don’t want to spend it in the kitchen.
This list of healthy side dish ideas for chicken and beyond go beyond your typical plain veggies and include unique flavors and preparations that will keep your meal from being boring.
Serve these recipes alongside a store-bought rotisserie chicken or one you’ve roasted yourself for an easy, healthy family meal.
Healthy Side Dish Ideas for Chicken
Go beyond plain vegetables with these healthy side dish ideas. These are a great way to add nutrients to your diet in a delicious way. Here are some healthy side dish recipes that work well with chicken.
Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
Try out some new healthy vegetable side dish recipes and give your meal tons of nutritional value and flavor. These easy ideas will help you plan tasty meals and away from the boring recipes your family is used to.
This recipe for spiced carrots is easy to make and will add a burst of flavor to your meal. You can adjust the spices as you like, depending on how spicy or mild you want them to be. With cumin, paprika, chili powder, coriander and cinnamon this vegetable side dish is super flavorful.
This sauteed broccoli rabe recipe will become your new favorite side dish! This quick and easy-to-prepare meal cooks in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for picky eaters.
The combination of lemon and garlic makes this Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus recipe extra delicious. You'll never go back to plain veggies after you try this yummy side dish.
Bell peppers and onions are a fantastic side dish that pairs well with just about any main course but especially chicken. Sautéing the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, which creates an extra flavor boost!
This tangy and flavorful garlic Dijon vinaigrette is perfect for any vegetable, especially steamed green beans. It’s a fresh dressing that anyone will love and is a great side dish recipe for chicken.
Baked zucchini is an Italian-style side dish that can be complemented with tomatoes. This hearty, vegan lunch recipe will leave your stomach feeling full and happy!
An easy, healthy recipe for roasted butternut squash seasoned with savory dried herbs & spices that contrast beautifully with the natural sweetness of the winter squash. Bake a big batch in less than an hour to use as simple side dishes or as fall and winter-themed salads!
This is not just another boring vegetable but a delicious Roasted Broccoli! This aromatic and crispy veggie is baked with seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. So easy to make yet so tasty!
Szechuan green beans are the perfect side dish for a family dinner! They’re super healthy and full of flavor. The peppers add just enough spice to leave you wanting more, but they never overwhelm your taste buds or make it too spicy.
Shredding zucchini and carrots in a food processor will make it easier to mix them together. Including lots of garlic and fresh herbs give this Harvest Squash an unmistakable Mediterranean feel that is sure to delight your family.
This recipe for Roasted Zucchini is quick and easy, and makes a perfect side dish for a weeknight meal. Your whole family will love this simple dish.
When it comes to the perfect side dish, there's nothing like a hearty stack of fritters. You can put them out at dinner and be sure you'll get seconds - or better yet, make these zucchini carrot pea cakes for lunch! They're gluten-free so they won't have any adverse effects on your stomach later in the day.
These quick and easy roasted beets are a healthy snack that can accompany your favorite meal or salad. They only take 10 minutes in the air fryer to make, but they're so tasty you'll want them every day!
This out-of-the-ordinary side dish is buttery, garlicky and absolute perfection with balsamic caramelized shallots. It's a delicious way to add greens to your dinner menu.
Roasted cauliflower is a great side dish for any type of meal. These roasted florets are done in only 20 minutes, adding an extra delicious vegetable to your dinner plate!
This Cucumber Tomato Salad is a refreshing salad, perfect for summer. The addition of Mexican oregano and cilantro give this dish a true sense of freshness that will leave you feeling rejuvenated in time for your next adventure!
Healthy Fried Brussel Sprouts Recipe made in an Air Fryer!!!
Who wants some crispy and crunchy vegetables for their next meal? These air-fried Brussel Sprouts are perfect because not only do you get all of those great flavors from roasting in your own kitchen, but there's no oil needed and less mess since these cook up right inside of your oven!
This delicious kale dish is tangy and ready in 20 minutes. It pairs well with meats and also any type of chicken.
This recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the earthy flavors of beets. Balsamic vinegar adds just enough acidity and tanginess that combines perfectly with this humble healthy vegetable for an easy, quick side dish!
Oven-roasted asparagus with lemon zest makes the perfect versatile vegetable side dish idea that's great either on its own or served with chicken dishes.
Cauliflower mashed potatoes are a decadent substitute for the real deal. Our garlic butter recipe is gooey, savory and will quickly become your favorite side dish to pair with any great meal!
Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe with Rosemary Brown Butter and Hazelnut
Brown sugar brings out the natural sweetness of delicata squash, while brown butter and rosemary lends a richness to this Roasted Delicata Squash side dish recipe.
Potato and Starch Side Dish Recipes
In moderation, starchy veggies and potatoes are fine! Aside from being filling and helping you feel satisfied after a meal, they're also delicious! Check out these tasty recipes to find something new to try this week.
Mexican potatoes are a flavorful and easy side dish that is made in only 30 minutes. With paprika, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon and coriander you'll love these simple roasted diced potatoes.
These easy Roasted Turnips with Lemon are tasty and incredibly easy to prepare. All you need after roasting is a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling sea salt. It's a great side dish for any family dinner.
This healthy mayo-free lemon dill potato salad is the perfect light recipe to pair with any chicken dish! With a refreshing citrus and herb dressing, it will be thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family.
Purple Sweet Potato Fries - Crispy Oven Baked Fries with Herbs
Stokes purple sweet potato fries are baked in the oven until golden and crispy with fresh herbs, avocado oil, garlic powder and sea salt. They make a delicious side dish or snack for all to enjoy!
Smashed roasted garlic rosemary potatoes are the perfect side dish for any dinner.
Garlic and freshly chopped rosemary add a fragrant sweetness to these smashed potatoes because they both have their own unique flavors yet complement each other.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts with Honey-Balsamic Glaze is a flavor explosion of sweet and tangy flavors. Perfectly roasted, slightly charred potatoes that are tossed in honey balsamic sauce for the perfect side dish to any occasion!
This recipe for Healthy Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs is not only gluten-free and vegan, but it’s also delicious! Not to mention creamy. You won't miss the mayonnaise either since this healthy potato salad has a variety of flavors that make up its creaminess.
Side Salad Recipes
A simple side salad is always a good idea, but these recipes are much more inspired. With a variety of ingredients and flavors, these are perfect to pair with a simple rotisserie chicken.
This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! The kale salad includes colorful vegetables, cranberries for sweetness and tartness, crunchy pecans that provide texture contrast with the soft cheddar cheese. This tasty dish even holds up well as leftovers-- so it's great at throwing together last minute or making ahead of time.
This summer slaw is a refreshing side dish that brings the perfect amount of spice to your picnic. Made with fresh corn, jalapeños and red peppers this slaw will be sure to please everyone!
You’ll love this healthy, filling pasta salad with Mediterranean flavors! The orzo is a perfect balance of textures in every bite. With so many fresh veggies and zingy vinaigrette dressing, you won't be able to get enough. It will make your next dinner extra delicious. It's perfect next to rotisserie chicken.
The rainbow-ish Kale and Quinoa Salad Recipe is perfect. It's loaded with colour from red pepper strips to purple cabbage leaves; it features some of your favourite vegetables like onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers as well as quinoa (a high protein grain) which happens to be great at balancing blood sugar levels rather quickly!
This Mexican elote street corn kale salad is perfect for a light and refreshing meal. The variety of colours, textures, and flavours will keep you coming back for more! You'll love this recipe if you're looking to try something new or are in need of another great restaurant-inspired dish that's sure to impress your guests.
With fresh beets and creamy mozzarella, this easy watercress salad is a unique twist on a caprese salad. It's full of fresh flavor. And cheese. Everyone loves cheese.
Who is in the mood for a healthy broccoli salad with sweet lemon dressing? It's like your favorite potluck broccoli salad, but has more flavor and the dressing is healthier.
When the leaves start to change color and fall from trees, pumpkin heads into ovens all across America. This recipe is a perfect way to enjoy that quintessential autumn flavor this season: Everything you love about Thanksgiving in one dish!
This tasty Mango and Cashew salad is refreshing and sweet with the perfect crunch. With fresh mint, this easy salad is full of unique flavors that even your kids would love.
This Artichoke & Roasted Red Pepper Coleslaw is totally different from the classic recipe. The magic ingredient is caraway seeds. The roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts make this a unique dish that is tasty and healthy.
You'll love this Sesame Spinach Salad. The recipe for this salad can be made in less than 10 minutes and will surely please anyone who loves spinach, nuts, or sesame seeds!
This Whole30 coleslaw recipe is creamy, flavorful and perfect for healthy side dishes. The sugar-free slaw is also dairy-free and paleo-friendly for those who may be sensitive to these ingredients or looking to avoid them altogether! This dish will complement any summer BBQ event with a satisfying crunch that won't leave you feeling guilty.
This blood orange fennel salad with all its citrus flavor contrasts perfectly against the aniseed taste of the fennel. It's a unique and tasty side dish idea for chicken.
Three bean salad is the perfect dish for those who love beans! It's a great lunch or side dish, and worlds better than canned versions. We're so excited to share this recipe with you in hopes that it will become one of your go-to recipes too!
Crunchy and refreshing, this coleslaw is made with the freshest ingredients. The cabbage provides a nice crunch!
Serve up this crowd-pleasing 5-Minute Black Bean Salad, along with rotisserie chicken, for a satisfying fresh meal! With only 6 ingredients - black beans, corn kernels, avocados with natural lime juice squeezed over top right before serving (or anytime beforehand) plus red onions and chopped green bell pepper tossed it's full of fresh flavors.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The spinach orzo salad combines fresh, nutritious greens with a flavorful balsamic dressing and toasted nuts that are both sweet and savory. It’s finished off with feta cheese which gives it an extra bit of tangy flavor that pairs well with the sweetness from the pine nuts
This delicious side salad recipe includes the classic Caprese flavors like basil, heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Adding baby greens turns it into a perfect side dish to serve with or topped with rotisserie chicken.
Fresh corn is mixed with jalapeno, scallion and spice for a Mexican-inspired side dish that will make your mouth water before you even taste it! Add fresh lime juice to give each spoonful an added kick, then top it off with some cojito cheese - this recipe has everything you need when hunger strikes at any time of day or night.
Pasta Side Dish Ideas
If you like to include pasta in your meal plan these side dishes are for you! These unique recipes pair pasta with fresh veggies to create deliciously easy dinners.
Caprese pasta salad is a classic summer dish that was given an Italian twist. This recipe combines cooked pasta with tomatoes, basil, and bite-sized balls of mozzarella cheese for added creaminess.
Made with fresh vegetables, greens and herbs, this Spring Roll Spaghetti Bowl is just as healthy as it looks. We top it off by drizzling the dish with a sweet and spicy Asian almond butter dressing made up of ginger flavorings for an extra zing!
The rainbow pasta salad is a healthy and colorful dish that will make your mouth water! The more veggies you can fit in, the better. This recipe has it all: deliciousness, variety of vegetables, simplicity to prepare & kids love it.
Grain (and Grain-Free) Side Dishes
From lentils and rice to freekeh, this section includes a variety of dishes that will help you get out of your dinner planning rut!
You’ll be blown away by the vibrant, flavorful taste of this easy golden rice pilaf recipe. Made with turmeric and toasted pine nuts, these ingredients will make any meal just a little bit tastier--and it's so simple!
This lemony dish is made with just rice, chickpeas and few other pantry ingredients. It's easy enough to whip up quickly on busy weeknights and has delicious flavors.
This savory lentil recipe has so many benefits that will make it a hit in any household - flavorful deliciousness with easy to find ingredients (and super flexible cook time) are only two reasons why you should include this on your weekly menu plan.
This recipe will provide you with a hearty, grainy Freekeh salad that can be served warm or cold. Made up of arugula, tomatoes, goat cheese and pickled red onion, this recipe is full of wholesome ingredients. Fresh and tasty, this side dish recipe is great with chicken and more.
This gluten-free tabbouleh is a delicious and simple way to enjoy traditional Middle Eastern food. This recipe swaps out the bulgur wheat with millet, but still has all your favorite ingredients!
Breads and Rolls
Mmmmm, bread. Here are a few easy options to serve with your healthy side dish recipes and chicken meal.
This Low Carb Keto Cornbread Recipe doesn't taste like diet food at all - it's moist, flavorful, cakey when cooked in the oven and can be sweetened with maple syrup or eaten plain.
You'll fall in love with bread all over again after you try these Keto Dinner Rolls. Not only are they super quick and easy to make, but they're soft and tender with that classic "bready" taste. Plus, their gluten-free, dairy-free too!
Healthy Side Dish Short Cut
If I don’t have the time or energy to make a healthy side dish recipe from scratch, I use a frozen option.
Meal prep doesn’t need to take more than 30 minutes, in my opinion, and I certainly don’t think everything needs to be homemade. There’s a time and a place for scratch cooking. And when the kids are in the middle of homework or needing to be dropped off at sports practice, is not it.
Quick, healthy side dishes are totally doable with Alexia! Whether you are serving a store-bought chicken or roasting your own whole chicken, these sides dishes are healthy, quick and totally delicious.
Most Alexia side dishes come with instructions for heating with the oven or microwave making it fit perfectly with your schedule. With things like Mashed Butternut Squash with Butter and Brown Sugar and Cauliflower Risotto, you will love the variety of the side dishes found in your grocery store’s freezer section.
These Truffle Fries would go perfectly with just about any meal. Because truffles!
While lots of prepared foods are full of the stuff you should eat in moderation (or skip altogether), Alexia uses quality, simple ingredients that are non-GMO and gluten-free. The premium vegetables and organic dairy ingredients ensure you can get quick healthy dishes on the table for your family.
My favorite part about these Alexia Premium Side Dishes is they take less than 10 minutes to cook! Plus they are easy to keep in the freezer so you can always have one ready when you need it.
Look for Alexia Premium Side Dishes at Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer and Amazon. And don’t forget to visit Alexiafoods.com for more inspiration.
These side dish recipes will help to add variety and flavor to a chicken dinner while making sure they provide nutritional value – no matter what time of year it is!
Related Recipes
Whether you need something quick for busy weeknights or want some new ideas for entertaining guests, these healthy side dish ideas for chicken have got you covered.
Tori says
I like your style. I’m all about a good time-savor and these sides look delish!
Aleshia Greer says
Yummy
Sharon Garofalow says
It totally is!!