Savory Pair-ups: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is a delicious dish known for its hearty flavor and easy cooking process.

The popularity of this dish has allowed it to be added to menus in restaurants around the world; however, many people don’t know what truly makes this dish’s flavor and taste stand out.

One of the primary reasons that cacciatore dishes are so popular is because they’re very easy for cooks of all levels to make.

Most recipes for this Italian dish include chicken, bell peppers, and tomatoes as primary ingredients.

The richness of these items combined with a healthy serving of garlic and onion makes the heartiness of cacciatore clear to anyone who tastes it.

Serving chicken cacciatore with the perfect side dishes is a great way to make this meal more filling and enjoyable.

You can choose from 8 different options below as your favorite side dish for chicken cacciatore.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Chicken Cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore, or “hunter-style” chicken, is a classic Italian meal.

While the cooking method of slowly simmering the chicken in tomato sauce makes for tender and delicious results, it doesn’t come together with much flair on its own.

For this reason, side dishes are often served along with chicken cacciatore to make the meal feel more special.

Another reason to consider serving side dishes with chicken cacciatore is to prevent a potential taste bud letdown.

Since this dish usually has a bold and tangy tomato sauce, it can have a very specific flavor profile.

When the sauce is the only thing you taste, its flavors become dulled by your metabolism and time.

However, this isn’t an issue if you have complimentary side dishes to mix into your meal.

This will not only stop the sauce from becoming muted, but it will also prevent monotony.

This technique is especially useful when preparing chicken cacciatore for a date or someone with refined tastes since it’s important to be aware of your audience’s expectations.

While this dish is often enjoyed by those who have a penchant for bold flavors, it’s important to be sensitive to your guests’ eating habits.

By balancing this dish with side dishes that don’t overshadow the sauce, you will decrease complaints and make sure that your guest enjoys their meal.

What to Serve with Chicken Cacciatore? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are eight side dishes that are perfect for serving with chicken cacciatore.

1 – Spinach Artichoke Quinoa

This flavorful side dish is great for sharing since it’s so filling.

It’s also relatively simple to make because quinoa is already one of the healthiest yet underrated whole grains on the market.

While the recipe below uses spinach and artichokes, feel free to substitute your favorite veggies if you don’t like either of those ingredients.

This quinoa dish pairs nicely with chicken cacciatore because the flavors and textures compliment each other very well, especially if you choose to add some black olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a little extra splash of flavor.

The best part about this site is that it’s so nutritious – it will take your meal up a notch without increasing your waistline.

2 – Quick and Easy Garlic Broccoli

Broccoli is another healthy green vegetable that can be prepared in hundreds of different ways.

This garlic broccoli side only takes five minutes to make and will add some variety and flavor to your plate.

It’s also great for guests because it can be thrown into the microwave just before serving, freeing up valuable oven space for your chicken.

If you ever have leftovers of this side, they can easily be eaten cold or reheated in a pan over medium-high heat with a tiny bit of water and some olive oil.

Those who like their broccoli crispy will especially enjoy this cooking method since the water allows it to be brown without drying out.

3 – Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread

If you’re looking for something even more filling than quinoa, this jalapeno cornbread is just what you need.

It’s great for hungry people because it contains not only cheese but also vegetables that have been baked into the mixture.

While it can be eaten on its own since it’s so flavorful, this side pairs nicely with chicken cacciatore; its spicy jalapenos and cheesy flavor will surely wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them necessary when eating such a bold sauce dish.

It also conveniently takes very little time to prepare – all you need to do is follow the recipe given below and throw it in the oven.

After that, you’ll have some delicious cornbread that everyone will love.

4 – Vegan Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is vegan-friendly but doesn’t skimp on taste.

It’s nice because it can be made quickly, and it can be made in advance and reheated – perfect for when you’re expecting guests.

Even though this side is healthy, don’t let that fool you into thinking the flavor isn’t there.

It’s packed with veggies such as mushrooms and tomatoes, which will make even your meat-eating friends enjoy this dish.

This casserole pairs well with chicken cacciatore because they are both very flavorful but not overpowering.

The best part about this particular recipe is that it’s dairy-free, which is perfect for people who are lactose intolerant or vegan.

5 – Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Potatoes

Potatoes are an excellent example of a starchy dish that can be transformed into a main dish if made in the right way.

In this case, we suggest making cheesy spinach stuffed potatoes because they’re very filling and add an extra dimension of flavor to your meal.

Stuffed potatoes might take you longer to prepare than some side dishes since you have to bake the potatoes before stuffing them, but it’s very easy to make.

All you have to do is follow the recipe given below and bake some potatoes before adding your favorite fillings.

Anything goes when it comes to what you choose to put inside of your potato.

Other great options include bacon, sour cream, roasted red peppers, or some leftover chicken from your cacciatore.

6 – Low-Carb Zucchini Noodles

If you’re craving something more substantial than rice or potatoes, these zucchini noodles are the perfect side dish for chicken cacciatore.

They are delicious but low in carbs, making them great for dieters who want to eat a satisfying meal without going over their carbohydrate limit.

Zucchini noodles are easy to make and can be cooked in any way to cook regular pasta.

This recipe suggests sauteing them with olive oil, but feel free to experiment with whatever flavors you think to go well together – garlic, mushrooms, and onions would all be great choices.

This side dish is convenient to make and pair with chicken cacciatore because it can be made in advance and reheated quickly for whenever you’re ready to eat.

7 – Vegan Mashed Cauliflower

This vegan-friendly mashed cauliflower is great if you’re looking for a creamy alternative to something like broccoli or green beans.

It’s made with roasted garlic and onion to give it a nice, deep flavor.

Mashed cauliflower is creamy but doesn’t have an overwhelming taste of its own.

This makes it the perfect side dish for chicken cacciatore because it can stand up to bold flavors while complimenting them.

It’s also pretty simple to make: follow the recipe given below, and you’ll have a nutritious, low-carb vegan side in no time.

8 – Rice Pilaf

This rice pilaf is delicious, and it’s also very easy to make.

It’s cooked with garlic for additional flavor and topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions instead of cheese, making this a healthier, more delicious alternative than other rice dishes.

Rice pilaf is perfect for pairing with chicken cacciatore because it’s rich and flavorful but not overpowering.

This particular recipe also uses brown rice, which provides an extra dose of healthy whole grains.

Cooked rice can be kept in the fridge for up to four days before it starts to lose its freshness, so feel free to make extra.

It heats up quickly, so you can eat your rice with chicken cacciatore whenever you want.

Conclusion

Chicken cacciatore is a delicious dish that works well with any side because the flavors don’t overpower each other.

In particular, these six dishes are all excellent options for pairing with this meal: cheesy spinach stuffed potatoes, low-carb zucchini noodles, vegan mashed cauliflower, rice pilaf, sauteed mushrooms and onions, and bread rolls.

These dishes are all easy to make, nutritious, and rich in flavor.

This means that whether you’re looking for a side dish to eat with chicken cacciatore at dinner or cooking this recipe for yourself, one of these options is perfect.

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