Tasty Matches: 15 BEST Side Dishes for Chicken and Dumplings

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.

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.

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