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Delicious Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a dish made with breaded and baked chicken, then topped with tomato sauce and cheese.

Its simple ingredients – chicken, salt, pepper, flour, and a little Italian seasoning make a basic coating for the chicken.

Some recipes add an egg to help coat the chicken more thoroughly in the breading, but it’s not always necessary.

With some basic ingredients and a little patience, while baking, you can have a delicious dinner idea that is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight or impressive enough to serve guests.

Chicken Parmesan has a flavor of lightness and tenderness, the crispy exterior layers contrasting invitingly with the soft interior.

The combination of tangy tomato sauce and gooed-up melted cheese draws people in as the smell of the dish permeates homes and restaurants.

This dish is a staple in Italian cuisine and is an easy meal to prepare.

Of course, if you’re serving Chicken Parmesan as the main entree at dinner, you’ll want it to be accompanied by some other side dishes that will round out your meal into something everyone there can enjoy.

When deciding what to serve with Chicken Parmesan, go for a side that has some tang- something acidic or sour will do well to cut the richness of the sauce and cheese.

In this article, we will be recommending eight side dishes that will go well with Chicken Parmesan.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan?

why consider serving side dishes for chicken parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian dish consisting of breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and melted cheese.

However, it does not have to be the only component of a meal.

Side dishes can add variety to a meal while also complementing the flavors of your entree.

Another advantage of serving side dishes is that they give you more food for less money, meaning larger portions with little financial impact.

They also give you more opportunities to let people customize their meals.

You could, for example, make rice pilaf – people can choose whether they want plain white rice or the slightly more flavorful version.

Another advantage is that they are easy to prepare ahead of time.

Simply cook the side dish, put it in a container, and stick it in the fridge.

When you’re ready to serve dinner, reheat the side dish, and voila.

So consider making one or two side dishes when you make chicken Parmesan next time; they can enhance your dining experience.

What to Serve with Chicken Parmesan? 8 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve for chicken parmesan best side dishes

Everyone loves chicken parmesan, but what to serve it with? To make the perfect dinner for your whole family (or friends), here is a list of side dishes that will go great with this classic Italian dish.

1 – Spaghetti and Meatballs

spaghetti and meatballs

Spaghetti is the number one side dish people think of when looking for something to go with chicken parmesan.

This classic combination goes well with any Italian dish and can be easily made.

First, make the spaghetti and meatballs in accordance with their respective recipes.

Then, place them on a large platter and add the sauce (homemade is best) over the top.

The sauce will allow all of the flavors to mix and become even better.

You can add a few other things to this platter, like garlic bread and salad.

2 – Green Beans with Bacon

green beans with bacon

Green beans are an easy side dish that goes well with almost anything, but they shine when you add the crunchy goodness of bacon.

Slice open some pieces of bacon into thin strips, then cut them in half.

Fry them in a pan until they’re crispy, then drain the excess fat.

Add the green beans to the same pan and fry until they are tender enough for your tastes.

Top with some salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

3 – Cheesy Breadsticks

cheesy breadsticks

Cheese breadsticks are an excellent side dish because they can be made in multiple ways.

For example, you can add garlic and parmesan to the breadsticks (a traditional flavor), or if you like things spicy, you can add some chili powder and cayenne pepper.

The dough is also easy to double for a large family gathering, and it’s always fun to have everyone help you make the breadsticks.

Once they are done baking, let them cool for a few minutes to don’t burn your mouth.

Then, drizzle with some melted butter and ranch dressing to top it all off.

4 – Baked Zucchini with Cheese

baked zucchini with cheese

There are many reasons why baked zucchini with cheese is a great side dish.

For one, it’s easy to prepare and doesn’t take long in the oven.

These zucchini boats are also a great way to get your daily serving of vegetables alongside chicken parmesan.

Another benefit is that they’re easily customizable based on your tastes – add some marinara sauce, garlic, and mozzarella cheese to give it a traditional feel.

You can also add some salt and pepper to the zucchini before you put it in the oven.

Add more vegetables by slicing up some bell peppers and mushrooms and putting them inside the zucchini boats with your cheese.

5 – Vegetable Kabobs

vegetable kabobs

Kabobs are a great way to serve food because they’re easy to make and look fun.

There are many recipes for vegetable kabobs, but my favorite is the spicy version that uses sriracha sauce as a base.

Add your vegetables of choice into the skewers (I like zucchini, onions, and green peppers), then marinate them in olive oil and salt for about an hour.

After that, grill them in the oven or on the barbecue and enjoy.

5 – Grilled Cheese

grilled cheese

Grilled sandwiches are an excellent choice for any Italian dish.

First, get some bread that is already grilled on one side – this will make the sandwich easier to prepare.

Add some American or cheddar cheese between two slices of bread (or put it in a panini press), then cook it until the cheese melts.

Top with some shredded lettuce, pickles, and mayonnaise for an extra kick.

This doesn’t have to be done as a sandwich – you can put everything into an omelet or quesadilla if that’s what you enjoy.

6 – Eggplant Parmesan

eggplant parmesan

There are many reasons why eggplant parmesan is a great side dish.

For one, it goes well with chicken parmesan.

Also, if you’re hosting a large family gathering or party, this recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.

Preheat the oven to 350°F, then combine breadcrumbs, dried basil, and salt in a bowl.

Coat each slice of eggplant with the mixture before putting them on a baking tray.

If you want to mix it up, you can add some fresh parsley or parmesan cheese instead of dried spices.

Once they are all coated, bake the eggplant slices for about 10 minutes.

Then, begin layering them with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese in a baking dish before you put them in the oven again to bake until the cheese has melted.

7 – Sauteed Broccoli

sauteed broccoli

Broccoli is an excellent side dish because it’s easy to prepare and a good source of vitamins.

First, chop up some fresh broccoli into bite-sized pieces for easier cooking.

Then bring a pan of water to boil and add the broccoli – cook until they are tender but still have a little bit of crunch.

For more flavor, you can add some salt, pepper, or garlic to the broccoli before or after cooking.

Parmesan cheese also goes well with this side dish.

8 – Baked Sweet Potato Fries

baked sweet potato fries

Here’s another recipe that uses some spice, but if you don’t like things too spicy, you can omit the chili powder and cayenne pepper.

Preheat the oven to 450°F, then peel and cut your sweet potatoes into long strips or fries.

Toss them in a bowl with some olive oil, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper before putting them on a baking tray.

Bake for about 30 minutes, occasionally flipping to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

If you’re in a rush, you can also cook them in a toaster oven.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chicken parmesan is a delicious meal on its own, but it can also go well with various side dishes.

Vegetables are a great option for those who want something on the lighter side because they’re healthy and easy to prepare.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are another favorite choice because you can customize them based on your preferences.

So if you’re ever having trouble deciding what to serve at your dinner table, keep these eight side dishes in mind – they should help you decide.

what to serve with chicken parmesan

What to Serve with Chicken Parmesan? 8 BEST Side Dishes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Green Beans with Bacon
  • Cheesy Breadsticks
  • Baked Zucchini with Cheese
  • Vegetable Kabobs
  • Grilled Cheese
  • Eggplant Parmesan
  • Sauteed Broccoli
  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
  • Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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