Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Hot Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is one of the most versatile dishes in American cuisine.

With many different ingredients and flavors, you can make endless variations for this classic dish.

There are many different recipes for hot chicken salad, but the main base is always some shredded or chopped cooked chicken and some vegetables.

Many people like to top their hot chicken salad with a generous amount of cayenne pepper, which gives it the ‘hot’ in the name.

Cilantro and lime juice also work well together in this dish- they balance each other out for a fresh and light flavor that is perfect for summertime.

Or you can top the hot chicken salad with cheddar cheese and bacon for a more heavy, rich flavor.

You can serve this dish with almost any side dish- it goes well with anything from fries to beans to greens.

But the eight best pairings are listed below.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Hot Chicken Salad?

Hot chicken salad is a classic dish that has been around for many years.

It’s a favorite on summer menus at restaurants and cafés across the country, but it might be time to consider some side dishes with your hot chicken salad.

Let’s take a look at why serving side dishes with this summertime dish could be effective.

The first reason to serve side dishes with hot chicken salad is to keep the dish healthy and light.

A serving of the classic recipe alone includes mayonnaise, generous amounts of cheddar cheese, and sometimes bread crumbs or crackers for texture.

It’s delicious, but it doesn’t have the best nutritional value.

The dish gets a nutritional boost by pairing the hot chicken salad with side dishes like vegetables, fruit, or whole-grain bread and crackers.

Additionally, these items can replace items that are high in calories or sodium.

You could even take your side dishes further by cooking them into the hot chicken salad itself.

Another reason to serve side dishes with hot chicken salad is to heighten the flavor profile.

If you’re serving your hot chicken salad cold, pairing it with bread or crackers can add some crunch and texture that complement the meal.

What to Serve with Hot Chicken Salad? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So without further ado, here are our top 8 side dish ideas for the hot chicken salad:

1 – Raw Vegetables

Raw vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumber, and broccoli are fantastic with hot chicken salad.

These items add freshness to the dish without adding too much weight or calories.

They also act as dippers for your chicken.

You can make large batches of these vegetables at once to save time prepping if you choose.

The best part about this side dish is how easy it is to make.

All you have to do is cut the vegetables into sticks, place them in a bowl, and serve.

Of course, you can dress up your veggies with some salad dressing or ranch if you want to give them more flavor.

If you’re looking for something lighter, go with a vinaigrette-based dressing instead of a creamier option.

2 – Baked Tomatoes with Croutons

This side dish is ideal for lighter main courses like seafood or chicken breasts.

The baked tomatoes add a freshness to the dish, while the croutons add some texture and crunch.

It’s easy to make and tastes great.

The dish requires only three ingredients, so prepping it takes very little time.

Just cut up your tomatoes into quarters, then serve them on top of some toasted bread with grated cheese and croutons.

Top the dish off with some balsamic vinegar or olive oil before serving if you want more flavor.

The dish goes especially well with your hot chicken salad if you want a bit of Italian influence.

3 – Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is another classic side dish that’s perfect if you want to go the comfort food route.

This creamy veggie dish has hints of nutmeg for a unique flavor that pairs well with your hot chicken salad, thanks to its creaminess.

The best part about creamed spinach is how easy it is to make.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Just sauté some onions in oil or butter until golden brown, then add the spinach and let it wilt.

Sprinkle on some nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste before serving.

You can also dip your chicken into the creamed spinach if you want to cut down on carbs.

4 – Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower steak is a unique side dish that pairs amazingly well with your hot chicken salad.

The dish has a nice crispy texture while still being good for you.

It’s easy to make and doesn’t require much forethought, so it’s perfect for when you’re in a rush and need to prepare something quickly.

Just cut your cauliflower into thick slices, then coat the edges with olive oil.

You can also add salt and pepper to taste before baking.

The dish goes great with a dipping sauce like sriracha mayo or creamy ranch, so you should try those out if you’re feeling adventurous.

5 – Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish that’s easy to make and tastes delicious.

The dish is usually paired with meat, but the potato flavor fits perfectly as a side for your hot chicken salad.

To prepare this dish, slice some white or red potatoes into thin slices, coat them in salt and pepper before sautéing them in some oil.

Layer the potatoes in a baking dish before putting them in the oven to simmer for around 30 minutes.

This side goes great with chicken or steak, so you should try it out if you’re looking for something that’s easy to make and tastes delicious.

6 – Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a simple dish that’s perfect when you want to incorporate some green veggies into your meal.

The spears are usually drizzled in olive oil and salt for extra flavor, so they taste great with your hot chicken salad.

To prepare roasted asparagus, wash the spears well before throwing them on a sheet pan.

Sprinkle some salt and pepper over the spears before roasting them in the oven for around 15-20 minutes.

Try to use fresh asparagus for this dish since it tastes much better than frozen or canned.

7 – Zucchini Spaghetti

This recipe is perfect if you’re trying to eat healthily but don’t want to give up delicious food.

The zucchini spaghetti tastes great when sautéed in olive oil, then served alongside your hot chicken salad.

For added flavor, try grilling the zucchini first before serving it.

This dish also tastes delicious with a basil pesto if you want something more unique.

To start, make your zucchini spaghetti noodles by running a vegetable peeler outside the raw zucchini.

You can also use a spiral slicer for this dish to save time.

Next, sauté the noodles in olive oil and garlic before serving them alongside your hot chicken salad.

For extra flavor, try grilling the spaghetti noodles before sautéing them with garlic and olive oil.

8 – Homemade Apple Sauce

Apple sauce is another simple dish that’s great if you want to start eating healthier.

If you don’t feel like making your apple sauce, try buying some organic versions at the grocery store instead.

It goes great with hot chicken salad because of its sweet flavors.

To make your apple sauce, chop up some peeled apples, add some cinnamon and water before simmering them for around 20 minutes.

You can also add other spices like nutmeg or cardamom to make it even more delicious.

The dish is usually sweet so that it will taste great with your hot chicken salad.

Conclusion

Hot chicken salad is a great dish that goes amazingly well with these side dishes.

If you’re looking for comfort food or want to try something different, then give these recipes a shot.

They taste delicious and are easy to make, making them perfect for when you’re in a rush and need a quick and delicious dish.

There are so many options you can try out, so why not try them all?

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