Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken is a fairly new dish in the world of chicken dishes, but it has taken off like wildfire.

It hails from Italy and is usually cooked with pasta.

However, many people opt to eat pesto chicken as the main course.

The pesto sauce gives it an aromatic flavor that can’t be beaten–making this dish one of our favorites.

It’s not surprising that pesto chicken has gotten so popular, either.

It’s packed with protein, making it a great meal to keep you full for hours.

The combination of basil and garlic makes the flavors pop, while the Parmesan cheese gives it an umami flavor that can’t be beaten.

The fact that it is an easy dish to make helps as well.

All you have to do is cook the chicken and then mix everything.

Whether you enjoy pesto chicken on its own or with pasta or rice, this dish is a winner.

In this article, we will list the eight best side dishes that go well with Pesto Chicken.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken?

Pesto chicken is a dish with Italian origins, consisting of chicken and pesto sauce.

Serving side dishes with pesto chicken may not be the first thing on your mind when you are making dinner, but it can help to give your entire meal more variety.

Side dishes will complete your plate and make it more appealing to eat.

There are many options for side dishes that go beyond steamed vegetables or roasted new potatoes.

You don’t have to serve the same things for dinner every night.

With a little creativity, you can create new combinations that are just as delicious as nutritious.

Since you are trying to keep things interesting, consider serving pesto chicken with several side dishes.

What to Serve with Pesto Chicken? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are 8 of the best side dishes for when you want to serve pesto chicken:

1 – Eggplant Parmesan

Tender slices of eggplant with just the right amount of crunch, sandwiched between rich tomato sauce and gooey cheese.

The best part about this dish is that you can eat it as a hot or cold appetizer.

When served at room temperature, it makes for a perfect light lunch on its own – or as a side to beef or chicken.

Alternatively, you can serve the eggplant parmesan hot alongside your pesto chicken.

The dish is so filling and delicious that it will become a regular favorite on your rotating menu.

2 – Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

A staple side salad never goes out of style or disappoints when it comes to adding some color to your plate.

It’s pretty easy to find pre-made pesto sauces in the grocery store, but it is also very easy to make your own using fresh ingredients.

You can even make a double or triple batch every couple of days and keep them in jars in your fridge for when you need an extra kick of flavor on the fly.

The next time you are preparing pesto chicken, try serving it with a salad.

You will enjoy the freshness of this dish, which is not only delicious but also nutritious.

3 – Creamy Pasta

There is a reason the creamy pasta has become such an Italian staple: it’s simply delicious.

It can be easy to get in a rut and make the same dishes for dinner every night, making it difficult for picky eaters to try new things.

You can make each meal unique without sacrificing flavor or quality by getting creative with your side dishes.

Pesto chicken paired with creamy pasta is sure to be a hit with even your pickiest eaters.

This dish is simple to prepare and guarantees that you won’t have any leftovers.

4 – Steamed Vegetables

It is always nice to have the option of making hundreds of vegetables in addition to your pesto chicken.

Not only can you steam or sauté these veggies for a delicious side dish, but they also make great healthy snacks.

Bland-tasting veggies are delicious when served with salsa or guacamole as a dip.

You don’t have to wait for meal time to enjoy high-quality vegetables, and your family will surely love this new way of preparing veggies.

5 – Cauliflower Rice

Do you want a side dish to accompany your pesto chicken that is both nutritious and delicious?

The great thing about cauliflower rice is low in carbs and calories but still tastes like real rice.

It also gives you the satisfaction of eating your favorite side dish without extra sugar or grains.

You can make cauliflower rice using a blender or food processor, but some stores even sell it pre-made.

This is an affordable and easy way to ensure that your side dish goes with everything on your plate.

6 – Deviled Eggs

Everyone loves deviled eggs, so why not serve them as a side dish?

Not only are they simple to make, but they are also incredibly versatile.

You can serve them alone as an appetizer or alongside your meat or fish for a filling dinner.

No matter what time of day you eat deviled eggs, you’re sure to enjoy these creamy bites.

The next time you’re trying to develop a side dish that will go well with your pesto chicken, think about deviled eggs.

7 – Ricotta Toast

You probably haven’t ever seen Italian ricotta toast on the menu, but you should give it a try.

There are countless ways to prepare these simple and delicious toasts for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

However you like your toast topped, you can’t go wrong with this dish.

Not only are ricotta toasts ridiculously easy to make, but they also make a perfect pairing with pesto chicken.

For an innovative and health-conscious meal option, try serving your pesto chicken with ricotta toasts.

8 – Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Can you think of a side dish that goes better with pesto chicken than sweet potato fries?

While fried sweet potatoes are delicious, they aren’t always the healthiest.

But when paired with baked sweet potato fries, your taste buds and waistline will thank you.

Sweet potatoes are incredibly nutritious and tasty, but they can be difficult to prepare in a way that pleases everyone.

That’s why many households choose to skip them altogether.

Serving baked sweet potato fries instead of fried ones is a great way to eat your veggies without feeling deprived.

Conclusion

Pesto chicken is a fantastic meal option that you may be reluctant to try because it’s difficult to pair with side dishes.

Luckily, we’ve found eight great options for healthy and tasty sides that everyone will love.

So instead of settling for pasta or rice as your side dish, think outside the box and try something new.

With just a few minutes of prep time, you can enjoy a delicious side dish that will go with everything on your plate.

By serving something completely different, you’ll be happy to have pesto chicken again and again.

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