Tuscan cooking is a style of Italian food characterized by simplicity, use of fresh products (as opposed to dried pasta), lighter sauces, less meat, and more vegetables, but different from its indigenous cuisine Tuscany.
And Tuscan chicken is an excellent example of Tuscan food which should be cooked in a homey and warm environment.
The chicken is marinated with salt, pepper, nutmeg powder, and garlic paste.
Garlic is the essential ingredient in Tuscan cooking.
Then the chicken is shallow fried in olive oil for 10 minutes till it becomes crispy outside but remains soft inside.
The secret of this tasty dish is to use simple ingredients yet creating a delicious meal after adding other flavor enhancers.
Once the chicken is fried, you can either keep it as such or add other spices like rosemary and ginger powder.
The dish should be served hot with saffron rice for a warm and cozy meal.
However, there are many other accompaniments to the dish which you can play around with.
In this article, we will list out seven best side dishes that can be served with Tuscan chicken.
While this meal is healthy, you may want to opt for high-quality olive oil or even give it up entirely and fry the chicken in ghee (clarified butter as I did).
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tuscan Chicken?
Tuscan chicken is a popular dish that is found in almost all Italian restaurants.
A simple, quick, and tasty meal, Tuscan chicken can be accompanied by many different side dishes.
Tuscan food is characterized by simplicity, use of fresh products (as opposed to dried pasta), lighter sauces, less meat, and more vegetables, but different from its indigenous region’s cuisine.
Considering all this, you should opt for dishes that are fresh yet filling.
Dishes which can be served as an appetizer or a side dish are ideal since they will not make the meal very heavy on your stomach.
Another fact to remember while serving side dishes is that while the chicken should stand out, you also want all the accompaniments to complement each other well.
That’s why it is best to opt for side dishes that can be served at room temperature or warm.
Recipes like green salad and bruschetta are good options because they will not make your meal heavy and complement the main dish’s flavor.
What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken – 7 BEST Side Dishes
As there are many options to choose from when it comes to side dishes, we have compiled a list of 7 best side dishes that you can serve with Tuscan chicken:
1 – Saffron Rice
Saffron rice is the most popular choice.
People love to pair this dish with Tuscan chicken since it enhances the flavor of both dishes.
Rice is tasty and gives an incredibly filling meal that will ensure that you are more than satisfied at the end of your meal.
The best part about saffron rice is that it is easy to make as well as healthy.
If you want to serve your rice with gravy, saffron rice can be an excellent choice.
A simple yet tasty meal, you can either serve saffron rice as it is or go for one of the other exciting side dishes.
2 – Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Tuscan food has many different recipes, but most people love to serve potatoes with this dish.
The reason behind that is not just the taste of potatoes but also because it is easy to cook and goes well with the flavors of the Tuscan chicken.
If you are looking for a filling side dish, roasted potatoes with garlic and rosemary can be an excellent choice.
The best part about this particular dish is that you can use any potato for this recipe.
The dish is famous because of its taste and because it is easy to make and can be done quickly.
3 – Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Green salad is a light and fresh side dish that can fill your stomach as well as whet your appetite before you dig into the Tuscan chicken.
While most people prefer to use lettuce for this meal, you can also opt for rocket leaves or rocket spinach.
Green salad with balsamic vinaigrette has a tangy taste which complements the flavors of Tuscan chicken perfectly well.
This dish is also very healthy, and if you are looking for something light, this can be an excellent choice.
4 – Bruschetta
Another popular side dish option that is served with Tuscan chicken is bruschetta.
It has a very Italian feel to it, and there are many types of bruschettas you can choose from – broccoli, bruschetta al Pomodoro, etc.
If you want something unique, try out bruschetta as your side dish.
You can either serve it as one of the appetizers or even use it as a garnish for your Tuscan chicken.
That’s because bruschetta goes very well with this dish and adds an exciting element to the meal’s flavor profile.
Bruschetta is also simple to make and does not require any unique ingredients you might not have in your kitchen.
This dish can be made very quickly and is extremely healthy as well.
5 – Rice and Peas
Rice and peas make an exotic side dish that is easy to make and tastes delicious with Tuscan chicken.
If you are craving something spicy, this can be a great choice.
The best part about rice and peas is that it goes well with the flavor profile of Tuscan chicken.
In addition to that, this dish is not very heavy and can be made quickly as well.
If you are looking for a vegan option, rice and peas can also make a good choice.
6 – Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad
Watermelon cucumber feta salad is a very different side dish that you can serve along with the Tuscan chicken.
The best part about this salad is that it has an exotic flavor profile and goes exceptionally well with the flavors of the Tuscan chicken.
The best part is that watermelon cucumber feta salad is healthy and extremely easy to make.
Cucumber is a very healthy vegetable, and combined with the sweetness of the watermelon; this salad gives you an excellent way to include vegetables in your diet.
The flavors are simply unique, and it is easy to make as well.
You can prepare it in a matter of minutes and garnish your Tuscan chicken with it.
It is also a very vibrant dish that will add color to your plate and your meal as a whole.
7 – Cheesy Baked Asparagus
This is the easiest side dish that you can prepare for your Tuscan chicken.
All you have to do is top some asparagus with your favorite cheese, bake it in the oven and serve them along with the Tuscan chicken.
Asparagus has a rich flavor profile which goes exceptionally well with the flavors of the Tuscan chicken.
In addition to that, asparagus is easy to make and can be prepared very quickly.
If you want something light and easy to prepare, this is the dish for you.
Bake the asparagus in the oven and serve it with your Tuscan chicken.
You can even brush some olive oil on top of it just before you take it out of the range to give it a healthy twist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tuscan chicken with any of these side dishes can make an excellent meal for you and your family.
If you want to serve the best meal possible, try out any of these dishes, and we guarantee that it will be a treat for all your senses.
These are some of the best side dishes which you can serve with Tuscan chicken.
In addition to that, you can also try these dishes as appetizers for your guests.
What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Saffron Rice
- Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
- Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Bruschetta
- Rice and Peas
- Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
- Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
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