What to Serve with Cajun Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Cajun chicken packs a punch, right? Full of spice and everything nice. It’s like a party for your mouth but throws your plate into a bit of a crisis. What on earth can stand beside this flavor powerhouse without getting knocked out?

We’ve all been there. You whip up an amazing main dish and then… the sides. Oh, the sides. It’s like choosing a dance partner for the school’s best dancer. Scary, yet exciting.

In this roundup, we’ve done the legwork for you. From the creamy to the crunchy, we’re serving up 10 sidekicks worthy of your Cajun chicken. No more side dish anxiety. These picks are sure to keep your dinner balanced and brilliant.

Ever had that moment of panic? Us too. Standing in the kitchen, Cajun chicken sizzling away, and your mind goes blank. Well, we remembered, so you don’t have to.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Cajun Chicken?

The seasonings used in Cajun chicken are spicy and savory, and people who have a sensitive palate may find it difficult to take in.

Along with the spice, Cajun chicken is fragrant, has a juicy texture, and is sometimes smoky.

So, side dishes are a must when you’re thinking of adding this dish to your meal.

Anything with a sweet and hearty flavor makes a suitable side dish for Cajun chicken.

It’ll balance the spice and make the chicken easier to take in.

What to Serve with Cajun Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Veggies, fruits, and a lot of salads.

Your next meal with Cajun chicken will be so much better with these side dishes.

1. Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

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Cajun chicken is spicy, and that’s what makes a sweet side dish so important.

So, let’s start with something that no one can disagree on– gnocchi.

Gnocchi isn’t pasta, but it is prepared in almost the same way that makes people think of it like one.

Moreover, it pairs well with all kinds of pasta sauces.

A freshly made tomato sauce works best for this dish because then you can control how much of each ingredient you wish to add.

Unlike pasta, gnocchi is fairly low on carbs and calories.

So it can be suitable for your low-carb diet.

Regardless, its flavor makes a delectable pair for the spicy Cajun chicken, giving you something to relax your palate with.

2. Herby Peanut Rice

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You should make peanut rice your next side dish if you have some peanuts, cooked and fluffy rice, herbs, and some leftover (or fresh) veggies.

It is full of protein and fiber, and the roasted peanuts give it so much aroma.

Additional inclusions like chopped bell peppers, spring onions, and eggs improve its flavor even more.

The trick to getting perfectly fluffy rice is to fluff the rice using a fork once it’s cooked.

After everything is set and done, squeeze some fresh lemon juice for a tangy twist, add your favorite fresh herbs, and serve.

3. Creamy Potato Soup

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Potatoes can make any recipe better with their heartwarming qualities.

And soup is just one of its many incredible recipes.

A potato soup is quite easy to make and requires very few ingredients.

Yukon Gold potatoes give a unique buttery texture, but if you cannot find them, any other variety of potatoes will work fine.

While preparing the soup, you want to ensure that you leave some of the potatoes intact; this gives more texture.

Also, using colorful veggies and chopping them into bite-size pieces will make your meal so much better and even look appetizing.

Sour cream adds a little extra tanginess and texture to the soup, but you can create a similar effect in a healthier version by using Greek yogurt instead.

4. Apple Slaw

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Tired of the regular mayonnaise-based coleslaw? A simple addition of sliced apples may turn things around.

And it has the right crunch to complement the tender chicken.

Skip the mayo and opt for a tangy dressing using olive oil, lime juice, honey, and mustard, and you’ll have a tangy, sweet, and super crunchy slaw in no time.

The traditional red cabbage of the recipe will not be substituted, but you can add some more crunch by using seasonal veggies.

And the apples are what ties them all together with their sweet and tart flavors.

5. Pasta Carbonara

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Among Italy’s many pasta dishes, pasta carbonara has a more complex ingredient list, is a little more demanding, and is deliciously unique at the same time.

But when you compare it with other dishes, it’s quite easier and makes a quick dinner side.

And pairing it with meat is so delectable, especially something as spicy as a Cajun chicken.

Cured pork, eggs, hard cheese, and a few seasonings give this pasta its distinct taste.

And the addition of Romano cheese is another major factor in laying out its taste chart.

The Romano cheese may be pretty challenging to get hold of, depending on where you live, but you can always use parmesan to save your day.

6. Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes

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Hasselback potatoes are not just a treat for your eyes but also your palate.

This dish has many variations, ranging from spicy to sweet and savory.

But a cheesy one stands unrivaled when considering serving side dishes with Cajun chicken.

You have to slice the potatoes the usual way, season them with salt and pepper, and add all your favorite fillings with a ton of cheese.

The trick to getting perfectly flavored Hasselback potatoes is to slice them thinly.

This ensures that all the flavors get into the potatoes as you cook them.

7. Quesadilla

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You can always get away with having an ethnic dish on the table when you’re too lazy to cook complex meals.

And quesadilla is one such effortless Mexican dish that nonetheless tastes amazing.

Since it’s stuffed with all kinds of filings, the quesadilla does not lack taste and flavor.

And the cheese alone gives it enough reason to become everyone’s favorite.

Even the most basic recipes include meat, cheese, veggies, and herbs seasoned with spices and wrapped in corn tortillas.

And you must’ve already guessed it; yes, leftovers can make their way into quesadillas.

It’s one foolproof way to minimize food waste and a lazy cook’s best friend.

8. Pico de Gallo

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Chicken and salsa are a not-so-common combination but one that makes quite an impressive taste.

Pico de Gallo is also known by the term Salsa Fresca, and it is a Mexican dish consisting of various chopped veggies.

Tomatoes, serrano peppers, onion, and cilantro are chopped and mixed in a seasoning of salt and fresh lemon juice.

Since the Cajun chicken is full of savory and spicy elements, a nice bowl of Pico de Gallo adds vibrancy and freshness.

This salsa may be high in sodium, so keeping the salt to a minimum is crucial if you’re following a low-sodium diet.

9. Grilled Corn Salad

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Grilling corn and turning it into a salad is a summertime joy on its own.

It uses corn kernels that have been grilled with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and olive oil.

What’s exceptional about this side dish is that it makes a perfect family activity– some can clean the corn, some roast it, while others prepare the veggies.

Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, and avocado are among the few ingredients that always make it to a corn salad.

And for the cherry on top, you can add some fresh herbs and shredded feta.

This salad is refreshing, looks vibrant, and tastes even better when chilled.

10. Caramelized Roast Parsnips

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The earthy and spicy taste of parsnips makes them so suitable for a caramel coating.

It adds some crunch to the meal and also a hint of sweetness.

This vitamin and mineral-rich dish uses only chopped parsnips that are cut lengthwise for easy eating.

The caramel glaze makes it like the honey-glazed version of carrots.

It uses only butter, honey, and some spices.

This side dish gives a sweet coating to the healthy parsnips, making them more enjoyable to eat.

It’s even better if you’re a sweet tooth.

Conclusion

Cajun chicken’s aroma and flavor go well with many side dishes.

Complementary flavors of sweetness are a must and never fail to impress guests at dinner.

Any side dish with pasta and potatoes makes an impressive pair for the chicken.

And refreshing salads are always the right choice when meal prepping stresses you.

There are so many options to choose from, and keeping it high on the veggies will do well in balancing the flavors of the meat.

However, if you still like to have some meat on your side dishes, you can include them in trace amounts in the salads.