Chicken salad has a way of making any meal feel like a special occasion.
It’s versatile, easy to make, and can go from a simple lunch to the centerpiece of a dinner table.
Yet, the real magic happens when you pair it with the perfect side dishes.
In this guide, we’re about to break down seven standout sides that elevate your chicken salad from great to unforgettable.
Whether you’re planning a picnic or a formal dinner, these sides will complement your salad and ensure your meal is a hit.
Get ready to make your chicken salad shine like never before.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Chicken Salad?
Chicken salad is a classic dish and there’s no denying the popularity of this dish.
It is both tasty and refreshing. However, serving it the same way every time can become very dull and uninteresting sometimes.
It normally consists of lettuce, avocado, onions, tomatoes, mayo, grilled chicken, and a dressing and seasonings.
If you pair the salad with some other side dishes, it is certain that the side dishes will enhance the salad to another level.
You can pair them with rice items or bread to chips and pickles or different types.
It is good to mix up different dishes to maintain some level of excitement while munching on them.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Chicken salads have been paired along with side dishes for many years but that doesn’t make it any better if the side pairings were not good enough to enhance the salad.
So, without any more deliberation, let us take a look at what to serve with chicken salad.
1 – Pork Chops
Pork chops are extremely filling and contain a good amount of fat.
Consumed in moderation, it will not affect your health.
However, who is to say that pork chops should be consumed in small portions, right?
The chicken salad will help to balance the fat content and also provide a creamy and juicy texture.
That will help to further moisten the bites of the pork chop inside the mouth while chewing.
The flavors also will blend to perfection.
2 – Hot Dogs
Chicken salad and hot dogs are also a combination that has been served for a long time now.
You will find people eating such combinations at all kinds of events.
You can add the salad as toppings on the hot dog, it just intensifies all the flavors and hits the spot.
The texture of the bun and the sausage along with the mustard and ketchup adds to the flavor of the salad.
If you are a lover of a little heat then you can add a pickled jalapeno too.
3 – Baked Beans
Baked beans have a very creamy flavor when bitten into.
It also contains a high amount of carbs.
They pair really well with chicken salad on the side.
The chicken salad will provide the necessary proteins and vitamins to the whole meal.
Both these dishes have simple recipes too.
Baked beans will take some time to cook but it tastes like heaven after it is ready.
Take a baking tray and pour vegetable or meat stock into it.
Add the beans, mustard, garlic, cayenne pepper, tomatoes, and some bell peppers.
Insert the tray into the oven and bake at 350 degrees.
Serve with a side of the chicken salad once cooked and enjoy the burst of all the flavors.
4 – Pork Dumplings
Dumplings are everyone’s favorite soul food.
It goes without question that dumplings are one of the world’s favorite foods.
They are warm, delicious, and a way to every person’s heart.
There are different ways to make dumplings.
You can prepare them with veg, non-veg, or even fillings like cheese but today we will be talking about pork dumplings.
They go really well with salads. The freshness of the salad will balance the heaviness of the dumplings.
They are a match made in heaven.
5 – Beef Burgers
Burgers are so filling and delicious and it is one of the most common foods across the globe.
Every culture has a variation of its own burger.
Add beef to that and then it just hits another spot.
The chicken salad really balances the carb and fat content in the beef burger.
They taste great together. The intense flavor and texture of the beef burger complement the refreshing and healthy chicken salad.
6 – Tomato Soup
Soups are a great dish to pair with chicken salad.
The chicken salad adds some proteins and healthy nutrition to the mix.
Take a pot and add your tomatoes and set them to a boil.
Add garlic, olive oil, and some pepper to bring out the flavors and add salt for taste.
After the tomatoes are cooked, put them into a blender and blend them.
Then simply pour the blended tomatoes into the pot, add some water.
Choose your own veggies, cop them and toss them into the soup.
The final step is to garnish it with some thyme or coriander leaves.
This soup will be just perfect and a definite world beater.
7 – Chicken Wings
This is a dish that is just finger-licking good.
The chicken wings are just what the chicken salad needs in order to taste like a feast.
Deep-fried chicken wings that have been dressed with a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter will be perfect just to give the spicy wings some coolness and freshness.
It is a perfectly balanced side dish for the salad and also easy to make.
This is one side dish you don’t want to miss out on.
Conclusion
It is important to pair side dishes with the main entrée as they help to enhance the flavors of the main dish.
It is a habit that cultures all over the world practice.
Chicken Salad can pair with a lot of side dishes that will elevate its taste and complement its textures.
From meats to baked veggies to many other pairings.
So, go give our list a try and you will not feel disappointed by them. That is a given.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Pork Chops
- Hot Dogs
- Baked Beans
- Pork Dumplings
- Beef Burgers
- Tomato Soup
- Chicken Wings
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe from the article.
- Organize your ingredients and utensils.
- Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe to make your side dish.
- Prepare and serve for delicious meal!
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of AmericasRestaurant.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
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