What to Serve with Pesto Chicken Breast? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Pesto chicken breast is a simple and delightful dish that pairs excellently with a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.

It is a healthy and flavorful way to get your daily dose of protein and veggies.

However, serving it with an eligible side dish can carry this dish to a whole new level.

Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or something rich and indulgent, there are a plethora of options to choose from.

This article will reflect some of the best side dishes you can serve to complement pesto chicken breast.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken Breast?

Pesto chicken breast is a versatile dish that pairs sufficiently with a wide range of side dishes.

Serving side dishes with pesto chicken breast can add a variety of flavors and textures to the meal.

The right side dish can complement the pesto sauce and bring balance to the dish.

Side dishes can add nutritional value to the meal by providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Serving side dishes can make the meal more visually appealing and elevate the overall dining experience.

So, whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing or something hearty and filling, there’s a side dish for everyone.

What to Serve with Pesto Chicken Breast? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Roasted Asparagus

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Roasted asparagus is a great side dish for pesto chicken breast as it rounds out the flavor of the pesto sauce.

It is a simple, healthy side dish that pairs faultlessly with pesto chicken breast.

To prepare, wash and trim the asparagus and spray with pepper, salt, and olive oil.

Toast in the oven at 400° Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes.

Make sure that it is tender and slightly crispy.

The asparagus’s earthy flavors complement the pesto’s bright and herbaceous flavors, making for a well-balanced and delicious meal.

2 – Caprese Salad

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Caprese salad is a classic Italian dish option that is light and refreshing.

This salad comprises fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

To prepare, simply slice the mozzarella and tomatoes, organize them on a plate, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.

Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and top with fresh basil leaves.

This light and refreshing side dish is the perfect complement to pesto chicken breast’s rich and savory flavors.

3 – Butternut Squash

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Butternut squash is a protean and delicious side dish that complements pesto chicken breast flawlessly.

Its natural sweetness pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the chicken, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

To prepare, cut the squash into bite-sized pieces and roast it in the oven until tender and caramelized.

The result is a delicious and healthy side that’s bursting with flavor and color.

Butternut squash is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to any meal.

So why not try this easy and tasty side dish with your next pesto chicken breast? Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you.

4 – Cauliflower Rice

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Cauliflower rice is the perfect side dish to accompany succulent pesto chicken breast.

The light and fluffy texture of the cauliflower rice pairs faultlessly with the bold and flavorful pesto chicken.

Simply grate cauliflower florets using a box grater or food processor to make cauliflower rice.

Then, sauté the cauliflower rice in a pan with some oil until it’s tender and slightly browned.

Add some salt and pepper to taste, and voila.

You have a delicious and healthy side dish that perfectly complements the savory flavors of the pesto chicken breast.

Indulge in this mouth-watering dish that will satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.

5 – Ricotta Toast

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If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish to pair with your pesto chicken breast, look no further than ricotta toast.

Start by toasting slices of crusty bread until they’re golden brown and crispy.

While the bread is toasting, mix some ricotta cheese, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Once the bread is done toasting, flatten a generous amount of the ricotta mixture on each slice.

Top it off with some freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley, and you’ve got a side dish that’s both creamy and tangy, with a nice crunch from the bread.

The best part? This dish only takes a few minutes to put together, so you’ll have more time to enjoy your pesto chicken breast and savor every bite.

6 – Pesto Pasta Salad

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Pesto pasta salad is a perfect side dish for pesto chicken breast.

This salad combines cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil; all glossed in a pesto dressing.

It is an easy and delightful way to add some carbs to the meal while keeping the flavor outline consistent with the chicken.

To make the pesto pasta salad, you can use any type of pasta, including penne, fusilli, or bow tie.

You can add some grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad to make it a complete meal.

You can also customize the salad by adding your favorite vegetables or protein.

7 – Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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Garlic mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs agreeably with practically any meal, including pesto chicken breast.

These mashed potatoes are infused with garlic and butter, making them rich and flavorful.

They add a creamy texture and warmth to the meal, making it more filling and satisfying.

Garlic mashed potatoes are easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

To make the garlic mashed potatoes, you can use either Russet or Yukon gold potatoes.

You can also add some chopped parsley or chives to the mashed potatoes to add some color and freshness.

8 – Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

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Roasted sweet potato wedges are a healthy and delicious side dish that pairs well with pesto chicken.

Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals and have a natural sweetness that complements the savory flavor of the chicken.

Roasting them brings out their natural flavor and adds a crispy texture.

You can season the sweet potato wedges with your favorite herbs and spices for an extra kick of flavor.

Sprinkle some cinnamon or brown sugar on the sweet potatoes before roasting them to strengthen their natural sweetness.

9 – Green Bean Salad

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Green bean salad is a light and refreshing side dish that rounds out pesto chicken breast faultlessly.

It is a simple salad that mixes blanched green beans, cherry tomatoes, and red onions, all tossed in a light vinaigrette.

The green beans deliver a fresh crunch, while the tomatoes and onions add some sweetness and acidity to the salad.

To make the green bean salad, you can blanch the green beans in boiling water for a few minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

You can also add some lemon juice or Dijon mustard to the vinaigrette to give it a tangy flavor.

10 – Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

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Mediterranean chickpea salad is a delectable and healthy side dish that pairs faultlessly with pesto chicken.

It is a salad that merges chickpeas, red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese; all swathed in a tangy vinaigrette.

The salad is jammed with protein and fiber, making it a great way to round out the meal.

The chickpeas add a nutty flavor and hearty texture to the salad, while the feta cheese brings a creamy and tangy note.

To make the Mediterranean chickpea salad, you can use canned chickpeas or cook your own from scratch.

You can also add some chopped kalamata olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the salad for an extra burst of flavor.

Conclusion

The possibilities for pairing side dishes with pesto chicken are endless, permitting a great deal of creativity in the kitchen.

Pesto chicken breast is a delicious and healthy meal that can be paired with a variety of side dishes.

From grilled vegetables and hearty salads to pasta and grains, there is a surplus of options to choose from.

By selecting the right side dish, you can achieve a fine and well-balanced meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.

So, why not experiment with some of these unique side dishes and take your pesto chicken breast to the next level?