What to Serve with Tomato Basil Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Chicken dinners are timeless and never fail to impress our palates.

And if you’ve ever had this protein-rich lean meat cooked in a savory tomato basil sauce, you know how addicting it can get.

But there’s a trick to making this chicken dish even better, and it’s by using side dishes to your advantage.

So, we’ve studied some of the best options to diversify your meal prep.

Save our favorites on your list, and you’ll never run out of ideas about what to serve with tomato basil chicken.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tomato Basil Chicken?

A meaty dish without sides can be overwhelming, especially if you go heavy on spices and seasonings.

So, side dishes are essential to making your meal more rounded and complete.

Before deciding on side dishes, you want to consider your entree’s taste profile and nutrition to create a menu containing complementary elements.

As regards tomato basil chicken, it has a complex profile with sweet and savory elements, so you want to include comforting sides to balance every aspect of your meal.

What to Serve with Tomato Basil Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes

A savory dish with tomato basil sauce requires light and refreshing sides, so consider these ten options that’ll always make it to everyone’s favorites.

1 – Cucumber Tacos

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Cucumber tacos are your best bet if you want your side dishes light and refreshing but still energize you for the day.

It is a bright and vibrant combination that has everything packed into it.

The cucumbers are crunchy and juicy, while the tortillas bring in chewy elements.

Cucumber tacos also provide enough fiber to help you digest the meat better.

It is visually appealing and helps you get the right nutrients your body needs.

To make the process easier, prepare a cucumber salsa the night before and refrigerate it.

That way, you can bring it out to use whenever you want to serve it.

2 – Sweet Potato Croquettes

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If you’ve ever had croquettes, you know how addicting they can become.

And their crunchy, breaded exterior always has the perfect substance to hold rich sauces and gravies.

So, try serving some sweet potato croquettes with a tomato basil chicken dish, and you’ll be impressed at how well they go together.

The starchy sweet potatoes hold the savory gravy and perfectly balance the meal’s texture and flavors.

You can even wrap some shredded cheddar or mozzarella between the mixture to get gooey, delicious bites of croquettes.

3 – Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms

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Stuffed mushrooms are party favorites; they look the part and taste delicious too.

But don’t save them only for parties.

It’s always a great idea to spice up your weekly dinners with this side dish.

Cremini mushrooms are very common in stuffed mushroom dishes.

They have enough space to hold a decent amount of fillings while keeping it bite-sized and easy to eat.

Quinoa, being a complete protein, makes a favorable option for the filling as its nutty taste complements the earthy and umami flavors of mushrooms.

They keep you satiated for hours and make great items for a weight-loss diet.

4 – Fondant Potatoes

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Tired of eating regular potato sides? Try this exciting French dish that requires cooking potatoes in a garlic-butter sauce and baking it in chicken broth to achieve the ultimate tenderness.

Rosemary twigs, salt, and black pepper are some seasonings that can bring out the best flavors in this dish.

The initial sauteing process gives the potatoes a golden charr, while the baking ensures they are cooked through.

You can even use vegetable broth as a substitute.

This side dish is easy to prepare, considering how the oven does most of the cooking.

Fondant Potatoes have a crispy exterior and satisfyingly melt into your mouth; anyone will love them.

5 – Garlic Parmesan Zucchini

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Zucchini makes some of the most delicious dishes; it is versatile enough to use fresh and cooked.

Try searing them on a skillet with plenty of garlic and parmesan, and you’ll have a meal that never disappoints.

After all, everyone loves a light and aromatic dish with any chicken dinner.

Besides, it is also a fun way to add veggies to your meal and give picky eaters a reason to love their greens.

This side dish is perfect for days you’re running short of time.

It also provides you with enough fiber to help digest the meat.

6 – Watermelon Feta Salad

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If you’re serving tomato basil chicken as an entree in summer, watermelons can help you relax amid the scorching heat; they make excellent side dishes, and a salad always works.

This vibrant and juicy fruit is packed with fiber and will keep you hydrated on warm days.

You can also add other summer favorites like zucchini and kiwi to a watermelon salad.

And give it a depth of flavor by adding red onions, olive oil, and fresh herbs.

The watermelon adds sweetness to the salad, while the feta introduces salty elements.

This salad is light, refreshing, and cooling; it contains enough moisture to refresh your palate as you enjoy the savory meat.

7 – Pickled Daikon

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Eating raw, bitter daikon (radish) isn’t the most exciting experience.

But with just a few ingredients like rice vinegar, salt, and sugar, you can transform them into delicious treats.

They’re suitable for a light or heavy meal and make great palate cleansers.

They’re also packed with probiotics to help improve gut health.

This side dish is quick, versatile, and pairs well with meaty and veg meals.

So, give it a try and watch your guests relish daikon without bitter faces.

8 – Spicy Seafood Noodles

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Noodles are the most versatile option when you’re running short of time or left without dinner ideas.

And veggies aren’t the only things you can serve with chicken.

Consider these rich seafood noodles packed with extra spice.

Shrimp, clams, and fish cakes are seafood you can always count on; they’re easily accessible and even easier to cook.

All you must do is cook the noodles like you always do and add them to sautéed seafood.

Then, combine the noodles with a hot sauce or make one from scratch using chili paste.

You can also include chopped veggies to add more dimension to your meal; they’ll introduce more texture and make the dish nutritionally balanced.

9 – Carrot Kimchi

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Kimchi can transform a boring meal into a fun and vibrant one.

And you can make them with carrots too.

Carrot kimchi has a similar color and crunch to the standard cabbage kimchi but contains a unique sweetness that makes it so much more exciting to eat.

In addition, its mild astringent taste helps cleanse your palate between each bite of the savory meat.

You don’t have to make the carrot kimchi super spicy; follow what works best.

The lacto-fermentation will enhance its taste while preserving its natural, vibrant hue.

10 – Corn Chowder

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Corn always makes comforting dishes, and they’re one of the summer essentials that you need in your pantry every time the season comes around.

So, consider a hearty chowder to provide the savory meat a bit of contrast.

The corn, potatoes, and onions combine to give a warm and aromatic dish.

Meanwhile, the cream/milk base gives more thickness to the broth, making it more filling.

You can replace the cream with coconut milk if you wish to make this dish vegan.

Like all soups, a corn chowder tastes best when it’s warm; you’ll have tender veggies infused with a warm aroma.

Conclusion

Tomato basil chicken is one entree that always makes dinners exciting.

But the excitement shouldn’t end there; keep your guests entertained by pairing the meat with delicious sides that no one can say no to.

Now that you’ve read about the ten best options you can serve remember to consider the food preferences of everyone before deciding on one.

It also helps to include seasonal sides, so you never run out of options when ingredients become unavailable.

As such, your side dishes must be customizable, depending on the seasonal produce.