What to eat with chicken?

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Whole chicken can be broken down into many different parts to be served as baked, braised, broiled, deep-fried, grilled, poached, roasted, sautéed, steamed, stewed, and stir-fried. As a result of the chosen cooking method, it blends effortlessly with most side dishes. 

There are many cultural cuisines and classic flavor combinations to pair with chicken. From standbys like roasted asparagus and potatoes to creative takes such as tomato salads and grilled cucumbers.

What to eat with chicken? Chicken tastes the best with cheese, bacon and herbs and spices such as bay leaf, cilantro, curry powder, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and fresh thyme.

It pairs wonderfully with vegetables including carrots, celery, asparagus, turnips, spinach, and shallots. 

To fully enhance the flavor, consider cooking the chicken with chicken or veal stock. Furthermore, adding a glass of dry or off-dry white such as Riesling, dry red like Pinot Noir, or sweet wine like Vermouth.

Chicken is the most popular protein that most households prepare at least once or twice a week. Sometimes, continuously having chicken in our meal rotation gets boring. 

However, pairing it with some veggies, potatoes, or pasta can step up the chicken meal to a large extent. 

If you are looking for flavors, vegetables, and side dishes to pair with chicken, this article is for you. Answered below are frequently asked questions about what to eat with chicken so that you never feel bored with menu ideas stuck on repeat.

What flavor goes well with chicken?

Chicken blends perfectly with savory, sweet, and bitter flavors. Featuring sweet and smoky flavors by incorporating dried herbs and spices will add loads of flavor to the relatively bland chicken.

What vegetable goes well with chicken?

Vegetables are the best accompaniment for cooked chicken. Not only taste good, but also offers fiber, nutrients and wholesome goodness to every bite.

Side dishes that go with chicken

Depending on how the chicken is cooked, side dishes may vary. Without caution, the entire meal can be overpowered by the sides and loose its classic chicken flavor. 

When it comes to selecting side dishes that go with plain cooked chicken, these are some classics you want to stick with:

• Roasted vegetables: brussels sprouts, zucchini, parsnip, turnips
• Mashed vegetables: potatoes, cauliflower, sweet potato
• Baked goods: dinner rolls, bread crumbs or panko, biscuits
• Pasta: macaroni, spaghetti
• Grains: rice, quinoa, barley, buckwheat
• Sauces: mornay, gravy, marsala, white wine, béchamel, tomato
• Salad: baby gem with fennel, cilantro, and dried fruit
• Sautéed: broccoli and walnuts, snap peas, spinach

What to eat with roast chicken?

Nothing says classy like roast chicken. It tastes good on its own, but even better when paired with companion foods. 

It’s quite versatile and can be paired with vegetables, salads, pasta, and fruits. Pair roast chicken with heartier vegetable such as roasted potatoes or carrots, green beans, butternut squash, cauliflower puree, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.

When serving roasted chicken, consider these sides that pair and taste excellent together:

• Salads: caesar, Cobb, spring, arugula, chopped salad
• Pasta: angel hair, baked pasta, spaghetti, linguine, penne, Alfredo
• Rice: risotto, fried rice, brown rice, pilaf
• Bread: sourdough, ciabatta, baguette
• Sauce: barbecue, peanut, pesto, garlic sauce
• Wine: Burgundy, Syrah, Savennieres, Amontillado sherry, Pinot Noir, white Burgundy

What to eat with chicken wings?

Chicken wings are versatile and quite delicious when fried and coated with the appropriate sauces. The crispy skin and tender juiciness inside pairs well with many sides.

Eat chicken wings with:

• Sauce: sriracha, hot sauce, mustard, mayonnaise, teriyaki, ranch
• Vegetables: sweet potatoes, onion rings, coleslaw, garden salad, corn on the cob, potato salad
• Baked goods: cornbread
• Pasta: mac and cheese, marsala, tomato
• Beer: hoppy lager, American amber ale, American pale ale, India pale ale, double IPA
• Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

What to eat with chicken thighs?

If you are a chicken lover and aren’t sure what to pair with it, then here are some sides that pair perfectly with chicken thighs.

• roasted vegetables
• potato salad
• mashed potatoes
• grilled corn
• salad
• fettuccine Alfredo or macaroni

What to eat with chicken nuggets?

Known as a delicious favorite for all ages, chicken nuggets are a must-have essential for every household. Commonly served as an appetizer or quick snack.

The deboned chicken pieces with crispy breaded outside, chicken nugget pieces need simple sauce and healthy sides to make a fully enjoyable meal. 

• dipping sauce, especially honey mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise
• french fries or sweet potato fries
• mac and cheese
• chili
• pasta salad
• bread, especially biscuits and cornbread
• biscuits and gravy
• caesar salad
• coleslaw
• baked beans

Eat With Chicken: Conclusion

Chicken is a staple in most households for a reason. It’s not only hearty and delicious, but also versatile in preparation using many cooking methods and accompanying sides. 

However, it’s delicate too and go well with side dishes that don’t overpower its semi-bland, metallic, umami taste.  

The mild and subtle chicken flavor pairs wonderfully with herbs and spices to enhance the taste to the next level.

Whether the chicken is roasted as whole, fried chicken wings, thighs, or nuggets, they all go well with roasted or mashed vegetables, baked goods, pasta, salad, sauces, and wine. Also, side of rice or roasted vegetables are incredibly fulfilling dish to consider.

To enjoy chicken at any time of day, try the above food pairings based on the chicken parts and how the chicken is prepared. Select sauces, sides and classic combinations to serve accordingly so that you have a perfect match every time.

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