8 Best Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken to Try in 2024

Name: 8 Best Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients: Green Beans with Bacon; Southern Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions; Cauliflower Rice; Butternut squash; Broccoli Cheese Casserole; Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms; Baked Sweet Potato Fries; Creamed Spinach

Updated Jan 25, 2023Recipe Marker

Are you wondering what to serve with pesto chicken? Below is a list of the most popular side dishes for pesto chicken.

In the world of chicken recipes, pesto chicken is a relatively new dish, but this dish’s popularity has spread like wildfire. Pesto chicken originates from Italian cuisine and is usually prepared with spaghetti.

Pesto chicken is a popular choice for the main course. This meal is one of our favorites since the pesto sauce gives it an unrivaled fragrant flavor. It is a terrific protein-rich supper that will keep you satisfied for several hours.

But now, the most important question arises what to serve with this exquisite chicken? Reading the list below of the best side dishes for pesto chicken will help you figure out what goes well with pesto chicken.

Best Side Dishes for Pesto Chicken

1. Green Beans with Bacon

To start with the first side dish, green beans are the ideal side dish to go with pesto chicken if you want something lighter.

You can make your green beans taste better by sautéing them in butter and then topping them with crispy bacon.

This dish is particularly appealing to the eye and the palate due to the crunchy texture of the green beans and bacon and the contrast in color between these two ingredients.

2. Southern Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions

This is the perfect side dish to serve with pesto chicken. It’s a very simple dish to prepare, but this dish’s highlight is the taste it brings to your mouth.

A fun fact about this dish is that it can be prepared ahead of time and warmed up just before serving.

Onions and potatoes are cooked in a combo of olive oil and butter with a little bit of seasoning until they are crispy and golden brown in color.

You can garnish your dish with cheese, spring onions, and sour cream to enhance flavor. It’s a savory and delectable way to include carbs in your meal.

3. Cauliflower Rice

It’s a versatile side dish that complements a variety of main dishes. To prepare cauliflower rice, grated cauliflower is sautéed with seasonings, garlic, and onions.

The end product is a flavorful dish that is light in taste, fluffy, and reminiscent of rice. The best part about cauliflower rice is that it is a very nutritious dish as it is low in carbs and calories.

Choosing what to serve with pesto chicken makes it a healthy option. The two dishes go together well when served with cauliflower rice.

The light and fluffy cauliflower is a wonderful counterpoint to the succulent chicken. At the same time, the tasty pesto unites the entire dish.

4. Butternut squash

This side dish pairs well with the pesto chicken when roasted. The butternut squash’s natural characteristics are enhanced when it is roasted, bringing out its sweet and nutty flavor.

This versatile vegetable is a powerhouse of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that keep in check with the body and promote health.

Butternuts can be served by cutting in half or chopping them into bite-sized chunks. In either case, simply add some salt and pepper and drizzle it with olive oil before baking it.

You can simply serve your butternut cubes as-is. The halves, however, can be scooped out and creamed with a small amount of butter.

This versatile vegetable provides for a filling and healthy supper when combined with the rich, herby flavor of pesto chicken.

5. Broccoli Cheese Casserole

It’s a traditional side dish that goes well with various main dishes. The fragrant pesto chicken pairs up perfectly with the rich, delicate broccoli and cheese sauce.

The fact that you can make this dish ahead of time makes it ideal for hectic weeknight dinners.

Furthermore, making broccoli cheese casserole is simple. In a dish, just combine the main ingredients of the dish, such as breadcrumbs, broccoli, milk, and cheese.

Then comes the baking part, where you bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling. You may mix and match your preferred veggies for the ideal cheesy casserole with this side because it is adaptable.

6. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

This side dish is an ideal partner for pesto chicken because of the exquisite taste that it brings along.

To start with this dish, the size of portobello mushrooms makes them suitable for stuffing. They have the best flavor of all the mushrooms. Additionally, you may load them with various items, including onions, cheese, garlic, and bacon bits.

It’s simple to prepare stuffed portobello mushrooms. You just need to add some olive oil and sauté them.

Next, cover them with the stuffing of your choice and bake them for a bit. The herby basil pesto compliments the portobello mushrooms’ earthy flavor.

This is also the ideal side dish to serve with pesto chicken if you want something light.

7. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

A healthier alternative to the famous French fries is baked sweet potato fries. They pair perfectly with pesto chicken and are readily made without sacrificing any of your energy in the kitchen.

The sweetness of the potatoes complements the richness of the chicken. And the pesto gives it a tasty, fresh touch. Sweet potatoes need only be sliced into thin strips, covered in olive oil and coarse salt, and then baked until crispy.

The outcome is a tasty delicacy that is crunchy and delicious and will appeal to even the pickiest eaters.

8. Creamed Spinach

This tasty and healthy side dish is one of the most popular ways to serve pesto chicken. A wonderful flavor balance is achieved by combining the mild, herbal notes of the chicken with the creamy, rich flavors of the spinach.

You can create your own by wilting some spinach that has been chopped and sautéed in the oil and butter combo. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in some heavy cream and parmesan.

Sauteed mushrooms go amazingly with creamy spinach. You may make a delicious meal by combining these two recipes with pesto chicken.

Final Words

Because it’s challenging to serve with sides, you might be hesitant to try pesto chicken, which is an excellent supper option. Fortunately, we’ve discovered some fantastic opportunities for wholesome and delectable sides that everyone will like.

You may enjoy some of these best side dishes that will go with everything on your plate with just a few minutes of preparation time.

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