I’ve made this chicken parmesan recipe more times than I can count, and these are the side dishes I return to again and again because they complement the rich marinara sauce and cheesy chicken so well.
Chicken Parmesan is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring crispy breaded chicken, savory marinara sauce and plenty of melted cheese. Since it’s such a hearty, flavor-packed main dish, choosing the right side can help create a balanced and satisfying meal.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, pasta, bread or a simple side dish, you’ll find plenty of delicious options here. Read on for 20 of the best side dishes to serve with chicken parmesan for an easy weeknight dinner or special family meal.
What Goes Well With Chicken Parmesan?
Chicken parmesan is one of those dinners that feels special without requiring a ton of effort. Crispy breaded chicken, marinara sauce and melted cheese create a hearty, flavorful meal, so the right side dish can help round everything out!
My favorite sides for chicken parmesan either add a fresh, crisp contrast to all that cheesy goodness or lean all the way into comfort food mode with pasta, bread or potatoes.
Below you will find 20 delicious ideas ranging from simple vegetable sides and salads to more hearty favorites that turn chicken parm into a complete meal. They’re all so good!
Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Need a main dish to pair with these yummy sides? My easy Chicken Parmesan recipe delivers crispy breaded chicken, homemade marinara sauce and melted cheese without a complicated process.
This is one of my favorite comfort food dinners because it feels restaurant-quality while being simple enough for a weeknight meal!
Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan at a Glance
- Best salad: Chopped Salad
- Best pasta: Instant Pot Pasta
- Best bread: Garlic Bread
- Best vegetable: Mushrooms
- Best potato side: Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Best for entertaining: Bruschetta
Best Side Dishes For Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan pairs best with side dishes that either balance its richness or complement its classic Italian flavors. Fresh salads and vegetables add brightness, while pasta, bread and potatoes create a heartier comfort food meal!
Here are some of the most popular options:
- Soup and salad combinations
- Pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccine or angel hair
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Caesar salad or garden salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
- Rice
Bread Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
I have done all of the experimentation so that this sweet soft dinner rolls recipe is perfect for you! Made using just a few ingredients, these fluffy rolls will adorn your table perfectly.
This 5 minute garlic bread is super easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time!
Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze is an easy, flavorful appetizer that comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
This easy cornbread recipe without buttermilk is the perfect side for any meal. Omit the jalapeño and cheese for the perfect cornbread recipe that everyone will love.
Potato Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
These feta mashed potatoes are ultra creamy, buttery and packed with savory flavor in the best possible way.
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes are an easy, healthy and delicious side for any meal! Even more delicious than French fries and they’re certainly more versatile and go with a lot more dishes.
Salad Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
This broccoli salad with Greek yogurt does not use mayo for a lighter and healthier option, but you’d never be able to tell!
This is the best classic chopped salad recipe you’ll find. It makes a large batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering.
Pasta Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
This trusty guide for How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot takes all the guess work out of cook times, water amounts, and more.
Easy baked spaghetti is a hit with the kids! Dinner is on the table in less than 45 minutes and every belly will be satisfied.
This Italian Pasta Salad is a delicious cold salad that can be made quickly, but that does not lack in flavor! It is packed with pasta, crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, black olives and salami.
Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties and summer potlucks! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil is absolute perfection!
Vegetable Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
These buttery, ranch-flavored Instant Pot Mushrooms are a great side dish and also the perfect party food. They cook them perfectly every single time!
Baked Asparagus is topped with a delicious, savory balsamic butter sauce. It cooks to perfection every time and makes the perfect side to any meal!
Make delicious, perfectly crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts easily and in under 30 minutes. This side dish pairs perfectly with any meal, whether big or small.
Learn how to roast broccoli in the oven so it can accompany your next meal. It is a super simple side dish and requires only 5 minutes of prep!
This Lemon Roasted Vegetables recipe is a dream come true for veggie lovers, offering a low-maintenance, delicious way to enjoy healthy side dishes.
This simple Instant Pot Frozen Vegetables recipe delivers perfectly cooked, straight-from-the-freezer, steamed vegetables every time.
Soup Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
This classic minestrone with pasta recipe is hearty and jam-packed with vegetables and pasta. Use the veggies you have on hand for this super easy dinner.
This Garlic Roasted Tomato Soup is bold, flavorful and comforting with super cozy vibes. It’s also easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is totally family friendly as a starter or part of a main meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken parmesan is traditionally served with pasta such as spaghetti, garlic bread and a simple green salad.
Spaghetti is the classic choice, but chicken parmesan also pairs well with angel hair pasta, fettuccine, penne and linguine. Any pasta that can soak up extra marinara sauce makes a delicious side dish.
Broccoli, green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, zucchini and roasted cauliflower all pair well with chicken parmesan. Fresh or roasted vegetables provide a lighter contrast to the rich breaded chicken, marinara sauce and melted cheese.
Yes! A crisp salad is one of the most popular side dishes for chicken parmesan. Caesar salad, garden salad, cucumber salad and Italian-style salads all add freshness and balance to the meal.
Yes. Spaghetti is the most traditional option, but fettuccine, penne and angel hair pasta are also popular choices.
Garlic bread is the most popular bread to serve with chicken parmesan, but dinner rolls, breadsticks, focaccia and crusty Italian bread are all excellent choices. Bread is perfect for soaking up any extra marinara sauce left on your plate.
Absolutely. Chicken parmesan pairs well with vegetables, salads, rice and potatoes if you’re looking for a lower-carb alternative.
Yes. Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes and even baked potatoes pair surprisingly well with chicken parmesan. Potatoes add an extra layer of comfort and are a great alternative when you want something other than pasta.
To make chicken parmesan a complete meal, pair it with a starch such as pasta, potatoes or bread and add a vegetable or salad. This combination creates a balanced dinner with plenty of flavor, texture and variety.
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