Chicken and dumplings is a staple comfort food for many American families. This soup consists of chicken slowly cooked in water or broth with vegetables. Then the broth is used to cook a dumpling or a small biscuit dough.
Over the years families have adjusted traditional chicken and dumpling recipes to meet the needs of their families. You will find slow cooker chicken and dumpling recipes to vegan chicken and dumpling style recipes and everything in between.
I bet you have your family favorite chicken and dumpling recipe that has been passed down through generations. While it can serve as a complete meal you may be wondering what to serve with chicken and dumplings for dinner.
8 Side Dishes To Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
When deciding what to serve with chicken and dumpling, take into consideration which ingredients you have included in your recipe. Many traditional recipes will use carrots and other vegetables to create a hearty dish. If you have included many hearty vegetables you may want to add a salad or dessert on the side.
Fried Apples
When decided what to serve with chicken and dumplings Fried apples are a southern staple that can’t be beat. This sweet dish gives a nice contrast to the savory soup while also giving a bit of a crunch.
Fried apples can be served as a side dish with your dinner. However, you can also serve fried apples as a dessert with a little bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you prefer.
Fresh Salad Greens
The simplest side dish to serve with chicken and dumplings is a traditional green salad. This light and dish will pair perfectly with a creamy dish.
A fresh green salad will offer a crunch that is not found in chicken and dumplings as well as the fresh crisp vegetables you may be craving.
When creating your perfect salad you may opt to add nuts, veggies, and cheese. Because chicken and dumplings are a cream based dish we recommend using a tart vinaigrette in contrast.
Broccoli Salad
When decided what to serve with chicken and dumplings think about your favorite vegetables and a new twist on them.
Broccoli Salad is a fast side dish that can be put together to serve on a weeknight. Traditionally broccoli salad is made with bacon, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, and dressing making this a flavorful dish to serve.
Broccoli Salad can be prepped in under fifteen minutes or made ahead of time for a quick side dish.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Slicing up your favorite fruits and serving them alongside your chicken and dumplings recipe is a great alternative. If you would like to make the fruit more of a dessert you can drizzle them with a bit of honey for added sweetness.
We love this winter fresh fruit salad by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe because it can be made with seasonally fresh fruit or canned fruit making the dish accessible to anyone.
Mashed Potatoes
If your family favorite recipe is thick then adding a bed of mashed potatoes can be a great dish to serve with your chicken and dumplings.
While we don’t necessarily recommend mashed potatoes for a thinner soup style chicken and dumplings recipe, it works perfectly with crock pot chicken and dumplings.
If you do want to serve your chicken and dumplings with potatoes then you could try fried potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes as an alternative.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin C making them a healthy side dish to enjoy when deciding what to serve with chicken and dumplings. They are in season from September through March in the United States making them to perfect fresh side for this comfort food dinner.
Making these perfectly roasted brussel sprouts will add a sweet and nutty dish to your creamy chicken and dumplings recipe.
Green Beans
Green beans are our favorite side dish for chicken and dumplings. These crunchy and nutritious beans will add a pop of color to your meal.
You can keep the green beans traditional by sauteing them in a skillet or you can add balsamic and walnuts to elevate the side dish.
Creamed Corn
Creamed corn complements the chicken and dumplings with its mild delicate flavor. The crunch of the corn is a great compliment to the richness of the main dish.
Making homemade creamed corn takes about 15 minutes of cook time making this a quick side dish to serve.
If you feel like a creamy side dish may be too heavy, you could serve chicken and dumplings with grilled corn or corn in a butter sauce as well.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
When deciding what to serve with chicken and dumplings you have many options. You can serve it as a standalone dish or you can add your favorite fresh vegetables to elevate the dish.
Pairing this classic dish with any of these side dishes will create a meal experience your whole family will love. The best part is most of these side dishes can be made quickly or ahead of time if you are in a pinch on a weeknight!