What to Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta? 7 BEST Side Dishes

You obtain the most pleasant flavors when you add pesto to chicken pasta.

So, a big thanks to the person who thought to make a dish with this combination.

Pesto is a fresh Italian sauce traditionally prepared in a marble mortar with a wooden pestle.

Chicken pesto pasta is a dish consisting of all three ingredients, and it's not just delicious but also pairs off well with plenty of items.

So, what to serve with chicken pesto pasta? If you are looking for some answers, don't go anywhere as we list the seven best dishes that you can serve with it.

7 Side Dishes to Pair with Chicken Pesto Pasta

The following are the best seven dishes you can serve alongside chicken pesto pasta.

So, take a look and include them when you make the chicken dish - or compare to beer can chicken side suggestions for grilling meals.

1 - Creamy Potato Salad

Save for Later!

Let's start the list with a dish that consists of the humble potato.

A creamy potato salad is filling, yummy, and compatible with chicken pesto pasta.

It's an ideal side dish, especially if you have many guests to serve - or consider creamy polenta side ideas for large gatherings.

You will find different types of potatoes on the market; 'waxy,' 'floury,' and 'new'.

Each variety is suitable for a specific dish.

For salads, new spuds are the best because they retain their structure when cooked.

So, look for new potatoes; if these aren't available, you can get fingerlings as they're smaller and retain their shape too.

Use your favorite seasonings and ingredients to create a yummy and creamy salad.

2 - Steamed Broccoli

Save for Later!

The green veggie is often overlooked, but broccoli is compatible with many other foods.

Whether you make a fresh salad, stir-fry, or steam, each dish is unique and flavorful.

Steamed broccoli works nicely with chicken pesto pasta, too, and so it's here on the list - and for a different pairing, see beef and broccoli side pairings for hearty meals.

The dish is also one of the easiest to make, and you can do a considerable amount in one go.

Broccoli also contains plenty of nutrients and has gained attention because of them having potential cancer fighting properties.

So, a dish with green vegetables is a healthy choice.

It adds freshness and crunchiness and balances the flavors of the chicken dish.

3 - Baked Beans

Save for Later!

It may be a simple dish, but it's delicious and can work nicely with chicken pesto pasta - similarly, baked potato side pairings for comfort meals fill the same role.

The dish originated in Native American cuisine, but baked beans have become a favorite comfort food in many households.

You will also find plenty of variations, but you can go with the classic version too.

You can find canned baked beans on the market, too, but making the dish from scratch can be more satisfying.

There are several bean varieties, but for this dish, it's best to choose navy beans, kidney beans, Great Navy beans, or pinto beans.

4 - Coleslaw

Save for Later!

A bowl of fresh salad can provide nourishment and add a crunchy texture to your meal.

So, let's add coleslaw to the list.

It goes with chicken pesto pasta, and it's one of the simplest dishes to make - keep serving size and freshness in mind with coleslaw storage and shelf-life guidance.

The main ingredient of the salad is cabbage.

The veggie belongs to the Brassica genus of vegetables and comes in various shapes and colors.

Any type is suitable for making coleslaw, so you can use different shades to give your salad a bright appearance.

Add a vinaigrette or mayonnaise, depending on availability.

Either will taste fabulous, bringing a freshness to the chicken dish.

5 - Caprese Salad

Save for Later!

It's an Italian salad with the colors of the country's flag; red, white, and green.

But Caprese salad can be a fine side dish with chicken pesto pasta - for similar flavor matches, try Caprese chicken side ideas for fresh pairings.

The freshness of the former tones down the richness of the latter, making the meal more balanced.

Caprese salad is also easy to make as you need very few ingredients, with the main items being basil leaves, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.

You slice the tomatoes and cheese into round shapes and place them on a plate one after the other alternately.

Finally, add the basil leaves, olive oil, and salt to taste.

6 - Fresh Rainbow Salad

Save for Later!

Since chicken pesto pasta is a rich and filling dish, so another salad dish won't hurt.

A bowl of colorful fresh salad can be the perfect accompaniment to the pasta dish - or pair fruit-forward sides like fresh strawberries side pairings for vibrant salads.

Vegetables come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

So, you can choose veggies with different shades to make them bright and cheerful.

Carrot (white and orange), beet, tomato, red and white onion, lettuce, purple and red cabbage, cucumber, and basil can make a beautiful-looking rainbow salad.

You can add a favorite salad dressing depending on the veggies that you use.

7 - Garlic Bread

Save for Later!

Easy to make but hard to resist, we finally have garlic bread on the list.

It's the only bread dish but an ideal pairing with chicken pesto pasta.

We guarantee that you won't be disappointed choosing garlic bread as one of the side dishes to serve with the pasta.

If you're wondering what's garlic bread, the answer is simple.

It's toasted bread made from French bread with olive oil or butter, cheese (optional), herbs, and loads of garlic.

The final product is crispy brown bread with tons of garlic flavor and aroma, something you and your guests will enjoy.

Rotisserie meals match many of the same sides; rotisserie chicken side pairings for easy dinners lists complementary options. For rice-based mains, chicken fried rice side suggestions for balanced meals works through flavorful contrasts.