Serve Caprese Chicken alongside Lemon-Roasted Asparagus, Baked Stuffed Artichokes, Zucchini Carpaccio Salad, Greek Quinoa Salad, and Spinach and Italian Polenta Bake.
Lemon-Roasted Asparagus -
Asparagus is known to bring class and elegance to any meal.
For a lighter option, try Spinach and Italian Polenta Bake. It has a creamy spinach layer and soft polenta that gives the best flavors to pair with Caprese chicken.
Originated in the Campania region of Italy, Caprese Salad consists of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, sweet basil, and in this case- chicken.
Similar to pizza Margherita, Caprese salads feature the three Italian flag colors- white, green, and red.
It is typically served as a starter (antipasto) and can be served at any time.
Caprese chicken makes an excellent main course regardless of the occasion.
However, it can be quite a pickle when you're deciding what to serve with it.
Check out our list of ten amazing side dishes if you're wondering what to serve with Caprese chicken.
10 Side Dishes to Serve with Caprese Chicken
1 - Lemon-Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus is known to bring class and elegance to any meal.
Try lemon-roasted asparagus to give these stalks more freshness and flavor to go with your chicken - or see bacon-wrapped asparagus side ideas for alternative asparagus pairings.
The asparagus' earthiness combines well with the Caprese chicken's flavors.
It also adds a nice crunch to the meal, which contrasts nicely with the decadent chicken.
You'll need asparagus, unsalted butter, lemon, parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper for this side dish.
Bake the asparagus spears for ten minutes at 400 degrees.
TIP: You can ensure the asparagus does not have tough, fibrous ends by breaking them off on the ends.
If it doesn't snap, keep breaking until it does.
2 - Baked Stuffed Artichokes
If you want to present a showstopper, baked stuffed artichokes are your best friend - similar baked options appear in baked potato side dish ideas.
Serve this side dish with Caprese chicken to bring elegance and romance to the meal.
The aromatic artichokes baked with parmesan, lemon, garlic, capers, and breadcrumbs will have everyone salivating when you place the dish on the table.
Nevertheless, it is always ideal to ensure that your side dish doesn't overpower the main course.
Use small artichokes and go easy on the extra seasonings if you plan to add your own flare.
3 - Zucchini Carpaccio Salad
If you want to keep your meal on the light side, we recommend serving zucchini carpaccio salad with Caprese chicken - or try zucchini boats side pairings for another light option.
This salad is fresh, bright, flavorful, and certainly unique.
It is perfect for any time of the day, and you can serve it as an entrée or a side dish.
To make it, you'll need zucchini, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, toasted pignoli, and parmesan.
Since this dish takes only around 15 to 20 minutes to make, you don't have to worry about spending hours in the kitchen to make a side dish.
You can add more colors to the dish by including yellow squash slices.
They also go well with Caprese chicken.
4 - Greek Quinoa Salad
There's a reason why this dish has a lot of fans - see Greek pasta salad side suggestions for more Mediterranean-style accompaniments.
It prioritizes plant-based ingredients containing healthy nutrients that boost good health, reduce disease risks, and longevity of life.
Whether you're a fan of veggies or not, you'll love this Greek cuisine that's packed with flavors and healthy foods.
For the seasoning, you can use oregano, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and anything else you prefer.
Rich in fiber, protein, and B vitamins, Quinoa is a superfood that blends well with different types of flavors.
If you want your meal to be hearty, comforting, and filling, Greek quinoa salad is the right addition to the table.
5 - Spinach and Italian Polenta Bake
If you want a carbohydrate-rich side dish to accompany your chicken but are not a fan of pasta, spinach, and Italian polenta bake will do the trick - pair with spinach dip side ideas for extra leafy flavor.
It has a creamy spinach layer and soft polenta that gives the best flavors to pair with Caprese chicken.
Use a balsamic glaze and sweet tomatoes to give the dish a sharp edge.
Spinach and Italian polenta bake, a.k.a. polenta al Forno, is a decadent Italian dish that brings comfort to every meal.
It is the perfect addition to your table if you want to ensure your guests are full and happy.
6 - Pea Risotto
Make your home-cooked meal restaurant-quality by serving pea risotto with Caprese chicken - pea-forward sides like split pea soup side suggestions also complement the menu.
This side dish contains pea puree that gives it a striking green color.
And adding mascarpone makes it extra cheesy and creamy.
You can balance the richness of the risotto and keep it on the lighter side by adding mint and lemon juice.
Pea risotto is effortless, healthy, and a colorful addition to the table when you have people to impress.
7 - Lemon Rice
If you want to serve rice but want to keep it interesting, lemon rice is the perfect option - brighten the table further with lemon curd side suggestions for citrusy notes.
It is a fresh take on your regular bowl of rice.
You can use lemon juice or grated zest to give the rice its flavor.
This side dish pairs well with Caprese chicken as it balances the rich flavors of the main dish while also keeping you full.
Lemon rice is easy to make.
Ditch the boring plain rice and opt for this variety to keep your meal unique and flavorful.
8 - Tomato and Zucchini Gratin
If you want to put your vegetables to good use, a tomato and zucchini gratin is an excellent option.
It works as a side dish for Caprese chicken plus adds more deliciousness to your meal.
Sautee and bake your cherry tomatoes and zucchini with bread crumbs, thyme, and parmesan cheese.
It's a quick and easy recipe for you to make regardless of the occasion.
The tomato and zucchini will beautifully balance and bring together the flavors of the Caprese chicken without overpowering it.
That's just what you need when creating a side dish.
The best thing about this side dish is that it uses fresh, natural ingredients.
9 - Pasta Fagioli
What's more comforting than Italian soups? Prepare pasta Fagioli for dinner if you're serving Caprese chicken.
This combination is unbeatable when you want to enjoy a warm, comforting meal.
Although the name sounds fancy, it's really a simple and easy soup anyone can make.
You'll need cannellini beans, chicken and tomato broth, seasonings, and ditalini pasta.
Some versions of pasta Fagioli contain meat, but you can omit it if you want to keep only one meat dish on the table.
Substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth if you want to go vegan.
10 - Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash
Are you a fan of Cacio e Pepe but feel guilty about taking in all those calories? Don't worry; we have a healthier version- try Cacio e Pepe spaghetti squash.
The texture of spaghetti squash resembles angel hair pasta and beautifully soaks the sauce's cheesy flavors.
With proteins from the main dish and other nutrients from the squash, you can enjoy a balanced and complete meal.
This modified Italian pasta dish is low-carb, low-fat, and amazingly comforting for those who want to enjoy a warm and hearty meal on a cold day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lemon-Roasted Asparagus Asparagus is known to bring class and elegance to any meal. Baked Stuffed Artichokes If you want to present a showstopper, baked stuffed artichokes are your best friend.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
Grain dishes and roasted vegetables are the best candidates. Lemon-Roasted Asparagus Asparagus holds well in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Store the components separately and combine just before serving to keep textures intact.
Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.
Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.
Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.
See how different chicken mains change side choices: beer can chicken side pairings fits casual backyard meals. rotisserie chicken side ideas complements dinner-party roasts.