• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Side Dishes
  • Substitutes
  • Comparisons
  • Taste Guides
  • Shelf Life
  • Dinner
  • About

Gusto Meadow

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Side Dishes
  • Substitutes
  • Comparisons
  • Taste Guides
  • Shelf Life
  • Dinner
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Side Dishes
  • Substitutes
  • Comparisons
  • Taste Guides
  • Shelf Life
  • Dinner
  • About
×
Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Roast Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

The top sides for Roast Chicken include Brussel Sprouts with Shredded Parmesan, Charred Sweet Potatoes, Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Coriander, Oven-roasted Butternut Squash, and Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic.

Because roast chicken is meant to be soft and tender, the roasted Brussel sprouts give you the crunch you need

For a lighter option, try Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic. And it tastes especially great when served with roast chicken.

Roast chicken hits the table and everyone's eyes get big.

This bird's a classic. No debate.

Yet, every epic chicken needs its squad of sides.

Think of these sides as the best buddies to our main star. They're here to pump up the volume, to bring in the razzle-dazzle.

We've scoured kitchens far and wide for the top 7.

Ever tried roast chicken with a side of laughter? Or mixed it up with a spoonful of stories from our own mess-ups in the kitchen?

Those were the days. Now, we're ready to share what we've learned.

It's a mix that'll make every bite better.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 7 Ideal Side Dishes for Roast Chicken
    • 1 - Brussel Sprouts with Shredded Parmesan
    • 2 - Charred Sweet Potatoes
    • 3 - Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Coriander
    • 4 - Oven-roasted Butternut Squash
    • 5 - Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic
    • 6 - Fresh and Zesty Arugula Salad
    • 7 - Aromatic Egg Fried Rice
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Ideal Side Dishes for Roast Chicken

1 - Brussel Sprouts with Shredded Parmesan

brussel sprouts with shredded parmesan Save for Later!

As bad a reputation as Brussel sprouts have in the vegetable family; it's undeniable how healthy and tasty they are.

Especially when you pair them with protein-heavy dishes like roast chicken, the freshness of the Brussel sprouts plays a good role in balancing out the flavors - see Brussels sprouts side ideas for perfect pairings.

Because roast chicken is meant to be soft and tender, the roasted Brussel sprouts give you the crunch you need.

And they're so easy to make as well.

If you want to take it a step further, add the chicken broth left over from your roast chicken and let the Brussel sprouts cook in it for a few minutes before you pop it in the oven.

They will absorb the flavors of the broth and give it a pleasant aftertaste.

2 - Charred Sweet Potatoes

charred sweet potatoes Save for Later!

With a savory roast chicken, the best accompaniment is sweet potatoes - or explore sweet potatoes side pairings for bold contrasts.

You get the best of both worlds with a side dish of nicely grilled and charred sweet potatoes.

You can enjoy the taste of a balanced sweet and savory meal.

It is soft and creamy, with a little crunch from the grill.

Throw in some seasonings if you want to amp up the flavors such as oregano or pepper.

Make sure the spices you choose pairs well with tender and juicy roasted chicken.

3 - Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Coriander

creamy mashed potatoes with garlic and coriander Save for Later!

You can never go wrong with mashed and roast chicken. It is a match made in heaven.

The key to getting the creamiest mashed sides is to ensure that your potatoes are all the way cooked and drained of all the water.

Add milk and butter as desired; if you want, you can swap the milk for heavy cream.

This will give it an even creamier texture.

For incorporating the garlic into your mash, the easiest way is to roast your garlic until they are soft and mashable.

Let it mash together with the potatoes so that the flavor is infused.

Finely chop the coriander and add that to the final mix.

Add cheese; if you like your mash with cheese, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and don't forget to mix it well.

If a silky, creamy starch is appealing, creamy polenta side suggestions offer a similar texture with a different grain-based flavor profile.

4 - Oven-roasted Butternut Squash

ovenroasted butternut squash Save for Later!

Roast on roast is always a good idea. For this dish, all you need is healthy butternut squash and an oven.

Chop it into cubes and throw it in the oven after properly coating it with oil and your desired seasonings.

The best is to keep it simple and use salt and pepper.

Let it sit inside the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, and you're done.

It's such a simple side dish, but the taste never fails.

It accompanies the tender roast chicken so well because it is moist and flavorful.

If you have an air fryer, you can swap the oven for an air fryer which will take less time to cook.

For another way to showcase butternut's sweetness, butternut squash soup side ideas highlight complementary dishes that work well with roasted squash.

5 - Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic

sauted asparagus with garlic Save for Later!

Asparagus is a flexible dish that you can pair with almost anything - see bacon-wrapped asparagus side ideas for complementary pairings.

And it tastes especially great when served with roast chicken.

Roast the garlic in a pan with a dash of olive oil and throw in your asparagus.

After coating it well with oil, you can also toss it in the oven.

We recommend that you use olive oil for even more flavor.

Once they are correctly charred and cooked, sprinkle some of your favorite seasonings and enjoy.

It is such a simple dish, but it gives the overall taste some sense of luxury because asparagus is packed with so much aroma.

You can also shred some cheese on top if you want it to be richer.

6 - Fresh and Zesty Arugula Salad

fresh and zesty arugula salad Save for Later!

You can try a lemon-infused arugula salad for a fresh and crunchy side.

It pairs well with roast chicken glazed with a sweet and savory sauce.

You can never go wrong with a fresh green salad as a side dish.

It works as both a texture enhancer and a palate cleanser when you've had too much meat.

Throw in your favorite vegetables like sliced onions, pepper, tomatoes, or some seasonal fruits like pineapple to give you an all-around flavorful salad - or swap in fresh strawberries salad ideas for bright sweetness.

Squeeze some fresh lemon on top and mix well.

7 - Aromatic Egg Fried Rice

aromatic egg fried rice Save for Later!

Rice and chicken is also a classic combination that cannot go wrong.

It's a satisfying meal and works great for an outdoor lunch or dinner.

The way to make foolproof egg fried rice is to use leftover rice.

It has a good texture that is slightly stiff on the outside but still fluffy on the inside.

Throw in some strong sauces and spices, such as soy sauce and oyster sauce, to give you the color and taste you are looking for.

Add as many vegetables as you want. We recommend adding green onions, peas, and mushrooms.

And last but not least, beaten eggs. Then simply add salt to taste, and you're done.

It's simple and easy but still is a great meal.

Many of these sides pair well with other roasts. pot roast side suggestions highlights hearty complements. roast goose side ideas shows richer, festive accompaniments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Roast Chicken?

Because roast chicken is meant to be soft and tender, the roasted Brussel sprouts give you the crunch you need Charred Sweet Potatoes With a savory roast chicken, the best accompaniment is sweet potatoes. Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

Which sides can be prepped the day before?

Grain dishes and roasted vegetables are the best candidates. Because roast chicken holds well in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Store the components separately and combine just before serving to keep textures intact.

How do you avoid overshadowing the main dish?

Keep the seasoning on the side simple. Bold sauces or heavy spices can pull attention away from the main.

Let the supporting dish enhance rather than compete.

Do sides need to match the cuisine style?

Not strictly. Mixing cuisine styles is common in home cooking.

Focus on flavor balance rather than regional matching - the plate will feel cohesive if the tastes work together.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

More Side Dishes

  • What to Serve with Beef Barley Soup? 7 BEST Side Dishes
  • What to Serve with Bo Ssam? 7 BEST Side Dishes
  • What to Serve with Antipasto Squares? 7 BEST Side Dishes
  • What to Serve with Beer Battered Fish? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Primary Sidebar

Andrew Gray - GustoMeadow founder

Hi, I'm Andrew

Food Writer & Recipe Developer

Restaurant industry veteran sharing real recipes, honest substitutes, and tips that actually work in a home kitchen.

Our Story →

Related Posts

  • 5 Best Substitutes for Peppadews Peppers
  • Umami Boosters: 5 Best Substitutes for Mushroom Powder
  • 5 BEST Substitutes for Bell Peppers
  • 5 BEST Substitutes for Rhubarb
  • Delicious Alternatives: 5 BEST Substitutes for Brioche Bread
  • Explore Sweetness: 4 Best Substitutes for Piloncillo

Join 5,000+ Home Cooks

Fresh Recipes Weekly

Easy dinner ideas, smart substitutes, and kitchen tips — every Thursday morning.

Subscribe Free →

Dinner Picks

  • Beef stew recipes
    17 Beef Stew Recipes for Cold-Weather Comfort
  • Steak dinner recipes
    22 Easy Steak Dinner Recipes You Can Make at Home
  • Meatloaf recipes
    20 Creative Meatloaf Recipes for Family Dinners
  • Slow cooker beef recipes
    25 Slow Cooker Beef Recipes to Warm You Up

Browse by Topic

  • Ingredient Substitutes340
  • Side Dishes186
  • Comparisons124
  • Taste Guides89
  • Shelf Life72

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
  • Disclosure

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2026 GustoMeadow