What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan
Whether you’re organising a special dinner for friends or a simple midweek meal for the family, there are lots of choices for what to serve with chicken parmesan. Let’s have a look at your options!
Chicken parmesan, or chicken Parmigiana as it’s also known, is a dish that consists of a succulent chicken breast, breaded and then smothered with a rich tomato and topped with mozzarella, parmesan, or provolone cheese.
It’s a favourite in many Italian restaurants, though it has close culinary relatives right across the globe. It’s popular in North America (particularly in New York), Argentina, Australia, and even the North East of England.
In Middlesborough, it’s known as a parmo, and tends to be covered in béchamel sauce rather than tomato. The British parmo stars on menus in top end gastro pubs right through to the pizza shops that you’ll come across on the high street.
But if you’re making it at home, you might be keen to discover the best side dishes for chicken parmesan…
1. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is the traditional and probably most popular side dish for chicken parmesan, and there’s a very good reason for that!
Strands of satisfying pasta, tossed with that juicy marina sauce, makes for the ultimate in comfort food.
Be sure to add a little freshly grated parmesan cheese, and a few sprigs of fresh basil for extra colour and flavour. The result will be a vibrant dish that wouldn’t be out of place in a fancy restaurant.
Of course, you don’t need to stick with spaghetti.
Any variety of pasta that you have in the cupboard will be just as good! Penne, rigatoni, farfalle, and orzo are all good contenders.
2. Spiralised vegetables
If you’re trying to cut down on the carbohydrates, or you just want a lighter option, then spiralled veggies can make a good substitute for pasta.
Some good options include courgette, carrot, beetroot, and butternut squash. You can make your own at home, though many supermarkets now sell readymade packets that will save you a little time.
They can be served raw, but they’re delicious when panfried with a little olive oil, garlic, and chilli.
Spiralised veggies are low in calories, and they’re also a great option for what to serve with chicken parmesan if you’re also planning to serve up a starter and a dessert.
Sometimes, it’s nice to let your guests save a little room for something sweet at the end of the meal!
3. Potato chips or fries
If you’re anything like me, you’ll consider chips or fries to be an excellent side dish for almost any meal that you can imagine!
Though this is definitely not a traditional Italian option, it’s oh so satisfying and makes for a filling meal that you will keep you full for longer.
Though you can pick up quick and easy oven chips from any store, making your own can be straightforward and the results are usually far superior.
My homemade chips recipe can be made either with an oven or an Actifry, and the results are fluffy on the outside and crispy on the outside. Perfect!
4. Jacket potato
A jacket potato can often be a little healthier than chips, but it’s just as delicious when you’re in the mood for a potato based side dish.
They’re best cooked in the oven, though this can take quite some time.
To speed things up a little, prick your potato all over with a fork, and microwave for around 5-8 minutes or until tender. Then, spritz with cooking spray, season, and bake in the oven until browned and crispy.
If you’re feeling indulgent, serve with a knob of butter.
5. Steamed broccoli
Broccoli is nutritious, delicious, and its lovely vibrancy means that it’ll create a meal that really wows your guests.
Serve simply steamed, and melt over a little bit of butter before serving.
6. Garlic roast potatoes
Garlic roasties are a real treat, and their Italian vibes mean that they’re a great choice for what to serve with chicken parmesan.
I prefer to parboil mine slightly on the hob, shake in a colander to create the crispy bits, and then finish in the oven.
If you really want to push the boat out for a special occasion, then I highly recommend these garlic and rosemary roast potatoes. They’re cooked in goose fat with plenty of garlic and herbs, and they’re absolutely delicious!
7. Kale
Did you know that kale is considered to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet?
It’s packed full of goodness including powerful antioxidants and vitamin C, and it can also be super tasty when it’s prepared with a little care and attention.
Try sautéing your greens on a hot skillet, with a little olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, then drizzle over some freshly squeezed lemon juice to serve.
Kale is also really good when served as a side dish with bacon lardons.
Alternatively, you could make your own crispy kale as a bed for your chicken parmesan. It takes hardly any time at all in the oven, and it also makes a delicious healthy snack!
8. Salad
Particularly in the warmer summer months, you can’t beat a fresh side salad when you’re considering what to serve with chicken parmesan.
Chop up lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, carrot, cabbage, celery, and red onion, and serve with a drizzle of a simple olive oil dressing.
If you’ve having friends over, you could arrange an impressive salad platter in the middle of the table for guests to help themselves.
9. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in fibre and many key vitamins and nutrients, and they also happen to be totally scrumptious.
If you want to add a little extra goodness and colour to your plate, there are plenty of options for preparing sweet potatoes.
These include chips, baked sweet potato, sweet potato mash, and more.
My personal favourite is sweet potato mash. Simply peel your potatoes and boil or steam until soft, then gently mash and a little cream or butter.
10. Green beans
Green beans have such a pleasing crunch when they’re lightly steamed, making them a delectable side dish for chicken parmesan that’s also packed with goodness.
They’re high in vitamin K, calcium, and they also serve up a decent serving folate, which is recommended for pregnant women.
These lemony green beans from Jamie Oliver are a simple but delicious option.
11. Mashed potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are so simple yet indulgent, and are a wonderful option for serving with chicken parmesan during the autumn and winter months.
For the best results, you’ll want to use a fluffy, starchy potato such as Maris Piper or King Edwards.
The combination of creamy potato with that beautiful, rich tomato sauce and morsels of tender chicken is a real winner!
12. Rice
Rice is one of my favourite side dishes, and it goes so well with chicken served with a tomato sauce.
Despite is being a staple in households right around the world though, many people find cooking it to be a real challenge.
For perfect results every time, rinse before cooking to get rid of any excess starch. Cook for ten minutes with a lid on the pan, and resist the urge to stir. If you do, it’ll likely break up and turn sticky!
If you have time, once your rice is cooked, cover with a tea towel and leave for a further ten minutes before fluffing up with a fork. This will give you that beautiful texture that you often get in restaurants.
To make sure that you plate is visually appealing, add some salad or green veggies too.
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