Chicken and dumplings is the quintessential comfort food. This hearty dish, brimming with tender chicken and soft dumplings in a rich, creamy sauce, is a meal in itself. But when you’re looking to create a balanced and truly satisfying dinner, choosing the right side dishes is key. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Chicken Dumplings, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll explore a variety of delectable side dishes, from classic pairings to unexpected complements, ensuring your chicken and dumplings dinner is a resounding success.
Overhead view of chicken and dumplings surrounded by various side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread.
Finding the perfect side dish for chicken and dumplings is similar to selecting accompaniments for other rich and comforting meals like mac and cheese or lasagna. The goal is to enhance the main course without overshadowing it or creating a meal that feels too heavy. Since chicken and dumplings is already quite filling, you’ll want side dishes that offer a contrast in texture and flavor, preventing that dreaded food coma feeling.
Understanding Chicken and Dumplings
Before diving into side dish suggestions, let’s appreciate what makes chicken and dumplings so special. It’s a dish characterized by its creamy, savory sauce, tender pieces of chicken, and, of course, the dumplings themselves. These dumplings can range from fluffy, biscuit-like drop dumplings to flat, noodle-style dumplings, each adding a unique texture to the meal. This richness and heartiness is what we need to consider when choosing side dishes. We want to balance the richness with freshness, and complement the comforting flavors without adding unnecessary heaviness.
Top Side Dishes for Chicken Dumplings
When considering what goes well with chicken dumplings, think about creating a balanced plate. The best side dishes will either cut through the richness of the creamy sauce or enhance the overall comfort food experience without being too similar in texture or flavor profile.
Classic Comfort Sides
For those who want to lean into the comfort food aspect of chicken and dumplings, these classic sides are always a hit:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a natural pairing with chicken and dumplings. They offer a similar comforting texture but in a different form, and are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Rice: A simple serving of white rice or brown rice acts as a blank canvas, allowing the flavors of the chicken and dumplings to shine. Like mashed potatoes, rice is excellent for absorbing the delicious sauce.
- Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits are a bread lover’s dream side for chicken and dumplings. They echo the dumpling element but offer a different crumb and can be used to mop up every last bit of creamy goodness.
- Cornbread or Corn Muffins: Slightly sweet cornbread or corn muffins provide a delightful textural and flavor contrast to the savory chicken and dumplings. The crumbly texture and subtle sweetness are a welcome addition.
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread, with its crispy crust and soft, garlicky interior, adds a flavorful carbohydrate element that complements the creamy dish.
- Breadsticks: Simple breadsticks, whether soft or crispy, are easy to eat and provide another vehicle for enjoying the sauce.
- Corn Casserole: Creamy corn casserole, while still rich, offers a different kind of creaminess and sweetness that can be a pleasant addition to the meal, especially if you enjoy corn with chicken dishes.
- Sandwiches: While perhaps less traditional, a light sandwich, particularly if you are serving a soupier version of chicken and dumplings, can be a surprisingly good pairing. Think of a simple ham and cheese or a turkey and swiss.
Vegetable Sides for Freshness
To balance the richness of chicken and dumplings and add nutritional value, incorporating vegetables is crucial. These vegetable sides offer freshness, flavor contrast, and often a lighter texture:
- Broccoli: Steamed, roasted, or even a simple broccoli salad provides a healthy and slightly bitter counterpoint to the creamy richness of the main dish.
- Roasted Potatoes: While potatoes might seem redundant with dumplings, roasted potatoes offer a different texture and flavor profile compared to mashed potatoes, adding heartiness without being overly creamy.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Brussels sprouts, especially when prepared with bacon or a balsamic glaze, offer a slightly bitter and savory flavor that cuts through the richness of the chicken and dumplings.
- Green Beans: Steamed, sautéed, or roasted green beans are a light and refreshing side that adds a touch of green to the plate and a welcome textural contrast.
- Peas: Simple steamed peas or peas with butter and herbs offer a sweet and tender vegetable side that is easy to prepare and enjoy.
- Corn: Steamed corn on the cob, creamed corn, or corn kernels sautéed with butter are classic vegetable sides that complement chicken beautifully and add a touch of sweetness.
- Steamed Corn: A simple and sweet side that pairs well with the savory chicken and dumplings.
- Sautéed Zucchini and Squash: Lightly sautéed zucchini and squash offer a delicate and slightly sweet vegetable component that is both healthy and flavorful.
- Carrots: Roasted or glazed carrots provide sweetness and a pleasing texture contrast.
- Green Peas: Sweet and tender, green peas are a classic and simple side that adds a pop of color.
- Zucchini Fritters: For a more indulgent vegetable side, zucchini fritters offer a crispy and flavorful option.
- Collard Greens: If you want a Southern-inspired meal, collard greens, often braised with bacon or ham hocks, provide a savory and slightly bitter green vegetable side.
- Fried Green Tomatoes: Another Southern classic, fried green tomatoes offer a tangy and crispy side dish that adds a unique flavor and texture contrast.
Bread Sides for Sopping Up Sauce
Beyond biscuits and cornbread, other bread options can be fantastic for soaking up every last drop of that delicious chicken and dumpling sauce:
- Dinner Rolls: Soft and fluffy dinner rolls are a simple and satisfying side for any comfort food meal, and chicken and dumplings is no exception.
- Bacon Cornbread: Elevate your cornbread with bacon for an even more flavorful and savory bread side that complements the chicken and dumplings beautifully.
- Quick Cheese Bread: Cheesy bread adds another layer of comforting flavor and texture, and a quick cheese bread recipe can be ready in minutes.
- Spoon Bread: A Southern classic, spoon bread is a moist and tender cornmeal pudding that is perfect for scooping up the creamy sauce.
- Oat Flour Bread: For a slightly healthier option, oat flour bread offers a nutty flavor and satisfying texture that pairs well with savory dishes.
Salad Sides for Balance
To really cut through the richness and add a refreshing element to your meal, consider a salad:
- Fresh Green Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a light and acidic counterpoint to the creamy chicken and dumplings.
- Harvest Salad: A harvest salad with apples, cranberries, nuts, and a light vinaigrette offers a more substantial and flavorful salad option that is still refreshing.
- Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw, while still rich, offers a cool and crunchy contrast that can be surprisingly refreshing alongside the warm chicken and dumplings.
- Broccoli Salad: Broccoli salad, with its creamy dressing, bacon, and cranberries, offers a more substantial and flavorful salad that is still relatively light and refreshing.
- Strawberry Feta Salad: For a more unexpected and vibrant salad, a strawberry feta salad with balsamic vinaigrette offers a sweet, salty, and acidic contrast that can be surprisingly delightful.
Sides to Avoid with Chicken and Dumplings
While many dishes pair well with chicken and dumplings, some are best avoided as they can be too similar in texture, flavor, or richness, leading to a less balanced and enjoyable meal.
- Soups: Since chicken and dumplings is essentially a hearty, creamy soup itself, serving another soup as a side dish is generally redundant and can be overwhelming.
- Mac and Cheese: Both mac and cheese and chicken and dumplings are rich, creamy, and cheesy comfort foods. Serving them together would be an overload of similar flavors and textures.
- Pasta (in rich sauces): While plain pasta or pasta with butter might be acceptable, avoid pasta dishes with rich, heavy sauces, as they will compete with the creaminess of the chicken and dumplings.
- Meat (heavy proteins): Chicken and dumplings already features chicken as the main protein. Serving another heavy meat dish as a side can make the meal feel too heavy and unbalanced, unless you are specifically aiming for a very protein-heavy meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to reheat chicken and dumplings?
The key to reheating chicken and dumplings is to do it gently and slowly. The stovetop is ideal for reheating, allowing you to control the heat and stir frequently. If the sauce has thickened too much, simply add a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore its creamy consistency.
Can you freeze leftovers?
Yes, chicken and dumplings can be frozen. However, it’s crucial to thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, and again, add a little broth or milk if the sauce has become too thick.
What is the best way to season chicken and dumplings?
The foundation of flavorful chicken and dumplings is a good quality chicken broth or stock. Start with a well-seasoned broth. When adjusting the seasoning of your dish, begin with salt and pepper. Often, that’s all it takes. For added richness, you can also stir in a touch of cream or evaporated milk.
Delicious Side Dish Recipes
To help you create the perfect chicken and dumplings meal, here are some fantastic recipe ideas for side dishes mentioned above:
1. Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Close-up of smashed potatoes topped with herbs and butter, showcasing their crispy edges and creamy interiors.
This Smashed Potatoes recipe offers a delightful twist on mashed potatoes with crispy edges and creamy centers, drizzled with browned butter for extra flavor.
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2. Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Apples
Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Apples transform Brussels sprouts into a savory-sweet side dish, perfect for converting even the most hesitant vegetable eaters.
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3. Creamy, Fluffy Gluten-Free Corn Casserole (Extra Easy)
A serving dish of gluten-free corn casserole, highlighting its creamy texture and golden-brown top.
This Gluten-Free Corn Casserole is incredibly easy to make, delivering a creamy and comforting cornbread casserole without any Jiffy mix.
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4. 20 Minute Roasted Zucchini (Not Soggy!)
Learn the secret to perfectly Roasted Zucchini that’s tender and flavorful, not soggy, in just 20 minutes.
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5. Seriously, THE BEST Fluffy Gluten-Free Biscuits
A split gluten-free biscuit revealing its fluffy interior, with a jar of jam in the background.
These Gluten-Free Biscuits are unbelievably fluffy and tender, ready in under an hour and perfect for serving with chicken and dumplings.
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6. Sheet Pan Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes
Sheet Pan Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon combine classic flavors into an easy, hands-off side dish that’s both crispy and flavorful.
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7. Moist Gluten-Free Corn Muffins (Easy Recipe!)
A basket filled with gluten-free corn muffins, showcasing their golden-brown tops and moist texture.
These Gluten-Free Corn Muffins are just as easy as using Jiffy mix, resulting in fluffy, lightly sweet muffins with crispy, buttery tops.
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8. Cheese Grits Casserole
Easy Cheese Grits Casserole is a comforting and cheesy side dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dinner alongside chicken and dumplings.
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9. Crispy Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Oven-roasted cabbage steaks on a baking sheet, highlighting their caramelized edges and tender centers.
Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks are a simple and hands-off side dish, offering buttery, caramelized cabbage with crispy edges.
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10. Baked Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole with Cheddar
Baked Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole with Cheddar is a comforting and cheesy vegetable side dish that can be made ahead and is delicious with fresh or frozen vegetables.
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