Chicken tenders are a beloved staple for many families, offering a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing meal. Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch, finding the perfect side dish can elevate your chicken tender experience. This guide explores 20 fantastic side dishes that pair wonderfully with chicken tenders, ranging from classic comfort foods to healthier vegetable options and flavorful pasta salads. Get ready to discover new favorites that will complement your crispy chicken strips!
Classic & Comforting Sides for Chicken Tenders
For a truly satisfying and nostalgic meal, you can’t go wrong with classic comfort food sides. These options are always a hit, especially with kids, and provide a familiar and delicious pairing for chicken tenders.
Crispy Oven Baked Fries
Oven-baked fries are a quintessential side for chicken tenders. This recipe for Crispy Oven Baked Fries from Valerie’s Kitchen promises perfectly crispy fries with just three simple ingredients. Baking them instead of frying makes them a slightly healthier choice while still delivering that satisfying crunch.
Homemade Potato Chips
Take your potato game up a notch with Homemade Potato Chips. Chef Savvy’s method of starting the chips in cold oil ensures they cook through and become crispy without needing to double fry. Season them to your liking and serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a delightful crispy side.
Oven Roasted Potato Wedges
Oven Roasted Potato Wedges from I Heart Eating are another excellent potato option. Easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite spices, these wedges can be roasted in the oven while you focus on the chicken tenders. Their hearty texture and roasted flavor make them a substantial and satisfying side.
Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Nothing screams comfort food quite like Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese. This recipe from The Toasty Kitchen uses gruyere and cheddar cheeses for a rich and flavorful sauce. The creamy texture and cheesy goodness of mac and cheese create a delightful contrast to the crispy chicken tenders. Feel free to use macaroni, shells, or any medium-sized pasta you prefer.
Bowl of creamy stovetop mac and cheese with a serving spoon, perfect side dish for chicken tenders.
Healthy & Veggie-Packed Sides for Chicken Tenders
Balance out your meal and add some nutritional value with these delicious vegetable-based side dishes. Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and creates a flavorful and healthy complement to chicken tenders.
Oven Roasted Zucchini
Make the most of garden zucchini with Oven Roasted Zucchini. This simple recipe from Zucchini Zone involves thick slices of zucchini tossed in olive oil and Italian herbs, then roasted until tender. It’s an easy way to add a healthy and flavorful vegetable to your plate.
Cheesy Broccoli
For a kid-friendly way to enjoy broccoli, try Cheesy Broccoli from The Toasty Kitchen. This recipe uses a versatile cheese sauce (without flour) to coat steamed broccoli. The creamy cheese sauce makes broccoli more appealing and pairs wonderfully with the crispy chicken.
Easy Sheet Pan Roasted Green Beans with Lemon
Brighten up your meal with Easy Sheet Pan Roasted Green Beans with Lemon from Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen. These green beans are quick to prepare, roast in the oven in no time, and require only one sheet pan for minimal cleanup. The lemon adds a zesty flavor that complements the chicken tenders beautifully.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus
Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus from Two Cloves Kitchen offers a nutritious and versatile side dish. Roasting these vegetables caramelizes them and enhances their flavor. Customize the spices to match your meal and enjoy a healthy and delicious side.
Sauteed Carrots
Sauteed Carrots from Organically Addison is a quick and easy skillet dish ready in just 15 minutes. These carrots are subtly sweet, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, making them a great pairing for chicken tenders, whether for a weeknight meal or a holiday gathering.
Roasted Zucchini and Broccoli
Combine two healthy vegetables with Roasted Zucchini and Broccoli. This recipe from Zucchini Zone seasons fresh vegetables and tops them with parmesan cheese before roasting to perfection in under 40 minutes. It’s a simple and flavorful way to get your veggies in.
Fresh & Flavorful Salad & Pasta Sides for Chicken Tenders
Move beyond basic sides with these fresh and flavorful salad and pasta dishes. These options offer a variety of textures and tastes that can make your chicken tender meal more exciting and satisfying.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
If you’re a dill pickle lover, you have to try Dill Pickle Pasta Salad from Mom Foodie. This unique pasta salad is a conversation starter and a surprisingly delicious side for chicken tenders. Bring it to a potluck or enjoy it as a standout side at home.
Gray stone bowl of dill pickle pasta salad with metal spoon, a unique side dish for chicken tenders.
Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad
For a lighter and brighter pasta salad, opt for Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad. This recipe from Zucchini Zone is packed with fresh summer produce like zucchini, summer squash, bell pepper, tomatoes, and corn, all tossed in a homemade vinaigrette dressing. It’s a refreshing and colorful side perfect for warmer weather.
Panzanella Toscana Salad
Panzanella Toscana Salad from The Cinnamon Jar is a unique and flavorful salad that uses large chunks of toasted garlic bread along with cucumbers, basil, onions, and tomatoes. This hearty salad is best made a few hours or even a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld together and creating a truly special side dish.
Parmesan Orzo and Peas
Parmesan Orzo and Peas from The Toasty Kitchen is a simple yet flavorful pasta side. Orzo cooked in chicken broth provides a rich base, while garlic, parmesan, and peas add freshness and flavor. This dish is quick to prepare and pairs seamlessly with chicken tenders.
Greek Fried Zucchini
For a crispy and flavorful vegetable side with a Mediterranean twist, try Greek Fried Zucchini. These zucchini chips from Zucchini Zone are made with thin slices of zucchini dipped in batter and fried until golden and crunchy. Serve them with a creamy dip for an irresistible appetizer-like side dish.
Lemon Feta Fries
Elevate your fry game with Lemon Feta Fries from Entirely Elizabeth. These aren’t your average fries! Crispy fries are topped with feta, mozzarella, lemon, and spices for a burst of flavor. They’re a fun and flavorful upgrade to classic fries and a fantastic pairing with chicken tenders.
Plate of lemon feta fries, an elevated and flavorful potato side for chicken tenders.
Crispy Accordion Potatoes
Crispy Accordion Potatoes from Saving Your Dinero are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. These thinly sliced potato discs are surprisingly easy to make and can be seasoned in various ways, even with cheese. Their unique texture and flavor make them a delightful side for chicken tenders.
Quick & Easy Sides for Chicken Tenders
When you’re short on time, these quick and easy side dishes are perfect. They require minimal prep and cooking time, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
Air Fryer Carrots and Potatoes
If you own an air fryer, Air Fryer Carrots and Potatoes from Sava’s Kitchen are a must-try. In just minutes, you can have crispy on the outside and tender on the inside roasted vegetables that pair perfectly with chicken tenders.
Air fryer pan with roasted potatoes and carrots, a quick side dish option for chicken tenders.
How to Cook Frozen Broccoli
For ultimate convenience, How to Cook Frozen Broccoli from Freezer Foodie is your go-to guide. This recipe explains how to cook frozen broccoli perfectly every time, no matter your seasoning. Frozen broccoli is a readily available and budget-friendly option for a quick vegetable side.
Baked Zucchini Sticks
Baked Zucchini Sticks from Zucchini Zone are an easy appetizer or side dish made with simple ingredients. Thin zucchini sticks are breaded with toasted panko, parmesan, and ranch seasoning, then baked in the oven until crispy. They are a healthier alternative to fried zucchini sticks and require minimal effort.
Plate of baked zucchini sticks with ranch dressing, an easy appetizer or side for chicken tenders.
Find Your Perfect Chicken Tender Side Dish
With 20 diverse and delicious side dishes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect accompaniment for your chicken tenders. Whether you’re craving classic comfort food, healthy vegetables, or flavorful salads and pastas, this list offers something for everyone. Experiment with these recipes and discover your family’s new favorite side dish for chicken tender night!
