What To Serve With Chicken and Dumplings

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Chicken and dumplings is a hearty, rich, and creamy soup that is the perfect comfort food to serve on cold winter evenings or rainy, dreary days.

It’s created by cooking chicken in water then using the broth to boil the dumplings. The dumplings are made from a biscuit type dough made with flour, shortening, and liquid.

If you’re looking for something to serve with this savory soup, look no further. Here are 17 appetizing side dishes to serve with your chicken and dumplings.

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17 Side Dishes to Serve With Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings is a pretty hearty meal so you may be looking to complement the heartiness with some mashed potatoes or contrast it with a light, crisp broccoli salad. No matter your preference, there’s a side on this list for everyone.

1. Mashed Potatoes

Chicken and dumplings were a Thanksgiving day tradition at my house growing up. The sauce was thickened and they were served over creamy mashed potatoes.

Whether used as a base or served on the side, mashed potatoes and chicken and dumplings make a perfect pair.  Hearty, creamy, and oh so tasty.

2. Cornbread

Nothing says southern quite like cornbread and it makes a great side for chicken and dumplings. The cornbread is perfect for soaking up the creamy goodness.

Mini cornbread loaves or cornbread muffins make a great grab-and-go option if you’re serving several people. Add some spice by mixing some jalapenos into the cornbread.

3. Braided Onion Cheese Bread

We all know bread goes great with soup. It serves as a sponge to soak up all the delectable juices. For more flavorful bread, consider braided onion cheese bread.

Not only is it pretty to look at, it also tastes incredible. Stuffed with onion, parmesan cheese, and cheddar cheese this beautiful braided bread makes a great side dish for chicken and dumplings.

 4. Green Beans

If you’re looking to up your vegetable intake, try some green beans. They are incredibly delicious and they add a beautiful pop of color to your meal.

Canned, fresh, or frozen, green beans pair nicely with chicken and dumplings and they come in so many varieties, there’s a style to please everyone.

5.  Brussels Sprouts

While not always wildly popular, Brussels sprouts are an underappreciated and highly nutritious vegetable. They are high in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals making them a great addition to the table.

Brussels sprouts can be steamed, sautéed, or roasted. They are typically drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Other flavor options are lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.

6. Creamed Spinach

If you’re trying to get more greens in your diet, try creamed spinach with your fluffy dumplings. This simple side dish is a great way to use up extra spinach you may have.

Onion, garlic, seasonings, milk, heavy cream, and cream cheese are combined to make this creamy goodness. If you want to make skinny creamed spinach, use Greek yogurt and reduced-fat milk

7. Creamed Corn

As simple as creamed spinach, creamed corn is another creamy option to add to pair with your chicken and dumplings. You can buy this canned, or make your own to add your favorite flavors.

To make your creamed corn pop on the table, try topping it with parsley, chives, green onions, basil, dill, or bacon. You can also add veggies such as bell peppers or green chilies.

8. Steamed Vegetables

Simple, healthy, and delicious, steamed vegetables will add vibrant colors and pleasant crispness to your meal when you plate them next to your creamy chicken and dumplings.

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, and zucchini are all sturdy vegetables that steam well. For some incredible flavor, toss them in a rich herb butter sauce.

9. Broccoli Salad

If you prefer your vegetables fresh and crisp, broccoli salad is the perfect side dish. The creamy dressing goes great with the chicken and dumplings.

Broccoli salad is creamy, sweet, and tangy all in one tasty side dish. Crunchy fresh broccoli is studded with crispy bacon, red onion, dried cranberries or raisins, and topped with a homemade dressing.

10. Fried Zucchini

Going back to chicken and dumplings southern roots, why not pair it with a fried veggie. You can cut the zucchini into circles or fries.

To keep your zucchini from becoming soggy, sprinkle them with salt and let them sweat for a bit to draw out the moisture. This will also help the crust stay on.

11. Fried Okra

If you’re having a Southern-themed meal, you can’t serve your chicken and dumplings without fried okra. The okra will add a nice crunch to your otherwise tender chicken and dumplings.

Frying okra is not quite as intimidating as it might seem.  To keep your fried okra from getting slimy, cut bigger chunks and dry your rinsed okra thoroughly before frying.

12. Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes offer a tangy and slightly sour flavor to your meal. This somewhat acidic food will add a contrasting flavor and texture to your chicken and dumplings.

13. Brownies à la mode

Nobody said a side can’t pull double duty and also serve as a dessert. Try brownies à la mode for a side that’s as comforting as the chicken and dumplings.

For extra decadence, serve the brownie warm and top it with sweet vanilla ice cream. If you have the time, you simply can’t beat homemade ice cream.

14. Chocolate Mousse

Sticking with the idea that sides can be dessert, chocolate mousse is a rich, velvety treat that will be a great ending to your creamy chicken and dumplings.

With heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and bittersweet chocolate, you can whip up a chocolate mousse that will wow everyone at your table.

15. Banana Pudding

Another sweet southern side is banana pudding. Creamy, crunchy, fruity, and all-around delightful, banana pudding will be the perfect conclusion to chicken and dumplings.

Banana pudding is very refreshing and consists of layer upon layer of custard, cookies, and bananas then topped with whipped cream and cookie crumbles. For something new, try topping it with meringue.

16. Fried Apples

For a super simple sweet side, add a dish of fried apples to your table. They are crisp, sweet, and easy to make with only 4 ingredients needed.

To make the perfect batch of fried apples, melt butter in a pan and add your sliced apples and top with sugar, either brown or white, and some cinnamon.

Reach for your cast iron skillet if you have one because that’s the best way to make your apples. For an apple pie à la mode feel, top them with some vanilla ice cream.

17. Fruit Salad

If you want a side that also serves as a dessert that is a little healthier than the aforementioned options, fruit salad is the way to go.

Easily customizable, fruit salad adds a fresh and sweet element to your chicken and dumplings. Slice up any of your favorite fruits, mix them and serve.

Wrap-Up

Hearty, creamy, and comforting chicken and dumplings is a delicious feel-good meal that is great on its own but is even better when served with a side.

Whether you want crumbly cornbread, nutritious vegetables, crispy fried okra, or heavenly brownies à la mode, there is no shortage of appetizing sides to serve with chicken and dumplings.

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