Chicken Marbella has a fascinating origin. Tying in with its name, Marbella, the creator of the dish was inspired by Spanish and Moroccan cuisine. However, it originated in New York.

Chicken Marbella is a Jewish-American dish that was crafted by Sheila Lukins in the 1970s. The dish includes chicken marinated in olive oil, vinegar, prunes, olives, capers with juice, bay leaves, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper, which is then cooked in white wine and brown sugar.

Chicken Marbella is a popular holiday dish intended to serve a group of people.

Contents

17 Side Dishes to Serve With Chicken Marbella

Since Chicken Marbella is a fairly easy dish to prepare, you will have more time to spend with side dishes. Whether you choose a starch or a vegetable, you will want to choose something that will not overpower the flavors in the Chicken Marbella.

1. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are sure to please anyone enjoying Chicken Marbella. It is a classic starch side dish option.

The creamy mashed potatoes will complement the complex flavors in the main course. You can substitute whole milk for fat-free or reduced-fat milk if you are looking for a lighter option.

2. Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes

Similar to mashed potatoes, garlic and herb roasted potatoes are a simple and delicious side dish. Fingerling potatoes work best for this side dish.

Cover the potatoes in olive oil, garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper. Then, roast the potatoes. These flavors will complement the Chicken Marbella without overpowering it.

3. Bacon Ricotta Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

This side dish is sure to bring a lot of flavor to the table. The lightness of the marinade of the Chicken Marbella will mix well with the heartiness of the scalloped potatoes.

The preparation of this side dish will take longer than others. It may also pair better in the winter months since it is a heavier, warm side dish.

4. Couscous

Couscous is an easy, light side dish that will absorb any leftover marinade on the plate. Couscous is a great alternative to rice or pasta. It is also simple to prepare.

If you want to mix it up, try serving couscous with almonds, dried cranberries, and an orange vinaigrette for an unexpected variation in flavor.

5. Asparagus Risotto

A great way to compliment Chicken Marbella is with creamy risotto. The creamy sauce mixing with the marinade will add a great flavor to the meal.

Combine asparagus with your risotto to add a crunch and pop of color to the dish. Overall, asparagus risotto is an elegant, easy side dish.

6. Brown Rice

Brown rice is a nutritious and simple side dish that will pair nicely with Chicken Marbella. It offers a nutty flavor that will balance out the flavors of the main course.

To add extra flavor, mix the cooked brown rice into the pan that was used to cook the chicken. The brown rice will absorb the flavors and create a flavorful dish.

7. Bread

You cannot go wrong with pairing Chicken Marbella and bread together. You can choose to serve store-bought bread, or you can go with homemade bread.

Either way, the bread will be a great option for soaking up the leftover juices on each guest’s plate. Not one bit of flavor will be left behind.

8. Toasted Polenta

Similar to bread, toasted polenta serves as a great side dish to soak up all of the juices from the Chicken Marbella.

Toasted polenta is a cornmeal mush. You simply add liquid to cornmeal, which will become dough-like and can be cut into squares. The squares are then baked in the oven.

9. Buttered Egg Noodles

Buttered egg noodles make for an incredibly simple side dish that will not overpower the Chicken Marbella.

Simply boil some water shortly before you plan to serve the meal, pour in the noodles, then top with some butter once the noodles are cooked. You can also add cheese on top of the noodles for extra flavor.

10. Farro with Mushrooms

Farro is a great way to add nutrition to your meal. It will enhance the Mediterranean influence that Chicken Marbella represents.

The nutty taste of farro pairs well with the taste of Chicken Marbella. To make the side dish even more flavorful, add in mushrooms, parmesan, peas, thyme, and garlic.

11. Green Beans

Green beans are an easy, fresh side dish that will add crunch to the meal. You can saute the green beans with garlic and white wine.

Another idea for your green beans is adding sauteed slivered almonds, lemon juice, and salt. This side dish is known as green bean almondine.

12. Lemon Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is a great choice for a side dish. Roast, saute, or steam the asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice.

Lemon Roasted Asparagus is an easy side dish that brings a lot of flavor and nutrition. It is also a light side dish, which will leave more room for the Chicken Marbella.

13. Mixed Vegetables

Mixed vegetables are another light side dish that will pair well with Chicken Marbella. You can get creative with the variety of vegetables you choose to use.

You can use peppers, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Simply roast them in the oven with some olive oil or butter and seasoning for 30-40 minutes then serve.

14. Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Instead of mixed vegetables, you can opt for a combination of broccoli and cauliflower. Chop the broccoli and cauliflower into florets. Then bake the florets with olive oil and seasoning.

You can make a cheese sauce or grate parmesan over the cooked florets to supplement the flavor of the side dish.

15. Cucumber Salad with a Spicy Tomato Vinaigrette

Cucumber salad with a spicy tomato vinaigrette is an uncommon side dish that will be a pleasant surprise for your guests. Since it is a light side dish, it will not overpower the Chicken Marbella.

It is light, crunchy, colorful, and packed with flavor. This is not your typical salad and will make an impact on the meal.

16. Sauteed Garlicky Swiss Chard

Like the cucumber salad, sauteed garlicky swiss chard is a fantastic way to incorporate a not-so-common side dish to surprise your guests.

Swiss chard is a leafy green with fuchsia and yellow stalks. To prepare the dish, thinly chop the stalks and chiffonade the leaves. Saute them in oil and garlic.

17. Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

A spinach salad with warm bacon dressing keeps things interesting. You will still get a serving of vegetables with a flavorful pop of bacon.

Combine spinach, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, almonds, and bacon to create this wonderful salad. Mix dijon mustard, vinegar, and honey for the dressing. This salad will add an exciting twist to the meal.

Wrap Up

Chicken Marbella is a complex, flavorful dish. It does not involve a lengthy preparation time, but it will need a couple of hours at the least for the chicken to marinate.

Since Chicken Marbella requires minimal preparation time, you will have time to spend with the side dishes. A vegetable side dish is great for a light option, and a starchy side dish will soak up all the leftover juices. Either way, your guests will have an excellent meal to enjoy.