What Goes with Chicken and Rice Casserole (15 Tasty Side)

I’ll never forget the day my aunt came to stay with us while she was recovering from surgery. She was really sick and needed help taking care of herself.

I was only a teenager at the time, but I did my best to take care of her and make her feel comfortable. One of the things I did was make sure she had plenty of healthy food to eat. I cooked her meals too.

One of the meals I made was chicken and rice casserole. It’s a simple dish, but it’s really hearty and filling.

But what goes with chicken and rice casserole? What are some good side dishes that will complement it?

Back then, I had a rough time deciding. But today, I’ve had a lot of experience that has greatly helped me in curating this list.

So, here are 15 healthy side dishes that go great with chicken and rice casserole:

Side Dishes for Chicken and Rice Casserole

1. Jeweled Green Beans
2. Cornbread
3. Fresh Fruit Salad
4. Quinoa Salad
5. Sesame Broccoli
6. Tater Tots
7. Easy Parmesan-Herb Rolls
8. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
9. Blackberry Muffins
10. Pickled Vegetables
11. Spicy Pepper-Crusted Tofu
12. Steamed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce
13. Braised Kale
14. Sautéed Butter-Thyme Mushrooms
15. Oven-roasted Fall Vegetables

Jeweled Green Beans

I love a colorful plate, and these jeweled green beans add the perfect pop of color. They’re also healthy and full of vitamins A, K. Plus, they’re a great source of folic acid, potassium, calcium, fiber, and others. And they pair really well with chicken and rice casserole.

To get the best out of this dish, you can add dried cranberries, feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts. You may also add some bell peppers, red onions, and crumbled bacon.

It’s best served warm or at room temperature.

Cornbread

This classic side dish goes with just about anything, but it pairs especially well with chicken and rice casserole. Cornbread is moist, fluffy, and has a slightly sweet flavor that complements the savory casserole perfectly.

You can make your own cornbread or buy it pre-made. If you’re short on time, the store-bought kind will do just fine.

To dress it up, you can add some butter, honey, or jam. Or, if you want to keep it simple, just serve it as is.

Fresh Fruit Salad

This is a great side dish if you’re looking for something healthy and refreshing. It’s also light and goes well with the heavier casserole.

To make a fruit salad, you can use any type of fruit you like. I usually go for a mix of berries, melon, grapes, and citrus fruits. You may also add some mint leaves for extra flavor.

If you want, introduce a dressing made with yogurt, honey, and lemon juice. Or, you can just drizzle the salad with some honey.

Either way, it’s delicious and pairs well with chicken and rice casserole.

Quinoa Salad

This is another healthy option that goes great with chicken and rice casserole. Quinoa is a grain that’s high in protein and fiber. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Surprisingly, it has a 72% water content, and we all know what that can do for you, healthwise.

To make a quinoa salad, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Once it’s cooked, add in some chopped veggies, like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers.

You may also add some crumbled feta cheese, chopped nuts, and dried fruits. For the dressing, use a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.

Toss everything together, and you’re good to go.

Sesame Broccoli

This is a quick and easy side dish that’s healthy and delicious. It’s also a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

To make it, simply steam or blanch some broccoli florets. Once they’re cooked, toss them with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds.

You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want it to be spicy.

Tater Tots

This is a classic side dish that’s always a hit with kids and adults alike. They’re crispy, and salty plus pairs well with just about anything. This is why they are a great complementary dish for rice and chicken casserole.

Tater tots can be baked, fried or even air-fried. To make them extra crispy, you can coat them with a layer of breadcrumbs before cooking. Serve them with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

Easy Parmesan-Herb Rolls

These rolls are soft, fluffy, and full of flavor. This dish which originated in Italy, is a great addition to any meal, especially chicken and rice casserole.

They’re also quite easy to make, so you don’t have to worry about spending hours in the kitchen.

To make these rolls, you’ll need some yeast, flour, sugar, salt, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. I like to use a mix of rosemary and thyme. But feel free to use any herbs you like or have on hand.

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

When you have a casserole as rich as chicken and rice, you need a side dish that’s light and refreshing. That’s where roasted asparagus comes in. It’s healthy, flavorful, and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

To prep, the asparagus for roasting, simply drizzle it with olive oil and lemon juice. Then, season it with salt, pepper, and any other herbs you like. I usually go for a mix of thyme and basil.

Mashed Potatoes

This is another classic side dish that goes well with chicken and rice casserole. Mashed potatoes are creamy, comforting, and satisfying.

They are my go-to side dish when I’m craving something comforting and familiar.

Blackberry Muffins

I love me a good muffin and these blackberry ones are my favorite. They’re moist, fluffy, and have the perfect amount of sweetness. Plus, they’re studded with fresh blackberries, which makes them even better.

These muffins are great for breakfast or as a snack. And they go well with chicken and rice casserole, too.

Pickled Vegetables

Pickled vegetables are a great way to add some acidity and brightness to a dish. They’re also a good source of protein and carbohydrates.

There are many different ways to pickle vegetables. You can use vinegar, salt, water, and spices. The most common vegetables to pickle are cucumbers, onions, carrots, and cauliflower.

I like to add pickled vegetables to my chicken and rice casserole for a little something extra. Plus, they’re a great way to use up any leftover veggies you have in the fridge.

Spicy Pepper-Crusted Tofu

There is no limit to what you can serve with chicken and rice casserole. You can even go for a vegan option, like this spicy pepper-crusted tofu.

Tofu is a great source of protein, and it’s very versatile. It takes on the flavors of whatever you cook it with. In this dish, the tofu is flavored with a mix of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic.

It’s then pan-fried until it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve it with rice and chicken casserole for a complete meal.

Steamed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce

This combination of steamed broccoli and peanut sauce is a great way to add some vegetables to your meal. Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable that’s high in fiber and vitamins.

Peanut sauce is a delicious, flavorful sauce that’s made with peanuts, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. It’s the perfect dipping sauce for steamed broccoli.

Braised Kale

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44754590037261577/

Kale, my favorite leafy green, is a great side dish for chicken and rice casserole. It’s nutrient-rich and full of antioxidants.

However, when you make this dish, remember to remove the tough stems from the kale leaves. Otherwise, they’ll be too chewy and tough to eat.

Sautéed Butter-Thyme Mushrooms

There’s something about mushrooms that just makes them so irresistible. They’re earthy, flavorful, and go well with chicken and rice casserole.

In this dish, the mushrooms are cooked in a mixture of butter, thyme, and garlic. They’re then finished with a splash of white wine for an extra touch of flavor.

Oven-roasted Fall Vegetables

I saved this special dish for last because I have a sentimental attachment to it. Fall is my favorite season, and these oven-roasted vegetables remind me of all the best things about it.

This is my mom’s recipe for oven-roasted fall vegetables, and it’s one of my favorites.

It’s a mix of roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and Brussels sprouts. The vegetables are tossed in olive oil and spices, then roasted in the oven until they’re tender and caramelized.

A list of other Options

Vegetable Side Dishes

1. Fresh Fruit Salad
2. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
3. Pickled Vegetables
4. Spicy Pepper-Crusted Tofu
5. Braised Kale
6. Wilted Spinach

Rice and Starchy Side Dishes

1. Cornbread
2. Tater Tots
3. Easy Parmesan-Herb Rolls
4. Blackberry Muffins

Miscellaneous combinations

1. Jeweled Green Beans
2. Quinoa Salad
3. Steamed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce
4. Sesame Broccoli
5. Sautéed Butter-Thyme Mushrooms
6. Oven-roasted Fall Vegetables
7. Sautéed Baby Squash with Scallions
8. Steamed Broccoli with Garlic and Red Onion
9. Lemon-Sesame Green Beans
10. Simple Salad with Parmesan
11. Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprout Salad

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What to serve with a casserole?

There are many different side dishes that you can serve with a casserole. Some popular options include cornbread, rolls, salad, vegetables and fruit.

What is a good side dish for chicken and broccoli casserole?

A few good side dishes for chicken and rice casserole are; lemon sesame green beans, lemon almond asparagus, salad and so on.

What is a casserole?

A casserole is a dish that is typically made with meat, vegetables and a starchy ingredient such as rice, pasta or potatoes. It is often baked in the oven and served hot.

Wrapping Up

After all is said and done, what goes with chicken and rice casserole is ultimately up to you. Pick and choose what sides you want to include based on your preferences. There are many delicious and healthy options to choose from.

I hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices and given you some new ideas of what to serve with chicken and rice casserole.