What to Serve with Chicken Meatballs: 25 Incredible Sides To Try

When you’re cooking up a batch of chicken meatballs, it can be tough to find the perfect side dish to go with them. You might find a few recipes online, but most of them seem to be a little one-dimensional. That’s why I wanted to share this article with a list of side dishes that I’ve tried over the last few months.

I know what it’s like to try and find the right side dish for your chicken meatballs. I’ve spent hours scrolling through recipes online, only to be let down by the lack of variety. But don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.

Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with chicken meatballs:

List of Dishes to Serve with Chicken Meatballs

1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
2. Garlic Bread
3. Lettuce Wraps
4. Pasta
5. Greek Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce
6. Spicy Rice Pilaf
7. Butter Noodles
8. Creamy Polenta

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

When it comes to classic comfort food, creamy mashed potatoes are hard to beat. This dish is simple to make but can be easily dressed up with a variety of add-ins, making it perfect for any occasion.

To start, boil the potatoes until they are soft then mash them with a potato masher or an electric mixer. For a creamier mashed potato, add milk, butter, and sour cream to taste. You can also mix in shredded cheese, green onions, or bacon for extra flavor.

Once you have added all of the desired ingredients, season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Quick Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

• Ingredients: Potatoes, milk, butter, sour cream
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Boil potatoes until tender.
  2. Drain and mash with milk, butter, and sour cream

Garlic Bread

Though it is commonly served as an appetizer, garlic bread makes an excellent side dish with chicken meatballs. There are countless variations on the classic recipe, but the basic ingredients are bread, garlic, and butter.

The bread can be any type of loaf, from a crusty baguette to a soft sandwich loaf. The garlic can be fresh or roasted, and the butter can be flavored with herbs or spices.

Garlic bread is typically served warmly, and it can be enjoyed with a variety of main dishes. Pasta, soup, salad, and grilled meats all pair well with garlic bread. For a truly elegant meal, try serving garlic bread alongside a steaming bowl of chicken meatballs.

Quick Recipe: Garlic Bread

• Ingredients: Baguette, garlic, butter
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Slice baguette and spread with garlic butter.
  2. Bake until crispy.

Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps make a refreshing and flavorful side dish. By using lettuce in place of tortillas or bread, they are a lighter option that is perfect for summertime meals. And, since they can be easily customized to suit any taste, they are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

To make a basic lettuce wrap, simply start with a large leaf of lettuce and add your favorite fillings. For a heartier option, try adding some grilled chicken or shrimp. Or, for a vegetarian version, load up on fresh vegetables and beans. The possibilities are endless!

The next time you’re looking for a light and healthy side dish for chicken meatballs, give lettuce wraps a try. You’ll be glad you did!

Quick Recipe: Lettuce Wraps

• Ingredients: Lettuce leaves, grilled chicken, vegetables
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Place grilled chicken and veggies on lettuce leaves.
  2. Wrap and enjoy.

Pasta

A lot of people think of pasta as a main dish, but it can make a great side dish as well. The key is to choose the right pasta and pair it with complementary flavors. For example, a delicate pasta like angel hair pairs well with light sauces or vegetables, while a heartier pasta like penne can stand up to bolder flavors.

When selecting pasta for a side dish, it’s also important to consider the rest of the meal. For instance, if you’re serving a heavy meat dish, you might want to go with a lighter pasta option. On the other hand, if your main course is relatively simple, you can get away with a more substantial pasta.

Ultimately, there are no hard-and-fast rules when selecting pasta for a side dish. The most important thing is to use your creativity and experiment until you find a combination you love.

Quick Recipe: Pasta

• Ingredients: Pasta of choice, olive oil, garlic
• Average Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  2. Sauté garlic in olive oil and toss with cooked pasta

Greek Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

These flavorful skewers are a delicious way to enjoy Greek-style cuisine.

The chicken is marinated in a blend of olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, then grilled to perfection. The skewers are served with a creamy tzatziki sauce, made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, and dill.

This dish makes an excellent side for any meat-based entree, particularly chicken meatballs. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy the succulent flavors of these Greek skewers.

Quick Recipe: Greek Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

• Ingredients: Chicken, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill
• Average Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.
  2. Grill and serve with tzatziki sauce

Spicy Rice Pilaf

Spicy rice pilaf is a flavorful side dish that can be easily made at home. The key to making a great pilaf is to start with good-quality rice. I like to use basmati rice for its nutty flavor and light, fluffy texture.

Once you have your rice, the next step is to cook it in a flavorful broth. I like to use chicken or beef broth, but you can also use vegetable broth. For the spices, I like to use a combination of cumin, coriander, and chili powder. You can adjust the amount of spice to suit your taste.

Once the rice is cooked, I add some chopped green onions and fresh cilantro for extra flavor. This dish is best served warm, but it can also be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat.

Quick Recipe: Spicy Rice Pilaf

• Ingredients: Basmati rice, chicken broth, cumin, coriander, chili powder
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook rice in chicken broth with spices.
  2. Fluff and serve

Butter Noodles

Any good chef knows that a meal is only as good as its side dishes. They can add flavor and texture, contrast or complement the main dish, and round out a meal. That’s why I always like to have a few good chicken meatball sides up to my sleeve, and one of my favorite go-to dishes is butter noodles.

Butter noodles are incredibly easy to make, and they go with just about anything. I like to use a variety of pasta for this dish – penne, fusilli, shells, whatever you have on hand. Cook the noodles according to package directions, then drain and rinse them in cold water.

Melt some butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the noodles and toss to coat. You can also add in some minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Once the noodles are evenly coated in butter, remove from heat and serve.

They are the perfect side dish for a busy weeknight dinner, as they’re quick and easy to make, and they’ll dress up even the most basic main dish. So next time you’re looking for a little something extra to round out your meal, give butter noodles a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Quick Recipe: Butter Noodles

• Ingredients: Noodles, butter, garlic
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook noodles and toss in melted butter and garlic.

Creamy Polenta

Polenta is a traditional Italian dish made from ground cornmeal. It can be served as a porridge or allowed to be set and then cut into shapes and fried or grilled. When served as a side dish, it is a creamy and delicious alternative to mashed potatoes.

The key to making creamy polenta is to cook the cornmeal slowly, stirring frequently. This allows the starch granules to swell and the mixture to thicken. Once the polenta is thick enough, milk and butter are added for creaminess and flavor.

Seasonings such as salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese can also be added to taste.  Even though creamy polenta is best served hot, the leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.

Quick Recipe: Creamy Polenta

• Ingredients: Cornmeal, milk, butter
• Average Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Slowly cook cornmeal, stirring frequently.
  2. Add milk and butter for creaminess

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carbs are in chicken meatballs?

There are approximately 15 grams of carbs in chicken meatballs.

What is the best way to cook chicken meatballs?

The best way to cook chicken meatballs is by baking them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, then place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

Can chicken meatballs be frozen?

Yes, chicken meatballs can be frozen. After they are cooked, allow them to cool completely before freezing them in a sealed container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

When it comes to what to serve with chicken meatballs, the options are endless. You can try serving them with rice pilaf, butter noodles, creamy polenta, or even frozen spinach and broccoli.

No matter what you choose, these delicious side dishes will complement the flavor of the chicken meatballs perfectly.

So next time you’re looking for a little something extra to round out your meal, give one of the above delicious side dishes a try. You won’t be disappointed.