Chicken Soup is a classic dish worldwide, often considered a comfort food when feeling under the weather. Variations include vegetables, noodles, dumplings, grains, and the tasty chicken broth. If you’re looking for some delicious side dishes to serve with chicken soup, then read on to find out the best options.
This dish has been traced back to the Neolithic era when humans began to boil their food. It’s a staple present in many stores, restaurants, and cuisines globally.
Best served hot, chicken soup is a delicious, versatile broth that will have your tastebuds dancing. Chicken soup is packed with various savory flavors, making it a go-to comfort food when the temperature dips. The broth burst with so much flavor with celery, carrots, garlic cloves, parsley, and black pepper.
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Side Dishes for Chicken Soup
Since chicken soup is a rich broth, it can easily be eaten on its own. Filled with vegetables and protein, it is a well-rounded meal. But the broth is thin, and adding a side dish with some texture and different flavors will certainly elevate it.
So, if you’re wondering what to serve with chicken soup, this article is for you. Here are 12 great side dishes you can serve with chicken soup.
1. Cornbread
Cornbread is a staple dish in Southern cuisine. Served slightly warm or at room temperature, the aroma and texture are to-die-for. The taste of the cornbread can lean toward sweet or savory, depending on how you prefer to make it.
This dense, baked side dish pairs well with the thin chicken soup. The bread can easily soak up the broth. And the bread’s buttery flavor compliments the soup’s savory taste.
2. Macaroni and Cheese
This casserole of pure deliciousness is everybody’s comfort food, and there is no doubt why. Made from simple ingredients like macaroni, butter, cheese, and milk, it’s most popular in the US, UK, and Europe.
Classic and delicious, this side dish is cheesy and fatty, making it an excellent pairing for salty, savory chicken soup. Its creamy, rich, buttery taste provides the perfect balance for the robust flavor of the chicken soup.
3. Potato Salad
This German bowl of pure delight is a winner when determining what to serve with chicken soup. Typically dressed in mayonnaise or a vinaigrette, potato salad is a hit at any table. And it’s no surprise it’s a crowd favorite.
Chicken soup needs a bit of texture, which potato salad offers, making them a great team. The dense, starchiness of the root vegetable adds that much-needed texture the soup lacks. Potato salad has a subtle creamy flavor, ensuring the chicken soup shines as the hero of the dish.
4. Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Refreshing cucumber and tomato salad is a safe bet if you decide what to serve with chicken soup. Salads are always refreshing, but cucumber and tomato salad take cool to another level. It’s also light and easy to make.
The acidity of the tomato counters the fattiness of the chicken in the soup. And cucumber is the ultimate palate cleanser after the salty state of chicken soup. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a meat-free side dish.
5. Sandwich
A sandwich is always a great option to pair with chicken soup. There are so many possible combinations of toppings to choose from, most of which are readily available.
It could be roast beef, grilled vegetables, or BLT. Either way, the texture and flavors of the bread and contents are sure to complement the thin chicken soup. Anyone can make a sandwich, and they never fail to please.
6. Mashed Potato Puffs
Mashed potato puffs are a fun and playful way to switch up regular mashed potatoes. They include cheese and eggs. And have more texture than mashed potatoes when baked or fried.
Crispy on the outside but creamy on the inside, this side dish brings balance to your chicken soup main. It also adds a different taste giving your meal more depth to it. Mashed potato puffs are small and bite-sized, making them easy to snack on.
7. Baked Zucchini
Baked zucchini is a great side dish option if you want to avoid bread or starchy carbs. And it’s definitely a side to consider when thinking about what to serve with chicken soup.
The zucchini is typically layered with a thick tomato-based sauce and covered with cheese before baking. The result is a crisp, cheesy crust with soft earthy flavors that add a different texture dimension to the meal. These flavors also pair well with the savory, fatty chicken broth.
8. Italian Chopped Salad
Whoever invented this side dish could be considered a hero in the eyes of many. Italian chopped salad is a beautiful combination of ingredients dressed elegantly in an Italian vinaigrette. Loaded with plenty of herbs and vegetables, the flavor of this salad is mind-blowing.
This side dish brings a burst of fresh flavors to the chicken soup main. It’s so hearty and filling and just what you need as a partner for your chicken soup dish.
9. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Light and healthy vegetable skewers are a side dish to consider when deciding what to serve with chicken soup. Simply place your favorite vegetables on a skewer and grill them to perfection. Bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, corn, tomatoes, cauliflower, and onions are great options for your skewer.
The sweet smokiness from the grilled vegetables adds a new dimension of flavor to the meal. And the crunch of the vegetables is a welcome texture contrast to the chicken soup. It’s a brilliant, wholesome side dish packed with flavor and essential nutrients.
10. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is always a crowd-pleaser and is beautifully baked with aromatic herbs like garlic, oregano, and chives. Garlic bread will have your senses tingling before it even touches your tongue.
Paired with chicken soup, it’s safe to say you have a masterpiece on your hands. Both flavors blend amazingly when paired together. And the bread effortlessly soaks up the chicken soup for a delightfully filling meal.
11. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is always an option, no matter what you’re serving. And chicken soup is no exception. Chock full of nutrients, it pairs amazingly with chicken soup, especially if you need some comfort food.
The rich and earthy flavor of the creamed spinach complements the savory taste of the chicken soup. It’s a nourishing and delicious combo. And if you’re craving a bit of crunch, you can always top your creamed spinach with crispy bacon bits.
Conclusion
Chicken soup is a staple worldwide as a flu recovery meal or warm winter comfort food. This beloved meal deserves a side dish that adds diverse flavor and texture to the meal. And the dishes listed above are a few of the best sides when exploring what to serve with chicken soup.