Chicken and dumplings mean a trip back home. Not only is it a comfort dish, but it is also a great dinner to serve any day. Next time you make it, be sure to plan what else to cook.
Stay tuned to find out all the best side dishes for chicken and dumplings. You can prepare these recipes easily and have delicious results.
What Are Chicken And Dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings is a soup that contains chicken and dumplings. The chicken is cooked in water, and this water is used for cooking the dumplings through boiling. The dumpling is made with biscuit dough and can be either flat or rolled into a ball.
The dish is considered “comfort food” and is mostly part of the Southern cuisines of the United States. Although it is a soup, the consistency is thicker, almost stew-like, and you can eat it with a fork. In some cases, people prefer preparing chicken and dumplings into a casserole dish.
These days, you can find chicken and dumplings pre-made, frozen, and even canned. However, the easiest way to prepare the dish is to buy frozen dumplings to cook in a broth. Because the chicken is cooked before, you can remove it from the broth or water while cooking the dumplings and then place it back in.
Nutrition Facts
One cup of chicken and dumplings (241 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
98.8 calories
7.45 g protein
2.8 g fat
10.7 g carbohydrate
1.93 g fiber
0.916 g sugar
26.5 mg calcium
0.844 mg iron
16.9 mg magnesium
86.8 mg phosphorus
282 mg potassium
737 mg sodium
149 µg vitamin A
12 mg cholesterol
Usually, chicken and dumplings can be healthy, but certain variations include more fat and cream. Buying pre-made, frozen, or canned versions will also increase the sodium content. Make sure to choose low-sodium ingredients to make the dish healthier.
Best Chicken and Dumplings Sides You Can Try
Below are some sides for chicken and dumplings that you can serve at any time!
#1. Oven Roasted Green Beans
Green beans are always a classic dish, no matter where you are in the world. This oven-roasted green beans recipe elevates your favorite vegetables to the next level.
Ingredients:
A bunch of green beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your oven-roasted green beans:
Preheat your oven to 375 °F.
Wash and clean your vegetables. Trim the ends of your green beans and the onion.
Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Spread the vegetables over it.
Pour the olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic over them. Toss everything well.
Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Roast for 25 minutes. Remove the baking sheet halfway through, and toss the green beans.
Serve your oven-roasted green beans hot. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top if you want.
#2. Corn Muffins
If you like cornbread, you will love corn muffins. These are easy to make and also very delicious. They go well with chicken and dumplings at any time.
Ingredients:
1 cup cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
⅔ cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your corn muffins:
Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
Grease a muffin tin using butter or oil.
Mix the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the egg and mix continuously. Pour the milk and continue to mix.
Pour the corn muffin mixture onto the muffin tin.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Alternatively, use the toothpick test until it comes out clean.
Serve your corn muffins warm with jalapeño butter on the side.
#3. Fried Green Tomatoes
Have you ever tried fried green tomatoes before? If you have not, then this is the time to do it, as they go well with anything.
Ingredients:
4 green tomatoes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
⅓ cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon garlic powder
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your fried green tomatoes:
Wash and clean your tomatoes. Slice them into ½ inch slices.
Season your tomatoes with salt and pepper. Set them aside for a few minutes.
Set aside three shallow bowls.
Pour the flour, cumin, and chili powder into the first one. Then pour the milk, lemon juice, and egg into the second one. Finally, place the breadcrumbs into the third bowl.
Whisk the milk, lemon, and egg until it is a cohesive mixture.
Add the oil to a skillet and allow it to heat for frying.
In the meantime, dip the green tomato slices first in the flour bowl, then the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs.
Once the oil is hot, place each slice in it and fry them. Be sure to fry each side for at least 3 minutes.
Once cooked, set them on a plate lined with a paper towel to cool down a little.
Serve your fried green tomatoes hot with a hot sauce remoulade or ranch dressing.
#4. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes do not have to be excessively sweet. Still, this recipe is a good choice because it mixes the best of sweetness and savory flavors.
Ingredients:
3 large sweet potatoes
¼ cup chives, chopped finely
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
½ stick butter
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅓ cup sour cream
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mashed sweet potatoes:
Wash and clean your potatoes. Peel them and then cube them.
Chop the chives and parsley. Set them aside.
Place the potatoes in a pot with water and salt. Cook the potatoes for about 10 to 12 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and place them again in the pot.
Using a potato masher or fork, mash your sweet potatoes until they are soft and creamy. Turn the heat on low.
Stir in the chives and parsley and mix well.
Add the garlic powder and cumin, and mix some more.
Stir in butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Continue mixing for a couple more minutes.
Serve your mashed sweet potatoes warm on the side of chicken and dumplings.
#5. Corn and Carrots Succotash
Succotash is one of those side dishes that always go with whatever you cook. When it comes to serving it with chicken and dumplings, it adds a bit of flavor and crunch.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 carrots, diced
1 can of sweet corn, drained
1 zucchini, diced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ tablespoon oregano
⅓ cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your corn and carrots succotash:
Add the olive oil and garlic to a large saucepan.
Wash and clean your vegetables. Dice them and set them aside.
Drain the corn and add it to the pile.
Once the oil is hot, add the carrots and corn to the saucepan. Sauté for a couple of minutes.
Stir in the zucchini and tomatoes. Cook for five more minutes.
Pour the chicken broth, lower the heat, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the broth is reduced.
Add the salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well.
Serve your corn and carrots succotash warm on the side to the chicken and dumplings.
#6. Collard Greens
Since chicken and dumplings are considered a Southern recipe, it makes sense that you would serve collard greens with it. You can always add more vegetables to make your dish more filling.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
7 cups collard greens
2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your collard greens:
Add the butter and olive oil to a skillet. Allow it to get hot, and then add the garlic and yellow onion. Cook them for about 1 minute.
Stir in the collard greens, sesame seed oil, red pepper flakes, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Cook for about 10 minutes or until the collard greens are tender.
Serve your collard greens hot with chicken and dumplings on the side.
#7. Southern Potato Salad
Nothing says Southern comfort like a tasty potato salad. You can enjoy this dish cold on the side of your hot chicken and dumplings.
Ingredients:
6 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (prepare these in advance)
3 tablespoons chives, chopped
½ red onion, diced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons dill pickles, diced
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your Southern potato salad:
Wash and clean your potatoes. Peel them and cube them.
Dice the red onion, chives, and dill pickles. Set them aside.
Cook your potatoes in a pot with water and salt for 15 minutes or until tender.
Drain the potatoes and set them aside to cool down.
Chop your previously prepared hard-boiled eggs. Transfer them to a large bowl.
Stir in the red onion, chives, and dill pickles.
Add the cool potatoes and toss well.
Stir in the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss well.
Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator until cold, which should take about 1 hour.
Serve your Southern potato salad cold and keep it refrigerated if not eating it immediately.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Chicken and Dumplings Side Dishes?
Chicken and dumplings are a comfort dish for many across the world. While it could be served on its own, it might be better when you accompany it with something equally tasty. Try these side dishes, which are always a great choice when you make chicken and dumplings.
To add some fiber to your meal, you might want to choose a vegetable dish. You could go with the oven-roasted green beans, which are classic. The collard greens also never disappoint and keep you wanting more.
If you need to add density to your meal, you can choose a starchy side dish. The corn muffins are sweet, savory, and fluffy. You can also go with the Southern potato salad, which is a great way to add crunch too.
For all other purposes, go with the mashed sweet potatoes that are easy to make in a hurry. You can also try the corn and carrots succotash for a healthy mix of flavors. Otherwise, the fried green tomatoes are a group favorite every time.
Conclusion
Although your chicken and dumplings might be a little dense, not everyone likes to have it by itself. Try one, two, or three of these recipes and complete your meal. Why not share some of these dishes with family or friends, or keep them to yourself!
If you make a lot of dumplings, make sure to learn how to reheat dumplings so you can always have the best fresh meals.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
