Eating chicken pot pie transports some of us back home. While it might not be the easiest dish to make, it is worth the effort. However, chicken pot pie might not suffice everyone on its own, so having a good side dish is a must.
Here you will find all the best side dishes for chicken pot pie. Check out these easy recipes and continue reading to see when to serve them.
What Is Chicken Pot Pie?
Chicken pot pie is a savory pie filled with chicken, carrots, peas, and often a cream-based sauce. The crust is made with a flaky pastry that has a buttery and soft texture. Chicken and beef pot pies are the most popular types of savory pies in the United States.
Preparing chicken pot pie is often different for everyone. Some people like to prepare it using a skillet on the stove, while others do it in a baking dish in the oven. You might find chicken pot pie variations these days, which might include more vegetables, like mushrooms, green beans, broccoli, and corn.
Although various recipes ask that you make the dough and crust, you can find pre-made crusts that only require baking. Chicken pot pie is so popular these days that many brands sell pre-cooked pot pies ready to be eaten that only need warming. Sometimes you might also see a chicken pot pie that contains beef, turkey, or bacon as well.
Since they contain butter, flour, and cream, chicken pot pies can be high in fat and calories. You could make your pie healthier by trying to make the dish using olive oil and dairy alternatives. Preparing the dough and crust is also a good way of saving some calories.
Nutrition Facts
One cup of chicken pot pie (252 g) has the following nutritional content(*):
514 calories
158 g water
12.9 g protein
29.9 g fat
48.4 g carbohydrate
2.77 g fiber
5.7 g sugar
50.4 mg calcium
1.92 mg iron
27.7 mg magnesium
181 mg phosphorus
277 mg potassium
990 mg sodium
13.6 µg selenium
85.7 µg vitamin A
37.8 mg cholesterol
As you can see, chicken pot pie is high in fat, calories, and sodium. While a piece of this pie is not a bad thing eating it often can cause high cholesterol and raise your blood pressure. Try making chicken pot pie at home to choose the ingredients and reduce the caloric, fat, and sodium content.
In advance, if you have too much of your meal, you can always store it the next day. Learn how to perfectly reheat chicken pot pie to taste freshly made.
What Goes With Chicken Pot Pie?
Below are some options for side dishes that you can serve with chicken pot pie at any time!
#1. German Potato Salad
An authentic German potato salad is great for complementing your chicken pot pie. You can enjoy it for a few days after too!
Ingredients:
10 to 12 yellow potatoes, diced
5 slices of bacon
1 yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon chives, diced
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your German potato salad:
Clean, peel, and dice your potatoes. Place them in a pot with water and salt. Cook them for about 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.
Drain your potatoes and set them aside to cool down in a bowl.
Cook your bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Turn halfway, so both sides turn brown and crispy. Remove from the skillet and drain over paper towels.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes, parsley, and chives. Break some of the bacon and mix everything.
Remove the potatoes from the heat and serve warm with the remaining pieces of bacon on top.
#2. Spinach And Strawberry Salad
If you are trying to stay healthy and cut down on some calories, a salad is always a good idea. This spinach and strawberry salad combines sweet and savory flavors, which are perfect for cutting through your chicken pot pie.
Ingredients:
4 cups spinach
2 cups strawberries, quartered
1 red onion, sliced
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup shaved almonds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your spinach and strawberry salad:
Wash and clean your spinach. Set it aside in a bowl.
Slice your onion and strawberries and place them in the bowl too.
Toss your vegetables and strawberries well. Add the shaved almonds and toss again.
Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss everything once again.
Serve your spinach and strawberry salad fresh with chicken pot pie on the side.
#3. Mashed Potatoes With A Parmesan Crust
Mashed potatoes are another classic homey dish that is often the star of comfort meals. This recipe includes a decadent and delicious parmesan crust to switch things up.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
10 to 12 Russet potatoes
½ cup milk
⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 cup parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mashed potatoes with a parmesan crust:
Begin by preheating the oven to 375 °F.
Clean and peel your potatoes. Place your potatoes in a pot with water and salt—Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.
Drain the potatoes and place them in a bowl. Using a potato masher or fork, mash your potatoes.
Stir in half the oil, milk, cream, and sour cream. Continue mashing until the potatoes turn soft.
Add half of the parmesan cheese, and continue mashing.
Pour the remaining oil onto a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes on top.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and remaining parmesan cheese on top.
Bake your mashed potatoes until the top turns brown and crunchy, which should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve your mashed potatoes with a parmesan crust warm on the side.
#4. Roasted Vegetables With Balsamic Glaze
When you want to add crunch and flavor but not too many calories roasted veggies are the right choice. This recipe mixes the savory and sweetness of the balsamic glaze, adding more delicacy to the dish.
Ingredients:
2 Vidalia onions, peeled and sliced
4 large carrots, sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
⅓ cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your roasted vegetables with balsamic vinegar:
Begin by preheating the oven to 375 °F.
Wash and clean your vegetables. Slice them accordingly and place them in a large bowl.
Stir in the garlic, half of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes, moving things halfway.
While the vegetables cook, add the water, remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a saucepan.
Cook your glaze over low heat for about 10 minutes or until it thickens.
Remove your vegetables from the oven and drizzle the balsamic vinegar glaze on top.
Serve your roasted vegetables warm with balsamic vinegar on top.
#5. Butter Noodles With Spinach
A simple side dish that never disappoints is a good bowl of buttery pasta. In this case, you can add spinach and garlic to elevate your favorite noodles.
Ingredients:
2 cups pasta
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cups spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your butter noodles:
Cook your pasta according to box instructions. Drain once ready, but reserve a bit of the cooking liquid.
Melt your butter in a saucepan. Once bubbly and warm, add the garlic. Cook for one minute, then add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the spinach and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes.
Add in the pasta and a bit of the cooking liquid as you continue to mix.
Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix once more.
Serve your butter noodles with spinach warm with parmesan cheese on top if you want.
#6. Sweet Corn Succotash
Even if you have never tried succotash before, once you do, you will be a fan! This recipe mixes the best flavors with a bit of crunch to make your meal more satisfying.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 red onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup sweet corn
1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 cup lima beans
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your sweet corn succotash:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.
Add in your onion and bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes along with the vegetable broth. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Stir in lima beans, corn, parsley, thyme, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Continue cooking over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve the sweet corn succotash warm with chicken pot pie on the side.
#7. Cheesy Garlic Bread
A cheesy garlic bread sounds delicious any time of the day, but more when it comes to chicken pot pie. You can make it in advance and warm it up whenever you are ready to eat.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 baguette or loaf of bread
3 tablespoons minced garlic
⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your cheesy garlic bread:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 °F.
Combine your butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Mix well until everything is smooth.
Slice your baguette.
Using a knife, spread the butter mixture on each slice.
Line a baking sheet and spread your bread slices. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and brown.
Serve your cheesy garlic bread warm next to your chicken pot pie.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Side Dish?
Chicken pot pie can be served on its own, but if you are having guests or want to complement your meal, a side dish is a good idea. You can choose one or two from this list. Mixing them up can result in more recipes too!
If you want to cut down on calories from chicken pot pie, then a lighter side dish is the right choice. Go with the spinach and strawberry salad that also satisfies your sweet tooth cravings. Another option is the roasted vegetables with balsamic vinegar, which also combines sweet and savory flavors.
A denser recipe is better for those that like something more filling with a smaller piece of chicken pot pie on the side. You can go with the German potato salad, which is sweet, sour, and savory altogether. You could also try the mashed potatoes with a parmesan crust, a dish that comforts everyone.
Finally, if you do not know what to serve, then a simple side dish can do the trick. Go with the butter noodles with spinach or the cheesy garlic bread, and both of these are easy to make and very tasty. Otherwise, the sweet corn succotash is low-effort and full of flavor.
Conclusion
You can always count on chicken pot pie to take you back to better times. These recipes will only make your meal that much more satisfying. Try one, two, or three any time you want to make your favorite chicken pot pie recipe.
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.
