What To Serve With Chicken Salad

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I have put together a list of what to serve with chicken salad recipes so that you can have the perfect sides to serve with your meal.

Chicken salad, pasta salad, grape salad, and garlic bread.


 

I really enjoy cold, creamy chicken salad. So much that I have a number of chicken salad recipes on Food Lovin’ Family like this buffalo chicken salad, fruity chicken salad, and classic chicken salad.

One of the best things about chicken salad is that there are so many different ways to make it. You can personalize the taste and texture to your liking by adding different mix-ins or seasonings that you enjoy!

Cold chicken salad is one of my favorite things to serve at picnics, parties, or casual weeknight dinners. Not only is it easy to make, it’s also so satisfying –– packed with plenty of protein and a ton of flavor! Whether you’re enjoying chicken salad on its own or served in sandwich form, there’s no doubt that it will taste even better paired with the perfect drink or side dish. Here are some of my favorite, easy recipes for you to try if you’re not sure what to serve with chicken salad.

Sides To Serve With Chicken Salad Sandwiches

There are so many delicious sides that pair well with chicken salad sandwiches. A few simple options include:

  • Potato chips
  • Crackers
  • Pickles
  • Fruit cup

If you are looking for a little something more, this list has something for everyone.

Sweet Potato Fries

Cooked fries on a plate.

Making sweet potato fries is easy thanks to the help of the air fryer! Air fried sweet potato fries are delightfully crispy and are ready in half the amount of time that they would take to prepare in the oven. You can cook them straight from frozen without thawing beforehand. 

Be sure to cook the fries in an even layer to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness. Sweet potato fries pair incredibly well with savory recipes like chicken salad. Adding a pinch of salt before serving will take these fries to the next level! 

French Fries

Seasoned fries.

These seasoned french fries are the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and savory. With such a unique and satisfying flavor, these fries are certainly a crowd pleaser. 

Pasta Salad

Creamy pasta salad with a wooden spoon.

Ready in just 20 minutes, this creamy pasta salad is simple, satisfying, and loaded with crunchy veggies. It’s one of the easiest side dishes to prepare, requiring only some quick chopping and mixing! 

What makes this family favorite recipe even better is that it can easily be personalized with your choice of ingredients. You can add meat or beans for protein, or use any selection of veggies that you love. 

Grape Salad

Bowl of green and red grape salad topped with brown sugar.

There’s no better treat to pair with savory chicken salad sandwiches than this grape salad! This copycat recipe from Chicken Salad Chick is made with sweet grapes, a tangy mixture of sour cream and cream cheese, and topped off with brown sugar and chopped pecans. 

Red or green grapes work equally well, and you can even use a combination of both if you prefer. Once fully prepared, I recommend letting your salad chill for at least an hour before serving so that it has time to set.

Green Salad

Bowl of salad.

Not sure what to serve with chicken salad? A classic house salad is a side dish that you can never go wrong with! Cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and olives are some of my personal favorite salad ingredients, but this recipe can certainly be customized to include any veggies of your choice. 

Veggie Tray

Round platter with cut up vegetables and 2 bowls of ranch dip.

A beautiful veggie tray is the perfect way to add some color to your table. Skip the store-bought veggie platters and make your own at home! You can make a veggie tray with any of your favorite crunchy vegetables. 

Some of the veggies we love to use include bell peppers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes, but the possibilities for this recipe are truly endless. I recommend serving your tray with at least two different types of dips — ranch or Italian dressing are our top picks!

Cheese Board

Plate with crackers, fruit and cheese.

Cheese boards are just as delicious as they are stunning. They look fancy and elegant but are actually so simple to make! To make the best cheese board ever, try to incorporate a variety of colors, tastes, and textures with the ingredients you use. 

A combination of soft and hard cheese selections, nuts, fruit, and prosciutto is sure to be satisfying. Be sure to check out the full recipe description for all of the best cheese board tips and tricks. Bring a board to your next picnic or party, and your guests are sure to be impressed!

Fruit Salad

Bowl of fruit salad with colorful marshmallows.

Here’s a sweet and nostalgic recipe that you can whip up when you’re not quite sure what to serve with chicken salad. This old-fashioned fruit salad is made with pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, coconut, marshmallows, and sour cream. 

Cucumber Salad

Bowl with cucumber onion salad.

One of the best side dishes to serve with chicken salad recipes is this creamy and refreshing cucumber salad. Combine sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper, and fresh dill to make your creamy base. Adding a little bit of sugar is optional but will enhance the flavor! 

Broccoli Salad

Bowl of broccoli salad.

Creamy chicken salad and crunchy broccoli salad make a fantastic combo! This copycat broccoli salad from Chicken Salad Chick is super easy to make, requiring only 10 minutes of active prep time. It brings fresh broccoli, bacon bits, shredded cheese, and a delicious homemade dressing together in one simple recipe. 

Onion Rings

Onion ring with sauce on it.

Skip the oven and the mess of deep frying and make your onion rings in the air fryer instead! Air fried onion rings have the perfect crunchy texture in every bite. You can toss frozen onion rings straight into the air fryer without thawing or preheating, and they’ll be ready to enjoy in under 10 minutes. 

Be sure to pair with your favorite dipping sauce. Some of our family’s favorites are ranch and spicy mustard.

Garlic Bread

Bread with garlic on cutting board.

Garlic bread is one of the best side dishes because of how well it goes with so many different recipes! Whether you’re making it fresh or heating up premade frozen bread, garlic bread is sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

Ambrosia Salad

Blue bowl with fruit salad.

A classic ambrosia salad makes a great side for many dishes. This recipe is made with Cool Whip, making it a perfect side during the Summer.

Vegetable Soup

Bowl of vegetable soup.

Soup is always a great choice for a warm compliment to cool chicken salad. Potato soup, broccoli soup, noodle soup, and this vegetable soup all make great sides.

Drinks To Serve With Chicken Salad

Wash your meal down with a cool, refreshing beverages. Here are a few of my all-time favorites.

Cucumber Lemon Water

Cucumber Lemon Water

One of the best homemade beverages to help you stay hydrated is cucumber lemon water. This fruit and veggie infused water is refreshing, colorful, and packed with plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. 

Want to take this drink to the next level? You can customize it by adding thin slices of ginger, mint leaves, watermelon, or other citrus fruits. Giving your pitcher some time to sit before serving is essential to help the flavor develop.

Pineapple Lemonade

Glass with pineapple lemonade.

Made with just 3 ingredients, pineapple lemonade is super easy to make, balancing sweet and tart flavors perfectly. All you need to prepare this beverage is lemonade mix, pineapple juice, and Sprite. 

Don’t have Sprite on hand? Ginger ale or any lemon-lime soda can also be used as an alternative! A delicious drink is a simple but perfect way to complete your meal if you’re not sure what to serve with chicken salad.

Fruit Punch

Glass of fruit punch with green straw.

Fruit punch brings together the flavor of all the best fruits in one delicious recipe! The combination of cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, limeade concentrate, and ginger ale gives this punch an amazing taste that is tart, sweet, tropical and citrusy all at once. 

Level up your punch bowl with some freshly sliced fruit! Orange slices, lime slices, strawberries, or pineapple bits will all make great additions. Adding fresh fruit will surely enhance the flavor and the fun!

Iced Tea

Glass of tea with piece of pineapple.

Iced tea is delicious drink to pair with a light meal. This version uses pineapple juice to add a touch of tropical sweetness.

Hello!

Thank you for visiting Food Lovin’ Family! With 3 kids I know it can be hard getting food on the table. Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

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