10 Super Easy Side Dishes for Chicken Dinners

Ready in 30 minutes or less.

Having a few chicken breasts in the freezer is always a good idea for those days when you just need to get food on the table fast. But the problem comes when you have to fix side dishes to go with it. To help you out, we've gathered popular side dish recipes that require just a few ingredients and can be made in the time it takes to cook your chicken in the oven. Here's our list of 10 quick and easy side dishes for chicken.

1. Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges | Ready in 30 minutes

For this quick and easy side dish, sweet potatoes are simply cut into wedges and brushed with a simple oil mixture before cooking them on the grill for about 20 minutes — it's that easy. "Sweet potatoes on the grill have a smoky, caramelized flavor you can't achieve in the oven. These are mildly spicy, but adjust the cayenne to suit your taste," says recipe creator France C. Reviewer HankWheelie said he cooked them in an air fryer with a splash of olive oil.

Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
Photo by France C.

2. Jamie's Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob | Ready in 15 minutes

"Outstanding! From now on, this is how I will be making corn on the cob," says reviewer Erin. "You can't taste the lemon juice or sugar, but it adds a subtle sweetness and the corn doesn't get overcooked and chewy." The best part? Three ingredients and 15 minutes is all it takes to make this top-rated side dish. Recipe reviewer Crosspatch confirms this recipe even works with frozen corn on the cob.

3. Italian Peas | Ready in 15 minutes

Reviewer lovestohost says, "Thanks for a great veggie side, easy enough for weeknights, but respectable enough for guests, too." Pull that bag of frozen peas out of the back of the freezer and make this simple side when you're running low on time.

closeup of peas with onions, with meatloaf in the background
TTV78

4. Parmesan Garlic Orzo | Ready in 25 minutes

"A lot of bang for your buck on this one. Packed with creamy, buttery, Parmesan-y flavor and couldn't be easier to prepare. This is an ideal side dish for practically any meat," says reviewer naples34102.

closeup of an orzo pasta side dish
Photo by naples34102. naples34102

5. Buttery Garlic Green Beans | Ready in 20 minutes

"This is one of my favorite ways to make green beans. I like to add a little finely minced onion to the skillet with the garlic as well. I usually double this recipe because my family inhales it," says reviewer Sarah Jo. This side dish has a short ingredient list with big flavor.

6. Balsamic Glazed Carrots | Ready in 15 minutes

Reviewer sugarmagnolia_fl says, "These have become a family favorite. We just love them. I've also used this method with sweet potato chunks. Thanks!" As recipe creator HARRY WETZEL put it, this side dish is "deceptively simple."

Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Photo by ONIOND.

7. Sauteed Portobellos and Spinach | Ready in 20 minutes

Looking for an easy way to sneak in some greens on a busy weeknight? Recipe creator froglette says, "Tender portobello mushrooms and spinach are simmered with Parmesan cheese, wine and seasoning. Unique, easy, and extremely tasty side dish!"

Sauteed Portobellos and Spinach
Photo by Katherinec.

8. Garlic Pasta | Ready in 30 minutes

For a heartier side dish to accompany your chicken dinner, give this easy Italian pasta recipe a try. "This is a classic Italian side dish with much room for improvisation and versatility. As with any cooked pasta, reserve some of the cooking water to add to the pasta if necessary as it sits," says reviewer naples34102.

Garlic Pasta
Photo by kard22.

9. Suzy's Mashed Red Potatoes | Ready in 30 minutes

Mashed potatoes don't have to be time consuming and labor intensive! "It's so nice not to have to peel the potatoes. It was a big hit with my family! This is also good when you put the finished product in a casserole dish, sprinkle some Cheddar cheese on top, and bake until it's bubbly," says reviewer CLANCY1231.

10. Byrdhouse Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

This top-rated side dish is just about as fast as you can get and shows off your summer tomatoes in all their sweet glory. Recipe creator SunnyByrd says, "This is an easy, tasty, and pretty way to whip up a side dish in about 1 minute. Be careful and quick with these — we want 'em blistered, not blown apart!"

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