What Vegetable to Serve with Chicken Parmesan (12 Options)
If you’re looking for the right vegetable to serve with your chicken parmesan, we’ve got the answer.
We’ve rounded up 12 of our favorite veggie options and compiled them into a list so you can easily choose the best one for your meal.
After that, we even give you 11 of our favorite vegetable-based side dishes to serve with this meal.
So read on through this list and find out what vegetables go best with chicken parmesan!
See Also:
- What Salad Goes with Chicken Parmesan? 10 Best Salads
- What Wine Goes With Chicken Parmesan? (10 Best Wines)
What Vegetable to Serve with Chicken Parmesan?
Vegetables that go well with chicken parmesan include broccoli, spinach, and zucchini. The vegetables should be sliced thin and cooked in a pan until they are al dente. They can then be sprinkled over the chicken parmesan or served on the side as a side dish to accompany it.
Below, we’ve rounded up 12 of our favorite options for vegetables that pair perfectly with chicken parmesan—you’ll never have to settle for mediocre veggies again!
1. Green Beans
Green beans (Check out these canned green beans recipes) are a classic accompaniment to chicken parmesan, and for good reason.
Green beans have a slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture that contrast well with the rich, savory flavor of chicken parmesan.
2. Roasted Potatoes
If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try pairing your chicken parmesan with roasted potatoes.
The potatoes will add an earthy quality to the dish that can complement or contrast the other flavors in your meal—whichever you prefer!
3. Arugula Salad
A light salad like arugula is a great way to add some freshness to your meal while still keeping it filling enough to be satisfying as a main course.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is the perfect vegetable for chicken parmesan.
It’s slightly sweet, but also slightly bitter—it’s the best of both worlds!
Broccoli is super versatile, too.
You can steam it, saute it, or even roast it if you feel like getting fancy.
Just make sure to cut the florets into small pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.
If you’re looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your chicken parmesan without adding calories or fat, we’d recommend using broccoli instead of additional cheese.
Broccoli adds a subtle crunch and lets you enjoy all the flavors of your favorite dish without having to worry about feeling bloated after eating it (or feeling guilty about what you ate).
5. Onions
Onions are another great option for chicken parmesan.
They’re a bit more bitter than broccoli—which means you won’t want to use too much—but they add a great flavor that compliments the sweetness of this dish perfectly.
To make sure they don’t overpower everything else in your meal, slice them thinly before adding them to your pasta sauce or topping on top of your chicken breasts before cooking them up in the oven!
6. Carrots
Carrots are also an excellent pairing for chicken parmesan.
They’re sweet and woody with just a hint of earthiness—the perfect complement to the rich flavors in this dish!
Carrot pairs well with everything from pasta sauce to cheese sauce and goes particularly well with garlic and onion (which are staples in most Italian dishes).
Carrot also has a high fiber content that helps keep us fuller longer so we don’t overeat on this delicious Italian classic!
7. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a little nutty, a little sweet, and all around delicious. It’s got an earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with tomato sauce.
Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like vitamin C and potassium—and it’s even low in carbs!
It’s also super versatile: roast it, steam it, or sauté it in olive oil to make sure every bite of your favorite dish has the perfect texture.
And if you’re feeling extra adventurous?
Make a mashed version of cauliflower with cheese and garlic (it’ll blow your mind).
8. Peas
Peas are another great choice for chicken parmesan—they add a little something special to this already-classic dish!
If you’re not a big fan of peas straight out of the pod (which we understand), try roasting them first so they have more crunch than usual when they hit your plate alongside a juicy piece of chicken smothered in cheese sauce.
9. Spinach
Spinach is another option that works well with this dish because it’s milder than other types of greens like kale or collard greens.
It also has a slightly sweet flavor that helps balance out the savory taste of the parmesan cheese coating on top of each piece of chicken breast!
10. Kale
Kale is another great option when it comes to pairing with chicken parmesan.
It has a strong flavor that pairs well with the strong sauce on top of your favorite pasta dish.
Kale is also high in fiber and other nutrients, so when you’re trying to eat healthy this winter season, this might be one of your best bets!
11. Celery
Celery is another great option for pairing with chicken parmesan because it’s mild and earthy—the perfect balance between sweet and salty!
Try adding some celery slices on top of your pasta before you add any sauce or cheese; then when you’re ready to serve up your meal, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese for added flavor!
12. Collard Greens
Collard greens are another great option for pairing with chicken parmesan—they’re not quite as bitter as kale (and they’re more versatile in terms of how you can prepare them), but they’re still flavorful enough that they won’t overpower your dish.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try substituting collards instead!
What Vegetable Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Parmesan
We love a good vegetable side dish that goes with chicken parmesan.
Here are 11 of our favorites:
1. Parmesan Asparagus
Parmesan Asparagus is a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken parmesan!
The crispy and salty Parmesan cheese is contrasted by the softness of the asparagus, which makes for a delightful combination.
This side dish can be served with any type of chicken parmesan, so you don’t have to worry about it clashing with your main course.
It’s also easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
How to make parmesan asparagus:
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed, ends discarded
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
- Place asparagus on a baking sheet
- Drizzle with melted butter, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Bake for about 10 minutes or until the asparagus is crisp-tender
2. Creamed Corn
This dish is super simple:
Just sauté some corn kernels until they’re tender, then add some cream and butter and heat until it thickens up—and voila!
You’ve got yourself a creamy, delicious side dish perfect with any meal!
3. Cabbage Salad
If you’re looking for a side dish that’s going to make your chicken parmesan really shine, look no further than this cabbage salad recipe.
This is the perfect dish to serve if you’re looking to add some healthy greens to your meal without overpowering it or taking away from the main course.
It’s also great because it doesn’t require much prep: just chop up some cabbage and toss it in a bowl with some olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper!
That’s it!
If you’ve never made this before, you’re going to love how easy it is.
The best part about this recipe is that it’s versatile—you can use any kind of vinegar you like (we recommend red wine vinegar), and any kind of dressing works well here too—so feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.
4. Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are the new kale!
They’re a little more exciting, and they’re also much more delicious.
Try our Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with your next chicken parmesan meal.
This recipe is basically as easy as it gets:
- Just bring some water to a boil in a large pot, then add your brussels sprouts.
- Cook them until they’re tender-crisp, then drain and set aside while you make the rest of your dish.
- Once everything else is ready, throw the brussels sprouts back in along with some olive oil, maple syrup (or honey), salt and pepper—and voila!
You’ve got yourself a side dish that’s going to turn heads at the dinner table.
5. Pesto Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli is delicious, but it’s even better when you add pesto!
Just toss your broccoli florets with some olive oil and salt before roasting them in the oven alongside your chicken parm (or any other dish), and then add some basil pesto for an extra burst of flavor.
6. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes generally pair well with everything, but garlic mashed potatoes are especially tasty when served alongside chicken parmesan.
They’re super easy to make—just boil some potatoes and add some garlic salt and milk, then mash until smooth.
Serve up some warm mashed potatoes and enjoy!
7. Roasted Vegetables
This is a really simple side dish that can be made with any vegetables you have on hand.
It’s perfect for a weeknight, too—it takes just 15 minutes to prep and roast in the oven.
You can use whatever veggies your family likes, but we think roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes are especially good with chicken parmesan!
8. Broccoli Rabe With Garlic And Oil
Broccoli rabe is one of those ingredients that sounds intimidating but is actually super easy to make.
All you need to do is boil some water, sauté some garlic in olive oil until golden brown, then add the broccoli rabe and cook it until tender (about 10 minutes).
We like this recipe because it’s simple enough to make while still being flavorful enough to pair well with chicken parmesan.
9. Potato Salad
Potato salad is another great option for pairing with chicken parmesan because it’s a little bit lighter than most pasta salads, which means it won’t weigh you down when you’re eating your meal.
Plus, it’s easy to make at home—just boil your potatoes and toss them with some mayo, relish, salt and pepper!
10. Baked Beans
A classic baked bean recipe is an easy way to add some extra protein to your meal without taking up too much time in the kitchen.
Baked beans can be made ahead of time so you can spend more time with your family when they arrive home from school or work!
11. Creamy Polenta
Polenta is a great alternative to mashed potatoes or pasta if you want something warm and comforting but don’t want to go all-in on carbs.
This creamy polenta recipe also makes it easier than ever to whip up this classic dish at home!
12 Vegetables to Serve with Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- Green Beans
- Roasted Potatoes
- Arugula Salad
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Spinach
- Kale
- Celery
- Collard Greens
Instructions
- Pick your favorite vegetable from this list to serve alongside your meal.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.