What To Serve With Chicken Tenders: 25 Delicious Options

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are some of the tastier comfort foods all over the world and you can find them at all fast-food restaurants and some fancy ones. You can also prepare chicken tenders at home from scratch and even find frozen ones that you can heat up in the oven or fry them.

And if you want to complete your chicken tenders meal, we put together a list of not less than 25 side dishes that will give you a delicious culinary experience!

Best 25 Side Dishes For Chicken Tenders

Enjoy your chicken tenders with one or even more of the next side dishes. Some of them might surprise you but they are definitely worth a try to create a delicious meal!

1. French fries

French fries

You will find chicken tenders associated with french fries more than with any other type of side dish. This combination is famous for fast food chains. You can make them at home just as easily too.

Feel free to use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes if you prefer a more different flavor and they will turn out just as good.

2. Mashed potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes will taste just as good with chicken tenders as french fries.

You will not find this mix so often at fast-food restaurants but it is easy to make at home. Add some butter and garlic to your mashed potatoes for a more intense taste. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs either.

Mashed potatoes also taste delicious if you add a cup of milk while you mix your potatoes.

3. Coleslaw

Buttermilk Coleslaw

Coleslaw is one of the best side dishes for chicken tenders but you can enjoy it with plenty of other dishes.

There are many different recipes for coleslaw and they are all very easy to make at home. Make sure to make more coleslaw salad that you would eat in one sitting because it stays great in the fridge.

This side dish will add to your chicken tenders a fresh flavor that many people love.

4. Fried asparagus

Fried asparagus is another great option to add next to your chicken tenders. You can prepare this side dish at home in just a couple of minutes.

All you need is to heat up some butter or olive oil in your pan, along with some garlic, add the asparagus, and voila! Finally, season it with some salt, pepper, and any other herbs you might prefer, and allow it to cook for about 2-3 minutes.

Eat the fried asparagus warm along with your chicken tenders for a nutritious meal that is ready fast and with no hassle!

5. Grilled veggies

Grilled sweet potatoes

Grilled veggies will go as a side dish for almost any type of meat and you can prepare them fast as well.

Leftovers from your last barbecue could still be an option, especially if you heat them up in the oven. But the best types of grilled veggies are the fresh ones as they taste delicious with the right seasoning next to your chicken nuggets.

And you can enjoy a more complex meal as well!

6. Fresh salads

Vegetable salad

If you are looking for a healthy side dish to pair your chicken nuggets with, a fresh veggie salad might be the best choice for you.

Use any type of vegetables for your salad according to the season you are in as well, since seasonal veggies tend to be the tastiest.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion make a great mix for a fresh salad that will complement the chicken tenders beautifully as well.

Furthermore, such a salad will help you digest your dinner easier and enrich your nutrition level at the same time.

7. Pesto sauce

Grilled cheese with pesto

Pesto sauce can make for a great dip for your chicken tenders and it comes in many varieties.

Dipping your chicken tenders in your favorite pesto sauce will give it so much more flavor and it compliments the taste of meat perfectly.

You can make your pesto sauce at home too. However, considering how easy it is to find it in stores you might prefer to purchase it already made.

Pesto can also be a part of other sauces you want to use to make your chicken tenders better!

8. Salsa

homemade salsa

Salsa is one of the most popular dips for different reasons and its flavor can highlight the flavor of your chicken tenders in an amazing way. Use a mild-flavored salsa. Or a hot version depending on your preferences. And your chicken tenders will be even tastier.

Salsa is a type of dip that you should eat cold. You can easily find it in stores. You can use red salsa or green salsa as the color depends on the type of tomatoes used to make it.

9. Steamed veggies

Steamed veggies

Steamed veggies are another healthy option for a chicken tenders’ side dish. And it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to make. You can steam veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower or carrots, and even potatoes.

The secret to great steamed veggies is to use vegetables that will steam in a similar amount of time so you can prepare them all at once. Feel free to add the toppings you want and some aromatic herbs so you will enhance the flavor of your dish.

10. Baked potatoes

When it comes to baked potatoes you can enjoy them plain or you can add different toppings to them from ham to cheese and different sauces.

You can bake both regular potatoes and sweet potatoes. However, the taste will be quite different as the sweet potatoes are not only sweeter but are also more creamy.

Baked potatoes taste great warm so if you have leftovers it is better to heat them up before you enjoy them next to your chicken tenders or any other dish of your choice.

11. Wedges

Wedges 

Wedges are also a great option to eat with chicken tenders.

You can bake them or fry them and add a variety of aromatic herbs to enhance their taste. But wedges taste better with a type of sauce next to them like cheese sauce or ketchup of your choice.

You can find frozen wedges as well so you save a lot of time preparing your meal too.

12. Zucchini pasta

Zucchini

This pasta can be a delicious meal on its own. However, it will be more complete with chicken tenders next to it. Zucchini is the type of veggie that is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, so you will benefit a lot from adding it to your meal.

You can make zucchini pasta at home by frying them in olive oil and adding salt, pepper, and other seasonings you might prefer. They taste great with a pinch of chili and it takes only a couple of minutes to cook them in the pan.

13. Cornbread

Cornbread

Cornbread is a tasty side dish that goes along with any type of meat. The best part?

You can make it at home with no hassle. Adding some garlic sauce to your cornbread and chicken tenders meal will make it taste even better. And you will most likely come back to this dish.

It is easy to make and nutritious so you will not feel hungry for several hours after you eat it!

14. Potato salad

Potato salad

Potato salad can be yummy on its own but it will go much better next to warm chicken tenders. You can make your potato salad with boiled potatoes, onion, eggs, and mayonnaise along with the seasonings of your choice.

However, there are plenty of recipes you will find when it comes to preparing potato salad. And you can use your creativity as well since it is a very versatile dish.

Potato salad is best enjoyed cold so allow it to sit in the fridge for half an hour before you put it next to your chicken tenders.

15. Pasta salad

pasta salad

Pasta salad is another versatile side dish that you will love to eat along with chicken tenders.

Use penne or fusilli pasta or any other type of short pasta you prefer and combine it with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and other veggies you might prefer. You can store such a salad in the fridge as well for up to two days if you want to have leftovers.

Make sure to drain the pasta well enough so your salad will not become watery. And if you want to add your chicken tenders inside your salad this is also a good idea.

16. Pickles

Pickles

Pickles go great with meat dishes in general as the two different textures and flavors combine deliciously.

Pickled cucumbers and pickled peppers are some of the most common options you will find in stores. And they can be pickled in vinegar or salt or both, depending on the recipe followed.

Pickles make a great side dish but also a tasty ingredient in sauces such as tartar sauce or other toppings you might want to try in your kitchen!

17. Baked beans

Baked beans

Baked beans are a staple Mexican cuisine. However, they can also be very tasty if you combine them with chicken tenders.

The best-baked beans are white beans. But ultimately you can choose any type you prefer. Add a fried egg on top of your baked beans as you serve them next to the chicken tenders and you will have a nutritious meal any time of the day!

18. Risotto

Risotto

Risotto is one of the best side dishes for chicken tenders for many reasons and you can cook it in a variety of ways.

The mushroom risotto or the veggies risotto tends to go perfectly with the tender texture of your chicken.

The best part? You can make your risotto in just a couple of minutes, especially if you use one of the risotto mixes you can find on the market.

19. Stir-fries

Stir-fries

Stir-fries are easy to make and they can go great with chicken tenders as well as any other type of meat as well. You can make stir-fries from scratch if you have the veggies you prefer to use but you can also find frozen mixes in stores if you are looking for a more convenient option.

For easier plating, you can cut your chicken tenders and add them to the stir fry mix and you will have a great meal in minutes.

20. Mac and cheese

Mac and cheese might already be one of your comfort foods. Thus, you will be that much happier if you try them with your chicken tenders.

Plus, kids will definitely love this combination so if your child is fussy when he sees chicken, add some mac and cheese next to it and you might be surprised at how fast they empty their plate!

21. Waffles

Many people associate waffles with fruits but they go perfectly with chicken tenders as well.

You can add cheese to your waffles or even sprinkle maple syrup to enhance the flavor of your meal. Waffles and chicken tenders can be a tasty combo for breakfast and brunch as well so you should definitely give this a try!

22. Fried apples

Apple chips

You might never think of fried apples as a perfect side dish for chicken tenders. However, this combination can easily become one of your favorites.

The best-fried apples are fried in butter and with a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor. You don’t have to fry them too much, just 2-3 minutes will do to provide them the moist and creamy texture you want.

23. Fried cheese

halloumi cheese

Fried cheese is common comfort food as well and it is very easy to make.

The best type of cheese to fry is mozzarella but you can feel free to experiment as long as you choose a cheese that has a gummy texture so it will not fall apart.

Fry cheese in a mix of bread crumbs and eggs or flour and eggs and add the seasoning of your choice. Garlic goes very well with fried cheese and next to your chicken tenders it will taste yummy!

24. Hummus

Hummus

Hummus is a very tasty spread. However, many people choose to eat it with veggies and meat rather than bread as such dishes complement its flavor much better.

You can dip your chicken tenders in hummus and you will love the taste. Add some pickles to this combo and you will have a complete and nutritious meal in just a few minutes.

25. Fluffy biscuits

Biscotti

Fluffy biscuits will provide a sweet and savory taste that will go great with your chicken tenders, being them warm or cold.

You can even add some gravy on top of your biscuits as a tasty topping. Then, add some more comfort food taste to your meal.

If you have cold fluffy biscuits, you can easily heat them in the oven for a few minutes and they will taste like you just made them.

What Comes With Chicken Tenders At KFC?

KFC has some of the most popular chicken tenders menus on the market.

You will find them served with french fries and a sauce of your choice as well as a soda of your choice. You will also obtain a biscuit. There are limited edition combos, depending on the country you are in when you order a combo tender meal from KFC.

What Do You Serve With Grilled Chicken?

Grilled chicken goes with all the side dishes that chicken tenders go with.

You can enjoy grilled chicken with fresh or grilled veggies as well as french fries, waffles, biscuits, and all kinds of sauces from salsa to pesto.

Just season your grilled chicken the way you like so you make the most out of this meal.

What Sauce To Eat With Chicken Tenders?

When it comes to the sauce you prefer to enjoy with your chicken tenders, the sky is the limit.

You can try any sauce you like from salsa to pesto, guacamole, or tzatziki and you will not be disappointed.

Garlic and barbecue sauces can also compliment your chicken tenders. If you find a cheese sauce that you like you should definitely give it a try.

Creamy sauces with a lot of savory flavors will go great with chicken tenders and you can make most of these sauces at home as well.

Wrap Up

Chicken tenders can be your favorite food but such a meal can become even better if you pair it with one of the side dishes in this guide.

Let your imagination free as you prepare the perfect side dish for your chicken tenders and you might surprise yourself with the results!

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