Ina Garten’s Parmesan chicken is a quick and easy chicken breast recipe that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The chicken is coated in breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs before being baked to perfection. This flavorful chicken dish is sure to become a go-to weeknight meal. While the chicken is delicious on its own, serving it with complementary side dishes can take this recipe to the next level. When deciding what to pair with Ina’s Parmesan chicken, there are a few key considerations. First, you’ll want sides that balance out the flavors and textures of the crispy, cheesy chicken. Next, sides that are relatively quick and easy to pull together are ideal for this simple 30-minute main. Finally, choosing dishes that use up ingredients you likely already have on hand makes serving this meal even more convenient. Taking these factors into account, here are some of the best options for what to serve with Ina Garten’s Parmesan chicken.
Salads
Salads are a classic pairing with chicken dishes. The fresh vegetables, greens, and vinaigrettes balance out the richer flavors of the breaded chicken. Salads also provide texture contrast to the crispy exterior of the Parmesan chicken. Here are some salads that would go well with this main course:
Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
– Ingredients: Baby arugula, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper
– Directions: In a large bowl, toss together arugula, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper until well coated.
Caesar Salad
– Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons, shaved Parmesan
– Directions: Toss together chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
Greek Salad
– Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, red onion, Greek dressing
– Directions: Combine chopped lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta, and red onion. Toss with Greek dressing.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Serving Ina’s Parmesan chicken with fresh, seasonal vegetable side dishes is a healthy and tasty option. Vegetables like roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or oven-baked squash complement the chicken perfectly. They add vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the meal. Plus, roasting or sautéing vegetables is simple and quick. Here are some vegetable side dish ideas:
Roasted Broccoli
– Ingredients: Broccoli florets, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper
– Directions: Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until tender.
Sautéed Green Beans
– Ingredients: Green beans, olive oil, garlic
– Directions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté green beans in olive oil and minced garlic until tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper.
Oven Baked Acorn Squash
– Ingredients: Halved and seeded acorn squash, olive oil, maple syrup, salt
– Directions: Toss squash halves with olive oil, maple syrup, and salt. Roast cut-side down at 400°F for 40-50 minutes until tender.
Grains
Hearty grains like quinoa, farro, or brown rice make satisfying sides for Parmesan chicken. As complex carbs, they provide an energy boost. Grains also have a pleasant, chewy texture that contrasts the crunchy breaded chicken. Grain dishes are easy to make in bulk so you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week. Here are some grain side ideas:
Quinoa with Lemon and Herbs
– Ingredients: Quinoa, olive oil, lemon zest, Italian parsley, basil, salt, pepper
– Directions: Cook quinoa according to package directions. Toss with olive oil, lemon zest, chopped parsley and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
Farro with Feta and Tomatoes
– Ingredients: Farro, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, feta cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar
– Directions: Cook farro according to package instructions. In a bowl, combine with halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, and feta. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Brown Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms
– Ingredients: Long grain brown rice, vegetable broth, mushrooms, garlic, thyme
– Directions: In a saucepan, combine rice, broth, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Breads
Breads are great for soaking up any delicious juices and flavors left on your plate from the Parmesan chicken. Breads and rolls can be served warm right out of the oven to contrast the chilled salads and sides. Fresh baked bread also adds an aromatic, comforting touch to the meal. Options like focaccia, dinner rolls, or ciabatta pair nicely.
Focaccia
– Ingredients: Pizza dough, olive oil, salt, rosemary
– Directions: Press pizza dough into a greased baking sheet. Top with olive oil, salt, and rosemary. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
Dinner Rolls
– Ingredients: Roll dough, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley
– Directions: Shape dough into rolls. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Bake until golden brown.
Ciabatta
– Purchase fresh ciabatta loaves from your local bakery to serve alongside the chicken.
Full Menu Suggestions
When planning a full menu around Ina Garten’s Parmesan chicken, try some of these balanced meal ideas:
Menu 1
– Parmesan Chicken
– Caesar Salad
– Roasted Broccoli
– Focaccia
Menu 2
– Parmesan Chicken
– Greek Salad
– Quinoa with Lemon and Herbs
– Dinner Rolls
Menu 3
– Parmesan Chicken
– Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
– Farro with Feta and Tomatoes
– Ciabatta Bread
| Menu | Salad | Vegetable | Grain | Bread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menu 1 | Caesar Salad | Roasted Broccoli | None | Focaccia |
| Menu 2 | Greek Salad | None | Quinoa with Lemon and Herbs | Dinner Rolls |
| Menu 3 | Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette | None | Farro with Feta and Tomatoes | Ciabatta Bread |
Tips for Serving
Here are some helpful tips for serving Ina’s Parmesan chicken with tasty side dishes:
– Set out all the salad ingredients separately and let guests build their own to ensure the greens don’t get soggy.
– Roast vegetables ahead of time so they just need a quick reheat on the stove or in the oven before serving.
– Cook grains like quinoa or farro in advance. Store in fridge until ready to serve. Reheat with a splash of broth or water.
– Warm up rolls or focaccia in the oven right before dinner so they are nice and hot at the table.
– Let guests help themselves family-style to all the different side dishes for a casual, relaxed meal.
– Make extra vegetable or grain sides to have leftovers to enjoy for lunch the next day. Parmesan chicken also reheats well.
– Add a fresh green salad at the end for a light, healthy finish to the meal.
– A simple dessert like panna cotta, fresh fruit, or store-bought cookies rounds out the menu nicely.
Conclusion
Ina Garten’s Parmesan chicken is elevated from a quick weeknight dinner to a delicious menu by pairing it with the right salads, vegetable dishes, grains, and breads. Fresh greens, roasted veggies, hearty farro, and warm focaccia all make excellent accompaniments to the crispy, cheesy chicken. Keep side dishes relatively simple so the prep is easy. Let guests build their own plates buffet-style for a laidback serving experience. Leftovers can carry you through to your next meal. With the right sides and a few tips for serving, this easy baked chicken dinner becomes an elegant and complete meal the whole family will love.