Sides For Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a family favorite that both kids and adults can’t get enough of, but finding the perfect sides for chicken parmesan can be a bit challenging. All of these recipes are ones that I’ve made in my own kitchen and eaten with my kids. I’ve included some tasty vegetable sides and irresistible garlic bread recipes because no Chicken Parmesan meal is complete without warm, toasty garlic bread!

My kids love chicken parmesan. And I do too. Chicken Parm is just an amazingly delicious dish for something so simple. And I’ve found ways that are even easier to make this classic comfort food. These recipes are perfect for busy parents who want to serve a delicious homemade meal to their family. From one-pan chicken parm to crock pot chicken parmesan, there’s something here for everyone. 

And what is chicken parmesan without garlic bread? I’ve got you covered there, too, with a handful of easy garlic bread recipes for you to try. I’ve even included a few of my favorite vegetable side dishes that pair perfectly with chicken parm to complete the meal. All the recipes are kid-approved and delicious.

What Is Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan, or chicken parm, is a simple but classic Italian-American dish consisting of breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella and/or provolone cheese. It’s up there among the fanciest of classic comfort food recipes.

The recipe is believed to have been created in the 1930s or 1940s by Italian immigrants living in the Northeast United States – think New York, New Jersey, lower New England. The dish quickly gained tremendous popularity. Probably because it’s mind-blowingly delicious. 

Chicken Parmesan Recipes 

At their heart these recipes are all pretty similar with regard to ingredients. After all, it’s chicken parmigiana. However, there are numerous ways to prepare delicious chicken parmesan at home. From classic styles made in a variety of ways to chicken parm soup and lasagna variations, you’re sure to find a few versions of the classic comfort food your family will love. For even more easy chicken parm recipes, check out my post → here

PRO TIP: Always use a calibrated meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption. 

Baked Chicken Parmigiana Recipe – This has been one of my kids favorite recipes for a long, long time. Instead of frying the chicken, make this easy baked chicken parm that also uses sour cream as a binder for the breadcrumb mixture. It’s a healthier version of the classic. Get the recipe → here.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan – This is such an easy weeknight dinner to make! Use the air fryer to make crispy chicken pieces. And there’s no mess from pan frying! Plus, without the oil, this is a healthier chicken dinner option. I like to use Italian bread crumbs mixed with parmesan cheese for the breading mixture. Get the recipe → here.

Chicken Parmesan Lasgana – Perfect for the whole family! Just put cooked pasta and chicken, marinara sauce, and cheese in a casserole dish for this easy chicken parm bake! Get the recipe → here.

One Pan Chicken Parmesan – Make the whole dish in just one large skillet, including the pasta. This is an easy, quick dinner recipe for busy weeknight dinner time. To start the dish, saute the chicken in olive oil with minced garlic or garlic powder. Get the recipe → here.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe – Dump into a casserole pan and bake for an easy dinner the whole family will love! Use jarred marinara sauce or homemade marinara sauce in this dish. You will bake with aluminum foil and then remove the foil to melt cheese on top of this. Get the recipe → here.

WW Chicken Parmesan Recipe – This Weight Watchers Chicken Parmesan is only 2 Weight Watchers Points per serving! Serve this easy and family-approved dinner recipe with other low-point foods for a delicious and low-point WW dinner! Get the recipe → here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe – Take the hassle out of dinner and let the slow cooker do most of the work. This delicious Chicken Parmesan Crock Pot is the perfect slow-cooker comfort food. Warning: your house will smell delicious for hours. Get the recipe → here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup – This crockpot chicken parm soup has all the decadence of the comfort food classic in a thick and delicious soup. This family-friendly dinner recipe takes just minutes to prep. Get the recipe → here.

What Pasta To Serve With Chicken Parm

Almost any pasta goes great with chicken parmesan. Almost. I’d stay away from smaller pasta like ditalini or elbow macaroni, except for maybe the soup. They’d work in the chicken parm soup recipes. 

Generally, people like to serve parm with a long-strand pasta like spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine. But I also find it goes just as great with bowtie pasta, penne, or rotini. Honestly, whatever your favorite pasta is, it’ll work. 

Spaghetti PastaSfoglini Pasta

 

Also, maybe skip the pasta. Don’t underestimate the power of a chicken parm sandwich.

Garlic Bread To Serve With Chicken Parm

I think there’s a rule written somewhere that if you’re eating chicken parmesan, you have to make garlic bread to go with it. If there’s not, there definitely should be. I can’t imagine having chicken parmesan without garlic bread, so I’ve included recipes for a variety of dishes, from simple to sophisticated.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread – This pull-apart garlic bread is perfect as a centerpiece for family dinners, and my kids always love it. Use store-bought bakery bread, slice it, and stuff it with butter and minced garlic. Bake until it’s golden brown and the cheese is just gooey. Get the recipe → here.

English Muffin Garlic Cheese Bread – Use English muffins with garlic powder and mozzarella cheese to make a super simple, quick, and delicious little garlic bread. Get the recipe → here.

Pull Apart Parmesan Bites – Use refrigerated Grands biscuits to make these easy pull-apart garlic bread bites! My kids love these, and they are so easy to make. Get the recipe → here.

Cheesy Monkey Bread – Use a bundt pan with canned biscuits, butter, cheese, and seasonings to make this delicious garlicky monkey bread! This is a fun one to make with the kids! Get the recipe → here.

Vegetables To Serve With Chicken Parm

I know many people say chicken parm is a whole meal by itself. But sometimes I like to add a nice vegetable side as well. From salads to sprouts, these are some of my favorite go-to side dishes that go great with chicken parmesan. 

Caesar Salad – One classic deserves another. And there’s no more classic pairing than chicken parmesan and a big, fresh caesar salad. Crisp romaine and creamy dressing go so well with the tangy tomatoes and savory chicken.

Oven-Roasted Asparagus – Fresh asparagus with oil, cheese, and seasonings makes for an easy oven-roasted vegetable that goes so well with chicken parmesan. Get the recipe → here.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – Use garlic oil to make these delicious easy Brussels sprouts! You might be pleasantly surprised how well these go with chicken parm. Get the recipe → here.

Oven Roasted Acorn Squash – Use brown sugar, maple syrup, and butter to make this great side dish! The sweetness is a great offset to the savory tanginess of the chicken parm. Get the recipe → here.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli – This air-fried broccoli is a great light companion to chicken parmesan. Simple frozen broccoli is roasted to perfection in just minutes. Get the recipe here → here.

Tomato Caprese – Simple Tomato Caprese is a perfect side dish to accompany chicken parmesan. You can never have too much tomato and mozzarella at the table! Get the recipe → here.

Air Fryer Asparagus – You can make this in the air fryer or inside the oven alongside the pot pie. Asparagus is one of those side dishes that can go with almost anything, and bacon takes everything to the next level. Get the recipe → here.

What is your go-to side dish for chicken parmesan?