Everyone loves a great Alfredo! Whether you are a fan of the Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo or you have another recipe that you prefer, it is always a versatile dish that can be augmented to fit your family's tastes. Maybe that means making it meatless, using different cheeses, adding shrimp, or incorporating some vegetables.

But what really elevates this classic meal are the side dishes that accompany it. Here's a list of 20 sides that perfectly complement the flavors and textures of this beloved pasta dish.

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The best side dishes to serve with Chicken Alfredo are garlic bread, Italian salad, broccoli, bacon wrapped asparagus, bruschetta, garlicky spinach, green beans, Caesar salad, corn on the cob, breadsticks, bacon, Caprese salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, zucchini boats, glazed carrots, blistered tomatoes, and scalloped potatoes.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Rosemary Bread

Rosemary bread is a delightful choice with its aromatic flavor that pairs wonderfully with chicken Alfredo. The herb-infused bread adds a rustic touch to the meal. Its crispy crust and soft, fluffy interior are perfect for soaking up the creamy Alfredo sauce. Serve it warm from the oven, and it will surely be a hit, offering a comforting and fragrant complement to your pasta dish.

2. Scalloped Potatoes

For those who love their meals extra hearty, scalloped potatoes are an excellent choice. Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce make for a decadent side. The layers of potato become tender and absorb the rich sauce, offering a different kind of creaminess compared to the Alfredo. Add a hint of garlic or a sprinkle of your favorite herbs to tie it in nicely with the chicken Alfredo.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is a classic side that brings both color and nutrition to your plate. Its crisp, slightly earthy taste is a great way to balance the richness of chicken Alfredo. You can steam it to keep its bright green color and crunchy texture, or sauté it with garlic for an extra flavor boost. It's not just healthy; it's a delicious way to add a bit of crunch to your creamy pasta.

4. Caprese Salad

A Caprese salad, with its fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil, dressed in olive oil and balsamic, offers a light and refreshing contrast to the creamy Alfredo. The salad's simplicity and freshness cut through the richness, providing a palate-cleansing effect. Plus, the vibrant colors of this classic Italian salad make it a visually appealing addition to your meal.

5. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Bacon wrapped asparagus is a decadent side that combines the smokiness of bacon with the earthiness of asparagus. The bacon adds a crispy texture and a savory depth to the tender asparagus, making it a luxurious complement to the creamy chicken Alfredo. It's a side dish that brings a touch of indulgence and a lot of flavors.

6. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a classic side that never disappoints. The buttery, garlicky flavor pairs excellently with the creamy Alfredo sauce. It's great for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate, ensuring you enjoy every last bit of that delicious Alfredo. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, garlic bread is a comforting addition to any pasta meal.

7. Garlicky Spinach

This garlicky spinach is another one that you can serve on its own as a side dish, or you can mix it directly into your chicken alfredo. Spinach is a superfood full of iron, calcium, fiber, and a host of other vitamins and minerals that support good heart, blood, eye, liver, and kidney health. So if you have picky eaters that need a super boost of health, this is a good veggie to try and sneak into a meal.

8. Green Beans

Green beans are a versatile side that works well with chicken Alfredo. Their fresh, slightly sweet flavor provides a nice contrast to the creamy sauce. You can steam them for a crisp texture or sauté them with a bit of garlic and butter for extra flavor. Either way, they add a pop of color and a burst of freshness to your plate.

9. Caesar Salad

There's nothing better than a fresh salad made with homemade dressing, and this caesar salad recipe is no exception. The dressing isn't a heavy cream dressing. It's nice and light, so it pairs well with a heavy pasta dish like chicken alfredo.

10. Corn on the Cob

Corn is such a simple side dish, and it's almost always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with some butter, salt, and pepper, or go with more of a Mexican street corn vibe and load it with cheese, mayo, cilantro, garlic, salt, and lime.

11. Breadsticks

You can't go wrong with breadsticks and pasta. These ones are loaded with garlic, parmesan, and butter, but you can totally customize your breadsticks however you want. Maybe you bake them with just a bit of cheddar sprinkled on them. Or you could brush them with some olive oil and add your favorite seasonings like everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds.

This recipe will make about 12 breadsticks. If you have extra, they are good to keep handy as snacks, or you can freeze them and take them out as needed.

12. Bacon

Hear me out. While serving a bacon side dish with chicken alfredo might seem strange at first, you aren't thinking big picture! This crispy bacon can be chopped up and added to the alfredo sauce or even used to zhuzh up your caesar salad. Bacon, after all, does make everything better.

13. Chicken Quarters

So just like with the bacon, you can make these juicy chicken quarters in advance and use the chicken in your alfredo, or make your side salad more hearty. Chances are you will have plenty of chicken left over from this recipe to use for a meal on another night.

14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These little green gems are a revelation when roasted to perfection. The outer leaves become crispy, while the inside remains tender and flavorful. Tossed with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, they transform into a delightful side that offers a savory, nutty flavor, which pairs wonderfully with many main courses, including Chicken Alfredo.

15. Bruschetta

A classic bruschetta with lots of basil is hands down my favorite side dish to serve with chicken alfredo. Not only is it so so good, but it's a great recipe to use your Roma tomato, garlic, and basil harvest if you're a gardener.

16. Zucchini Boats

A creative and nutritious side dish, zucchini boats are hollowed-out zucchinis stuffed with a mixture of your choice - perhaps sautéed vegetables, cheese, and herbs. Baked until tender, they offer a fun and customizable option for adding color and variety to your meal. The mild taste of zucchini acts as a blank canvas, allowing the flavors of the stuffing to shine, complementing your main dish beautifully.

17. Glazed Carrots

Sweet, tangy, and perfectly tender, glazed carrots are a side dish that can brighten up any plate. Simmered gently in a mixture of butter, honey, and balsamic vinegar, they take on a glossy finish that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. The balance of sweetness and acidity makes them a versatile companion to a range of meals, including rich and creamy dishes like Chicken Alfredo.

18. Whole Roasted Cauliflower

A whole roasted cauliflower is not only visually impressive but also a great way to add vegetables to your meal. Roasting the cauliflower whole intensifies its natural flavors and gives it a wonderful texture – tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. Season it with herbs and spices that complement the Alfredo sauce, like garlic, thyme, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

19. Italian Salad

Another classic side that goes well with any pasta dish is a fresh Italian salad. A simple, flavorful dressing and a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano go a long way with this side.

20. Blistered Tomatoes

Blistered tomatoes are a simple yet vibrant addition. The natural sweetness and slight acidity of cherry or grape tomatoes, cooked until they just start to burst, provide a fresh counterpoint to the creamy Alfredo sauce. Toss them in a hot pan with a bit of olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt. In minutes, you'll have a colorful and flavorful side that cuts through the richness of the Alfredo.

Best Side Dishes For Chicken Alfredo

Rosemary Bread
Italian Salad
Broccoli
Caprese Salad
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Bruschetta
Garlicky Spinach
Green Beans
Caesar Salad
Corn on the Cob
Breadsticks
Bacon
Garlic Bread
Chicken Quarters
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Zucchini Boats
Glazed Carrots
Blistered Tomatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
Whole Roasted Cauliflower

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