8 Simple Summer Sides That Go Great with Chicken
Summer calls for fresh, light side dishes that complement grilled chicken perfectly. These easy recipes bring vibrant flavors to your table without heating up the kitchen.
From crisp salads to tender roasted vegetables, each dish celebrates seasonal produce at its peak freshness and flavor.
01. Crisp Garden Vegetable Chopped Salad
Cool cucumbers, peppery radishes, and juicy tomatoes create a refreshing summer salad. The creamy dressing brings everything together beautifully.
Ingredients: 2 large cucumbers (diced), 8 radishes (thinly sliced), 3 medium tomatoes (chopped), ½ red onion (finely diced), ⅓ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped), 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Crisp Garden Vegetable Chopped Salad
1. Dice cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Add thinly sliced radishes and chopped tomatoes, ensuring all pieces are roughly the same size for even distribution of flavors.
2. Finely dice the red onion and add to the vegetable mixture. The sharp onion flavor will mellow as it sits with the other ingredients.
3. Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, and white wine vinegar in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently until everything is well coated. Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
02. Bright Asparagus and Tomato Salad
Tender asparagus spears paired with cherry tomatoes make an elegant side dish. Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts add wonderful texture and flavor.
Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh asparagus (trimmed), 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved), ⅓ cup pine nuts, ½ cup Parmesan cheese (shaved), 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves garlic (minced), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Bright Asparagus and Tomato Salad
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and prepare an ice bath. Blanch trimmed asparagus spears for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp, then immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking.
2. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant. Watch carefully as they can burn quickly.
3. Cut blanched asparagus into 2-inch pieces and combine with halved cherry tomatoes in a serving bowl. The contrasting colors make this salad visually stunning.
4. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic together. Drizzle over vegetables and toss gently.
5. Top with toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
03. Zesty Lemon Garlic Green Beans
These vibrant green beans burst with bright lemon and aromatic garlic flavors. Quick cooking keeps them perfectly tender-crisp and colorful.
Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh green beans (trimmed), 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 shallots (minced), 4 cloves garlic (minced), zest of 2 lemons, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons butter, ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Zesty Lemon Garlic Green Beans
1. Trim the stem ends of green beans and cut into uniform 2-inch pieces for even cooking. This ensures every bite has the perfect texture.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced shallots and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Add green beans to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn bright green and are tender-crisp when pierced with a fork.
4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter, tossing everything together.
5. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Season generously with salt and pepper before serving immediately while hot.
04. Herb-Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
Sweet cherry tomatoes shine in this simple marinated salad. Fresh herbs and tangy dressing enhance their natural summer sweetness perfectly.
Ingredients: 3 pounds mixed cherry tomatoes (halved), ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped), 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (chopped), 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Herb-Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
1. Halve cherry tomatoes and place them in a large serving bowl. Using different colored tomatoes creates a beautiful rainbow effect that’s perfect for entertaining.
2. Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and sugar in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture emulsifies.
3. Add chopped fresh basil, oregano, and thyme to the dressing, stirring well to combine all the aromatic herbs evenly throughout.
4. Pour the herb dressing over the halved tomatoes and toss gently to coat every piece. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Let the salad marinate at room temperature for at least 45 minutes before serving, allowing the tomatoes to release their juices and create a flavorful natural sauce.
05. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This creative pasta salad captures all the bold flavors of elote in every bite. Charred corn kernels and tangy lime make it irresistible.
Ingredients: 1 pound rotini pasta, 4 ears fresh corn (kernels removed), ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup cotija cheese (crumbled), 2 limes (juiced and zested), 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped), salt to taste.
How To Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
1. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then set aside to cool completely.
2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add corn kernels in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until they develop charred spots and smell nutty.
3. Stir corn and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until kernels are blistered and golden. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, and smoked paprika together in a large bowl until smooth and well combined.
5. Add cooled pasta and charred corn to the dressing, tossing until evenly coated. Fold in crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.
6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional lime juice as needed.
06. Sweet Maple Glazed Carrots
Roasting transforms ordinary carrots into caramelized perfection. The maple syrup glaze creates an irresistible sweet and savory combination.
Ingredients: 2 pounds carrots (peeled and cut into sticks), 3 tablespoons butter (melted), 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped), ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped).
How To Make Sweet Maple Glazed Carrots
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even browning.
2. Cut carrots into uniform sticks about 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. Consistent sizing ensures they cook evenly and look beautiful on the plate.
3. Whisk melted butter, maple syrup, olive oil, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until well combined and fragrant.
4. Add carrot sticks to the maple mixture and toss until every piece is thoroughly coated with the sweet glaze.
5. Spread carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap for proper caramelization.
6. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until carrots are tender and beautifully caramelized with golden edges. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
07. Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad
Classic caprese flavors shine in this elegant pasta salad. Fresh mozzarella pearls and basil create a light, summery dish everyone loves.
Ingredients: 1 pound penne pasta, 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved), 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, ½ cup fresh basil leaves (torn), ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad
1. Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
2. Halve cherry tomatoes and place them in a large mixing bowl with the mozzarella pearls. The combination of colors makes this salad absolutely stunning.
3. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning together until the dressing is well emulsified and aromatic.
4. Add cooled pasta to the tomato and mozzarella mixture, then pour the dressing over everything and toss gently to combine.
5. Tear fresh basil leaves into bite-sized pieces and fold them into the salad just before serving to maintain their bright color and fresh flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08. Simple Garlic Sautéed Spinach
Fresh spinach wilts quickly into a flavorful side dish. Garlic and lemon brighten every bite of this healthy, vibrant green.
Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh baby spinach, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced), ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Simple Garlic Sautéed Spinach
1. Rinse fresh spinach thoroughly in cold water and drain well, but don’t worry about drying it completely since the water helps with steaming.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Add spinach to the skillet in large handfuls, using tongs to toss and wilt each addition before adding more. The spinach will reduce dramatically in volume.
4. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until all spinach is wilted but still bright green. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and add butter, tossing until melted.
5. Season generously with salt and pepper, then serve immediately while hot. The bright acidity from the lemon perfectly balances the rich garlic flavors.
Final Thoughts
These summer side dishes bring fresh flavors and vibrant colors to complement any chicken dinner perfectly. Each recipe celebrates seasonal produce at its absolute peak.
Mix and match these sides to create memorable meals that showcase the best of summer’s bounty with minimal effort.
