Chicken and rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food—a warm hug for your whole family! But why stop there? Mix things up by adding some tasty side dishes to your dinner menu. Not everyone loves a heavy casserole, and having lighter sides gives everyone the freedom to adjust their portions.

Wondering what to serve with chicken and rice casserole? Kids might go for a crunchy side of carrots, while adults might prefer a big, fresh salad. Plus, these sides are super quick to make—leaving you more time to enjoy with your family or catch your favorite show. Next time you plan a complete meal, remember that a great addition can make your busy weeknights even better!

Colorful Cobb Salad

Oh my goodness, this Cobb salad recipe is amazing! With crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and bright tomatoes, it’s perfect for lunch and makes one of the best sides for any rice dish, adding vibrant colors and flavor to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Cobb Salad

Easy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

This easy butternut squash soup recipe can be made in about 25 minutes with a few simple ingredients. It’s rich, creamy, and warm with a little bit of spice!
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots are an easy and flavorful side dish. Loaded with a savory garlic parmesan mixture and fresh herbs, these carrots are perfect for just about any meal! Requires just a handful of ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

Easy Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes

Perfectly roasted green beans and potatoes are easy to bake in the oven. This sheet pan roasted vegetable recipe tastes great with simple seasonings like sea salt and pepper. This side makes any meal special!
Get the Recipe: Easy Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes

Vegetable Marrow Soup

Vegetable Marrow Soup is a classic British recipe using zucchini’s bigger cousin for a hearty dish. Add some potatoes, rutabaga, or turnip to make it more filling, and it’s a great side dish to pair with your favorite casserole recipes.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Marrow Soup

Gurkensalat (German Cucumber Salad With Vinegar)

German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) is an easy way to use up your cucumbers. This beloved German side dish features a vinegar dressing and lots of fresh dill.
Get the Recipe: Gurkensalat (German Cucumber Salad With Vinegar)

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled zucchini is the best way to enjoy zucchini all summer long, even into fall. It’s incredibly tasty and takes just minutes to make.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini

Easy Fried Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros Fritos)

Fried Sweet Plantains (Maduros Fritos). A beloved Latin and Caribbean staple. Easy recipe of ripe plantains fried to golden-brown perfection
Get the Recipe: Easy Fried Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros Fritos)

Caesar Salad Recipe

This Classic Caesar Salad is an excellent choice, with crispy Romaine, crunchy homemade croutons, and creamy parmesan dressing that’ll outshine any restaurant! It’s the perfect simple side salad to complement any main dish, like chicken broccoli rice casserole.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad Recipe

Roasted Eggplant

Roasted Eggplant is flavorful, delicious, and one of the all-time favorite side dishes. It is so easy to make roasting eggplant, which results in perfectly tender and caramelized bite-size pieces that are perfect for dipping or tossing in your favorite pasta and salads.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Eggplant

Waldorf Salad Recipe

Waldorf Salad, originally served at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1893, is a fantastic fusion of diced apples, walnuts, celery, and grapes in a simple mayonnaise dressing. Enjoy this delicious Waldorf Salad Recipe on a bed of crisp lettuce for a light and easy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad Recipe

Easy Thai Carrot Salad

With julienned carrots in a slightly spicy peanut sauce, Thai Carrot Salad can go easy with packaged carrot matchsticks or local with yours.
Get the Recipe: Easy Thai Carrot Salad

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe is a refreshing and effortless summer salad packed with juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, savory olives, and creamy feta cheese, all coated in a delicious homemade dressing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Easy Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Dressing

Easy Kale Salad Recipe with Lemon Dressing is ready to eat in under five minutes. This is the best kale salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Dressing

Green Beans Almondine (Simple Side Dish Recipe)

This Skillet Green Beans Almondine recipe is a perfect side dish featuring fresh green beans, toasted almonds, and savory garlic, offering a delightful crunch and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine (Simple Side Dish Recipe)

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Make fluffy Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes – no peeling is needed! This pressure cooker potato side dish recipe can be made ahead, too.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Carrots and Asparagus

Roasted Carrots and Asparagus are the perfect side dish for almost any meal. It’s only five ingredients, and done in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Carrots and Asparagus

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli is the easiest way to cook veggies! Learn how to steam vegetables in an Instant Pot in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Chili Garlic Sauce Brussel Sprouts

Honey, soy sauce, chili, and garlic turn Brussels sprouts into crispy lil bundles of flavor. Make Chili Garlic Brussel Sprouts in the air fryer or in the oven!
Get the Recipe: Chili Garlic Sauce Brussel Sprouts

Sautéed Leeks and Peas

Sweet and delicious, sautéed leeks and peas are a great way to enjoy extra veggies. Easy to make, ready in 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Leeks and Peas

Green Goddess Chopped Salad

Green Goddess Chopped Salad is brimming with freshness and bright, herby flavors. This hearty salad is fresh for several days in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Chopped Salad

Easy Roasted Lemon Asparagus Recipe

This easy roasted lemon asparagus recipe is like spring on a plate and makes one of the best side dishes around! With tender, slightly crisp asparagus and a zesty lemon kick, it’s perfect for turning leftover chicken into a meal to remember and works great with any rice casserole recipe. You can buy asparagus frozen or canned, but nothing beats the fresh stuff from the grocery store.
Get the Recipe: Easy Roasted Lemon Asparagus Recipe

Simple Roasted Green Beans and Carrots With Almonds

This is a no-fuss side dish recipe for roasted green beans and carrots. Secret ingredient: topping with toasted almonds. With simple steps and minimal ingredients, this delicious side dish is perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Simple Roasted Green Beans and Carrots With Almonds

Caprese Salad Recipe (Insalata Caprese)

The traditional Caprese Salad Recipe (Insalata Caprese) is made with alternating slices of juicy, ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, and olive oil. Prepare this easy Caprese Salad in under 10 minutes and enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Salad Recipe (Insalata Caprese)

Crispy Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes

These mashed potato cakes are crispy on the outside yet cheesy and fluffy on the inside. These go great with anything and are so addictive!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes

Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye Tarifi

Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye Tarifi is an easy recipe for a Turkish side dish that’s bursting with rich flavor from fresh runner beans, olive oil, and Mediterranean goodness. Simmered with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of sugar, it’s a simple yet delicious addition to your family dinner that pairs perfectly with your casserole dish.
Get the Recipe: Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye Tarifi

Sauteed Zucchini and Goat Cheese

This lightning-fast Sautéed Zucchini and Goat Cheese is a great recipe that’ll have you savoring summer in just 15 minutes! Just stir in lemon zest for extra flavor, mix in creamy goat cheese and fresh basil, and you’ve got the perfect side for your chicken rice casserole.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Zucchini and Goat Cheese

Spinach with Chicken Broth and Garlic

This spinach side dish is the perfect way to spice up your weeknight dinners, taking just 15 minutes from prep to table! With garlic, chicken broth, and mature spinach, it’s a family favorite that pairs well with both white rice and chicken casserole, making it an easy recipe without a longer cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Spinach with Chicken Broth and Garlic