Give me some Butter, cream, chicken, and a few spices, and I will make a delicious, creamy, mouthwatering butter chicken for you. Technically, it is the easiest, yet the most elegant, restaurant-style recipe. But of course! Each main dish needs a complementary side dish too.
The question is, what to serve with butter chicken? Here are the recipes of Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic, Creamy Parmesan Polenta, Grilled Vegetable Antipasto, Italian Herb Roasted Vegetables, and 20 more.
Read on to find out more.
Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
These potatoes make a good side with or without skin, so I prefer to keep the skin intact. Roasting makes their center soft and buttery, and olive oil, salt, and pepper infuse the flavors inside.
Since it is a side full of carbs, it goes well with a protein-based entree like butter chicken. The combination makes the meal balanced and nourishing, and you can use the leftover roasted potatoes for breakfast or lunch the next day.
Serve the Roasted Rosemary Potatoes along with some grilled vegetables to enhance the overall appeal of the dish. You can also take this side dish for potluck parties or outdoor picnics.
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
When you are making a rich, creamy butter chicken, Some healthy green side dish is a must-have. This is where broccoli rabe comes in. a free tip! Blanche the greens first to reduce your cooking time.
To make its dull flavor a bit bold, The chef recommends sauteing it with garlic and olive oil. A pinch of salt and black pepper enhances the overall flavor. The meal makes a good balance between fat, protein, and veggies.
Since it is a Vegan dish, you can serve it at a party to accommodate everyone on your guest list. It ends up having a good mild flavor that even children would love to enjoy it.
Creamy Parmesan Polenta
The textures of Parmesan Polenta and Butter Chicken might be similar, but the flavors do complement each other. The polenta is thick, creamy, and cheesy and complements the meal well if you have kept butter chicken on a bit spicy side.
So while the Creamy Parmesan Polenta is a side dish, it can do well with yet another side of nachos or tortilla chips too. This entire combo not only hits your tastebuds a bit differently but also makes a complete, balanced meal.
Grilled Vegetable Antipasto
What I adore about the grilled vegetable Antipasto platter is its color appeal and the variety of vegetables on it. It looks like a summer party on a platter.
This side dish features colorful bell peppers, red beans, olives, zucchini, summer squash, and goat cheese. All of them grilled to perfection, to complement the creamy and thick butter chicken meal.
Although it goes best as it is, you can also drizzle a light basil dressing over the veggies. Works well at summer outdoor picnics or as an appetizer too.
Italian Herb Roasted Vegetables
The Italian Herb Roasted Vegetables are an extremely popular side! It is because it goes with any main meal. The vegetables in it give an excellent flavor, and roasting makes them tender to the core.
Although the side goes best with butter chicken, it also sits well on a bed of jasmine rice, quinoa, or pasta. Parmesan cheese makes the top lovely, but if you are vegan, you can skip it and use tofu or non-dairy cheese.
This side dish is an absolute low-cal, low-carb, gluten and dairy-free dish. You can also make it vegan by adding tofu instead of regular cheese.
Olive Oil and Sea Salt Focaccia
Is it only me or baking seems to intimidate all of us? Especially making focaccia seems to be daunting, but oh! It goes so well with the creamy butter chicken.
This Focaccia bread is seasoned with plain salt and olive oil. It has a crisp texture on its exterior but is soft and fluffy on the inside. You can also add a few chopped olives, oregano, or rosemary.
You can serve it after cutting it into strips or croutons if serving it with gravy-like butter chicken. I always make a large batch and keep it in my bread box to serve it with almost all meals.
Panzanella Salad (Italian Bread Salad)
This Tuscan-style bread salad is made up of salted ripe or sun-dried tomatoes and bread. According to the chef’s recommendation, oven-drying bread brings a lot more flavor and texture to the salad than stale bread.
So when cooking a full pot of butter chicken has drained your energy, go simple and make this amazing salad recipe. Although it is refreshing, it is hearty enough to fuel you with carbs alongside a protein-rich meal.
Garlic and Lemon Zested Green Beans
The best way to enjoy the fresh produce of green beans is to roast them with garlic and lemon. These ingredients not only bring out the flavor of green beans but also enhance the aroma of your entire meal.
So when you have a hearty dish on your dinner table, lighten up things with the refreshing Garlic and Lemon zested Green Beans. You only need 20 minutes to prepare them, so you can prepare this if you suddenly have guests at mealtime.
Italian White Beans with Rosemary and Garlic
Although this White bean side dish is also a creamy one, it pairs well with the butter chicken and also makes a good appetizer if you serve it with toasted French bread.
We often complement our protein-based meals with the same old-carb foods like rice, potatoes, or corn. Italian white beans not only are a good source of carbs and protein but complement any main meal with their elegant flavor. Rosemary adds a refreshing touch to the recipe.
Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Orzo
It might be difficult to switch to orzo Pasta, but once you develop the taste, there is no going back. This Sun-dried tomato and basil orzo recipe is best for summer potlucks, picnics and parties. You can serve it either warm or cold.
Chefs always recommend boiling the orzo pasta in vegetables or meat stock to add more flavor. If you are not making it vegan, try adding parmesan or feta cheese for an extra creamy flavor.
Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta
If you are not too much into the veggies, try this Garlic butter pasta with asparagus as a yummy side to the butter chicken. Asparagus might be neutral in flavor, but cooking it in garlic butter brings out a certain strong flavor.
Grate a bit of parmesan cheese on the pasta before serving it. It is a great make-ahead recipe so you have to spend less time in the kitchen at the time of serving. The pasta recipe is an ideal one to take to potluck meals and festive celebrations.
Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Another way to make those boring bustle sprouts an interesting meal is to roast them with some olive oil, crushed garlic and top up with parmesan. It makes an elegant side dish to go with Butter Chicken, Chicken Roast, Asian Rice Pilaf, and Meatballs.
Not just a side, these Brussels sprouts make an elegant snack to serve at tea parties or work as a lunchbox meal too. They are a low-cal yet highly nutritious side and make the entire meal more balanced.
Tuscan-Style Roasted Carrots
It’s a food fact that orange summer carrots do not have the flavor appeal. But with their bright color, they can make any meal table appealing.
To infuse a flavor blend in the carrots, roasting them with balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Tuscan seasoning works wonders. If you still want more flavor, try dipping these toasted and glazed carrots in ranch dressing.
These glazed carrots might instantly become the favorite side and snack of your children as they are a great finger food with mild flavors.
Italian Chopped Salad
If you are a salad lover, this Italian Chopped Salad is a must-try. You can add a variety of cool and vibrant ingredients, and introduce zesty flavors to complement the hearty butter chicken.
The most common veggies included in this salad are Kalamata olives, bell peppers, green peas, baby tomatoes, and onions. Try adding mozzarella or feta cheese cubes to it too.
Tossed in zesty vinaigrette, this Italian Salad is a nice addition to the everyday menu and complements most main dishes.
Lemon Garlic Roasted Artichokes
Only 6 ingredients and you can prepare this beautiful, roasted artichoke as a side to your delicious butter chicken. The key is to pick only fresh ingredients and be minimal in terms of herbs and seasonings. Let the original flavor do the job.
The recipe involves coating the artichokes with gluten-free breadcrumbs and a spice mix, which yields a crisp texture and rich flavor. Give some time for the spices to stay marinated so the flavor infuses within.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin
Trying to reduce the overall caloric count of the meal? Try this Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin, which is a great healthy alternative to the traditional potato gratin.
All thanks to the flaky panko breadcrumbs, which make the top of the gratin crisp, golden, and look nicely baked. Parmesan adds a cheesy top layer, but you can skip it or replace it with dairy-free cheese.
The recipe can also be made in a vegan version with a slight replacement of ingredients. It makes a delicious side to serve with the classic creamy butter chicken.
Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
The name might look like some fancy, restaurant-style salads, but trust me, I make it with my leftovers. It requires just the simple basic ingredients. Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
The trick lies in the balsamic reduction which makes this salad an impressive side to go with Chicken entrees. It is light, almost free of calories, and requires only 20 minutes to make. Serve fresh.
Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
We often emphasize healthy and low-cal foods, but making a cheat meal once in a while is fine. So here is the recipe for Garlic Parmesan Mashed potatoes, which are creamy, tasty, fluffy, and delicious.
It is easy to make and requires only 22 min to prepare. The best thing is that you can eat it as it is, with a spoon, or add it to your butter chicken gravy. The combo together makes a hearty ad delicious comfort meal.
Grilled Eggplant with Balsamic Glaze
When you can think of nothing else and have a short time, This Eggplant side dish can rescue you. It is a simple but mouthwatering side, enriched with the flavors of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic.
Although it is eaten best when served right off the grill, you can eat it cold, straight out from the refrigerator for an antipasto style.
Grilled Eggplant with balsamic glaze is a vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free side that everyone on the dinner table can enjoy.
Caramelized Onion and Fennel Salad
While raw onions may have a bold flavor, caramelized onions give a mildly sweet and delicious flavor. This light side dish involves slow cooking of onion and fennel bulbs. Flavor it up using lemon, freshly chopped parsley, and a bit of parmesan cheese.
Caramelized Onion and Fennel Salad make a great side to the protein-based butter-chicken meal as well as with different types of bread.
It is an ideal side dish for an elegant party, a buffet, or a potluck dinner for festivities.
Also try one of our favourite salads:
- Air Fried Artichoke Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Bombay Carrot Salad
- Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Kidney Bean Salad
- Salami Pasta Salad
Arugula Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
Be it a grilled steak, Butter chicken, or beef burger, Arugula salad goes with all. With just a minor variation of Quinoa Arugula Salad, this salad is a must-have side dish with all your meals, so I always do its prep and keep it ready to serve at all times.
You simply need to have some arugula, lemon juice, olive oil, and some shavings of the Italian original Parmigiano Reggiano. The salad is light on the stomach so that everyone can enjoy the flavor.
I keep it on my regular lunch menu, but it also sits well as quick potluck idea, or summer picnics, and pool parties.
Tuscan-Style Stuffed Mushrooms
Want to serve a vegetarian dish alongside the butter chicken/ try this Tuscan-style stuffed mushrooms. Stuffed with spinach and cheese, it becomes an all-time classic side.
Although they are good as it is, you can also make a sauce with mushroom insides, oregano, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve this side for your last minute potluck dinners along with creamy butter chicken, meatballs, baked chicken, or other rice-based main courses.
Tuscan-Style Stuffed Mushrooms are a nutritious and healthy side. It is rich in vitamins A, C, Calcium, and Iron.
Roasted Red Peppers with Garlic and Olive Oil
Since roasting boosts the flavor of any vegetable, be sure you are ready for this spicy side. Use just the right amount of garlic during roasting, and roast it just to make it a bit soft and not charred.
You can serve them hot immediately or prepare them, cover and chill them for the next day. Let them come to room temperature and serve.to keep the dish low cal, use olive oil during roasting.
This spicy side is best when the main meal has mild and mellow flavors. Overall, you can serve it with almost anything, from rice to bread and pasta.
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats is a low-cal, low-carb side that is ideal for a keto diet. You can fill it up with your favorite filling, but the most appealing ones are the lean turkey mince and fresh vegetables.
Top it up with mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs before setting it for baking. It gives a nice golden top and a slightly crisp texture to it.
This hearty yet healthy meal is easy to make and requires simple ingredients. It is ideal for family get-togethers and potluck casseroles.
Truffled Potato Dauphinoise
If you are done with vegetables and want to indulge in a rich, creamy side, this Dauphinoise is just the recipe for you. The truffles infuse a strong flavor and a beautiful look to the potatoes.
Do serve them with some extra autumn black truffles and see them disappear in a while. The dauphinoise does not require cheese, but you can bake it under a hot grill to brown the top if you like. This creamy side is best to take to any dinner, easter potluck meals, or simply as a main meal on a cold winter evening.
25 Authentic Sides to Serve With Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
- Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
- Creamy Parmesan Polenta
- Grilled Vegetable Antipasto
- Italian Herb Roasted Vegetables
- Olive Oil and Sea Salt Focaccia
- Panzanella Salad
- Italian Bread Salad
- Garlic and Lemon Zested Green Beans
- Italian White Beans with Rosemary and Garlic
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Orzo
- Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta
- Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Tuscan-Style Roasted Carrots
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Lemon Garlic Roasted Artichokes
- Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin
- Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Grilled Eggplant with Balsamic Glaze
- Caramelized Onion and Fennel Salad
- Arugula Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
- Tuscan-Style Stuffed Mushrooms
- Roasted Red Peppers with Garlic and Olive Oil
- Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Truffled Potato Dauphinoise
How to Make?
- Choose any one of the best sides to serve with butter chicken
- Gather all the ingredients and make sure the inigredients are fresh.
- Start making the side.
- I hope you've made the butter chicker side dish in 15 minutes
