What To Serve With Blackened Chicken? 16 Best Side Dishes

Blackened chicken is a flavorful and spicy dish that’s sure to excite your taste buds. To complement its bold flavors, you’ll want to pair it with sides that balance the heat and add variety to your meal. Here are 16 delicious side dishes that will make your dinner complete.

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The best side dishes to serve with blackened chicken are mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, fettuccine alfredo, creamed corn, bacon-wrapped green beans, brussels sprouts, stuffed acorn squash, garden salad, blooming onion, polenta, roasted asparagus, coleslaw, baked sweet potatoes, cornbread, and grilled vegetables.

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1. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs wonderfully with blackened chicken. Their creamy texture and mild flavor provide a perfect counterbalance to the spiciness of the chicken. To make them extra special, add a bit of garlic and butter, and whip them until they’re smooth and fluffy. This simple side dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

2. Sautéed Mushrooms

Sautéed mushrooms bring a rich, earthy flavor to the table that complements the robust spices of blackened chicken. Cook sliced mushrooms in a hot pan with a bit of olive oil, garlic, and thyme until they’re golden brown. The mushrooms’ savory taste and juicy texture make them an excellent addition to your meal.

3. Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy pasta dish that contrasts beautifully with the spicy chicken. The rich Alfredo sauce, made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, coats the fettuccine noodles perfectly. This indulgent side dish adds a touch of luxury to your dinner and helps to mellow out the heat from the chicken.

4. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a sweet and creamy side that pairs well with the spiciness of blackened chicken. Simply cook fresh or frozen corn kernels with cream, butter, and a touch of sugar until it’s thick and luscious. The natural sweetness of the corn and the richness of the cream create a delightful combination that enhances the overall meal.

5. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans

Bacon-wrapped green beans are a tasty and visually appealing side dish. Wrap small bundles of fresh green beans with bacon and bake them until the bacon is crispy. The smokiness of the bacon complements the green beans' freshness, adding a nice contrast to the spicy blackened chicken. This side dish is both delicious and fun to eat.

6. Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts bring a nutty and slightly sweet flavor to your meal. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in the oven until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Their hearty texture and rich flavor make them an excellent companion to blackened chicken.

7. Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed acorn squash is a hearty and nutritious side that pairs beautifully with blackened chicken. Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, and roast until tender. Fill the halves with a mixture of cooked quinoa, cranberries, nuts, and herbs. The squash’s natural sweetness and the savory stuffing provide a delightful balance to the spicy chicken.

8. Garden Salad

A garden salad is a light and refreshing side dish that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of blackened chicken. Toss together fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Add a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. The crisp vegetables and tangy dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken.

9. Blooming Onion

A blooming onion is a fun and tasty side dish that adds a crunchy texture to your meal. Slice a large onion into a flower shape, coat it in seasoned flour, and deep-fry until golden brown. Serve with a tangy dipping sauce made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and spices. The crispy, flavorful onion makes a great accompaniment to blackened chicken.

10. Polenta

Polenta is a creamy and comforting side dish that pairs well with the spiciness of blackened chicken. Cook cornmeal with water or broth until it’s thick and smooth. Stir in butter and Parmesan cheese for extra richness. The creamy texture and mild flavor of polenta help balance the heat of the chicken.

11. Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a simple and healthy side dish that complements the robust flavors of blackened chicken. Toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast in the oven until tender. The slightly charred, earthy flavor of the asparagus pairs well with the spicy chicken.

12. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a crunchy and tangy side dish that adds a refreshing element to your meal. Shred cabbage and carrots, then mix with a dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and celery seed. The creamy, tangy coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the spicy blackened chicken.

13. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes are a nutritious and sweet side dish that pairs wonderfully with blackened chicken. Bake sweet potatoes until they’re tender, then top with a bit of butter and cinnamon. The natural sweetness and creamy texture of the sweet potatoes complement the spiciness of the chicken.

14. Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic Southern side dish that pairs perfectly with blackened chicken. Bake a batch of cornbread using cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, and eggs. The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of the cornbread balances the bold flavors of the chicken.

15. Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables add a smoky and savory element to your meal. Toss bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill until tender and slightly charred. The smoky flavor of the grilled vegetables pairs well with the spicy blackened chicken.

16. Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a creamy and indulgent side dish that contrasts nicely with blackened chicken. Cook macaroni noodles and mix with a rich cheese sauce made from cheddar cheese, milk, and butter. Bake until bubbly and golden brown. The creamy, cheesy macaroni is a comforting addition to your meal.