48 BEST SIDE DISHES TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TENDERS

You’ve come to the correct spot if you’re wondering what to serve with your chicken tenders.

In this essay, I’ll cover 48 of the most popular chicken tenders side dishes.

In a rush? Heres the short answer.

Mac & cheese, poutine, broccoli rice casserole, and honey butter peas are the greatest side dishes to offer with chicken tenders. Onion rings, Southern-style green beans, zucchini waffles, or veggie-stuffed tater tots are all options. Salad choices include kale Caesar salad and macaroni salad.

Ready? Lets jump right in.

Broccoli rice casserole

Looking for a quick midweek side dish for chicken tenders that everyone will enjoy?

Try this cheesy broccoli rice casserole.

It takes some time to prepare, but you get the advantage of killing two birds with one stone. You get both carbohydrates and vegetables!

Why we like this recipe: it’s excellent for sneaking veggies into children.

Recipe FeaturedRice and broccoli casseroleLow-carb dietRice with cheesy broccoli and cauliflowerRemove the rice.Baked broccoli with cheese

Skillet honey butter peas

This recipe turns regular old peas into a delectable, decadent side dish.

The peas are sautéed in butter first, then cream cheese and honey are added to make a creamy, somewhat sweet sauce.

Psst why not add some corn too?

Why we like this recipe: it is ideal for days when you are in a hurry.

Recipe FeaturedHoney butter peas in a skilletConsider corn.Corn with herbsMake it unique.Peas with cream and pearl onions

French onion mac and cheese

This dish elevates traditional mac & cheese by incorporating flavors of French onion soup.

Caramelized onions are swirled into your cheesy bechamel and pasta, imparting a rich, sweet, and nutty taste to both.

With your chicken tenders, you’ll be lapping up the sauce!

Why we like this recipe: just one taste immediately improves your mood.

Recipe FeaturedMacaroni and cheese with French onionsAlter the tasteMac & cheese with jalapeno poppersLeave out the spaghetti.Stuffed spaghetti squash with four cheeses

Poutine

This is by far my favorite meal to come from Canada.

Crispy fries and chewy, melty cheese curds are drowned in hot gravy.

You may eat your chicken tenders separately, but I prefer to combine them with the fries and cheese curds before adding the gravy.

YUM!

Recipe FeaturedPoutine authentically CanadianMake a popular choice.stuffed potato skinsMake it a Southern-inspired dish.Sweet potato wedges with Cajun seasoning

Zucchini and carrot tots

Instead of buying frozen tater tots, prepare this healthier alternative.

Each tot is stuffed with shredded vegetables and cheese, creating a delectable combination of moderately sweet and salty tastes.

Enjoy these delectable delicacies with your crispy chicken tenders and dipping sauce of choice.

Why we like it: it’s a fun spin on a classic.

Recipe FeaturedTots with zucchini and carrots cooked in the ovenAlter the vegetablesCauliflower tater totsMake it unique.Fries made with zucchini

Buttermilk coleslaw

There are hundreds of coleslaw recipes out there, but this buttermilk coleslaw is my favorite.

The buttermilk adds acidity to the slaw, and there’s a dash of horseradish in there to cut through any greasiness from the chicken.

Why we like this recipe: it’s much superior than what you’ll get at your local deli.

Recipe FeaturedColeslaw with buttermilk dressingLeave out the mayonnaise.Coleslaw with Greek yogurtAdd another vegetableColeslaw with jicama

Cucumber Caprese salad

Keep things light with a summer salad.

On a hot day, this salad will keep you cool and hydrated, and you won’t have to spend any additional time preparing it.

Feel free to modify it as well. Add some avocado for smoothness or red onions for crunchiness.

Why we like this recipe: it simply requires five ingredients.

Recipe FeaturedSalad Caprese with CucumberMake a Mexican meal.Mexican-style chopped saladMake it sour.Pasta salad with dill and pickles

Beer-battered onion rings

With a dinner of chicken tenders and onion rings, you can get the entire fast food experience in the comfort of your own home.

The secret to making this fast food staple is to make the batter light (with beer!). This will give your rings an enticing crisp and golden crust.

Psst dont forget the comeback sauce.

Why we adore this recipe: it’s even better than restaurant food.

Recipe FeaturedOnion rings fried in beerMake it enjoyable.Bloomin onions, babyLeave out the onions.Pickles cooked with beer batter

Gruyere and green onion waffles

Pair your tenders with some savory waffles for a creative and flavorful take on the conventional chicken and waffles.

Then, for the perfect brunch feast, sprinkle them each with homemade hot honey.

Why we love this recipe: its uniquely tasty.

Recipe FeaturedWaffles with Gruyere and green onionsStick to the fundamentals.Traditional Belgian wafflesAdapt it to be keto-friendly.chaffles jalapeno poppers

Instant pot Southern-style green beans

Serve your chicken tenders with these green beans to give them the complete Southern treatment.

They’re very delicate and bursting with smokey, flavorful flavor.

This recipe generally takes about an hour to prepare, but if you have an Instant Pot, you can have it ready in just 20 minutes.

Pro tip: For crunchier green beans, reduce the pressure cooking duration to 2-3 minutes.

Why we love this recipe: who doesnt love bacon?

Recipe FeaturedSouthern-style green beans in the Instant PotMaintain simplicity.Steamed green beans with lemonCreate another favorite.Collard greens, soul food

Loaded mashed potatoes

Make your simple mashed potatoes more interesting by adding typical loaded baked potato toppings like sour cream, bacon, and cheddar cheese.

Sour cream and cream cheese make your mashed potatoes more creamier and more decadent.

The crunchy bacon pieces provide a delightful crunch.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a simple tweak that results in a delicious, crowd-pleasing mash.

Recipe Featuredstuffed mashed potatoesMaintain simplicity.The greatest traditional mashed potatoesLow carb is the way to go.Cauliflower mashed with garlic

Spinach and artichoke dip 

Replace your standard tomato or BBQ sauce with something new.

This dip is a hearty blend of spinach, artichokes, and cheese that has green overtones and is high in nutrients.

Plus you can serve it hot or cold!

Why we love this recipe: its great for sharing.

Recipe FeaturedDip with spinach and artichokesMake it energizing.Excellent guacamoleMake it enticing.Ranch crack dip, warm

British baked beans

Baked beans in England and baked beans in America are COMPLETELY distinct foods.

But theyre both equally delicious.

If you haven’t had the British version, you’re in for a treat (they even sell them at KFC!).

Pro tip: For the greatest results, use dried beans; it involves more preparation but is well worth it.

Why we like this recipe: it’s a substantial, warming supper that won’t break the wallet.

Recipe FeaturedBaked beans from the United KingdomAmericanize yourselfBacon-spiced baked beansMake it gooey.Baked cheesy white bean and tomato

Pickled jalapenos

These pickled jalapenos complement chicken tenders well.

The crisp, spicy bite will keep your meal light and awaken your tastes.

P.S. These are delicious in a chicken tender sandwich (don’t criticize it till you’ve tried it!).

Why we like this recipe: it’s easy to create and anybody can make these fast pickles.

Recipe FeaturedJalapeno picklesRemove the spiceCucumber pickles in a flashMake it unique.Poppers with jalapeos

Macaroni salad

If mac & cheese isn’t your thing, how about a macaroni salad?

It’s ideal for a summer party or picnic, and it’ll provide a great creamy contrast to your chicken tenders.

Use fresh herbs if possible; they make a huge difference in the salad.

Why we like this recipe: you can prepare it ahead of time and it will only improve.

Recipe FeaturedSalad with macaroniAlter the tasteSalad with bacon ranch noodlesLeave out the spaghetti.Potato salad from the South

Kale Caesar salad

Instead of grilled chicken, add a couple of chicken tenders to this kale ceaser salad.

Chill the salad for 10 minutes before serving to allow the nutritious greens to soak up all of the delicious Greek yogurt dressing.

Why we like it: it’s a nice spin on a standard Caesar salad.

Recipe FeaturedSalad Caesar with Greek yogurt dressingMake it filling.Salad with three beansKeep things simple.Salad with chopped kale

What sauce goes with chicken tenders?

Nashville hot sauce is my go-to sauce for chicken tenders. If you like something more traditional, try honey mustard or ranch dressing. Are you feeling daring? Try it with gochujang sauce.

The best sauce to serve with chicken tenders:

• Nashville hot sauce
• Honey mustard sauce
• Comeback sauce
• Homemade ranch dressing
• Gochujang sauce