So, we've got some chicken sausage on hand and now we're wondering: what do we serve with it? Sure, we could just eat it plain, but that's boring.
We need sides, people!
Chicken sausage deserves some great company on the plate (a ground-chicken sausage often seasoned with herbs and spices and lower in fat than pork sausage). Let's talk about those magical side dishes that improve our meal game.
We've tried a bunch and we've got the lowdown on the best ones. From crispy veggies to creamy mash, there's something for everyone.
Grab a fork and join us in making dinner more exciting. Ready? Let's do this!
Top 13 Side Dishes for Chicken Sausage
Here are our top 13 side dishes that go well with chicken sausage. Get ready to drool!
1 - Orzo Salad
Light, zesty, and oh-so satisfying, the Orzo Salad is a must with chicken sausage. We get tangy bursts from the feta (a brined sheep's-milk cheese with salty, tangy notes).
Freshness comes from cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. Basil and parsley add herbaceous notes.
Lemon juice and olive oil bring everything together. Bite after bite, we get a nice mix of textures and flavors.
Crunchy, creamy, tangy. It's our go-to.
2 - Grilled Bell Peppers
Nothing says "summer" like Grilled Bell Peppers. We love how their sweetness intensifies over the flame (heat concentrates the peppers' natural sugars, deepening the flavor).
Peppers get soft and juicy. Smoky, with a hint of char, they're the perfect sidekick for our chicken sausage.
Ingredients? A rainbow of bell peppers, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt.
We toss them on the grill whole. The skin blackens and caramelizes beautifully.
Cut into strips, they're bright and delicious. Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze if you're feeling fancy.
Bell peppers bring a fresh crunch to every bite. Simple, tasty, and a crowd-pleaser.
3 - Sweet Potato Fries
Our twist is sweet potato fries; pair with sweet potato soup side matches for cozy-comfort combinations.
They're sweet, salty, crispy, and just all-around amazing (the flesh is high in beta-carotene, which adds natural sweetness when roasted or fried).
Key ingredients include sweet potatoes, olive oil, and a touch of salt. We bake them until golden and crunchy.
Every bite has a savory-sweet balance. The crispy edges are the best part, offering the perfect contrast to the soft inside.
4 - Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Alright, gang. Let's talk chickpea salad.
We've got crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and red onions in the mix. Then come the kalamata olives and feta cheese for a savory punch.
Everything's tossed in olive oil and lemon juice (a classic Mediterranean-style vinaigrette). Fresh herbs like parsley and mint lift it up.
This salad blends creamy and crunchy textures perfectly.
5 - Roasted Beets
We're all about these roasted beets! They're sweet, earthy, and a little caramelized (their natural sugars brown and concentrate when roasted).
We roast beets with olive oil and a touch of salt; see roasted vegetable side ideas for more options.
Add some goat cheese, walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. You'll get creamy, crunchy, and tangy all in one bite.
Perfect side for chicken sausage.
6 - Sautéed Swiss Chard
Okay, let's talk about Swiss chard. This leafy green is underrated, but we think it's golden.
We sauté it with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Swiss chard has a slightly bitter flavor, which we love (a leafy beet relative, Beta vulgaris, with tender stems and broad leaves).
We add a splash of lemon juice for some zing. Sometimes, we sprinkle grated Parmesan on top.
This dish is simple yet satisfying.
7 - Lemon Dill Quinoa
This Lemon Dill Quinoa is a straight-up flavor bomb. We're talking fresh dill and zesty lemon juice, both bringing a zing to every bite.
Quinoa is our grain of choice, light and fluffy, absorbing all those delicious flavors (a protein-rich pseudo-cereal originally from the Andes).
We mix in some cucumbers and cherry tomatoes for a refreshing crunch. Olive oil ties everything together, making it silky smooth.
It's bright, herby, simple, and totally satisfying.
8 - Corn on the Cob
Oh, Corn on the Cob, a summer staple we can't resist. Sweet, juicy, and a bit charred on the grill (fresh corn kernels are high in natural sugars that caramelize when grilled).
It's pure joy.
Ingredients? Fresh corn, butter, salt, and a hint of pepper.
We grill it until kernels are tender and smoky. The flavor is a mix of sweet and savory, with a slight crunch.
Feels like a mini-vacation in each bite.
9 - Caprese Skewers
We're talking cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves stacked on a stick (basil, Ocimum basilicum, adds a sweet, peppery aroma).
Drizzle with balsamic glaze-perfection. Sweet, tangy, creamy.
It's a mouthful of summer. Ingredients: cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze.
We love how refreshing and light they are-perfect side for any grilled meat.
10 - Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Crunchy green beans. Loads of flavor from garlic and Parmesan cheese (garlic provides pungent aromatics while Parmesan adds savory umami).
Simple and amazing.
Ingredients: Fresh green beans, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
We cook the beans until tender-crisp. Add minced garlic-super fragrant.
Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan. The cheese melts a bit, making it savory and satisfying.
This side dish balances perfectly with chicken sausage. Always a win.
11 - Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Alright, folks, this is our summery delight. Fresh spinach blooms with sweet, juicy strawberries (spinach is a leafy green rich in iron and folate).
Tangy vinaigrette ties it all together. Key highlights?
Crisp leaves, bursting berries, and crunchy nuts.
Ingredients? Spinach, strawberries, almonds, and a zesty vinaigrette.
We love how the flavors mingle. Sweet meets tart.
Crunch meets soft. It's light and fresh.
12 - Grilled Pineapple
We've found the ultimate tropical side: Grilled Pineapple. Sweet, juicy, with a touch of smoky char, it's like summer on our plates.
Ingredients? Pineapple rings (fresh pineapple is rich in bromelain), honey, lime juice.
We grill until caramelized, adding a tangy sweetness. The contrast with the smoky sausage is pleasant.
Key flavors: sweet, tangy, smoky. We crave this sunny treat.
13 - Herbed Couscous
Okay, herb lovers, this one's for us. Herbed Couscous is light, fluffy, and full of flavor.
We use couscous, freshly chopped parsley, mint, and a squeeze of lemon juice to give it that zesty kick (couscous is small steamed durum-wheat granules).
A drizzle of olive oil ties it all together.
The couscous absorbs all those fresh herb flavors beautifully. Each bite is a mix of fluffy grains and herby goodness.
If you're looking for a bright, refreshing side, this is it. We love how it lightens up our meals, especially with chicken sausage.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
