What is Usually Served with Chicken Piccata?

When deciding what is usually served with Chicken Piccata, it’s essential to consider side dishes that complement the dish’s tangy lemon-butter sauce. Traditional options for what is usually served with Chicken Piccata include creamy mashed potatoes and buttered pasta, both of which help to balance the bold flavors. If you’re wondering what is usually served with Chicken Piccata beyond the classics, fresh vegetable sides like sautéed spinach or roasted asparagus are excellent choices that add both color and nutrition to the meal.

---

What is Chicken Piccata?

Chicken Piccata is a dish rooted in Italian culinary tradition but has gained popularity worldwide, especially in Italian-American cuisine. The dish involves thinly sliced chicken breasts that are dredged in flour, pan-fried, and then served with a sauce made from the pan drippings, lemon juice, butter, and capers. The combination of savory and tangy flavors makes Chicken Piccata a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of sides,leaving many to wonder what is usually served with Chicken Piccata.

For a detailed guide on how to make the perfect Chicken Piccata, you might find this recipe on how to cook chicken piccata helpful.

---

Why Side Dishes Matter for Chicken Piccata

When considering what is usually served with Chicken Piccata, choosing the right side dish is crucial as it enhances the meal by balancing flavors, adding textures, and rounding out the nutritional profile. A well-chosen side can complement the tangy, buttery sauce of the piccata, making the entire meal more enjoyable.

• Flavor Balance: The lemon-butter sauce of Chicken Piccata is rich and tangy, so pairing it with a creamy or starchy side helps to mellow the acidity.
• Textural Contrast: While Chicken Piccata is tender and juicy, adding a crispy or crunchy side can provide a pleasant contrast.
• Nutritional Balance: Complementing Chicken Piccata with vegetables or salads can add a healthy component to the meal, ensuring it’s well-rounded.

Best Starch-Based Side Dishes for Chicken Piccata

Starch-based sides are a natural fit for Chicken Piccata as they absorb the flavorful sauce and add a comforting element to the meal.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes are a classic pairing with Chicken Piccata. Their creamy texture and mild flavor allow the zesty lemon-butter sauce to shine while providing a satisfying base.

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic: Adding roasted garlic to your mashed potatoes enhances their flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Chive Mashed Potatoes: Fresh chives add a subtle onion flavor that pairs well with the savory notes of the Chicken Piccata sauce.

For those interested in perfecting their mashed potatoes, this guide on making mashed potatoes offers expert tips.

Pasta

Pasta is another excellent choice as a side dish for Chicken Piccata. It complements the dish by soaking up the flavorful sauce, ensuring no drop goes to waste.

• Buttered Angel Hair Pasta: Lightly buttered angel hair pasta with a sprinkle of Parmesan complements the rich sauce of Chicken Piccata.
• Lemon Zest Pasta: Incorporating lemon zest into the pasta ties the side dish directly into the citrus flavors of the piccata.
• Garlic Spaghetti: Simple spaghetti tossed with garlic and olive oil adds a subtle, yet flavorful, complement to the dish.

Pasta serves as a versatile base that enhances the main course while offering a familiar, comforting element.

Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is a flavorful and aromatic option that pairs beautifully with Chicken Piccata. The subtle flavors of the rice allow the bold, tangy sauce to take center stage.

• Herbed Rice Pilaf: Adding fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or dill infuses the rice with additional layers of flavor.
• Garlic Rice Pilaf: Sautéing garlic with the rice before adding broth enhances the dish’s overall depth.
• Lemon Rice Pilaf: A touch of lemon zest in the rice creates a harmonious flavor profile with the Chicken Piccata sauce.

Polenta

Polenta, a traditional Italian dish made from cornmeal, is an excellent side dish for Chicken Piccata. Its creamy texture pairs perfectly with the rich, buttery sauce.

• Creamy Parmesan Polenta: Adding Parmesan to the polenta enhances its richness and creates a velvety texture.
• Grilled Polenta: Grilling the polenta adds a slight smokiness and a crispy exterior, which contrasts nicely with the tender chicken.
• Polenta Cakes: Forming polenta into cakes and frying them adds a delightful crunch to the meal.

Vegetable-Based Side Dishes for Chicken Piccata

Vegetable sides add color, freshness, and a nutritional boost to the meal, making them a great accompaniment to Chicken Piccata.

Steamed or Sautéed Green Beans

Green beans are a light and crisp vegetable side that pairs wonderfully with Chicken Piccata. Their subtle flavor allows the main dish to shine.

• Steamed Green Beans: Lightly steamed green beans seasoned with salt and pepper add a refreshing crunch.
• Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic: Sautéing the green beans with garlic and a bit of lemon juice enhances their flavor while complementing the citrus notes of the piccata.

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is another great vegetable side that pairs well with Chicken Piccata. The slightly bitter, earthy flavor of asparagus is a great match for the tangy lemon-butter sauce.

• Simple Roasted Asparagus: Roasting asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper brings out its natural flavors.
• Lemon Roasted Asparagus: Adding a squeeze of lemon juice after roasting ties the side dish into the flavors of the main course.

For more inspiration on vegetable sides, you can explore different vegetable recipes here.

Broccoli or Broccolini

Broccoli and broccolini are both excellent vegetable sides for Chicken Piccata. Their slightly bitter taste pairs well with the rich sauce of the piccata.

• Steamed Broccoli: Simple steamed broccoli provides a healthy, green element to the meal.
• Roasted Broccolini with Garlic: Roasting broccolini with garlic and olive oil enhances its flavor and adds a slightly crispy texture.

Sautéed Spinach

Sautéed spinach is a quick and easy side dish for Chicken Piccata that adds a healthy dose of greens to the plate.

• Simple Sautéed Spinach: Lightly sautéed spinach with olive oil and garlic creates a tender, flavorful side.
• Lemon Spinach: Adding a splash of lemon juice ties the spinach into the flavors of the Chicken Piccata.

Salad-Based Side Dishes for Chicken Piccata

Salads offer a fresh and crisp contrast to the richness of Chicken Piccata, making them an ideal side dish.

Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar salad is an excellent pairing with Chicken Piccata. The crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and tangy dressing add texture and flavor.

• Classic Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, topped with Parmesan and croutons, creates a bold and flavorful side.
• Lemon Caesar Salad: Adding a touch of lemon juice to the dressing ties the salad to the citrusy notes of the Chicken Piccata.

Arugula Salad

Arugula’s peppery bite makes it a great side dish for Chicken Piccata. Its bitterness contrasts nicely with the tangy sauce.

• Simple Arugula Salad: Tossing arugula with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan creates a light, refreshing side.
• Arugula and Pear Salad: Adding sliced pears and toasted nuts enhances the salad’s texture and flavor.

Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is another excellent option, featuring fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The bright flavors of the salad complement the rich sauce of the piccata.

• Classic Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Lemon Caprese Salad: Adding lemon zest to the salad ties it to the flavors of the Chicken Piccata.

Bread-Based Side Dishes for Chicken Piccata

Bread is a classic accompaniment to Chicken Piccata, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a favorite side for Chicken Piccata. The crispy, buttery bread complements the rich lemon-butter sauce.

• Classic Garlic Bread: French baguette or Italian loaf, slathered with garlic butter and baked until crispy.
• Cheesy Garlic Bread: Adding mozzarella or Parmesan to the garlic bread creates a rich, indulgent side.

For those interested in pairing garlic bread with other dishes, check out this guide on the best sides to serve with mac and cheese.

Focaccia

Focaccia is a flavorful Italian bread that pairs wonderfully with Chicken Piccata. Its light, airy texture and herb-infused flavor make it perfect for soaking up the sauce.

• Rosemary Focaccia: Infused with rosemary and olive oil, this bread is a delightful side for Chicken Piccata.
• Garlic and Herb Focaccia: Adding garlic and herbs to the focaccia enhances its flavor and complements the dish.

Crusty Bread

A simple crusty loaf or baguette is another excellent choice as a side dish for Chicken Piccata. Its crunchy exterior and soft interior make it perfect for enjoying with the tangy sauce.

• Rustic Crusty Loaf: A warm, rustic loaf served with butter or olive oil.
• Baguette: A traditional French baguette, served warm, is perfect for dipping into the sauce.

Creative and Non-Traditional Side Dishes

For those looking to try something different, these creative sides add a unique twist to the Chicken Piccata meal.

Lemon Risotto

Lemon risotto is a rich, creamy side dish that pairs beautifully with Chicken Piccata. The bright lemon flavor ties in perfectly with the lemon-butter sauce.

• Creamy Lemon Risotto: Made with Arborio rice, lemon zest, and Parmesan, this risotto is a luxurious side dish.
• Herbed Lemon Risotto: Adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme enhances the flavor and adds a fresh note to the dish.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad is a healthy and flavorful option that adds a light, refreshing element to the meal. The nutty flavor of quinoa pairs well with the tangy sauce of Chicken Piccata.

• Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad: Quinoa tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs.
• Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad: Adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini enhances the flavor and texture of the salad.

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are a smoky and flavorful side dish for Chicken Piccata. The charred flavor of the vegetables adds a new dimension to the meal.

• Grilled Zucchini and Bell Peppers: Drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Grilled Eggplant and Mushrooms: The smoky flavor of grilled eggplant and mushrooms pairs well with the tangy sauce.

---

FAQs

What vegetables go well with Chicken Piccata?

• Vegetables like roasted asparagus, green beans, and sautéed spinach are excellent choices that complement the tangy lemon-butter sauce of Chicken Piccata.

Can I serve Chicken Piccata with pasta?

• Yes, pasta is a traditional side dish for Chicken Piccata. Options like angel hair, spaghetti, or lemon zest pasta work well to soak up the delicious sauce.

What is the best bread to serve with Chicken Piccata?

• Garlic bread, focaccia, and a simple crusty loaf are all great choices that pair perfectly with Chicken Piccata.

Is Chicken Piccata a healthy dish?

• Chicken Piccata can be a healthy dish, especially when paired with light, vegetable-based sides like sautéed spinach or arugula salad. The key is to balance the richness of the sauce with fresh, healthy sides.

---

Conclusion

To create a memorable meal, it’s important to consider what is usually served with Chicken Piccata. The right side dishes can elevate this classic dish, balancing its tangy, buttery flavors. By thoughtfully choosing accompaniments, you’ll ensure that every element on the plate complements Chicken Piccata, making your dining experience truly exceptional.

For more recipe ideas and inspiration, be sure to explore other dishes and tips at Kenzie Recipes. The possibilities are endless, and with the right pairings, you can turn any Chicken Piccata meal into a culinary masterpiece.