Ever wondered what to serve with chili? These tasty sides will complement perfectly no matter what your taste, whether you’re looking for savory, sweet, or fresh!
Chili is inarguably the best, if not the heartiest, comfort food of all time.
It’s also the perfect dish to serve to guests on game night.
What’s amazing about chili is just how versatile it is; there are many different ways to prepare it.
There’s also a wide range of toppings that taste wonderful with chili!
And if you’re looking for side dishes that will go well with chili, you’d be happy to know that the possibilities are endless.
There are so many unique and fun side dishes that taste truly magical with chili.
Let’s take a look at some of the best side dishes for chili!
Here are 42 sides for chili that will complete your meal:
There’s just something extraordinary about the delicious combination of chili and cornbread.
However, adding some cheddar cheese and green chili to a classic cornbread recipe will truly take this side dish to the next level.
If you’re wondering what goes with chili, I urge you to try a Chicken Fajita Quesadilla.
The divine blend of chopped peppers, corn tortillas, shredded chicken, and melted cheese is quite mouthwatering.
Serve it with a meatless chili dish for a well-rounded meal. If your chili has meat in it, then skip the chicken.
For a light side dish that will compliment your hearty chili, you can make a basil and corn salad.
This flavorful salad is prepared with fresh basil, roasted sweet corn, and chopped tomatoes.
Opt for a simple vinaigrette to go with the salad for a simple yet classy side dish that will balance the chili’s richness.
If you’re still wondering what to eat with chili, how about some fantastic Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers?
I love the spiciness of jalapenos, which makes this dish work for me.
However, if you’re not big on spicy food, you can prepare this dish with yellow chili peppers or even mild banana peppers.
Just fill the seeded peppers with cream cheese and cheddar cheese and wrap them with partially cooked bacon strips for a flavorful and crispy side dish.
Skillet Nachos are another incredible side dish for chili.
This dish has everything going for it; it’s cheesy, savory, and crunchy.
The peppers and black beans add a nice burst of flavor to this delectable dish.
However, the crispiness of the nachos is what complements the Texan-Style Chili so well.
This is hands down one of my favorite sides for chili!
Potato skins are just so irresistible, thanks to the crispy exterior and the creamy, rich toppings.
The sour cream, bacon, melted cheese, and green onions in this side dish are a true crowd-pleaser!
7. Spanish Rice
Prepare some Spanish rice with veggies of your choice for a hearty chili side dish.
The rice, along with veggies such as tomatoes, onions, and spices, adds some nice textures and flavors to the chili.
This combination is truly a complete family meal.
Another winning side for chili is this spicy and creamy sweet potato dish.
The secret to its creaminess lies in the twice-baked technique and the helping of sour cream.
This dish is perfect for anyone looking for a sweet yet fiery side for their chili.
If you want more delicious ideas on what to serve with chili, you must try these Taco-Spiced Sweet Potato Fries.
This dish is quite easy to make and requires a few minutes to finish.
Just season your freshly prepared sweet potato fries with your favorite taco seasoning and have them with a steaming bowl of chili!
Stuff some mini sweet peppers with your favorite taco ingredients to round out your hearty chili meal.
Make sure to add lots of salsa, ground beef, and taco seasoning for an irresistible flavor.
The crunchiness of the peppers is just the right degree to go with the texture of chili.
11. Creamy Coleslaw
If you’re looking for a simple yet colorful side dish to go with your chili, prepare a Creamy Coleslaw.
You can buy a pre-cut and prepared bag of mixed coleslaw and dress it with your favorite salad dressing.
This mix combines creamy mayo with a dollop of sour cream.
The tanginess of the mayo goes so well with the crunchiness of the veggies.
This easy-to-prepare dish is just the right fit for chili.
These cheddar biscuits are my go-to sides for my meal, especially with chili.
They’re made from flour, milk, butter, and cheddar cheese, resulting in cheesy and fluffy bites.
Pro tip: If you want those melt-in-your-mouth, flaky, fluffy biscuits, invest in high-quality ingredients, mainly with your butter and cheddar cheese.
What goes well with chili?
A bowl of coleslaw!
This dish isn’t the typical coleslaw you’d usually consume.
It’s mayo-free!
It also features a flavor punch coming from celery seeds, cabbage, kale leaves, carrots, onions, cider vinegar, and mustard.
Apart from chili, this recipe goes along with your sirloin steak or any of your BBQ favorites.
If you’re still wondering what goes well with chili, then this next recipe might be the one you’re gunning for!
This carrot slaw is all versatile, offering a wonderful flavor, thanks to the combination of dried cranberries, and salty feta cheese.
The dressing also creates a nice tang and sweetness that harmonizes with apples and carrots.
15. Zucchini Fries
Coated with breadcrumbs and baked until they reach crispy and golden perfection, zucchini fries are made from eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
You can also partner parmesan cheese with your breadcrumbs to create an extra kick to your zucchini.
Zucchini fries are also extra appetizing when partnered with chili, ketchup, or any sauce of your choice.
16. Caesar Salad
This salad pairs up quite nicely with a bunch of dishes, including your favorite chili. It offers a creamy flavor profile and crunchy texture that matches the taste of your entrée.
The key to this recipe is to refrigerate it before serving, as this process changes its flavor. Add crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and grilled chicken chunks for recipe customization.
17. Onion Rings
Zucchini fries aren’t the only finger food that pairs up well with your favorite chili.
The entrée goes well with onion rings, too!
These onion rings are soaked in buttermilk and then coated with flour and cornmeal with pepper.
After that, they’re fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
These breadsticks have butter, garlic, dried herbs, and grated parmesan cheese, resulting in a burst of excellent flavor and texture.
It’s one of the reasons why I love serving them with my chili.
Ultimately, they’re also simple to make.
Combine the ingredients to create a mixture, brush the breadstick strips with the butter mix, then bake!
19. Potato Chips
Potato chips and chili is a classic combo you shouldn’t miss.
The crispiness of the chips makes your chili heartier and extraordinary.
You don’t need to limit yourself to salt and pepper.
Experiment with the flavor and include those spices that suit your taste buds.
Season the chips with ground cumin, minced herbs, or ancho chili powder.
Chili and tacos go hand in hand like any well-loved food combo.
Opt for the meatless variations with no beans.
This recipe has a great texture with the crispiness of the tender cauliflower florets coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden brown beauty.
It has a nice kick with the chipotle pepper sauce, cumin, garlic, and onion powder.
The taste is not too overwhelming, so it can still perfectly balance the delicious spiciness of the main course.
21. Green Bean Fries
These tasty munchies help with those midnight cravings for French fries.
Air-fried to crisp perfection, these flavorful finger foods are surprisingly appealing even to children.
These kid-friendly sides are good to have for a guilt-free dining experience.
Get the little ones to gorge on these delicious green beans that also offer a play of textures to accompany the main dish.
Turn this breakfast go-to into a party treat that will be a hit at your next get-together.
These taste as great as they look–and have a pretty aesthetic, too!
These finger foods are also great for snacking–the perfect addition to a grazing table.
Be sure to squeeze in some lime during the preparation, as the citrus will help prevent the avocados from going brown.
Think of this side of chili as the guacamole’s cousin–only with the crisp textures of the baguettes.
These pica-pica eggplants are not only great dipped in a marinara sauce but are also perfect for mopping up the sauce off a bowl of chili.
These sticks make it another family-friendly side dish at your next group affair.
These are made for dipping and can be enjoyable to eat when warm and fresh from the oven or air fryer.
Serving sides of the same type of cuisine is an excellent decision.
The preparation of the rice makes it a beloved accompaniment to the main dish.
It is a colorful and oh-so-flavorful carb meal that pairs well with chili.
Be mindful of the spice level when cooking, as you would not want to have a side that battles with the spiciness of the chili.
This white rice dish is a classic in Hispanic cuisine.
You can go for the dark-colored version, thanks to the black beans.
Alternatively, you can use annatto seeds or tomato sauce to add a reddish color to the recipe.
Be mindful when using red beans for this meal, as it creates an entirely different dish called the Arroz Moros, a famous Latin creation.
The perfect play of flavors of this Mexican side makes it very popular in this type of cuisine.
It is a well-loved dish that can be sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy at the same time.
The spice level on this one is just right so that it can still accompany a large bowl of chili to your satisfaction.
The corn on the cob can be pretty messy to eat–think of it like the traditional Sloppy Joe’s of America–slathered with mayo and chili powder alongside delicious bowlfuls of beans.
Here’s a low-carb side dish flavored with seasonings popular in Latin cuisine.
The zucchini absorbs all of the flavors oh-so-well as it tenderizes.
Top with cilantro, lime, and crumbled cotija cheese, and you’ll have the perfect recipe to accompany the main dish at lunch or dinner.
It’s quite an easy dish to prepare as you won’t need to remove the skin–preferably kept to add texture to the result.
If you’re a fan of eating at Mexican restaurants, you might have seen this meal offered on their menus–or you’ve had the pleasure of consuming a plate.
You can recreate this food at home and perhaps make it even more flavorful, as home cooks tend not to skimp on the ingredients.
The secret to flavorful rice is not to skip simmering in broth.
As for the choice of herbs, a combination of basil, dill, chives, and mint are yummy alternatives to cilantro.
Our version of Cilantro Lime Rice is a must-try, too!
Hands down, this recipe is one of the most-requested pairings when serving bowlfuls of chili.
Every home cook preparing Mexican cuisine should learn how to create tortillas.
This well-detailed recipe will make some soft, non-soggy, non-dry, non-bland, and not-too-crispy versions of this classic at home.
It helps to practice ahead of time as you’ll be preparing this a lot as it is the base dish for many Latin meals.
If you’re not a fan of using your hands and mouth to eat corn off the cob, then you’ll appreciate this salad version of the dish.
It’s a colorful recipe that looks ready for Cinco de Mayo or an exciting feast at home.
Also called Esquites, these are grilled corn kernels with peppers, onions, and herbs.
Add plenty of feta or cotija cheese, and you’re ready to make this a great side or even a meal on its own.
Crispy and savory–these flavorful chips make nice sides for tomato sauce-based dishes.
It’s a low-carb side made with simple ingredients.
The parmesan adds flavor to this tasty snack that can be pretty addictive.
It pairs well with other dips like marinara and pesto as well.
Complete a Mexican-inspired table spread with a bowl of carbs and veggies to accompany a heartwarming bowl of chili.
This dish is just a crowd-pleaser as the main dish and is sure to please.
The fresh ingredients include cucumbers, avocados, and tomatoes.
Steer clear of adding the meat if you want a light side dish.
Otherwise, this versatile recipe can be a standalone meal itself.
The natural sweetness of this root crop makes it a delectable side dish for a hot dish like homemade chili.
This recipe often accompanies other Mexican dishes like tacos and fajitas.
These cubes will be an excellent side if you prepare various meals from this cuisine!
The spice mix makes it authentically Latin, which will make the entire dining experience a memorable one.
The texture of these deep-fried potatoes seasoned with Mexican spices makes it a great side dish for saucy dishes.
This classic recipe is also vegan and gluten-free.
Serve them hot and delicious with chili.
It’s also versatile enough to be used as a stuffing for burritos and tacos or mixed into a taco salad.
If there is concern about the amount of oil you’ll be using when frying, you always have the option to air-fry them so everyone can enjoy them.
Here’s a simple vegetarian side dish that tastes great with tacos, chili, and many Mexican dishes.
The spices and jalapenos add an extra kick to the green beans.
Add fun to your table setting with a colorful array of kebab-style roasted vegetables.
The veggies chosen are favorite sides in Mexican cuisine, like potatoes, corn, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and onions.
The delicious marinade is the secret to packing tons of flavor into this vegetarian side dish.
Don’t skip marinating the ingredients for a colorful and tasteful accompaniment to the main meal.
Cheese-y side dishes always make perfect pairs for tomato sauce-based recipes.
So when making chili in the kitchen, don’t forgo this favorite American recipe to go with it.
Crisp on the outside with a gooey center makes, this finger food is a mouthwatering side!
Go for string cheese to add fun to your meal.
It’s great dipped in marinara sauce, but you’ll love it with chili, too.
Garlic-flavored side dishes pair nicely with spicy meals.
Make it better by topping the soft, herb-enhanced bread with shredded Mexican blend cheese.
Sprinkle with taco seasoning, and you’ll have a heartwarming side for your chili fresh out of the oven.
39. Fried Pickles
If you’ve never had a fried pickle in your life, you’re in for a treat especially combined with chili.
Don’t worry about getting your pickles soggy.
There are tricks to achieve the perfect crunch for this finger food.
There’s patting the sogginess with a paper towel, pressing the panko breadcrumbs, so they stick to the pickles, and finally refrigerating the coated pieces hours before frying them.
40. Steak Fajitas
Keep to the theme of your food choices and opt for a side that’s very Mexican, too.
These fajitas maintain the authenticity of your menu for the night.
Treat your family to restaurant-style cooking at home with your own recipe for chili bowl and homemade steak fajitas.
Latin-popular spices add flavor to the meat.
Plus, the variation of peppers in the fajita filling makes this oh-so-delicious eaten with the main dish.
If you want an easy, no-fail choice of side dish to go with chili, then there’s no doubt that hot dogs will be it.
It’s a kid-friendly choice sure to please the entire family, too.
Make them with crescent rolls or pizza dough and add American cheese before baking these bite-sized finger foods.
42. Calabacitas
This traditional New Mexican side dish is popular during festive occasions like Thanksgiving dinners.
When making this recipe, follow the variation for the side dish, as the original version can be quite filling.
This common side is sure to be a crowd-pleaser when you serve it to guests.
There will surely be a lot of excitement as you announce that you’ve made a hearty bowl of chili and this heartwarming treat on the side.
The bottom line
I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on what to serve with chili!
Do try all the side dishes!
I’ve mentioned above, as each one has its unique texture and flavors that will go seamlessly with chili.
42 BEST Sides For Chili
These 42 recipes for chili sides include Green Chili Cornbread, Zucchini Fries, Cheesy Mexican Garlic Bread, Cilantro Lime Rice, and more!
Ingredients
- Green Chili Cornbread
- Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
- Sweet Corn & Basil Salad
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Skillet Nachos
- Cheesy Potato Skins
- Spanish Rice
- Cheesy Chipotle Lime Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Taco-Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
- Taco Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Red Lobster Biscuits
- No-Mayo Carolina Coleslaw
- Apple Carrot Slaw
- Zucchini Fries
- Caesar Salad
- Onion Rings
- Garlic Butter Breadsticks
- Potato Chips
- Crispy Cauliflower Tacos
- Green Bean Fries
- Miniature Avocado Toasts
- Baked Eggplant Sticks
- Louisiana Dirty Rice
- Black Beans & Rice Recipe (Arroz Congri)
- Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
- Roasted Mexican Zucchini
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips
- Mexican Pasta Salad
- Mexican Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
- Crispy Patatas Bravas (Mexican Potatoes)
- Ejotes A La Mexicana (Green Beans)
- Grilled Rainbow Veggie Skewers
- Mozzarella Sticks With String Cheese
- Cheesy Mexican Garlic Bread
- Fried Pickles
- Steak Fajitas
- Pigs In A Blanket
- Calabacitas
Instructions
- Scroll for your favorite recipe from our list of What To Serve With Chili.
- Pick out the ingredients needed for the dish.
- Cook then enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g