If you’re looking for great ideas on what to serve with chicken salad sandwiches, good news!
Here’s a list of 39 best side dishes that can elevate your favorite sandwich to new heights!
The venerable chicken salad sandwich is always a crowd-pleaser meal, especially when served during a quick summer lunch or dinner.
It’s also commonly present on the blankets of most picnic spreads!
It combines fresh vegetables and creamy chicken salad dressing, resting in between two slices of delicious toasted sourdough or fresh baguette.
The sandwich is tasty enough to stand on its own but partnering it with complementary side items can elevate the dish to new heights.
The right side dish is a deal maker or a deal breaker!
That’s why I make sure to whip up a few side dishes before gathering the crowd–scratch that, I’m making sure to cook up more than intended!
Because you can bet your winning lottery ticket that these delicious sides are going to be gone fast!
If you’re having trouble choosing which sides for a chicken salad sandwich, you aren’t alone!
When I was first making this list, I didn’t know whether to draw lots or spin a wheel!
So the best thing to do is take this recipe guide with you!
This article features my list of the 39 best sides to serve with chicken salad sandwiches, from butternut squash soup to green salad.
Made without cream or butter, this butternut squash soup is so cozy, creamy, and satisfying.
The sweetness and creaminess of the dish balance out the richness of your chicken salad sandwich.
The recipe is straightforward and can be made ahead of time.
You just need butternut squash, chicken broth, carrots, leeks, and spices to whip up the dish.
2. Caesar Salad
A light salad like this Caesar salad is always a great pair for creamy chicken salad sandwiches.
It has to be the perfect mixture of creamy and tangy at the same time.
Unlike the traditional recipe, this Caesar salad excludes egg and anchovies in the dressing.
But don’t worry, it still tastes great!
I recommend making the salad the day before and allow it to chill in the fridge.
This allows the flavor to meld.
These cheese straws are another great pairing to go with your chicken salad sandwiches.
The creaminess coming from butter and sharp cheddar cheese blends perfectly with the flavors of the sandwich.
It’s crispy and addicting!
Popular as an appetizer, this dish is often seen at most parties and festive gatherings.
It has a hint of spice and a complex flavor profile from cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
Imagine dunking your chicken salad sandwich into a bowl of cozy and hot Velveeta-based potato soup.
Now that’s heavenly!
As mentioned, the dish is made from a base of Velveeta cheese, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.
The cheese is combined with other ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, bacon, celery, milk, and onions.
Also, the soup boasts a lot of variation potential.
You can include diced ham, sweet potatoes, and wilted spinach if you’re trying to get more veggies in the soup.
This Hawaiian macaroni salad features that distinctive tanginess coming from apple cider vinegar – one that ultimately blends well with the chicken salad sandwiches.
This recipe is also a simple dish and easy to customize.
Feel free to add pineapple chunks, green peas, pancetta, or crab meat to make your salad more delightful.
Dill pickle strips are crispy, spicy, and tangy, making it a great bet to serve with a chicken salad sandwich.
You can purchase those store-bought ones but making one at home is more advantageous, especially if you want to manage its flavor.
The process is easy and its ingredients are likely already in your kitchen.
You just need cucumbers, fresh dill, jalapeno, vinegar, mustard seed, and bay leaves.
7. Iced Tea
One should never forget the drinks!
A creamy and rich chicken salad sandwich works great with those refreshing beverages, one of which is iced tea.
It’s quick to put together too!
Whether it’s Southern, fruity, or cold-brewed iced tea, serving this thirst-quenching drink is sure to complement the flavors of your favorite sandwich.
8. Potato Chips
What goes with chicken salad? Well, for one, the classic favorite–potato chips!
The softness of the chicken salad sandwich and the crispness of the potato chips creates a perfect combination that’s sure to delight everyone in your family.
And sure, you can easily get some store-bought chips, but why not stop buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store and start making your own at home?
If you want greens to pair with your chicken salad sandwiches, you better include these veggie strips in your to-do list!
Apart from the refreshing goodness, these veggies also add a nice crunch to your meal.
You can use a shredding machine, but you can also grate the carrots, cabbage, and potato on hand.
Then dunk them all into a delectable cashew dip.
A chicken salad sandwich is flavorful enough so I suggest pairing it with a side that balances its flavor.
And that’s how this Ambrosia fruit salad comes into the picture.
It features a balance of sweetness, tanginess, freshness, and creaminess, thanks to crushed pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, lemon juice, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
Another good candidate for the chicken salad sandwich side is my prized avocado and cucumber soup.
This recipe is so straightforward to make and only requires eight key ingredients to put together.
Simply peel the cucumbers, cut them into chunks, then chop the dill, put them into a blender along with other ingredients.
Let it chill in the fridge and you’re done!
12. Red Potato Salad
Take note: Potato salad is creamy so serving it alongside your chicken salad sandwich with mayo-based dressing might not be the best thing to do.
However, I’m including this recipe for those people who prepare the sandwich without mayo or yogurt.
Also, my creamy red potato salad recipe is the perfect side dish for a picnic or a BBQ.
Just like the Caesar salad, I recommend that you make this recipe the day before and then allow it to chill in the fridge.
13. Asian Slaw
This Asian slaw recipe is noted for being one of the best chicken salad sandwich side dishes.
This side dish also goes great with Asian meatballs, fish, and glazed grilled chicken.
It’s light and quite easy to whip up.
All you need is to prepare the dressing, let it chill for a bit, prepare the salad mix, combine the ingredients, then serve!
14. No-Mayo Coleslaw
My version of Carolina coleslaw is an ideal accompaniment for your creamy and rich chicken salad sandwich.
Why you ask?
That’s solely because it’s mayo-free!
Aside from the exclusion of mayo, this coleslaw also has an extra flavor punch of celery seeds that perfectly mix with cabbage, kale leaves, carrots, onions, cider vinegar, and mustard.
The result?
Sweetness and tanginess galore!
These roasted carrots make an excellent snack with a dip, as a side to pork chops, or too creamy chicken salad sandwiches.
It’s made from raw carrots, balsamic vinegar, thyme, olive oil, and garlic so overpowering the flavor of the sandwich is impossible!
16. Fruit Platter
Fruits as sides for a chicken salad sandwich?
Why not!
Just make sure to pick those fresh and ripe berries, melons, oranges, pineapple, and papaya.
If you want to include pears, apples, and bananas in the tray, I suggest cutting them before serving and tossing the fruits in lemon juice, as this prevents them from browning.
17. Green Salad
If you haven’t tried pairing chicken salad sandwiches with green salad, then don’t miss out on the heavenly goodness that this combo brings!
Trust me, it’s phenomenal!
The two make a beautiful medley of flavors that you and your family shouldn’t miss!
Plus, creating it is pretty simple: combine the onion, vinegar, salt, pepper, and mustard to create a vinaigrette.
Combine the greens in a large bowl then mix!
Chicken noodle soup is a flu-season mainstay that’s a popular pick-me-up with the ill.
It’s also a little-known hangover remedy!
Comprised of chicken, carrots, onions, and egg noodles cooked in seasoned broth, it also serves as a welcome comfort food that will go perfectly well with your chicken salad sandwich.
This sweet and savory salad made up of asparagus, spinach, goat cheese, strawberries, and almonds complements your chicken salad sandwich well!
It’s delicious and the combination of both provides an array of textures that will leave your palate in wonder!
Another great option would be tomato basil bisque!
It’s a smooth, rich, creamy soup made from tomatoes, onions, basil, and, parmesan sauteed and then added to the soup stock with the rest of the seasoning.
It’s delicious!
And the soup will complement the crispiness of your sandwich well!
21. Red Pepper Soup
Turn up the heat with this spicy little side!
This tasty side dish is composed of charred red peppers, garlic, and, sun-dried tomatoes, topped with homemade basil pesto in a creme fraiche swirl.
It pairs well with crackers and bread, especially sourdough if you made your sandwich with that.
22. Mushroom Soup
The classic mushroom soup.
So much so that, myriad iterations have made their way into soup cans, store shelf bound, for more than a century.
Deliciously homemade, its creamy and savory flavor will pair perfectly with your sandwich.
Forged from the fire of your favorite soup pot, its delectable composition of mushrooms, cream, flour, and herbs will trump the canned version every time!
If you plan on serving your sandwiches on a cold day, what better side to have them with some warm onion soup?
Presented here is the French version, which is made from cheese, white wine, caramelized onions, beef, and the most important part: the broth.
The beef broth holds the flavor!
Simmer the beef for longer than 30 minutes to deepen the flavor to your liking.
This versatile side dish is a perfect way to use all those veggies hidden away in your fridge!
Just be sure to use the ones that aren’t already in your sandwiches for texture variety, so they’d pair up well.
It makes for a hearty and filling meal thanks to the beef and whichever veggies you decide to throw into the pot (in this recipe it’s carrots, tomatoes, garlic, tomatoes, green beans, and various herbs)!
25. Clam Chowder
If I’d known clam chowder went so well with chicken salad, I would’ve been making these a long time ago!
For those who haven’t had clam chowder yet, it’s creamy with a subtle seafood flavor; just right so it doesn’t wrestle for dominance with your chicken salad!
Made from (canned) clams, bacon, potatoes, butter, milk, and seasoning, they combine into a whirlpool of flavors that is delectable, but subtle and elegant all at the same time!
Tom kha gai, or Thai coconut chicken soup, hails from Thailand and is rich and creamy, yet tangy and salty.
Chicken, coconut cream, curry paste, onions, mushrooms, seasoning, and garnish are simmered in broth to form this delicious, spicy soup!
This unexpected fusion of flavors will complement your sandwich even more unexpectedly well!
27. Minestrone Soup
This hearty Italian soup is traditionally made from whatever leftover vegetables you have lying around, so feel free to use any greens you have on hand.
In this recipe though, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and other herbs and spices were used to establish this dish.
Minestrone soup is in itself, an adequate comfort food, but will pair up nicely with sandwiches.
More Hearty Italian Soups
If you’ve ever had the Panera version of this soup, this recipe claims that it will blow the pants off that!
Made from broccoli, onions, carrots, garlic, cheddar cheese, seasoning, and spices in vegetable broth, you’d think it was made from cream based on how thick and creamy it is!
Convert your broccoli skeptics by serving them a bowl with a few chicken salad sandwiches!
29. Cheese Platter
Cheese boards not only provide a way for your guests to play around and make their own platters but they look good on a table as well!
This ‘recipe’ provides instructions on how to set one up, providing suggestions on what charcuterie, cheeses, sweets, savories, and sauces to get.
Serve up alongside a tray of chicken salad sandwiches to complete the meal!
Melon berry fruit salad is watermelon, honeydew, and berries, tossed in a dressing of lime and garnished with mint.
Though the fruits used in this recipe are seasonal, the flavor alone from this salad makes it well worth it!
Not to mention it goes well with sandwiches.
31. Pasta Salad
Pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and Italian dressing combine to bring into existence this delicious concoction!
As a pasta lover, I can’t help but ogle at it!
Nonetheless, this flavor bomb goes well with almost anything, and that includes chicken salad sandwiches!
Corn salad ranks way up there in the summer salad rankings!
Made from corn, cherry tomatoes, red onions, herbs, olive oil, and topped with feta, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or BBQs!
Do you know what else goes great with picnics, potlucks, or BBQs?
Right!
Chicken salad sandwiches!
33. Devilled Eggs
Deviled eggs in one form or another have always been a go-to appetizer at countless gatherings.
And they’re so easy to make!
Thinly dice ham, pan-fry until crispy, and then top them over your eggs.
Add in some jalapeno to really get the party started!
And you know what else?
They’ll go perfectly with those chicken salad sandwiches over at the deli table too!
Roasting is one of my favorite ways to have potatoes and carrots.
They’re so yummy when coated with butter, garlic, and herbs, and cooked to a golden brown!
It was only very recently that I learned that they go so well with chicken salad sandwiches.
Now you do too!
Ahh, the nostalgia!
Everybody’s bound to have had a glass or two from a lemonade stand manned by a little gap-toothed kid at some point!
But have you ever had homemade strawberry lemonade?
If not, here’s your chance to whip up a glass or two whilst enjoying your sandwich!
As we mentioned in #22, homemade always trumps store-bought stuff, and this holds true as well with the mango yogurt smoothie!
Perfect for a sunny day at the beach with a couple of chicken salad sandwiches on a plate for a light snack.
37. Milk Tea Boba
Milk tea boba is just brewed black tea, milk creamer, sweetener, and tapioca pearls in its simplest form.
It’s a delicious thirst quencher that goes well with anything, including your sandwich!
I was amazed at how easy it was to recreate this classic beverage at home!
With this recipe, now you can too!
If you absolutely must have breakfast on the go, then it’s hard to beat having a strawberry and blackberry milkshake in one hand and a chicken salad sandwich in the other!
The milkshake energizes you with its flavor while your sandwich fills you up with all of that chicken salad yumminess!
Good news for all you starbies out there!
This recipe claims to have the key to recreating the classic Starbucks Frappucino to perfection.
Now you won’t have to get in your car, get stuck in traffic, and fall into a line to get ahold of it.
Remember to make some chicken salad sandwiches to go with your starbs copycat!
The bottom line
Chicken salad sandwiches can feed a hungry crowd with little effort.
It’s essentially simple to put together yet incredibly oh-so filling!
Also, there’s an endless number of sides that go well with the dish.
The side dishes you choose will depend on how your chicken salad dressing is made from.
If the dressing consists of grapes and nuts, ensure not to serve a side that features the same ingredients.
Or if you have a mayo-based dressing, then exclude potato salad and macaroni salad from the list to avoid redundancy.
Just always keep in mind to pick those side items that complement their texture and flavor.
The drinks listed will go with whatever you decide to make your chicken salad sandwiches with.
Just pick one and go with it!
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What To Serve With Chicken Salad Sandwiches (39 BEST Sides)
Looking for ideas on what to serve with chicken salad sandwiches? Here's a list of the 39 best sides that can elevate your favorite sandwich to new heights!
Ingredients
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Caesar Salad
- Cheese Straws
- Velveeta Potato Bacon Soup
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Dill Pickle Strips
- Iced Tea
- Potato Chips
- Veggie Strips
- Ambrosia Fruit Salad
- Avocado & Cucumber Soup
- Red Potato Salad
- Asian Slaw
- No-Mayo Coleslaw
- Oven-Roasted Carrots
- Fruit Platter
- Green Salad
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Spinach Asparagus & Strawberry Salad
- Tomato Basil Bisque
- Red Pepper Soup
- Mushroom Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Vegetable Beef Soup
- Clam Chowder
- Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)
- Minestrone Soup
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Cheese Platter
- Melon Berry Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing
- Pasta Salad
- Basil & Feta Corn Salad
- Devilled Eggs
- Roasted Potatoes & Carrots
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Mango Yogurt Smoothie
- Milk Tea Boba
- Strawberry & Blackberry Milkshake
- Starbucks Copycat Coffee Frappuccino
Instructions
- Scroll for your favorite side from our list of What To Serve With Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
- Pick out the ingredients needed for the side dish.
- Make then enjoy immediately!