Chicken tenders are the perfect dinner choice for your family. They’re easy to prepare and can be made in various flavors. Wondering what to serve with chicken tenders? Here are 25 options!
In the past, chicken tenders were only considered a meal for kids and teenagers.
But everything has changed.
Chicken tenders have become so much more than a kiddie menu option.
They’re a blank canvas of meat, capable of taking on any flavor and going with anything you want to pair it with.
You can be crazy and pair it with whatever comfort food you have.
But it’s better if you can serve it with decent sides for your guests and loved ones.
And if you’re starting to get confused about where to start, it’s okay.
We’ve got you covered.
From classics such as Skin-On French Fries and Mashed Potatoes to unique ones like Fried Pickles and Zucchini Pasta, you can never run out of options on what to serve with chicken tenders.
Do you want to surprise your guests?
Try #23!
Okay, we know you’re excited now.
It’s to impress your friends and loved ones with these amazing sides to our main character: chicken tenders.
So, here are 25 tasty options as sides to your chicken tenders.
For starters, Macaroni and Cheese is classic comfort food, but you don’t have to be limited by its traditional presentation.
Try serving it with crispy chicken tenders for an elevated twist on the classic side dish.
It tastes great with chicken tenders!
The creamy texture of the sauce pairs well with crispy breading on boneless meat products such as these tenders.
So, serve them up together the next time you grill.
Everyone loves corn.
Everyone loves honey and butter.
Mix these three key ingredients together.
And you’ve got a tasty side to chicken tenders that everyone from children to adults will absolutely love.
A Simple Green Salad is a great way to add a light feeling to your meal.
And if you’re serving chicken tenders, some might feel that they are too greasy for their preference.
But a Simple Green Salad will provide the light twist you would love.
A veggie platter is a great side to serve with chicken tenders.
You can be as simple or as intricate as you want, but including some variety and color (red, orange, yellow) will make it look appetizing.
Plus, you can even make your original ranch dressing for dipping.
Carrots are already sweet.
So, when you add some chive and butter to the mix, it becomes a great side dish for chicken tenders.
And that combination of savory and sweet gives this side dish its own distinctive flavor while also working well with crispy chicken tenders.
This Buttered Green Beans & Carrots is a simple meal.
Still, it can also be an easy way to use leftover vegetables from last week’s dinner.
Just add some butter, and you have a delicious side dish that will go perfectly with your chicken tenders.
7. Cornbread
Cornbread is a legit Southern favorite, and for a good reason.
Everyone can make it, and it pairs well with just about anything.
Try making cornbread with honey or maple syrup instead of sugar if you want something sweet.
You can also spice it up with a bit of cinnamon or cayenne pepper too!
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread In An Iron Skillet, anyone?
You can’t go wrong with a warm and comforting plate of these Twice-Baked Potatoes.
It’s always a crowd-pleaser.
But, the best part about this side dish?
It’s really easy to make, and it takes almost no time to throw together.
This is the side dish that can turn your dinner from good to great.
Just like the chicken tenders, it has potatoes and cheese, so you already know it will be delicious.
The key here is to use pre-shredded cheese so that everything melts nicely before you remove the pan from the heat.
You certainly won’t want to serve scalloped potatoes with big lumps of unmelted cheddar in them.
10. Potato Skins
Potato skins are a foolproof way to serve chicken tenders.
Plus, you can make potato skins from scratch or buy them already made.
However you choose to go about it, there’s a lot you can do to keep your chicken interesting.
You can either use different meats, vegetables, and other toppings.
The options are quite endless!
11. Truffle Fries
Truffle Fries will make every meal feel more special.
Whether you’re serving chicken tenders at home or out at a restaurant, these truffle fries are an excellent choice to pair with them.
Along with being delicious and rich in flavor, truffles add some class to any dish they grace.
They’re also pretty simple to prepare, appealing to everyone from novices to seasoned chefs.
Fried Rice is a popular meal in Asian countries, and when combined with chicken, it makes for a hearty and fulfilling dish.
It’s also easy to make, so many people prefer this option when they’re short on time or energy.
Pro tip: if you’re serving Fried Rice with Chicken Tenders, don’t make it too oily, or the taste won’t be good.
13. Potato Salad
Potato Salad is a kind of dish that can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
It’s creamy, tasty, and filling.
You won’t get hungry after eating this.
Plus, it makes a good potluck contribution to parties!
Potato salad also works well as a side dish for chicken tenders.
In fact, you can even make bigger batches and bring them to work for lunch during the week.
You might like our tried-and-true potato salad recipes: Creamy Red Potato Salad and Yukon Gold Potato Salad.
Some people hate mashed potatoes.
And honestly, we don’t get why.
Mashed potatoes are known to be creamy and rich, with a flavor that changes depending on what you add to them.
But you know what’s better? Garlic Mashed Potatoes!
Garlic mashed potatoes would go great with chicken tenders because they’re nice and hearty.
They’re also not that rich so they will overpower your taste buds with heaviness.
15. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is a popular dish in Western countries, but it’s also enjoyed in Asian countries like the Philippines.
It’s a delectable, filling, and satisfying choice to serve with chicken tenders.
It’s also a great substitute for potato salad if you want something lighter.
But if you want some extra kick, add chopped pickled jalapenos.
It’ll surely jazz things up!
Check out our creamy and super scrumptious Hawaiian Macaroni salad!
We’re huge fans of hand-cut French fries as a side dish.
There are also plenty of ways to cook them, including the air fryer, instant pot, and pan.
That means you don’t have any excuse not to prepare them.
And as tempting as it may be to remove the skins from your potatoes, we recommend leaving them on—they’ll give you the best texture in your final product.
Serve these fries with honey mustard and ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
17. Waffle Fries
Waffle Fries are the perfect way to serve with chicken tenders.
They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, so they go great with chicken tenders.
Teenagers and kids love waffle fries because they’re so tasty, but many adults also enjoy them.
18. Classic Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side dish that comes together quickly and easily, making it a great choice when you’re short on time.
It’s also an ingenious way to use leftover vegetables and those about to go bad in the fridge.
So, feel free to experiment.
You might even find that you like eating a lot of different kinds of veggies in the process!
Our coleslaw is far different from classic slaw with a homestyle mayonnaise dressing—a must-try!
19. Pesto Sauce
Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce of fresh basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
It’s usually served with pasta or used as an ingredient in other recipes such as soups or stews.
But did you know that pesto can also be used to make a sauce for chicken?
Either way, it’s a great way to add more flavor to your meal!
20. Asparagus Fries
Who knew that asparagus could be so versatile?
Not only is it a great addition to soups and salads, but now you can cook up some delicious, savory Asparagus Fries.
Even the most seasoned cook will be surprised by how tasty these are!
21. Zucchini Pasta
Zucchini pasta is a great option if you want to eat pasta but lighter.
With zucchini, you’ll get the flavor and crunch of eating regular pasta.
Basically, it’s all the best parts of eating spaghetti, only lighter.
No one can escape the charms of buttermilk biscuits.
They are the perfect accompaniment for chicken tenders.
And they’re a staple at Popeyes and Church’s Chicken, so why not serve them at home?
And if you do, remember to save some for yourself.
These biscuits are so good that they can be reheated and served again, which makes it easy to serve some comfort food!
23. Fried Apples
Yes, Fried Apples can be served as a side to chicken tenders.
They’re sweet and crunchy at the same time.
So, if you want to wow your friends with their chicken tenders, try this dish!
24. Fried Pickles
This is a classic state fair favorite.
You can even find this dish at any state fair!
And what better way to improve finger foods like chicken tenders than by adding fried pickles?
Right?
This is going to be a blockbuster.
25. Corn Soup
Corn Soup is a side dish that’s so delicious that it practically begs to be included in a meal.
It’s also a no-brainer to make and can be made with fresh or frozen corn.
Plus, Corn Soup stimulates your appetite, so it’s perfect for any time of year when you might not feel like eating much.
The bottom line
Chicken tenders might be plain, but with these sides, you’ve got a meal that even the pickiest eater would love.
So, whip these up the next time you serve your homemade or store-bought chicken tenders, and watch as your guests wipe out every dish you serve for them!
What will you try this time?
Let us in on the gossip in the comments section below!
What To Serve With Chicken Tenders 🐔
Here are 25 easy delicious side dish options if you’re looking for what to serve with chicken tenders.
Ingredients
- Creamy Mac & Cheese
- Honey Butter Skillet Corn
- Simple Green Salad
- Roasted Veggies
- Chive Buttered Carrots
- Buttered Green Beans & Carrots
- Cornbread
- Twice-Baked Potato
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Potato Skins
- Truffle Fries
- Chinese Fried Rice
- Potato Salad
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Macaroni Salad
- Hand-Cut French fries
- Waffle Fries
- Classic Coleslaw
- Pesto Sauce
- Asparagus Fries
- Zucchini Pasta
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Fried Apples
- Fried Pickles
- Corn Soup
Instructions
- Have a look at our list of What To Serve With Chicken Tenders.
- Choose the dish you want to recreate.
- Start cooking your newly found recipe!
- Share your insights on our Facebook page!