What to Serve with Chicken Pasta Salad? 15 Best Side Dishes

If you’re not sure what to serve with chicken pasta salad, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve rounded up 15 of the best side dishes to serve with this popular dish.

From salads and vegetables to bread and fruit, there is something on this list for everyone.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these recipes a try the next time you make chicken pasta salad!

What to Serve with Chicken Pasta Salad? 15 Best Side Dishes

I love chicken pasta salad, but I often find myself at a loss when it comes to what to serve with it.

I want something that will complement the flavors of the salad without overpowering them.

At the same time, I don’t want a side dish that is going to be lost in the flavor of the salad.

Fortunately, there are a number of great side dishes that work well with chicken pasta salad.

Here are 15 of the best side dishes for chicken pasta salad:

1. Roasted Red Potatoes

These potatoes are roasted to crispy perfection in the oven with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.

They make the perfect side dish to any meal, or even a tasty snack on their own.

I love how simple and flavorful they are – definitely a new favorite in my house.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for an extra crispy potato, try roasting them with some chopped bacon.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Use sweet potatoes instead of red potatoes
• Add garlic to the mix
• Swap out the parmesan cheese for cheddar cheese

2. Simple Biscuits

Now easier and faster than ever, this recipe for simple biscuits is awesome because it only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Plus, there’s no need for any special equipment – just a bowl and a spoon!

These biscuits are perfect on their own, or you can dress them up with some butter and honey.

Pro Tip: For extra fluffy biscuits, use self-rising flour.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add shredded cheese to the dough for cheesy biscuits.
• Cut out shapes from the dough with a cookie cutter for fun shaped biscuits.

Stir in some chopped herbs for herbed biscuits.

3. Easy Coleslaw

A creamy coleslaw in 5 minutes?

Yeah, this recipe is awesome.

The best part is that it’s so versatile – you can use any type of cabbage, add in shredded carrots or red onions, and top with sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, or green onions.

This dish is perfect for summer cookouts and potlucks.

Pro Tip: For a shortcut, you can use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix. Just be sure to give it a good rinse before adding the dressing.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten up the dish.
• Add in some diced apples for sweetness and crunch.
• Use white wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.

4. Easy Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

These “muffins” have plenty of melted, cheesy goodness with a nice little kick from the jalapeno.

The best part?

They come together in just 30 minutes!

I like to make a big batch on the weekend and then reheat them throughout the week for a quick and easy side dish.

Pro Tip: For an extra cheesy kick, top each muffin with a slice of cheddar cheese before baking.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add some chopped bacon to the batter for a savory twist.
• Swap out the cheddar cheese for pepper Jack or another favorite variety.
• Stir in a cup of frozen corn kernels for extra sweetness and texture.

5. Garlic Chive Smashed Potatoes

The secret to incredibly flavorful smashed potatoes is in the seasoning.

This recipe uses garlic and chives, which are two of my absolute favorite herbs.

But, you could easily swap in other herbs like rosemary or thyme.

The best part about this dish is that it’s so versatile.

You can eat it as a side, or top it with a fried egg and turn it into a meal.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy potatoes, cook them in duck fat. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Use Yukon gold potatoes instead of red potatoes for a richer flavor.
• Add crumbled bacon for some extra savoriness.
• Swap out the chives for green onions if you want more of an onion flavor.

6. Roasted Asparagus

Drizzled with olive oil and garlic, this roasted asparagus recipe is simple yet delicious.

Asparagus is a great source of fiber and vitamins, making it a perfect addition to a healthy diet.

This dish can be enjoyed as a side or a main, and can be easily tailored to your liking.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for some extra flavor, try roasting your asparagus with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add other roasted vegetables, like cherry tomatoes or red peppers.
• Swap out the garlic for another spice, like curry powder or smoked paprika.
• Serve over quinoa or rice instead of pasta.

7. Ranch Glazed Carrots

These carrots go great alongside chicken pasta salad or roasted chicken.

I love the sweetness of the glaze, and the ranch seasoning is such a nice change from the usual salt and pepper.

The best part is that they only take about 15 minutes to make!

Pro Tip: If you want an extra crispy carrot, cook them for an additional 5-7 minutes.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Omit the ranch seasoning and add Italian seasoning instead.
• Swap out the honey for maple syrup.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze for a little bit of heat.

8. Quick Classic Macaroni Salad

Easy and classic macaroni salad is the perfect dish to bring to a summer potluck or BBQ.

It’s mayo-based, which some people are hesitant about, but I think it’s what makes the dish.

The mayo gives it a creaminess and tang that is unmatched.

This dish is also versatile – you can add in any veggies you have on hand, or even some protein like hard boiled eggs or chicken.

Pro Tip: To avoid your macaroni salad getting watery, make sure to drain your noodles and vegetables very well before adding the dressing.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the elbow noodles for a different shape – shells or rotini would be good options.
• Add in some chopped up dill pickles for a little bit of sweetness and acidity.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter option.

9. Special Fruit Salad

Berries and tropical fruit make this salad extra special.

The sweetness of the fruit is offset by the tartness of the lime juice and zest, making for a well-rounded and refreshing dish.

Pro Tip: If you want to make this salad ahead of time, wait to add the lime juice and zest until right before serving. This will prevent the fruit from getting mushy.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Use different fruits, like mango, pineapple, or kiwi
• Add a protein, like shredded chicken or tofu
• Serve with a side of yogurt or granola for added texture and flavor

10. Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

This salad will go great with your chicken pasta salad!

The hot bacon dressing is so flavorful and the spinach provides a nice crunch.

I love how this salad has a bit of everything- sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy.

Pro Tip: If you want to save some time, you can use pre-cooked bacon or bacon bits.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Use a different type of green like arugula or kale.
• Add in some diced fruit like apples or pears.
• Swap out the bacon for grilled chicken or shrimp.

11. Spanish Rice

If you have a big pot of this Spanish rice, you can feed a small army.

It’s the perfect side dish because it’s so versatile – you can add different proteins, vegetables, and spices to change it up each time you make it.

Plus, it’s affordable and easy to find the ingredients for.

Pro Tip: To give your Spanish rice an extra boost of flavor, sauté the rice in oil before adding the water.

3 Changes You Can Make to This Recipe:

• Add chicken or beef for a heartier dish.
• Stir in some black beans or corn for added texture and flavor.
• Mix in a teaspoon or two of chili powder for a little bit of heat.

12. Lemon Orzo with Parmesan & Peas

How about a quick and easy lemon orzo with parmesan and peas?

This dish is awesome because it’s flavorful, but not too heavy.

The orzo pairs perfectly with the lemon and parmesan, and the peas add a nice pop of color and texture.

Pro Tip: To save time, you can use frozen peas. Just add them in at the end so they don’t get overcooked.

3 Changes You Can Make to This Recipe:

• Swap out the orzo for a different type of pasta.
• Add in some chopped chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.

13. Simple Maple Baked Beans

Whether you make this in your slow cooker or on the stovetop, these baked beans are an easy and delicious side dish.

They’re perfect for a summer barbecue or a winter potluck.

The best part is that they only require a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, add a diced onion to the mix.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the maple syrup for honey or brown sugar.
• Add some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Stir in some BBQ sauce at the end for extra zing.

14. Vegan Quinoa Salad

Everyone loves this healthy quinoa salad made with quinoa, chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, parsley and lemon.

It’s perfect for meal prep, and can be served as a side dish or main course.

I love it because it’s so versatile – you can add any veggies you have on hand, and it’s still delicious.

Pro Tip: To make this salad even more filling, add some cooked chicken or shrimp.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the quinoa for rice or couscous.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs.
• Add diced avocado for a creamy boost of flavor.

15. Oven-Roasted Carrots

These cooked carrots are oven roasted with a few seasonings to give them an extra bit of flavor.

I love how simple this recipe is, and how you can easily customize the seasonings to your liking.

The carrots come out of the oven perfectly cooked every time, and they make a great side dish for any meal.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a bit of sweetness to these carrots, drizzle them with honey before roasting.

3 Changes You Can Make To This Recipe:

• Swap out the seasonings for something sweeter, like cinnamon or sugar.
• Add some chopped up bacon or pancetta to the mix for a salty kick.
• Roast the carrots with other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for a more filling side dish.