There are many delicious side dishes that we can have with chicken that will undoubtedly improve our meals. The same is true for vegetables, as some pair perfectly with this meat because of their taste and texture. Besides, adding greens to our chicken-based meals comes with many benefits, as they add plenty of vitamins and minerals to our diet. Since not all vegetables are created equal, these are some of our favorite vegetables that go great when we are eating chicken.
Spinach is one of our favorite vegetables to serve with chicken, as it is a very versatile vegetable that is perfect for either hot or cold side dishes and entrees. We can make a salad with raw spinach, adding our favorite vegetables to the mix and serving grilled chicken breast as main dish. For those looking for a hot side, sautéed spinach would complement any chicken dish quite well. The best part is that spinach is low in calories, and rich in calcium and vitamins A and C.
Sweet potatoes are another vegetable that pairs with chicken perfectly, and the best way to serve them is by wrapping them in foil and placing them in the oven while we prepare the chicken. Remember to wash them thoroughly before we start cooking them, though. Once they are tender and cooked, you can slice them down the center and add cinnamon and honey to add sweetness. When it comes to nutrients, sweet potatoes are very rich sources of potassium, which helps us normalize our fluid balance, regulating our heart rhythm.
Broccoli is another convenient vegetable that can be taken as a quick yet tasty side to accompany our chicken meals. Steamed broccoli, for example, is a simple, convenient, and delicious side dish that doesn’t take much preparation. All you need to do to prepare steamed broccoli is place the florets in a microwave bowl, add a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth, and then cook it until it becomes tender. If you want to add more flavor, don’t forget to add some pepper and herbs. This way, you’ll be getting plenty of Vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Another great way to add a lot of flavor and complement any chicken dish is by adding jicama into the mix. Jicama is not technically a vegetable per se but is a close relative of the potato. This tuberous root can be enjoyed raw or cooked, but make sure to wash it and peel it before cooking or eating. Sautéed jicama tends to pick up all the flavors from the pan, and raw stripes of jicama offers a sweet complement for any chicken-based meal. Being a very rich source of fiber, jicama is also a great source of Vitamin C and iron.