What to Serve with Chicken Pot Pie: Our Lip-smacking List

ust the words “chicken pot pie” evoke thoughts of creamy delicate goodness enveloping chicken, vegetables, and herbs – all wrapped in dough that’s been baked to crispy tender perfection.

Whether the best dough is a store-bought favorite, grandma’s secret recipe, crunchy phyllo, or elevated puff pastry is all up for debate.

As is what to serve with chicken pot pie itself.

Should it be a smorgasbord of healthy salads and sides to offset the decadence of the pie?

 Or should the sides lean into the hearty food element of the main dish and provide layers and layers of metaphorical hugs that come with the flavor of this classic comfort food?

That’s up to you.

We’re here to provide examples of contrasting flavors and textures, spot-on pairings, as well as some dishes you hadn’t thought of placing on the table with this (comfort food classic.)

At its base, a chicken pot pie starts with a mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions), flour, broth and milk, and shredded chicken.

Traditional dishes call for a whole chicken to be cooked in a pot, whereas others call for shredded rotisserie chicken cooked with frozen vegetables.

Which is to say, there’s no wrong way to make a chicken pot pie. It’s one of the most versatile dishes that a cook will have in their repertoire.

The type can depend on the time that’s available and the quality of ingredients on hand. (In the summer who wouldn’t want to throw in a farm fresh leek, in lieu of a bland winter onion?)

What to Serve with Chicken Pot Pie

With all those options in mind, here are some thoughts for some lively side dishes to make the dinner table groan with color and flavor.

1. Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes

While the stove and oven are busy creating the delectable pot pie, why not whip up a succulent batch of creamy mashed potatoes in the instant pot?

Adrianna Adarme’s silky mashed potatoes will soak up the gravy from the main dish – and the potatoes come together quickly, leaving the stove top open for any other side dishes you’re craving.

Using a ricer instead of masher gives the savory and buttery concoction its elegant texture. It’s pure “A Cozy Kitchen” potato perfection!

See the magic over at: https://www.acozykitchen.com/instant-pot-creamy-mashed-potatoes/

2. Berry Orange Spinach Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette

Leaning into the “compare and contrast” column of side dishes, this cooling and citrusy spinach salad really hits the spot.

Marie from Yay! For Food combines greens, oranges, berries, cheese, and nuts to create a feast for the eyes as well as the bowl.

The citrus vinaigrette is a wonderful contrast to the rich pot pie – and who can resist the combination of fruit and balsamic vinegar? Answer: No one.

Go and get the sweet and savory inspiration here: https://www.yayforfood.com/recipes/berry-orange-spinach-salad-citrus-balsamic-vinaigrette

3. Garlic Sauteed Swiss Chard

Sure, your dinner pot pie is loaded with vegetables – but there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to the green leafy stuff.

And Lisa Bryan over at Downshiftology gives us her delicious and garlicy recipe for this gorgeous wilted green that would make the perfect accompaniment to a savory pot pie.

Bonus: You don’t need to toss those rainbow-hued stems either. Throw them right into the pan. Oh, yes.

Check it out here: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/garlic-sauteed-swiss-chard/

4. Apple Sauce

Carrots, celery, onions, chicken, and dairy, all have an individual love affair going on with apples.

Which of course means that there’s nothing better for what goes with chicken pot pie than apple sauce!

Sweet, savory, supple, and oh, so, good by the spoonful – this apple sauce recipe comes from Rachel at The Stay at Home Chef. 

Watch the video and then run over to your nearest local market for a variety of apples that will round out your meal. Hello, flavor!

5. Roasted Parmesan Broccoli

“Hello, gorgeous.” That’s what the pot pie will whisper to bright broccoli florets coated in olive oil and browned parmesan cheese when they meet on the table.

The recipe for this tasty side dish is from Holly Sander at Taste and See. Savory broccoli and salty cheese, lightly kissed with lemon, makes a fantastic side to – well – pretty much anything.

But it pairs amazingly well with chicken and vegetables in a cream sauce.

Check out the recipe here: https://tasteandsee.com/roasted-parmesan-broccoli/

6. Autumn Chopped Salad With Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

Salty. Creamy. Tangy. Lightly sweet. This salad is all of those things and more.

Alyssa Rivers at The Recipe Critic brings us this stunner of a flavorful chopped salad which pairs perfectly with savory chicken pot pie.

Crisp apple and pears cool the senses, while tart cranberries awaken them. And when smoked bacon and salty feta join the party – well – that means this isn’t your average chopped salad.

Go and grab the recipe here: https://therecipecritic.com/autumn-chopped-salad-creamy-poppyseed-dressing/

7. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes With Garlic Herb Butter

Sweet potatoes really sing in this garlicy, herby, and buttery side dish.

The sweet and bright tubers pair perfectly with creamy chicken pot pie.  And when they’re sitting next to each other on the table, they create an unbelievably elegant presentation. Hello, stunning colors!

Jen at Carlsbad Cravings gives readers step-by-step directions on how to make this seemingly complicated dish quickly and easily.

So, stop by and check it out: https://carlsbadcravings.com/hasselback-sweet-potatoes-recipe/

8. German Potato Salad

Let’s talk about tang! This German potato salad is wrapped in an apple cider vinaigrette that will make your taste buds vibrate with joy.

Anna from Crunchy Creamy Sweet has created a salad that really raises its hand when you ask what to serve with chicken pot pie. Salty bacon, creamy potatoes, and sweet onion create a harmonious dish that everyone will clamor to the table for.

And the vinegary notes contrast beautifully with the richness of the pot pie. Which means, hello, Flavor Town!

Check out the recipe here: https://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/german-potato-salad/

9. Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Leaning back into the “comfort food” side of the ledger is this amazing instant pot side dish from Erin over at Well Plated by Erin.

Creamy pasta in a cauliflower sauce sitting next to chicken pot pie on a plate? Yes, please!

The base of the cream sauce is evaporated milk and cream cheese combined with cheddar and provolone – so its velvety on its own without making a roux. Oh, my.

Click here for the deliciousness: https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-cauliflower-mac-and-cheese/

10. Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Savory Brussels sprouts and salty, smoky bacon are the dream team side dish for chicken pot pie. They contrast beautifully and elevate the thick cream sauce of the pie filling with their crunchy texture.

Aside from giving a textural contrast, the bright vibrant green makes everything around it pop more on your best dinner plates. Hey pretty!

Cruise over to Salt and Lavender to see Natasha’s (very easy and drool-inducing) recipe.

You’ll be happy that you did. https://www.saltandlavender.com/easy-brussels-sprouts-and-bacon-recipe/

11. Balsamic Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad

Over at The Real Food Dieticians, Stacie and Jessica combine their love of real food with a soupçon of effort, plus a whole lot of good health and deliciousness.

And Stacie’s recipe for this vibrant roasted veggie and quinoa salad fits the bill.

Slightly sweet, very savory, and bursting with flavor – this salad will round out a decadent slice of chicken pot pie like its nobody’s business.

Click here for the recipe: https://therealfoodrds.com/balsamic-roasted-vegetable-and-quinoa-salad-recipe/

12. Easy Cranberry Sauce With Fresh Herbs

When pot pie is beckoning from the oven and you want to get sides pulled together quickly – this recipe for tart and savory cranberry sauce is just the right answer.

The sherry, rosemary, sage, and thyme create layers and layers of flavor that come together in a snap.

Karrie over at Tasty Ever After walks readers through this tangy and scrumptious treat that plays beautifully with velvety and crispy chicken pot pie.

Check the recipe out here: https://www.tastyeverafter.com/herb-cranberry-sauce/

13. The Ultimate Garlic Bread

Over on YouTube, Rockin’ Robin has a delectable recipe for garlic bread with roasted garlic. It does have a thin layer of parmesan cheese, but it’s “not a cheese bread,” so it’s perfect to pair with pot pie.

The joy of side dishes is that they compliment the main course, and don’t try to selfishly steal the show!

Roasted garlic makes the butter spread mellow and sweet – so that matches the flavor profile of the vegetables in the pie. It’s also loaded with fresh parsley which makes it beautiful on the plate. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Chicken Pot Pie Before and After

Appetizers

Don’t forget the opening act! When it comes to the lead-in, appetizer, warm up, start your chicken pot pie meal with a bang and not a whimper.

Try making simple homemade crackers for a cheese course. Homemade crackers don’t take much time to pull together, and they pay off with a surprising wow factor.

They’re light and would be the perfect way to ease into the meal.

Other fun ideas are:

A bruschetta with simple toppings, a crunchy green salad, and store-bought bread sticks with a light cheese spread.

And don’t forget the crudités! Serve carrots, celery, lightly-blanched green beans and broccoli, pea pods, and cherry tomatoes on a colorful platter with a creamy dip. Let your imagination run wild!

The Perfect Crust

Earlier we were discussing types of dough for the pot pie. And everyone has their favorite “go-to.”

But due to time constraints or a bounty of frozen pastry in the freezer, sometimes it’s fun to play with something new.

For instance, instead of making one large pot pie, a platter of hand pies made with puff pastry can give an entirely new look to this classical favorite.

Crunchy, buttery, and golden brown phyllo dough also gives this family-favorite a fun finish.

Lightly brush sheets of phyllo dough with a combination of melted butter and olive oil, and divide the chicken mixture between ramekins.

Top with the prepared phyllo and – bam! – richly-hued phyllo crusts will tower over the ramekins for a literally elevated appearance!

Also, if you’re feeling more adventurous, homemade pie doughs are a snap to make in a food processor.

One fun tip is to grate frozen butter into the bowl of your food processor so that the butter is evenly distributed throughout.

That gives the dough an extra-flaky texture that your grandmother would rave about.

And don’t forget to brush the top of the dough with egg for a golden sheen!

That’s also the perfect time to add some fresh herbs to the top of the pie, to give visual clues about the delicious herb combinations hiding inside that luscious, creamy filling. It’s herbtastic!

If you have leftovers, be sure to reheat your chicken pot pie in the oven to maintain your perfect crust with a insides that taste freshly baked.

Desserts to Die For

And finally, don’t forget the dessert. A fruit compote is the perfect ending to the perfect meal. It’s bright and visually appealing.

Sticking with traditional fruits like plums, peaches, apples, and oranges will make a refreshing palate cleanser.

But, everyday there seem to be new and exotic fruits in the produce aisle, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

Try a mixture of star fruit, Asian pears, kiwi, and kumquats. Top them with a gingered honey syrup for an out-of-this-world combination.

All in all, when deciding what to serve with chicken pot pie, it’s the pie who is the star of the dinner.

From there, you really can’t go wrong. A delicate cream sauce with vegetables, savory chicken and herbs will bring the whole family to the table.

And when it’s surrounded by colorful and flavorful sides, well, that just makes the perfect main dish even better.