If you are a huge fan of chicken drumstick and you want to find ways to elevate your dining experience, you should know that there are tons of tasty side meals to serve with chicken legs.
Chicken is a versatile protein that goes well with almost anything, but there are several dishes that match it perfectly, able to elevate your enjoyment when you sink your teeth in the tender flesh.
Chicken legs are delicious, but they truly shine with the right sides! Think creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy mac and cheese, roasted veggies, vibrant salads – even simple rice or pasta can be amazing. Experiment to find your favorites and transform your meal from ordinary to extraordinary!
12. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
One of the best tasty side meals to serve with chicken legs is the mashed potatoes. Imagine a buttery and creamy (mashed) potatoes being mixed together with roasted garlic with this rich taste.
Mashed potatoes are considered a tasty and also essential side dish, whose flavor would be even better with cheese.
When you are able to make mashed potatoes with sharp cheese having nice earthy tone, the result would be impressive. If you want something creamy, you can add sour cream, butter, and cheddar cheese to make heavenly creamy delight.
Although the creamy mashed potatoes are considered perfect for the savory of the drumstick, it’s still possible to add another hint of savory flavor to the mix.
With roasted garlic, you can create a mix of creamy and yet also savory side dish that would pamper your palate.
There is no need to overdo the mashed potatoes. You only need to add milk or cream (depending on your preference), butter, and salt (a pinch would be enough) to create such a great side dish.
11. Honey-Glazed Baby Carrots
This one would be perfect when you want something sweet, crunchy, and also savory altogether. Baby carrots are naturally sweet with a hint of nice crunchiness.
When you can glaze it with honey (and also a tad of butter), you can elevate the taste (and the entire experience) to the next level. You don’t even need to overdo the honey. Just a little would be enough to glaze off the baby carrots.
This side meal is completely healthy without sacrificing quality and flavor. You can even add parsnips if you want to have another boost of healthy intake.
Some people even add thyme, which can create a nice flavory burst to the dish. Another alternative is the roasted carrots (again, baby carrots would be the best option because of the tender crunchiness).
When you roast the carrots, they become caramelized, and it adds another level of deliciousness. You only need to season the carrots with pepper, sea salt, and coconut oil.
Roast them for around 20 minutes in the oven, and you can enjoy great side meal with your drumstick.
10. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli is a healthy veggie, but unfortunately, eating it just like that can be super boring and bland. You should be able to elevate the taste of this nutrient-rich, tender, and tasty veggie by adding up the garlic and parmesan.
When you mix up garlic and parmesan, you can have a great savory taste with a tad touch of creaminess that is just pleasant to your palate.
You can start by boiling the broccoli and roast it for several minutes. When you add up the parmesan and garlic, and also a little lemon, you can create an irresistible and mouth-watering side dish that is just perfect for the drumstick.
Another option is to pan fry it for several minutes after you boil it. It will add another alternative tweak to the side dish.
9. Creamy Coleslaw
Making a coleslaw is quite easy. This tangy and yet refreshing dish is only made with simple carrots and also cabbage, being topped off with dressing and some extra addition – if you like it.
Coleslaw is popular for its tangy flavor that will somewhat balance out the savory taste of the drumstick. Some people like the fact that they can enjoy the tasty drumstick and the rather-creamy (but also crunchy and juicy) coleslaw.
To make the creamy coleslaw, you only need to mix up carrots and cabbage together, and then add pepper, salt, sugar, vinegar, and the dressing.
Depending on how thick and creamy the coleslaw, simply adjust how much you want with the dressing.
You can always consume the coleslaw right after away you make one, but if you want to enjoy the top notch flavor, you should refrigerate it after you mix it thoroughly.
Do it for an hour (minimum) so the flavors will meld well together. Of course, the longer you put it in the refrigerator, the fresher it will be. This is why the coleslaw is considered one of the best tasty side meals for chicken legs.
8. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Not many people realize that a classic food like (baked) mac and cheese can be an ideal and also tasty side meals to serve with chicken legs. It’s a comforting food that has become everyone’s favorite.
Imagine having the tender macaroni being mixed in the cheesy and rich sauce, and then topped it off with the drumstick. It’s definitely a mind-blowing and also mouth-watering experience.
You can use store-bought mac and cheese or even make your own from scratch. Don’t overdo the herbs and spices.
Most people like traditional and regular mac and cheese because the flavor somewhat balances out the richness (and also juiciness) of the drumstick. If you can have them both, you can have a satisfying and wholesome dining moment.
7. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Having corn cob can actually be a nice accompaniment to your drumstick. Your chicken leg will somewhat feel refreshing with some freshness and juice from the corn.
When the corn is charred with smoky taste, and you brush it with butter before sprinkling it with pepper and salt, you can enjoy the greatest level of deliciousness disguised in very simple appearance and look.
Let’s not forget that grilled corn on the cob is a classic dish, and it’s a favorable meal perfect for the summer.
You can always enjoy this tasty meal during warm summer months, and finish it off with the drumstick. You don’t need any fancy herbs or spices to cook the corn. This delicious and versatile dish will do just well with pepper, salt, and butter.
6. Quinoa and Vegetable Medley
If you want something healthy and yet also fulfilling, quinoa can be your best option. It’s a healthy grain that isn’t only gluten free, but also packed with protein.
Plus, quinoa would be a great option to accompany the savory drumstick if you want something nutty. Let’s not forget that it can also improve both flavor and texture of the whole meal.
As one of the best and healthiest, the quinoa can deliver a colorful and also healthy combination of sauteed veggies and quinoa.
Feel free to use veggies, such as onions, bell peppers, and zucchini to elevate the taste and the level of health. Here’s an idea: Try to cook the quinoa in broth (it can be chicken or beef) so you can have the extra flavor.
And then stir and add the chopped and also sauteed veggies, garlic, and onion. You will have just the ideal mix of taste and also texture.
5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are tender and naturally tasty. Caramelizing them can seriously improve their flavor without overdoing it. You don’t even have to do anything difficult.
Simply cut them into wedges and season them with salt, olive oil, and your favorite herbs. If you want to make this roasted meal even fresher, you can serve it as a salad.
This tasty side meal can be made into a cold dish with red onion, bell peppers, and celery, adding nice crunchiness for elevated flavor. Don’t forget to add the zesty and tangy chipotle lime dressing.
Don’t forget to refrigerate it before you serve it. When you make crispy drumstick, the salad would be just the perfect accompaniment.
4. Garlic Green Beans
If you are a huge fan of green beans, you can simply sautee it with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice (just a little of it) combo. For people, you may have drumsticks with ‘only’ plain green bean stuff.
But this dish is actually rich in flavor. When you process the green beans with garlic, olive oil, and also sage, they will lose their snappiness and bright green-ish appearance. In the end, the green beans would be sweeter and slouchy.
3. Caprese Salad
You can think of the Caprese salad as something elegant and also simple, having fresh basil, mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes. Don’t forget that you should include balsamic glaze for the final touch.
Don’t overdo it – just a drizzle should be enough. This salad is often included in Italian (chicken) recipe, with the Caprese salad as the perfect complement. Some people like to add the cheese for a final heavenly taste.
2. Lemon Orzo with Spinach
In case you don’t know it, Orzo is a type of pasta. It’s a short cut type with a shape of rice, but the big grain one. Some people know orzo as the risoni. It’s made from flour traditionally, but you can also use whole grain to make one.
Well, this pasta dish is refreshing and light, which is believed to balance out the ‘heaviness’ of the drumstick. When you add lemon zest and fresh spinach, you can add up the healthy element of it, but then you top it off with Parmesan cheese for the extra creaminess.
This side dish would be perfect if you don’t really love the rice, but you want something creamy and fulfilling.
The best way to cook the orzo is to use a slow cooker and ‘soak’ it in chicken broth. It will release the starch gradually, leading to creamy sauces that tastes perfect and balance.
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussels sprouts are naturally sweet and tasty, but you can also make it caramelized and crispy at the same time.
When you mix it up with bacon bits and a tad maple syrup, you can seriously elevate the flavor. The bacon bits have the pleasant smoky taste that will match up the drumstick perfectly.
You should know that roasted Brussels sprouts aren’t only healthy, but they are also super delicious. The basic mix is to mix halved Brussels sprouts with salt, pepper, and olive oil and roast them.
You can use the oven until everything is tender and caramelized. For a slightly savory flavor, you can have the bacon bits. If you want the healthier alternative, you can have the air fryer type.
You need to do it for 15 minutes if you want to achieve a level of nice crispiness on the outside, but also a sense of tenderness on the inside. You only need to wash and trim them, and then mix them up with pepper, sea salt, and olive oil.
And right before the serve, you need to drizzle them with balsamic vinegar and then add the crumbled bacon for the nice touch up.
