12 Heart Healthy Sides for Chicken

By Andrea Cohen
Published 5/30/2025
12 Heart Healthy Sides for Chicken
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

If you’re following a heart healthy diet, chicken is likely a staple in your meal rotation since it’s lean, affordable, and easy to make. It’s also a versatile protein that pairs well with many options for heart healthy sides, so you can keep your meals interesting.  

At Health eCooks, our team of chefs and dietitians understand that often it’s the side dishes that make the meal. That’s why we’ve created hundreds of healthy side dish recipes for chicken that are easy to make. From healthy salad recipes and vegetable recipes to potato and healthy pasta sides, our heart healthy chicken sides are so good that you may even want to skip the bird and just feast on the side dishes (and we wouldn’t blame you if you do!).

Here are some of our favorite healthy sides to serve with chicken. Each follows heart healthy dietary guidelines so they’re lower in fat, sodium, and calories than more traditional fare. But there’s no need to limit your enjoyment of these tasty side dishes to nights you cook chicken. These easy healthy sides go well with just about any type of protein, whether beef, pork, or fish is what’s for dinner tonight.

12 Healthy Side Dishes for Chicken

Take your meal to the next level when you serve these heart healthy side dish recipes with chicken – or any high protein main course.

  1. Taco Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Whole wheat pasta, black beans, chickpeas, and an assortment of colorful veggies get a boost of deliciousness from a creamy avocado-lime dressing. This zesty, high-fiber taco pasta salad adds a fun Tex-Mex twist to chicken.

  2. Heart Healthy Hasselback Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    90 mins

    A lighter take on a classic favorite, these heart healthy hasselback potatoes feature crispy edges and soft centers. They look fancy and taste great with simple roasted chicken or just about any entrée. 

  3. Heart Healthy Squash Casserole
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    60 mins

    This heart healthy squash casserole uses gluten-free bread crumbs, almond milk, and a small amount of reduced-fat cheese to create a dish that’s comforting but not heavy. It’s low in sodium, saturated fat, and calories.

  4. Heart Healthy Roasted Carrots
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    35 mins

    The delicious taste of roasted carrots takes center stage in this simple side dish that goes well with chicken or any type of protein. It’s naturally low in sodium and rich in antioxidants, making it good for your heart.

  5. 05

    Elote

    Heart Healthy Elote
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    20 mins

    This lightened-up healthy street corn recipe skips the heavy sauce but keeps all the flavor with a tangy lime-yogurt combination and a sprinkle of cotija cheese. It’s smoky, creamy, and spicy, and pairs especially well with grilled chicken.

  6. Heart Healthy Sweet Potato Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Roasted sweet potatoes, red onions, and a Dijon vinaigrette turn this heart healthy potato salad into a nutrient-rich, fiber-filled side. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory, making it a great option to serve with lean chicken at your next barbecue.

  7. Heart Healthy Crunchy Asian Ramen Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    With crunchy veggies and toasted ramen, this colorful Asian ramen salad is loaded with texture and flavor without piling on the sodium. Instead of eating it as a side, you can top the salad with chicken if you prefer an entrée-sized salad.

  8. Heart Healthy Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Roasted in olive oil and tossed with garlic and red pepper flakes, this healthy roasted broccoli recipe gets crisp on the edges and is full of flavor. It’s a simple, satisfying side that complements just about any chicken recipe.

  9. Heart Healthy Black Bean Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Loaded with fiber, plant-based protein, and colorful veggies, this heart healthy black bean salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. The lime dressing adds a refreshing zing that brightens up any chicken entrée.

  10. Heart Healthy Glazed Sweet Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Citrus, cinnamon, and a bit of sugar give these sweet potatoes their quintessential flavor. They’re a deliciously sweet side that feels indulgent but still fits into a heart healthy diet.

  11. Heart Healthy Green Beans with Tomatoes
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    35 mins

    Fresh green beans, juicy tomatoes, and a hint of garlic come together in this Mediterranean recipe for green beans. It’s light, fresh, and just the thing to round out a plate of grilled chicken.

  12. Heart Healthy Butternut Squash Risotto
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    60 mins

    Creamy but still heart-friendly, this heart healthy risotto recipe relies on squash and sage to create a fresh take on risotto. Its rich texture and comforting flavor pairs beautifully with roasted, baked, or grilled chicken.

More Heart Healthy Sides We Think You’ll Love

If you’re looking for more ideas for healthy side dishes, check out these blogs:

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