Trying to serve your kids an at least semi-well rounded meal? Here are the best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets for kids!
If your kids are much like mine, when I ask them what they want to eat, they will yell back either CHICKEN NUGGETS or MAC N CHEESE.
The basics are king around here.
However, chicken nuggets aren’t a whole meal (usually).
I serve my 1 and 3 year old in these divided silicone plates so they get 1 “main dish” and 2 sides.
One of our sides is always cut up fruit: berries, sliced apples, sauteed apples, sliced banana, mandarin oranges, something like that.
The second side is what is up in the air. For breakfast, it’s a yogurt pouch. For lunch, it’s either goldfish or chex mix. For dinner, I try for more of a side dish.
But, if you are like me, when it’s time to make food your brain goes completely blank as to what to cook.
If you are wondering what to eat with chicken nuggets, there are loads of possibilities!
My personal go to is frozen chicken nuggets with frozen sweet potato fries and cut up fruit. I then like to throw together a simple salad for any adults and throw sliced nuggets on top of the salad – with a honey mustard or similar dressing.
This is easy since the 2 things bake together and we always have fruit and salad stuff in the fridge.
Below I am rounding up my best ideas of what to serve with chicken nuggets. I will round up a general list of ideas and then keep scrolling to links to actual recipes for some great ones!
PS – these are our favorite Nuggets! I bake them in the oven, but I hear they are *chef’s kiss* in the air fryer if you have one!
The best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets for kids
Here are my general favorite sides with chicken nuggets.
- Cut fruit
- Fries – my kids actually prefer sweet potato fries
- Tots
- Chex mix, pretzels, chips
- Veggie sticks
- Cheese stick or babybel cheese
- Baked carrots
- Potatoes any way – mashed potato, smashed, baked
- Mac n cheese
- Corn
- Pickles
- Applesauce
- Bread/rolls (when in doubt, give my daughter a hawaiian roll.. or 3)
Don’t forget the condiments (we limit our kids to 2 at a time, haha):
- Ketchup
- Honey mustard
- Chick Fil A sauce
- Ranch
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey
If you are wondering what goes with chicken nuggets for adults, consider:
- Cole slaw
- Baked beans
- Green salad
- Green beans
- Grain salad like cous cous, quinoa, etc
(And if your kids will eat those things, more power to you! Mine will not.)
Here are some mouth watering recipes for chicken nugget sides!
The best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets for kids
Kids want nuggets AGAIN!?! Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets - that are totally kid friendly!
These crispy air fryer sweet potato fries are a healthy side dish, a delicious way to get healthy fries on your table.
Nothing like a classic side dish made easy! This instant pot Mac and cheese is sure to be a hit with the kids!
These brown sugar cinnamon carrots make a delicious kid-friendly side. All you need are just a few simple ingredients.
These zucchini fritters are a kid favorite. They will devour them without a single complaint.
Easy Tater Tot Waffles - Brooklyn Active Mama - A Blog For Busy Moms
These Tater Tot Waffles are not only fun to eat, they are fun to make! Check out this easy recipe that will make your meal that much more fun!
Microwave corn on the cob is such an easy side dish for those grilling nights. I seriously hate shucking corn, it's such a messy tedious job that I always dread! This method takes all the fuss out.
Mashed potatoes are always a family favorite. See how easy it is to make a batch, or double and freeze some for later.
These corn fritters are frisky and amazing. Easy finger food anytime of the year.
Bisquick biscuits are fast to make and can be made savory or sweet paired with all the things!
This copycat Raising Cane's Texas Toast is the perfect side for any type of fried chicken. Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and buttery delicious all over.
Thinly sliced potatoes are baked to perfection in a blanket of mushrooms, green onions, green peppers and cheddar cheese.
Creamy, perfectly-cooked boiled potatoes smothered in garlic and butter ready and on the table in just 30 minutes. The best Garlic Butter Boiled Potatoes Recipe, including how to properly boil potatoes each and every time.
Crispy and flavorful eggplant fries are better than potato fries. Kids love biting into these veggie fries.
This Creamy Garlic Pasta is creamy, garlicky, and perfectly comforting. Made with heavy cream, garlic, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, it's ready in just 15 minutes!
Coconut Cilantro Rice is a vegan side dish that is almost too good to be true! The pairing possibilities are endless, as it would be delicious with just about everything!
This air fryer garlic bread is ridiculously quick and easy. With just six ingredients its on the table in ten minutes.
Cinnamon Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes are one of the best ways to enjoy the flavors of the fall the healthy way. Perfect as a side dish, to throw in bowls, or even salad!
Parmesan zucchini chips are an easy, addictive snack, side dish, appetizer.
Yummy, golden zucchini "chips" with Parmesan are a cinch to whip up for a delicious side dish.
sugar snap peas: Roasted for a healthy, easy side dish or snack idea.
All you need is 10 minutes to make crunchy, roasted sugar snap peas. Top with any flavoring you like.
Breaded Zucchini Sticks: A Delicious Appetizer That Everyone Will Love
Breaded zucchini sticks are incredibly crispy and tender, the appetizer I love so much! With their crispy, breaded parmesan and crumb exterior and tender interior, this recipe is more than a side dish.
See all of my favorite kids side dishes:
- The best side dishes to serve with pizza for kids
- Healthy sides for pizza
- The best side dishes to serve with mac and cheese for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets for kids
- What to serve with chicken nuggets for adults
- The best side dishes to serve with cheeseburgers for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with pulled pork for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with tacos for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with hot dogs for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with fish sticks for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken wings for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken burgers for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with pasta for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with spaghetti for kids
- The best breakfast side dishes for kids
Free printable side dish planner!
Make sure to download our free printable side dish planner! This checklist gives you ideas for side dishes for your kids every day of the week!
What goes well with chicken nuggets in your house?
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈