Poultry
What Goes With Roast Chicken?
Roast chicken is the most versatile of main courses — it pairs with roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, bread stuffing, or gravy. Almost any side works.
Best Pairings for Roast Chicken
Roast Potatoes
starchCrispy roast potatoes cooked in the chicken drippings — arguably the best thing you can do with roast chicken fat. The ultimate Sunday roast pairing.
Roasted Root Vegetables
vegetableCarrots, parsnips, onions, and beetroot all roast alongside the chicken and absorb the drippings and herbs.
Stuffing
starchBread-based stuffing flavoured with herbs, onion, and celery is a natural complement with shared herb notes.
Gravy
sauceMade from the pan drippings — quintessential roast chicken sauce that unifies all the sides on the plate.
Steamed Green Beans
vegetableA simple, fresh green side that prevents the roast from feeling too heavy.
Caesar Salad
saladA classic restaurant pairing — the sharpness of Caesar dressing contrasts with rich roast chicken wonderfully.
White Wine (Chardonnay)
drinkA buttery Chardonnay or Viognier is the wine pairing for herb-roasted chicken.
Roasted Garlic Bread
breadFor mopping up gravy — serve a rustic loaf to give guests something to sop up every drop.
Yorkshire Pudding
breadThe British tradition of serving Yorkshire pudding with all roasts — crispy, eggy, perfect for gravy.
Cranberry Sauce
sauceFor Thanksgiving or holiday roast — sweet-tart cranberry sauce is a perfect counterpoint to rich roast chicken.
Serving Tips
- 1Rest the chicken 10–15 minutes before carving and use the resting juices as the base of your gravy.
- 2Roast potatoes in the chicken fat from the drippings — this is the secret to the best roast potatoes of your life.
- 3A complete Sunday roast: chicken, roast potatoes, roasted carrots/parsnips, stuffing, green beans, gravy. Feeds 4–6, takes about 1.5 hours total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sides go with roast chicken?
Roast potatoes, roasted vegetables (carrots, parsnips, onion), stuffing, green beans, and gravy are the classic Sunday roast companions. For lighter occasions: Caesar salad, grain salad, or roasted asparagus.
What sauce goes with roast chicken?
Pan gravy (made from the drippings) is traditional. Chimichurri or salsa verde for a lighter, herb-forward option. Mushroom sauce for an earthy dinner-party preparation. Cranberry sauce for holiday occasions.
What wine goes with roast chicken?
White Burgundy (Chardonnay), Viognier, or Pinot Gris for herb-roasted chicken. Light Pinot Noir is also excellent for those who prefer red. Avoid tannic heavy reds that overwhelm the delicate meat.
What to do with leftover roast chicken?
Chicken soup, chicken sandwiches, chicken fried rice, chicken tacos, chicken pot pie, or a simple chicken and vegetable stir-fry. Strip all the meat from the carcass and use the bones for stock.