What To Serve With Chicken Marbella (20+ Side Dishes)

Chicken Marbella is a classic dish from the beloved Silver Palate cookbook by Sheila Lukins. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that make it a crowd-pleasing main dish for any occasion. The combination of chicken thighs, green olives, and prunes marinated in a flavorful sauce of olive oil, wine, and spices is simply irresistible.

But what’s a main dish without some delicious sides?

Lucky for you, I scoured the internet in search of the best sides to serve with Chicken Marbella. From roasted root vegetables and couscous salad to herb-roasted potatoes and sautéed kale, you’re sure to find a new favorite chicken marbella side dish.

1. Roasted root vegetables

Roasted root vegetables are a tasty and healthy side dish to serve with chicken marbella.

The earthy and sweet flavors of the roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, pair perfectly with the tangy and savory flavors of the chicken marbella. Plus, roasting the vegetables at high heat creates a delicious caramelization to complement the slightly sweet flavor.

This side dish is also easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making it the perfect accompaniment to the chicken marbella. Serve with crusty bread and a crisp green salad.

We love: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables (by This Healthy Table)

2. Couscous salad

Couscous salad is a delicious and nutritious side dish, perfect with any chicken dish. The Middle Eastern flavors pair especially well with Chicken Marbella.

The light and fluffy couscous is delicious with the flavorful and aromatic chicken dish, making for a well-balanced meal.

Bonus? The couscous salad is super easy to make and can be served at room temperature, making it perfect for a quick and hassle-free dinner party feast.

We love: Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe (by Momsdish)

3. Quinoa pilaf

Quinoa pilaf is another delicious and healthy side dish to accompany the rich flavors of chicken Marbella.

You can add any veggies you have around the house and sprinkle it with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to bring more Middle Eastern flavour to the table.

We love: Quinoa Pilaf (by A Family Feast®)

4. Roasted brussels sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are the perfect side dish to serve with chicken marbella. The crispy and caramelized sprouts perfectly complement the tender chicken pieces, pitted prunes, and pitted Spanish green olives in this dish.

Whether you’re making the original Silver Palate Chicken Marbella recipe or trying your own variation, roasted Brussels sprouts add a delicious and nutritious element to your meal. Plus, it’s easy to make in the oven or air fryer, making it a convenient side dish for any occasion.

We love: Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts (by Eatwell101)

5. Garlic green beans

Garlicky green beans are a simple and tasty side dish that completes any dinner.

And, serving garlic green beans alongside chicken Marbella is a great way to incorporate some green vegetables into your meal. Plus, the garlic flavor complements the savory flavors of the chicken and olives. Add a side of crusty bread to complete the meal.

We love: Garlic butter sauteed green beans (by Berry & Maple)

6. Herb roasted potatoes

Herb-roasted potatoes are the perfect side dish to serve with chicken marbella.

The crispy and flavorful potatoes perfectly complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the chicken marbella.

With a simple and easy preparation process, these potatoes are a hassle-free and comforting side dish. You can even pop the potatoes into the serving platter along with the Chicken Marbella.

We love: Herb and Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes (by The Kitchen Magpie)

7. Roasted asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a fantastic side dish to serve with Chicken Marbella.

The Chicken Marbella marinade ingredients, including red wine vinegar, date molasses, and brown sugar, create a unique and flavorful sauce for the boneless chicken. And, this sweetness pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of roasted asparagus.

Simply toss the asparagus in olive oil, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for a tasty and easy side dish. Finish it with some grated parmesan cheese, a generous squeeze of lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper.

We love: Easy Roasted Asparagus (by The Endless Meal®)

8. Cranberry wild rice salad

Cranberry wild rice salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish to serve with chicken marbella. The tart cranberries and nutty wild rice perfectly complement the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken marbella.

To make this flavorful salad, simply mix together cooked wild rice, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and drizzle with a homemade vinaigrette dressing made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and herbs.

Not only is this dish a tasty addition to your meal, but it is also gluten-free. So it makes a great gluten-free substitute for bread.

We love: Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad (by Recipe Girl®)

9. Roasted sweet potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish to serve with chicken marbella.

The rich flavors of the Marbella marinade, including red wine vinegar, capers, and brown sugar, pair well with the natural sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes.

Plus, this is an easy and healthy side dish to make, leaving you more time to focus on the main dish.

We love: Roasted Sweet Potatoes (by Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

10. Sautéed spinach

Sautéed spinach is another great Chicken Marbella side dish. Not only does it pair well with the bold flavors of this dish, but it also adds a good dose of greens to your meal.

It’s a super easy dish that comes together in no time. I love mine with lots of fresh garlic and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

We love: How To Make Simple Italian Sautéed Baby Spinach (by The Fed Up Foodie)

11. Lemon herb rice

For a burst of flavor, look no further than lemon herb rice.

This dish is a delicious combination of tangy lemon and fresh herbs, making it a great accompaniment to the savory and sweet flavors of the Chicken Marbella.

We love: Herb Lemon Rice Recipe (by Sweet Peas and Saffron)

12. Roasted cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower is a delicious and healthy vegetable side dish that pairs perfectly with the rich and flavorful chicken marbella.

This side dish is easy to prepare, simply roast cauliflower florets in the oven with some olive oil, salt, and pepper until golden brown and tender. Or, for a serious flavor boost, add garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

The slightly crispy texture and earthy flavor of the cauliflower will complement the tangy and sweet flavors of the chicken marbella.

Not to mention, it’s also a great gluten-free option for those with dietary restrictions and adds some extra veggies to your dinner parties.

We love: Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower (by Dishing Out Health)

13. Balsamic roasted vegetables

Balsamic roasted vegetables are a great way to add more flavor to the table. The tangy balsamic vinegar and savory vegetables bring out the flavors of the main dish and make for a perfect side.

Use a mix of your favorite vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions, and roast them in a large sheet pan with some extra virgin olive oil, and kosher salt. The result is a delicious and colorful side dish that pairs perfectly with the baked chicken.

Not only is this dish a delicious and healthy addition to your meal, but it also adds a pop of color to the dinner table.

We love: Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Recipe (by Joy Food Sunshine)

14. Mixed green salad

What dinner would be complete without some form of a green salad?

The fresh and crisp greens provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory chicken dish. You can also add some pitted olives, capers, and fresh herbs like oregano and cilantro to the salad for an extra pop of flavor.

For the dressing, a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and red wine vinegar will complement the flavors of the chicken marbella perfectly.

We love: Best Simple Tossed Green Salad (by Creme De La Crumb)

15. Roasted mushrooms

The earthy umami flavors of roasted mushrooms complement the tangy and sweet flavors of the chicken marbella.

And, you can pop the sheet pan of mushrooms into the oven to roast while you’re cooking the Marbella!

We love: Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Mushrooms (by Damn Delicious)

16. Roasted acorn squash

Roasted acorn squash is the perfect side dish to serve alongside chicken marbella, a classic dish with Mediterranean influences.

The sweet and savory flavors of the chicken marbella pair perfectly with the tender and slightly caramelized roasted acorn squash.

You can simply toss sliced acorn squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven until tender and golden brown. Or, opt for a delicious stuffed acorn squash.

We love: Ultimate Stuffed Roasted Acorn Squash (by The Paleo Running Momma)

17. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a comforting classic. It’s a simple yet delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of Chicken Marbella.

To make your mashed potatoes even more flavorful, add some finely chopped fresh herbs like oregano and cilantro. Or, for a touch of umami sweetness, add roasted garlic.

Mashed potatoes are also an excellent choice for soaking up the flavorful pan juices from the Chicken Marbella.

We love: Simple Creamy Mashed Potatoes (by Olive & Mango)

18. Wild rice pilaf

The earthy and nutty flavor of wild rice complements the tangy and savory flavors of the chicken marbella perfectly.

Plus, the hearty and filling nature of the pilaf adds a satisfying component to the meal.

To make this a complete and balanced meal, serve the chicken and pilaf with a side of fresh green salad or roasted vegetables. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!

We love: Wild Rice Pilaf (by Simply Whisked)

19. Grilled zucchini

Grilled zucchini is a great side for Marbella. Not only does it provide a light and refreshing contrast to the rich and flavorful chicken dish, but it also adds some greens.

Simply brush the zucchini with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt before grilling. The charred and smoky flavors of the zucchini pair perfectly with the tangy and savory chicken marbella.

Serve alongside some buttered egg noodles or stuffed mushrooms for a complete and satisfying meal.

We love: Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan (by Wholefully)

20. Roasted beets

The natural sweetness of roasted beets pairs well with the tangy and savory flavors of the dish.

Plus, the beets provide a beautiful pop of color on the plate.

Serve the roasted beets warm. Or let them cool to room temperature and create a colorful salad with arugula leaves, goat’s cheese, toasted walnuts and scatter with fresh oregano.

We love: Oven Roasted Beets (by Spoonful of Flavor)

21. Sautéed kale

Sautéed kale is another classic side dish that works so well with the sweet and savory chicken dish. The rich and slightly acidic flavors of the chicken marbella pair well with the earthy and slightly bitter flavors of the sautéed kale.

To make sautéed kale, simply heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add chopped kale and a pinch of salt, and sauté until the kale is wilted and slightly golden brown. This dish is not only a delicious side to go with chicken marbella, but it also adds some extra greens to your meal.

We love: Sautéed Kale with Lemon and Garlic (by Mom’s Kitchen Handbook)

22. Crusty bread loaf

A slice of crusty bread is the perfect vehicle to mop up the delicious cooking juices from the flavorful one-pan chicken dish.

You can always pick up a fresh loaf from the grocery store. But, I found a no-knead rustic bread recipe that’s even easier than grabbing the car keys for a trip to the store! Once you realise how easy it is to bake delicious bread at home, you may never stop baking bread!

We love: Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER (by Shelf Cooking)

Frequently asked questions

There you have it—a list of the best side dishes to serve with chicken Marbella! Whether you opt for crusty white bread, herbed rice, roasted root vegetables, or green salad, you’re sure to have an amazing dinner when you serve chicken Marbella as your main dish.

Let me know in the comments which side dish was your favorite and happy cooking!