Salads
Salads are the perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken dish during summer. Not only are salads full of healthy nutrients, they’re also great for adding lightness and colour to the dish. There are so many different types of salads you can make to pair with a roast chicken, from simple side salads to more indulgent main salads.
Let’s explore the various options:
Green Salad
A classic green salad is always a welcome accompaniment to a roasted chicken dinner. A simple combination of lettuces, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers drizzled with your favorite dressing, served on a bed of fresh greens, is an ideal choice.
To enhance the flavor and visual appeal of your salad further you can sprinkle some toasted nuts or croutons over the top. For extra sweetness include some pineapple or watermelon cubes, or add some cherry tomatoes for added crunch. Choose seasonal produce such as bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots and zucchini for even more colorful options. A light vinaigrette with herbs like parsley and oregano captures all the flavors in this summer themed dish perfectly.
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is a nutritious, protein-packed grain that makes a great addition to any meal. It’s easy to prepare and has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs nicely with savory ingredients. A quinoa salad is the perfect side dish for roast chicken, especially during the hot summer months when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
First, measure out one cup of quinoa in a colander and rinse it under cold water for about two minutes. Drain it well and transfer it to a medium saucepan. To ensure tenderness and maximum flavor, toast the quinoa in 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium-high heat for about five minutes before adding 2 cups of chicken stock or broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 18 minutes until all liquid is evaporated. Once cooked through, let the quinoa cool completely before transforming it into an amazing summer side dish!
To make the salad even more flavorful stir in cubes of roasted red pepper (or your favorite roasted vegetable), diced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes that have been tossed with 2 teaspoons each of minced garlic and lemon juice. Add 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (soaked overnight in juice or hot water) along with 1/2 cup flaked almonds or your favorite nut or seed. Toss everything together gently then season with 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and salt & pepper as desired. To round out the meal add fresh parsley leaves and serve at room temperature alongside your favorite roast chicken dish!
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Roasted Vegetable Salad is a great way to enjoy roast chicken in the summertime. It’s a colorful and flavorful dish that can be served as an entree or side salad.
To make it, simply roast your favorite vegetables – such as bell peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes – and combine them in a salad with greens of your choice: baby spinach, romaine lettuce or mixed greens work well. For added flavor, you can add feta cheese, olives and other dressings. The roasted vegetables are the star of this dish though – they provide umami flavors alongside the mild sweetness of greens and sharpness of feta cheese or olives.
Serve alongside freshly-cooked roast chicken for a complete meal that is sure to please friends and family!
Sides
Roast chicken is a great choice for summer, it’s simple and delicious. But what sides should you serve along with it? You don’t want to make the meal hard to prepare or too heavy. To make a balanced meal, the sides should be light and seasonally appropriate.
Here are some ideas for side dishes that are perfect for a summer roast chicken dinner:
- Green salad with summer vegetables.
- Grilled or roasted asparagus.
- Roasted sweet potatoes.
- Corn on the cob.
- Tomato and cucumber salad.
- Fruit salad.
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish to serve with roast chicken in the summer. All you need is some potatoes, vegetable oil and your favorite spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder or dried herbs.
Start by preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Peel the potatoes and cut them into wedges or cubes. Place them in a bowl and add two or three tablespoons of oil, plus your chosen seasonings. Toss until evenly coated and spread the potatoes on the parchment-lined baking tray. Cook for about 25 minutes until golden brown and then serve alongside your roast chicken for an easy summer dinner!
Grilled Corn
Grilled corn offers a perfect accompaniment to your roast chicken dinner, taking advantage of the summer season’s bounty. This dish is simple and allows you to customize your roasted chicken meal with a touch of flavor.
To get started, use fresh corn on the cob that has been shucked and rinsed; then preheat your charcoal grill, chimney starter or stovetop grill pan.
Once the preheating has been completed, place the ears of corn on the grill for about 10 minutes – turning regularly – until slightly charred. Then, remove from heat and butter each ear before adding desired seasonings such as salt and pepper or cumin and chili powder. Serve immediately with cold slices of lemon or lime, if desired.
Grilled corn is an excellent side for any roast chicken dinner in summer as it packs a delicious punch with minimal effort. The slight charring brings out the sweet flavor from fresh ears of corn while allowing you to customize it with a variety of toppings or seasonings – making it as individualized as you are!
Roasted Carrots
Fresh carrots are a delicious accompaniment to any roasted chicken recipe and they take on a wonderful sweetness when roasted.
To make this simple dish, start with fresh carrots peeled and sliced lengthwise into thick wedges. Place in a large roasting pan and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 400°F for about 20-30 minutes, or until the carrots are nice and tender. Serve with your favorite roast chicken recipe for an easy, delightful meal!
Sauces
Adding the right sauces to a dish can greatly enhance the flavor of the meal and add a variety of different elements in order to make the dish even more enjoyable. A classic summer dish like roast chicken can be dressed up with a delicious range of sauces, from tart cranberry sauce to creamy garlic butter.
Let’s explore some of the best sauce options to serve with roast chicken:
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri sauce is an Argentinian condiment often served over grilled steak but also great with roast chicken. This bright and flavorful sauce is made with fresh herbs and cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, a splash of white vinegar, and olive oil. It has a salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the delicate flavor of roast chicken. The intense colors of this sauce will bring any summer meal to life.
To make the most of this tangy accompaniment to your roast chicken dinner, start by blending together fresh cilantro leaves, parsley leaves, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes (or chili powder), white wine vinegar (or lemon juice), red onion slices and some sea salt & freshly ground black pepper in a blender or food processor until it forms a coarse paste-like consistency. Then slowly drizzle in some extra light olive oil until it’s all fully combined into a sauce. Letting the flavors mingle for 15 minutes before serving makes it even more flavorful and delicious!
Serve warm or cold over your favorite summer roasted chickens dishes for an unbeatable flavor combination.
Pesto Sauce
Pesto sauce is the perfect complement to roast chicken in the summer season. Pesto is a rich, thick sauce made from fresh herbs, nuts, garlic and cheese, usually served as an accompaniment to pasta. It originates from Genoa in northern Italy, although it has gained popularity in other countries too. The combination of pesto and roast chicken tastes delicious as they both add a robustness of flavour that pairs well with each other.
When preparing pesto sauce to be served with roast chicken in summertime, try using traditional ingredients such as basil, parsley and oregano for a classic Italian taste. Nuts can be used for their crunchy texture; pine nuts are typically used but you could experiment with walnuts or even hazelnuts for a different flavour. The garlic and cheese can add a more zesty kick that works great alongside the roasted poultry. Additional ingredients such as lemon juice or balsamic vinegar can help to achieve some extra sharpness if desired – just remember to adjust the amounts according to your own taste preference.
You can find many different types of pre-made pesto sauces in supermarkets these days; however making your own will deliver the best results – ensuring you get the perfect blend of flavours that differ from anything else available on the market. Nothing beats homemade! With some fresh olive oil added while blending all the ingredients together, pesto sauce becomes a melt-in-your-mouth type of condiment that is bound to impress any dinner guests – making it ideal for special occasions or when you want something that little bit special served alongside your roast chicken dish during summer months!
Roasted Garlic Aioli
Roasted garlic aioli is the perfect sauce for summer roast chicken. Aioli is a mayonnaise-like condiment that usually includes garlic and usually also contains lemon. Roasting the garlic before blending it into the aioli not only ensures that the flavor of garlic shines through, but it also add an extra layer of sweet, nutty flavor which combines perfectly with the traditional creamy texture of an aioli.
This sauce is incredibly easy to make:
- Separate and peel one head of garlic cloves, leaving them whole. Place on a roasting pan and add Olive Oil, salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 20 minutes or until crispy on outside and soft inside when pierced with fork or knife.
- Once cool enough to handle, place garlic into blender or food processor along with mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt to taste. Blend until desired consistency is reached.
- Refrigerate sauce for at least one hour before serving with roasted chicken as you please!
Desserts
Summer desserts are a great way to end a meal. To accompany a roast chicken dish in summer, consider adding a light dessert that can be whipped up quickly. Summer desserts can range from fresh fruit to cool custards and creamy tarts, making it a great way to end a meal.
Let’s take a look at some great ideas for summer desserts to serve with roast chicken:
Grilled Fruit Skewers
Desserts should be light and refreshing after a summer meal. Grilled fruit skewers provide the perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and smoke.
Select a variety of seasonal fruits such as melon, peaches, nectarines, plums, pineapple, or bananas that can easily be cut into cubes and threaded onto wooden skewers. To create the most flavorful dish marinate the cubes of fruit in a lime juice or white wine citrus marinade for at least an hour prior to grilling.
On a preheated outdoor grill or indoor grill pan place the skewered fruit over high heat until they have reached your desired level of caramelization on all sides. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream as is or drizzle with honey while still warm for added sweetness. Grilled fruit skewers make an easy yet impressive finale to any summer meal that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken.
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is a classic dessert recipe with a familiar flavor combination of sweet cream and ripe strawberries. Generally, this dessert needs no introduction because it’s been part of the culinary landscape for so long. Commonly served with whipped cream, strawberries and either a biscuit or cake, there is an endless variety of ways to make strawberry shortcake.
The traditional version consists of soft layers of sponge cake with substantial layers of whipped cream and freshly sliced strawberries sandwiched between them. It is then topped off with extra dollops of whipped cream and a few extra whole strawberries for garnish. Vanilla ice-cream can be substituted for the whipped cream if desired.
In most cases, cake flour is used in the preparation but other types of wheat or gluten-free flours can also be used to make this classic dish even more interesting. If you’re feeling ambitious, you may consider adding your own personal touch by way of flavorings such as almond extract or lemon zest for additional punch. Finally, strawberry shortcakes can also be served in cupcake form – miniature versions that are sure to wow anyone who takes a bite!
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a classic summertime dessert, and it’s the perfect pairing with roast chicken. It’s a warm, comforting treat that will provide the perfect sweet ending to your meal. The peachy sweetness pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of a succulent roasted chicken, and the biscuit-like topping provides a crisp, buttery contrast.
To make this classic southern dessert, combine fresh or canned peaches in a greased baking dish or cast iron skillet. Top the fruits with melt-in-your mouth biscuits or spoon on a rich cake-like batter. Dot the top of your cobbler with cubes of butter and sprinkle generously with sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Bake until golden and serve warm with cream or ice cream – it’s delicious!