Tuscan chicken’s rich flavors and creamy sauce has taken it far beyond Italy. Worldwide, many people enjoy the luxurious feel it gives by preparing such an elegant dish for special occasions. When they do so, they also serve the chicken with tasty, simple side dishes that help elevate the whole affair.
Usually, these side dishes are packed with carbs. Indeed, typical Tuscan chicken side dishes are rice, crusty bread, and pasta. But if you’re cutting back on the carbs and have no idea what to serve with Tuscan chicken, you’ll find this article helpful as it offers 13 recipes for low-carb side dishes.
1. Cauliflower Rice
Rice is the go-to side dish for saucy foods like Tuscan chicken because it absorbs the sauce and disperses the flavors nicely. However, it’s high in carbs, and its popular alternatives, like quinoa and farro, are also carb-rich. Thus, consider this easy-to-make and healthy cauliflower rice instead! The flavors are also plain and simple, like rice, so it takes in the richness of the Tuscan chicken.
2. Mashed Cauliflower with Garlic and Herbs
Potato side dishes like mashed, baked, and smashed potatoes are highly recommended for Tuscan chicken. But they’re high on carbs, so those on a low-carb diet should avoid them. Fortunately, you can have cauliflower, which works as a great alternative. Use it to make this mashed cauliflower with garlic and herbs. It’s creamy, smooth, and flavorful. Plus, like rice, it absorbs flavors well.
3. Cauliflower Steak (Roasted or Grilled)
Despite its simple look and often bland taste, cauliflower has an innate sweetness and nuttiness you can draw out by roasting or grilling. Thus, follow this recipe if you want your cauliflower side dish to contribute subtle, caramelized flavors to your Tuscan chicken meal. It turns your simple veggie into a tender, golden brown, healthy steak perfect with your rich, protein meal.
4. Zucchini Noodles
Pasta is the usual partner to Tuscan chicken. The pairing is so popular that some recipes combine the two to make a one-pot or one-bowl meal. The downside, though, is it’s carb-dense; however, no worries because there’s zucchini. You can transform this veggie into many pasta shapes – spaghetti, fettucini, lasagna, or angel hair – and then combine the finished product with the Tuscan chicken, so the delicious sauce wraps the strands.
5. Buttered Shirataki Noodles
Buttered noodles are a highly recommended side dish for Tuscan chicken. But with pasta being carb-dense, consider these buttered shirataki noodles instead. The noodles are made from water and fibrous konjac; thus, they have little to no carbs. They come in various shapes, with the recipe using angel hair. Moreover, its flavorings are simple – just butter, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and garlic – so it won’t overwhelm the saucy chicken.
6. Spaghetti Squash
Besides zucchini, spaghetti squash is another veggie often used as a pasta alternative. It is named so because you can shred the vegetable’s flesh into tender and sweet spaghetti-like strands after roasting. Once your golden spaghetti squash strands are ready, serve them with the Tuscan chicken, as you would with traditional pasta. However, if you’re interested, some recipes incorporate the two together, so they’re in one dish.
7. Sauteed Mushroom
As delicious as Tuscan chicken is, a touch of umami will take things to a new level. Thus, try it with these sauteed mushrooms. The tender textures are amazing, but it’s the flavors you’re after: a combination of umami, herby, garlicky, and buttery tastes. Moreover, you can choose how to serve it – either on the side, on a separate dish, or mixed right into creamy chicken.
8. Steamed Artichokes
Do you want to impress your guests? Then, serve Tuscan chicken with these steamed artichokes! Artichokes are often used as a dip ingredient and taken from the can. Thus, its natural flavors and elegant form don’t get to shine much. But with this recipe, you get to emphasize those because steaming helps keep the gorgeous shape. Moreover, the flavorings are minimal, so the artichoke’s unique flavors are highlighted.
9. Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus side dishes usually look and taste plain because of minimal ingredients, like salt, butter, spices, and lemon. But in this recipe, you’re not just going for simple and easy. Instead, you’ll wrap the green spears in intense garlic flavors and rich melted mozzarella. Thus, the final asparagus stalks have more taste and texture, allowing them to add depth to your chicken meal.
10. Roasted Vegetables
You can serve your Tuscan chicken with individual roasted vegetables. But if you want the whole medley, give this recipe a go! You’ll have more color, texture, and flavor. Moreover, the selection of veggies is kept low-carb, so you have broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. They are seasoned with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and spices for subtle, complex flavors.
11. Baked Zucchini with Parmesan
Have you had crisp and cheesy zucchini circles? This baked zucchini with parmesan is made by slicing the vegetable into rings, seasoning them with spices, and sprinkling parmesan before baking. The parmesan melts under heat, giving each zucchini slice a golden crust. The veggie circles also turn crisp. Thus, after a few minutes, you have delicious and easy-to-eat zucchini chips that are perfect for your meal.
12. Simple Side Salad
Because of its richness, Tuscan chicken can feel too dense for some. Thus, a light, simple side salad, like this recipe, provides a much-needed contrast. Aside from its lightness, this salad offers juicy and refreshing flavors, contributed by the arugula, tomatoes, and cucumbers. There are also hints of tanginess in the dressing, which is made from olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.
13. Massaged Kale Salad
Massaged kale salad – the name alone may have made you curious already because why and how would you massage kale? Firstly, massaging helps make the leaves more tender and soft and improves the flavor. Regarding the how, you press and crumple kale with the homemade dressing, as you would massage a person. Then, the massaged and dressed leaves are combined with tomatoes, blueberries, shallots, and walnuts!
