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35 Best Side Dishes For Chili

Published: Jan 31, 2023 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1027 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article.

While chili is hearty meal on its own, you can never go wrong by adding a side dish or two. From homemade cornbread to mac and cheese, I'm sharing 35 of the best side dishes for chili.

A decorative collage of side dishes to serve with chili.

There's nothing better than a hearty bowl of chili on a cold winter day. Wondering what to serve with your next batch of homemade chili? Look no further.

Today I'm sharing 35 of the best side dishes to serve with chili. You'll find everything from homemade bread to roasted veggies on this list - a little something for everyone.

Chili recipes

I love making chili in the slow cooker. The flavor develops slowly throughout the day, filling your home with savory, comforting smells. If you don't have a slow cooker, all of these recipes can also be made on the stove top - both directions can be found in the recipe card.

Chili toppings

Chili is also a great vehicle for your favorite toppings. Here are a few popular additions for your next bowl of chili:

Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Chopped chives
Pickled jalapeños
Crumbled bacon
Chopped cilantro

Side dishes for chili

Looking to stretch your next chili dinner further by adding a few sides? You're sure to find a new favorite on this list!

Skillet Cornbread

Moist, crumbly, and slightly sweet cornbread is easy to make from scratch! Using a cast iron skillet gives this tender cornbread a crunchy, buttery crust.

Piece of cornbread on a plate.

Cornbread Zucchini Casserole

By Zucchini Zone

This moist cornbread casserole is filled with shredded zucchini, onion, and pepper jack cheese. It makes for a great comfort food side dish perfect for eating with chili.

A slice of cornbread zucchini casserole on a spatula.

Skillet Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

There's nothing better than a slice of homemade skillet jalapeño cheddar cornbread! Made with a handful of staple pantry ingredients, this cornbread turns out tender and flavorful, with chopped jalapeños and melty cheddar cheese.

A wedge of jalapeno cornbread sitting on top of a cast iron pan.

Easy Tomato Salad Recipe with Homemade Vinaigrette

By The Forked Spoon

This easy to make tomato salad is topped with a homemade vinaigrette dressing and is ready in less than 10 minutes.

Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

Buttermilk cornbread muffins are the perfect addition to your next bowl of chili. Tender, moist, and flavorful, these cornbread muffins are easy to make from scratch in your own kitchen.

Two cornbread muffins stacked on a wooden cutting board.

Mexican Roasted Vegetables

By Zucchini Zone

If you love Tex-Mex flavors you'll love this simple, flavorful side dish. Zucchini, bell peppers, and squash are roasted to perfection in the oven.

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornmeal Biscuits

These flaky and tender biscuits are filled with jalapenos and sharp cheddar cheese. Cornmeal is the special ingredient that gives these biscuits an extra kick of texture and crunch.

Cornmeal biscuits in a cast iron skillet.

Cheese Bread

By Belly Full

If you love cheddar bay biscuits from Red Lobster, then you must try this cheese bread recipe. It's loaded with cheese and requires no kneading!

A loaf of sliced cheese bread on a cutting board.

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter is a fresh and flavorful side dish you can make for your next summer barbecue. Corn cobs are roasted in their husks, then coated in a lightly seasoned butter.

Spreading butter on an ear of corn.

Parker House Rolls

By Noshing with the Nolands

Bake up these buttery, flavorful rolls for your next family dinner. They're easy to make ahead and store in the fridge until ready to bake.

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy caviar is a flavor packed mix between a salad and a salsa. Filled with black beans, black eyed peas, avocado, corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, and more - this cold salad is the perfect party appetizer.

A tortilla chip taking a scoop of salsa.

Easy Vegan Cornbread

By Vegan Huggs

This easy to make cornbread is ready in just 20 minutes! Serve a square with your next bowl of chili.

Two squares of cornbread on a plate with a fork.

Parmesan Crisps

Parmesan crisps are delicate, crispy discs made out of parmesan cheese. They're the perfect garnish for a bowl of soup or a side salad. Believe it or not, you only need one ingredient to get started - fresh grated parmesan cheese!

A hand holding a single parmesan crisp above a stack of more parmesan crisps.

Sweet Potato Cornbread

By Cooked by Julie

If you've got a family function coming up, make this delicious cornbread. It's quick and easy, leaving you more time to spend with your loved ones.

A slice of sweet potato cornbread with a pad of butter melting on top.

Chopped Kale Avocado Salad

Make a chopped kale avocado salad today - all you need are seven simple pantry ingredients! This hearty salad is made with cubed avocado, roasted sunflower seeds, and simple a homemade vinaigrette.

Bowl filled with kale and cubed avocado.

Beer Bread

By Retro Potluck

This simple bread uses four common pantry staples to produce a comforting side dish perfect for any meal but especially great with chili!

Sliced bread on a cutting board.

Buttery Stovetop Biscuits

No oven needed for these buttery stovetop biscuits, they're cooked in a skillet right on the stovetop.

Biscuits stacked on a white plate.

Cheddar Chive Biscuits

By Herbs and Flour

Easy to make with simple ingredients, your family will love these drop biscuits. The added herbs and cheese really put them over the top!

A row of biscuits on parchment paper.

Kale Apple Slaw with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Kale apple slaw with poppy seed vinaigrette is a light vegan side dish recipe that's prepared in minutes. Chopped kale is tossed with sliced apple and red onion, then coated in a tangy poppy seed dressing.

A white scalloped edge bowl filled with salad.

Focaccia Bread

By Num's the Word

Not just for sandwiches, this easy to make bread is great for soups and chili, too. It's crispy on the outside and chewy inside which makes it great for dipping.

Bacon Jalapeño Poppers

Bacon jalapeño poppers are a flavorful, low-carb appetizer recipe, assembled in minutes. Jalapeños are filled with cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and spices, then baked in the oven.

Jalapeno filled with cheese and bacon.

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

By Money Wise Moms

Make this great side dish in the instant pot for a quick and easy topping for tacos, bed for grilled chicken, or a delicious bite paired with your chili.

Bowl of seasoned rice with green garnish.

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese is rich, flavorful, and filled with gruyere and cheddar cheeses. Use macaroni or shells to create this homemade comfort food side dish.

Black spoon scooping a serving of creamy mac and cheese.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

By I Heart Eating

These soft pastries are topped with an amazing cream cheese frosting. Pairing cinnamon rolls with chili is popular in the Mid West. If you've never tried it before, now is the time!

A frosted cinnamon roll on a plate with a fork.

Bisquick Cheddar Biscuits

By Fantabulosity

Whip up these easy biscuits as a perfect side dish for your chili. They're a great pairing for other cool-weather dishes, too, so get creative!

Easy Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

By If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

This cheesy dish is a perfect partner for your chili on a cold afternoon. Fire up the crockpot and give it a try!

A bowl of macaroni and cheese.

Easy Pizza Dough Breadsticks

By Homemade Heather

Perfect for an appetizer or dunking into your chili, these breadsticks are made from store-bought pizza dough so they're super easy to prepare.

A bowl holding several twisted breadsticks.

Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

By Simply Air Fryer

Put your potatoes in the air fryer to make them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can load them up with toppings as a great side or even put your chili right on them!

MiMi's Homemade Cheese Crackers

By Cooking with Carlee

With just a food processor and rolling pin you can create these amazing cheesy crackers using a variety of cheeses to suit your tastes. Imagine scooping chili with these!

Three cheese crackers next to a bowl of chili.

Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

By Pepper Bowl

Roasting sweet potatoes makes them tender and brings out their natural flavor. Add in a delicious spice blend and get ready for an amazing spicy side dish for your chili.

Avocado Corn Salad

By Living Lou

Easy to prepare and very customizable, this salad is a perfect, cool pairing for your warm and spicy chili. Experiment with the ingredients to find the flavor you like best!

Vegan Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing

By Happy Kitchen.Rocks

Make this salad for a light, fresh side to your favorite family dinner. It's packed with vegetables and it's gluten free!

Two bowls of salad with dressing.

Air Fryer Corn Ribs

By Urban Bliss Life

The presentation on these ribs will wow your guests and family alike! Serve this fun and flavorful dish with your chili tonight.

Mexican Style Biscuits

By Biscuits and Burlap

These rolled and cut biscuits are flaky and much prettier than their drop biscuit cousins. Packed with jalapenos, cheese, garlic, and corn they're a perfect partner to your chili.

Cheese Stuffed Biscuits

These homemade cheese stuffed biscuits are the ultimate side dish for your next meal. Buttery biscuits are filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and coated in garlic butter sauce.

A cast iron skillet filled with baked cheese stuffed biscuits.

More Side Dish Recipes

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