If you’re wondering what to serve with a chili, you’re in the right place! Here are 10 easy and delicious side dishes that complete a chili dinner menu. Chili is a hearty enough meal on its own, but adding a salad, finger food, or bread can really round out the meal.

4 image collage of overhead shots of the following recipes: cabbage & carrot slaw, gluten free corn bread, guacamole, and slow cooker baked potatoes.

About these Easy Chili Side Dishes

A warm, hearty bowl of chili is the ultimate comfort food, plus chili is easy to prepare and there are so many variations of it.

My favorite way to make chili is in the crockpot because you can just dump all the ingredients in the pot and let it cook low and slow all day long, resulting in deep flavor with minimal effort.

The crockpot chili recipes I make on repeat for my family are white chicken chili, vegetarian chili, chicken chili, and turkey chili. 

And my we absolutely love pairing these recipes with a classic side dish, cornbread.

But don’t just stop at corn bread! There are so many other delicious side dishes that go well with chili – from refreshing salads and slightly sweet quick breads (this pumpkin bread is my fav).

Or, try topping the chili with homemade guacamole , with hearty baked potatoes, or serve the chili on top of the potatoes for the perfect baked potato bar).

I also love serving chili with a big green salad tossed with creamy avocado dressing or tangy cilantro lime sauce.

Read on for these and more side dishes and ideas for what to make with chili!

What to Serve with Chili

Closeup image of a bowl of cabbage and carrot slaw.
5 stars (4 ratings)

Mexican Slaw (Quick & Easy!)

Ready in 15 minutes, this zesty and fresh Mexican slaw is the perfect accompaniment to enchiladas, chilis, or any Tex Mex meal. It’s a versatile veggie side dish featuring crunchy cabbage, smokey and sweet honey chipotle dressing, and zingy lime that’s fast and easy.
Ingredients: garlic, salt, chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, avocado oil, cabbage, carrots, onion, cilantro.
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A white plate filled with a vegetable platter with an easy 4-ingredient guacamole in the center.
5 stars (9 ratings)

4-Ingredient Guacamole

This Easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole is so simple and tastes amazing. It's the perfect party appetizer or everyday condiment; use it as a dip, a topping, or just straight out of the bowl. Everything is better with guacamole!
Ingredients: avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
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Overhead shot of baked potatoes with various toppings including broccoli, cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and chives.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Russet Baked Potato Bar & Toppings: 30+ Ideas

Create the ultimate baked potato bar for your next dinner party with this simple guide! PLUS, I include over 30 unique and flavor-packed topping ideas.
Ingredients: baked potatoes, bacon, sour cream, chives.
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Overhead image of an enameled cast iron pot with cooked onions, beans, and rice. The pot is flanked by bowls with: guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges, salsa, and shredded cheese.
5 stars (1 rating)

30-Minute Pinto Beans and Rice (One-Pot!)

Beans and rice is such a comforting, classic combo. This recipe for pinto beans and rice uses that combo to create a delicious one-pot meal both vegetarian and meat-eaters will love!
Ingredients: olive oil, red onion, salt, fresh garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, dried oregano, vegetable stock (or chicken stock), canned pinto beans, white rice, lime juice.
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5 stars (9 ratings)

Oat Flour Apple Cider Muffins (One-Bowl!)

These oat flour apple cider muffins are a super tender, totally healthy, and packed with all the flavors of fall, plus they come together in just one bowl!
Ingredients: applesauce, apples, apple cider, eggs, almond flour (or oat flour), coconut oil, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder
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close up of slow cooker baked potatoes in a black crockpot with chives and sour cream on top
5 stars (2 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Yes, you can make perfect baked potatoes in the slow cooker! The easiest hands-off way to feed a crowd, create an effortless baked potato bar, or an easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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Cilantro lime sauce being spooned out of a glass jar, with fresh herbs and lime wedges alongside it.
5 stars (14 ratings)

5-Minute Cilantro Lime Sauce

Vibrant, tangy, and easy to whiz together in a blender or food processor, this cilantro lime sauce is perfect with fish, shrimp, fish tacos, as a chicken marinade or super flavorful shredded chicken. Plus it’s easy enough to whip up any night of the week!
Ingredients: fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, garlic cloves, avocado oil, ground cumin, honey (optional) and salt.
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glass jar of green salad dressing with sliced lemons and cut avocados on a white background
5 stars (2 ratings)

5-Minute Creamy Avocado Dressing

The base for this simple 5-minute vegan dressing is one ripe avocado. It creates a creamy base that pairs perfectly with lemon, garlic and olive oil. 
Ingredients: avocado, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, water and salt
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close up of a black bean salad with corn in white bowl
5 stars (5 ratings)

Black Bean Salad with Corn

This Black Bean Salad with Corn recipe combines cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro with an easy, healthy cumin lime dressing. Perfect for a light vegetarian dinner, colorful side dish or make-ahead lunch!
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Side shot of sliced cornbread on a cutting broad drizzled with honey.
5 stars (1 rating)

Gluten Free Cornbread (One Bowl!)

Tender, moist, and with just a touch of sweetness, this gluten free cornbread comes together easily in just one bowl and makes the perfect side dish for chili, soups, stews, or just as a snack!
Ingredients: cornmeal, gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, yogurt, milk, butter, honey.
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close up of a cut loaf of gluten free pumpkin bread on wooden cutting board
5 stars (24 ratings)

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

This delicious, moist, gluten-free pumpkin bread is made with canned pumpkin, oat flour, and plenty of pumpkin spice for a nourishing treat. So easy to make in just one bowl!
Ingredients: pumpkin puree, oat flour, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, oil and salt
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Thinly sliced purple cabbage slaw with carrots in a bowl with a striped blue napkin on the side.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Purple Cabbage Slaw

This creamy purple cabbage slaw is made with thinly sliced red and green cabbage, carrots, and with a creamy and healthy dressing. It comes together in 15 minutes, making it the perfect quick and easy side dish for any meal!
Ingredients: red and green cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise (traditional, vegan mayo or Greek yogurt), honey (optional), lime juice, and salt.
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Side shot of sliced cornbread on a cutting broad drizzled with honey.
5 stars (1 rating)

One-Bowl Cornbread & More Sides to Serve with Chili

Servings: 12
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Tender, moist, and with just a touch of sweetness, this cornbread comes together easily in just one bowl and makes the perfect side dish for chili! Plus 10 easy sides to serve with chili.
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Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt
  • ½ cup whole milk,
  • ¼ cup melted butter, or neutral oil of choice such as avocado or canola
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 cup medium ground cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F, and grease a 9-inch square or round cake pan; or 12-inch skillet.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, yogurt, milk, butter, and honey until smooth.
  • Add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisk to combine.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and pull away from the sides.
  • Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Author: Robyn Conley Downs
Course: Quick Breads
Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 12), Calories: 164kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 249mg, Potassium: 90mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 190IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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