u/BrilliantDishevelled

Hi all. Thursday, I am hosting a very small dinner for a friend whose dad passed from suicide a decade ago -- its his birthday and she thinks celebrating it would help her heal. So I want this to be a simple, elegant dinner to show her how much she is loved. Note, I work until around 4, so can't do anything that requires hours to cook.

I'm planning chicken breasts with a shallot-garlic-lemon-butter sauce. I'm not a big fan of mashed potatoes, but think it needs a side like that to stand up to the sauce. Any ideas? (Also thinking haricots-verde as a second side.)

Alternatively, ideas on sides I can make the night before? I appreciate your thoughts.