3 Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas That Aren’t Turkey or Ham

Turkey and ham may be the usual Christmas headliners, but they don’t have to be the only options on the holiday table. These three Christmas dinner menus feature cozy cider chicken, festive cranberry-orange chicken, and maple-Dijon pork tenderloin, each paired with seasonal appetizers, sides, and salads.

A Different Kind of Christmas Dinner

I love a classic holiday meal, but sometimes it’s fun to give the Christmas table a fresh direction—especially when you’re hosting a smaller gathering or simply don’t want to roast another turkey. Chicken and pork tenderloin still feel celebratory, yet they’re often easier to cook and serve.

These alternative Christmas dinner ideas are planned as full menus, so the flavors, colors, and textures work together from the first appetizer to the final side. Choose one menu as written, or borrow dishes from another to create a non-traditional Christmas dinner that suits your guest list.

Which Christmas Dinner Menu Should You Choose?

Each menu has its own personality, but all three are designed for a festive dinner that feels manageable at home.

• Choose the cozy cider chicken menu if you want warm, savory flavors with apples, cranberries, bacon, creamy potatoes, and roasted vegetables.
• Choose the cranberry-orange chicken menu for a colorful, elegant spread filled with bright citrus, winter fruit, wild rice, and brown butter.
• Choose the maple-Dijon pork tenderloin menu for a smaller or more streamlined celebration. The one-pot main already includes potatoes and winter vegetables, so you only need an appetizer and fresh salad to round out the meal.

Menu 1: Cozy Cider Chicken Dinner

This cozy Christmas dinner menu brings together warm, savory flavors with crisp vegetables and a bright winter salad. The creamy cider chicken anchors the meal, while the caramelized onion tartlets add a special holiday touch and the Brussels sprouts salad keeps the richer dishes in balance.

• Appetizer: Caramelized Onion Tartlets – Flaky pastry topped with sweet golden onions and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. They can be prepared ahead and warmed before serving.
• Main dish: Creamy Cider Chicken with Apples, Cranberries, and Bacon – A festive skillet chicken with a creamy cider pan sauce, savory bacon, tart cranberries, and tender apples.
• Potato side: Rustic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes – Creamy, buttery potatoes with a little texture from the skins and plenty of surface area for that cider sauce.
• Vegetable: Simple Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower – A colorful, lightly caramelized vegetable side that won’t compete with the main dish.
• Salad: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Parmesan and Garlic Breadcrumbs – A crisp winter salad with lemon dressing, Parmesan, and crunchy garlic breadcrumbs to balance the richer dishes.

Menu 2: Cranberry-Orange Holiday Chicken Dinner

This colorful Christmas menu leans into winter fruit, fresh citrus, toasted nuts, and brown butter. The cranberry-orange chicken makes a striking centerpiece, while the baked brie and jewel-toned salad give the meal an elegant holiday feel.

• Appetizer: Baked Brie with Spiced Pears and Rosemary Honey – Warm brie topped with tender spiced pears, toasted pecans, and rosemary-infused honey for an easy appetizer that doubles as a centerpiece.
• Main dish: Holiday Chicken with Cranberry and Orange – Golden chicken thighs cooked with tart cranberries, fresh orange, and thyme in a glossy pan sauce.
• Rice side: Wild Rice with Cherries and Hazelnuts – A hearty wild rice blend with sweet-tart cherries and toasted hazelnuts for plenty of texture.
• Vegetable: Mashed Acorn Squash with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage – Creamy winter squash finished with nutty brown butter and sage.
• Salad: Spinach Gorgonzola Salad with Pear and Pomegranate – Tender spinach, juicy pear, pomegranate seeds, and Gorgonzola add freshness, color, and a tangy finish.

Menu 3: Maple-Dijon Pork Tenderloin Dinner

This streamlined Christmas dinner has everything you need for a festive meal without a long list of separate side dishes. The pork tenderloin cooks in a Dutch oven with potatoes and winter vegetables, leaving you free to focus on a colorful appetizer and fresh apple salad.

• Appetizer: Cranberry Tartlets with Whipped Feta – Crisp phyllo shells filled with creamy whipped feta, cranberry sauce, and toasted pecans for a colorful bite-size starter.
• Main dish: Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin with Maple-Dijon Pan Sauce – Tender pork, baby potatoes, carrots, fennel, and onions served with a creamy maple-Dijon pan sauce.
• Salad: Arugula Apple Salad with Cheddar and Pecans – Peppery arugula, crisp apples, sharp cheddar, and toasted pecans bring freshness and crunch to the plate.

Tips for Planning a Christmas Dinner Menu

A little planning makes these menus much easier to manage, especially when several dishes need oven or stovetop time.

• Work backward from dinner time. Note the cooking and resting time for the main dish, then build the rest of your schedule around it.
• Prepare the appetizer early. Choose components that can be assembled or made ahead, then warm or finish them shortly before guests arrive.
• Save salads for last. Prep the ingredients and dressing in advance, but wait to toss everything together until just before serving.
• Check your oven space. If the main dish needs the oven, choose sides that can be cooked earlier and reheated or finished on the stovetop.
• Let the appetizer buy you time. Serve it with drinks while you finish the main course and bring the remaining dishes to the table.

Make It Your Christmas Menu

Choose one menu from start to finish or borrow a favorite dish from another to create a Christmas dinner that feels festive, generous, and completely your own. Here’s to delicious food, heartfelt moments, and gathering around the table with your favorite people—no turkey or ham required.

For even more holiday inspiration, browse my full collection of Christmas recipes.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!