Deliciously Perfect Pairs: The Best Fried Chicken Sides!
Fried chicken, everyone’s favorite crispy and crunchy main, is a staple in many cultures around the world, known for its irresistible flavor and texture.
However, no fried chicken meal is complete without the perfect array of side dishes.
These sides not only complement but enhance the overall dining experience, adding a variety of flavors and textures that make the meal truly memorable.
From the creamy richness of mac and cheese to the refreshing tang of classic coleslaw, the right side dishes can turn a simple fried chicken meal into a feast.
Sides for Fried Chicken
These are some of my favorite fried chicken sides:
But there’s more! Continue reading to discover additional tasty recipes.
What to Serve with Fried Chicken
Here, we delve into the best sides to serve with fried chicken, ensuring every bite is a journey of comfort and delight.
Macaroni Salad
A creamy, comforting side, macaroni salad is a classic accompaniment to fried chicken.
Its cool, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the hot and crispy chicken, making it a favorite fried chicken side at any table.
Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, parmesan roasted potatoes add a savory and cheesy dimension to your fried chicken meal.
They’re an irresistible side dish that brings a touch of elegance to the simplicity of fried chicken.
Homemade Baked Beans
Hearty and flavorful baked beans, slow-cooked in a rich, sweet and tangy sauce.
A perfect, comforting side dish for any meal.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
For a slightly sweet counterpart to your meal, mashed sweet potatoes are an excellent choice.
Their smooth, velvety texture and natural sweetness offer a comforting side that pairs wonderfully with the savory notes of fried chicken.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and a standard side for fried chicken.
Its creamy, cheesy goodness is the perfect complement to crispy chicken, making every bite a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Classic Coleslaw
Tangy coleslaw surprises taste buds, providing a refreshing contrast to the richly coated meat of fried chicken.
Its crispness and bright notes bring balance to the meal, making it an essential side dish for fried chicken.
Ranch Roasted Carrots
Ranch roasted carrots, with their sweet and herby seasoning, offer a healthy and flavorful side option.
Their tender texture and ranch flavor make them a unique and tasty companion to fried chicken.
Grilled Corn Salad
Grilled corn salad, with its smoky flavor and fresh ingredients, is a light and refreshing side that enhances the overall meal.
Its combination of sweet corn, fresh herbs, and tangy dressing is a perfect match for fried chicken.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot mashed potatoes are a quick and easy side dish, delivering creamy, buttery goodness in every spoonful.
They’re a comforting side that pairs seamlessly with fried chicken, making the meal even more satisfying.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad, with its crisp vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, offers a refreshing and healthy side option.
Its bright flavors and crunchy texture provide a nice contrast to the richness of fried chicken.
Cheesy Fries
Cheesy fries are a decadent side dish that combines the best of both worlds: crispy fries and melted cheese.
They’re a crowd-pleaser that adds a fun and indulgent element to your fried chicken meal.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice brings a zesty and fresh flavor to the table, making it an excellent side for fried chicken.
Its light and fluffy texture complements the crunchy chicken perfectly.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad, with its cool and crisp texture, is an ideal side dish for fried chicken.
Its simplicity and refreshing taste make it a great palate cleanser between bites of rich chicken.
Roasted Tomatoes
Roasted tomatoes, with their concentrated flavor and slight sweetness, add a touch of elegance to your meal.
They are a simple yet flavorful side that pairs beautifully with fried chicken.
Stir-Fry Vegetables
Stir-fry vegetables offer a quick and healthy side dish option, bringing a variety of colors, textures, and flavors to your meal.
They complement fried chicken by adding a crunchy and nutritious element.
Tomato Salad
Tomato salad, with its juicy tomatoes and simple dressing, is a refreshing and light side dish.
It’s a perfect summer side that pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of fried chicken.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes, filled with creamy mashed potato and topped with cheese and bacon, are a hearty and indulgent side.
They’re a perfect complement to fried chicken, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures.
Southern Potato Salad
Southern potato salad, with its creamy dressing and soft potatoes, is a comforting side that feels like home.
It’s a traditional side dish for fried chicken, loved for its rich flavor and comforting texture.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes bring a depth of flavor to your meal, with the sweet and mellow taste of garlic enhancing the creamy potatoes.
They’re a luxurious side that pairs perfectly with fried chicken.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese, with its golden crust and creamy interior, is a comforting and satisfying side.
It’s a favorite at any table, offering a deliciously cheesy complement to fried chicken.
Cornbread
Cornbread, with its buttery and slightly sweet flavor, offers a savory match to fried chicken.
It’s a traditional side that adds a comforting and homely touch to the meal, making every bite even more enjoyable.
Pairing fried chicken with the right side dishes transforms a simple meal into an extraordinary dining experience.
Whether you prefer the creamy richness of mac and cheese, the refreshing tang of classic coleslaw, or the comforting warmth of mashed potatoes, the perfect sides are out there waiting to complement your crispy main.
So next time you’re serving up fried chicken, remember these favorite fried chicken sides to ensure a meal that’s both satisfying and memorable.
Other Side Dishes to Try!
20 Best Fried Chicken Sides
Indulge in the perfect blend of texture and taste with our Classic Coleslaw. This dish showcases crunchy cabbage, sweet carrots, and is dressed in a zesty sauce for an effortlessly delicious side.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cabbage, shredded
- 3 medium carrots shredded
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
- Vegetable Prep: Finely slice red and green cabbage for a vibrant texture and color contrast. Grate carrots for even blending and simplicity.
- Coleslaw Ingredients: Gather cabbage, carrots, parsley, and additional ingredients on your countertop.
- Dressing Creation: Blend mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, and sugar in a bowl. Whisk to a smooth, unified dressing.
- Combining Coleslaw: Combine the cabbage, carrots, and parsley in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss for an evenly dressed mix, ensuring flavorful bites.
- Dressing Application: Drizzle the creamy dressing over the cabbage and carrot mix, showcasing the dressing step.
- Coleslaw Cooling: Seal the bowl with plastic or a lid and refrigerate for at least an hour, allowing flavors to blend and vegetables to marinate.
- Serving: Stir well before serving. Perfect as a crisp side for BBQs, picnics, or alongside various main dishes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 207Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 12mgSodium 356mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 1g
