The 16 BEST Sides for Fried Chicken

Are you wondering what to serve with fried chicken?

Well, have no fear – I’ve compiled the 16 best sides for fried chicken.

This list features mouthwatering recipes that will make every bite of juicy, crispy fried chicken shine.

Some of my favorite side dishes for fried chicken are classic Southern favorites like macaroni and cheese and creamy coleslaw.

There are also daring new flavor combinations like peach salsa waffle fries and tater tot casserole.

Regardless of what type of meal you’re planning, these sides will be sure to satisfy your guests!

Each dish on this list has been carefully picked because it pairs perfectly with a platter or bucket of hot golden brown fried goodness.

So let me help you impress your friends and family at dinner time tonight!

Read Also:

• 15 Best Salads To Go With Fried Chicken
• Fried Chicken Wine Pairing – Best Wines for Fried Chicken

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Fried Chicken?

• Variety: Serving side dishes with fried chicken adds variety to the meal, allowing diners to choose from a range of flavors and textures. This can help make the meal more interesting and enjoyable for everyone.
• Balance: Side dishes can also help balance out the richness of fried chicken by providing lighter options such as salads or vegetables that are cooked in a healthier way than deep-frying. This helps ensure that diners get all the nutrients they need while still enjoying their favorite comfort food.
• Completeness: Finally, serving side dishes with fried chicken helps complete the meal by adding additional components such as carbohydrates (e.g., potatoes) or proteins (e.g., beans). This makes it easier to create a balanced plate that is satisfying and nutritious for everyone at the table!

The 16 BEST Sides for Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a classic dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of sides.

From salads to veggies, here are 16 of the best side dishes that will perfectly complement your fried chicken:

1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Garlic Parmesan roasted green beans — the perfect sidekick to fried chicken. Light, crunchy and full of flavor – they’ll be the belle of the ball thanks to all that garlicky, cheesy goodness.

Who can resist?

Green beans are a classic accompaniment to fried chicken, but taking them up a notch with this garlic parmesan version will really give your dinner an extra special touch.

Plus, it adds beautiful color and texture contrast that makes it look like an upgraded version of everyone’s favorite comfort food dish!

2. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Garlic Parmesan roasted sweet potatoes – the side dish that won’t be upstaged.

It’s like the star of a one-man show.

Buttery, crunchy, and packed full of flavor, it’s sure to please any crowd gathered around your dinner table.

These golden nuggets are full of surprises.

Parmesan cheese adds an unexpected sharpness while garlic provides just enough oomph to make these potatoes come alive in a way you’d never expect from such simple ingredients.

And don’t even get me started on the buttery goodness!

Fried chicken has nothing on this killer combo!

3. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad.

The ultimate companion to a good old fashioned fried chicken dinner.

This creamy, zesty side dish has been around for ages and only continues to get better with time.

It’s like the cool uncle of your meal – it gives you a break from all the usual sides, but still feels familiar.

Plus, its mild flavor makes it a great pairing for those extra spicy pieces of chicken.

Who doesn’t love getting a mix of sweet, salty, tangy and crunchy all in one bite?

Macaroni salad proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor just because you want something simple.

4. Cornbread

Cornbread – the perfect bedfellow for fried chicken.

Just like a good romance, it brings out all the delectable flavors of your main dish and stands on its own as an unforgettable treat.

The crunchy exterior, fluffy interior, and golden-brown color make this bread hard to resist!

Plus, cornbread is surprisingly simple to make.

When you do it yourself you can customize sweetness levels with sugar or honey, add some kick with jalapeno pepper or spices, or keep things classic with butter – something for everyone.

With fried chicken and cornbread around no one needs to be lonely in the kitchen tonight!

5. Potato Salad

Potato salad: the belle of the ball when it comes to sides.

No matter if you’re going for classic or modern, potato salad is always a hit.

With its creamy and versatile texture, it makes any meal more tantalizingly delicious.

Not to mention, with all the endless variations — garlic tarragon mayo?

Yes please! — you could never get bored working this side dish into your weekly rotation.

Plus they make it easier than ever before to customize based on dietary needs and preferences such as vegan or dairy-free options.

Potato salads are like mini flavor journeys that make eating healthy enjoyable!

6. Coleslaw

Coleslaw – the savior of many a side dish.

From jaunty picnics to family BBQs, coleslaw has been enchanting taste buds all over the world for centuries.

What’s not to love?

This crunchy, creamy crowdpleaser is just as vibrant in color as it is in flavor.

It adds an elegant touch of sweetness and tang to any dish with its combination of shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with mayo, vinegar and sugar.

Plus, it’s an easy way to get some extra veggies into your diet!

Now that you know what the secret ingredient is for winning over your guests, get chopping – your next delicious masterpiece awaits!

7. Fried Okra

Fried Okra – the bold, crunchy southerner that always knows how to make an entrance.

It may be small, but it packs a powerful punch of flavor.

This little green side dish is like the perfect wingman to fried chicken—just enough texture and spice to take the flavor up a notch.

When cooked correctly, Fried Okra offers a unique combination of tenderness on the inside with a golden-brown crust on its outside; it’s almost like you get two dishes in one!

So don’t miss out on this classic side dish when making your next batch of fried chicken.

8. French Fries

French fries – the go-to side dish of every comfort food lover.

A classic for a reason, these delicious fried potatoes have that perfect blend of crunch and softness on the inside.

And with their endless versatility, you can spice them up in any way you’d like – from ranch seasoning to garlic parmesan.

Plus, they’re easier to make than you might think.

All it takes is a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience!

9. Green Salad

Green salad – the light and airy sidekick to your sharp and crunchy fried chicken.

It’s like a breath of freshness after every bite.

From classic romaine to baby spinach, there’s always something new on the menu.

But why just settle for lettuce when you can really elevate this combo with some delicious extras?

Croutons, bacon bits, feta cheese, carrots…the possibilities are almost endless.

And what better way to add some zing than with a tangy vinaigrette dressing?

This side is proof that sometimes simple is best and it makes for an unbeatable team: juicy fried chicken and its crisp green counterpart in perfect harmony.

10. Southern Hush Puppies

Take a trip down south, without leaving your kitchen.

Let Southern hush puppies be the musical accompaniment to your next meal – with their crispy exterior, and soft cheesy center they’ll make you feel like you’re sitting in a New Orleans Jazz club!

These poppable treats are as tasty as they are nostalgic.

With just enough spices for a kick, but not too much that it overwhelms the more delicate flavors at play – such as sweet corn or crunchy onions – hush puppies have something for everyone.

Plus, who can resist their cute little shape?

They may look dainty (and yeah, maybe even a bit adorable), but don’t let that fool you; these bite-sized snacks will fill up an appetite faster than

11. Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta

Watermelon salad with cucumbers and feta is the ultimate side for fried chicken.

Combining salty, sweet, and tangy flavors into one delicious side dish?

That’s like a party in your mouth!

But wait, it gets better – The rich sweetness from the watermelon pairs perfectly with the crunch of cucumbers and adds an unexpected flavor contrast to the crumbly feta cheese.

Talk about a power combo!

If you really want to take this meal up a notch serve it all up on a bed of fresh greens or crispy lettuce wraps – flipping exquisite meals has never been easier!

12. Baked Beans

Baked beans, oh baked beans.

The all-star of any side dish show – they always steal the spotlight!

With their sweet and smoky flavor, these legumes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

From family BBQs to potlucks, you can never go wrong with a good bowl of baked beans.

These little gems deserve more than just being heated up in a can – why not give them some TLC by adding your own special ingredients?

Whether it’s diced onion or jalapeños for an added kick, maple syrup for sweetness, or smoked bacon for depth of flavor; this dish will be sure to wow every time.

Now that’s amore!

13. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes – like a warm hug on a cold day.

All the creaminess and flavor you could want in one easy side dish.

Plus, there are endless possibilities for customization!

We can show our wild side with chives or go classic with butter and salt.

Plus, let’s be honest, mashed potatoes were just meant to be paired with fried chicken.

Could anything else really top off this winning combo?

Didn’t think so.

So if you’re looking for the perfect way to dress up your plate of fried chicken, look no further than mashed potatoes: creamy, comforting and oh-so-delicious!

14. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn – when it comes to fried chicken side dishes, this velvety creation is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Rich and creamy with just enough sweetness, creamed corn shines as the perfect companion for any plate of hot and crispy fried chicken.

Pairing the two together is like a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Plus, creamed corn doesn’t require too much effort – just mix together frozen or canned kernels with some cream cheese, butter, and seasoning and you’re good to go!

Keep in mind that a little bit goes along way so you don’t want to overpower the dish but rather complement it.

15. Biscuit

Biscuits, biscuits, biscuits.

Is there anything they can’t do?

This comforting Southern staple has been delighting taste buds for generations with its pillowy-soft texture and buttery flavor.

Whether you slather them in butter, jam, or gravy – yeah, I said it – this side dish is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Biscuits are like culinary magicians; they take your meal from good to great!

And the best part?

They’re so simple that even beginners can make an impressive batch of baked goods with ease.

Now that’s magic!

16. Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes: when you don’t want to just settle for regular old side dish.

These delicious bites are the perfect combination of crunch and tanginess that will have your taste buds singing in joy.

And it’s a cinch to make – all you need is some green tomatoes, an egg wash, and a bit of flour mix and voila!

But these fried little gems are more than just a tasty snack.

They can bring any meal to the next level – maybe with a dollop of ranch dressing or garlic mayo for dipping?

Or diced up in a salad for added texture?

So what are you waiting for?

Give Fried Green Tomatoes the chance they deserve – your taste buds won’t be sorry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fried chicken is a classic dish that pairs perfectly with a great side.

There are many delicious sides to choose from, so you can whip up an amazing meal in no time.

Some of the best sides for fried chicken are macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits, potato salad, greens such as collard or kale, green beans and other vegetables. For a sweet side dish you can try apple sauce or peach cobbler.

Each of these sides brings something unique to the table, from crunchy and savory to sweet and creamy. With these sides, you can make sure your fried chicken dinner is a hit.