15 Best Salads To Go With Fried Chicken

Are you looking for the perfect salad to go with fried chicken?

Fried chicken is a classic, delicious dish that can be enjoyed as part of an entrée or as a main meal.

But it’s often missing something – and that something is usually a side salad.

Salads are the perfect addition to any fried chicken dinner – they provide freshness, flavor, and balance out the richness of the fried chicken.

So if you are wondering what salads to serve with your fried chicken, then you are in the right place.

I’m sharing 15 of my favorite salads that pair perfectly with fried chicken including crunchy slaws, garden salads, cobb salads, potato salads, and so much more!

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Why Serve A Salad With Fried Chicken?

• Balance of Flavors: Fried chicken is a savory dish, and adding a salad to the plate helps to balance out the flavors with something light and fresh.
• Variety of Textures: The crunchy texture of fried chicken pairs well with the crispness of a salad, creating an interesting contrast in textures that can be enjoyable for diners.
• Nutritional Benefits: Salads are packed with vitamins and minerals that help to round out the meal nutritionally, providing essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
• Colorful Presentation: Adding a colorful salad to your plate makes it look more appetizing by adding pops of color from vegetables or fruits like tomatoes or strawberries.
• Flavor Enhancer: Salad dressings can add flavor complexity to fried chicken dishes by introducing different herbs and spices into the mix such as garlic powder or oregano which can enhance its flavor profile even further!

15 Best Salads To Go With Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a delicious and hearty dish that can be served with a variety of salads.

Here are fifteen great salad recipes to serve with fried chicken, each offering an array of flavors and textures:

1. Greek Salad

Greek salad has a timelessly classic taste that works well with any meal.

It’s filled with tangy feta cheese, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and olives all tossed in a herb-infused vinaigrette.

Whenever I top my fried chicken sandwich with a spoonful of flavorful greek salad, it takes my meal to the next level.

Plus, I enjoy the crunchy texture it adds to each bite.

2. Caesar Salad

For those who love something creamy and comforting, caesar salad is a delicious go-to for topping off any dish.

The unique garlicky dressing coats leafy Romaine lettuce topped with croutons and parmesan cheese for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

This tried-and-true favorite always brings smiles around my dinner table whenever it’s served alongside fried chicken dishes.

3. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is like the zesty life of the party at picnics or family meals – everyone loves its flavor!

Cabbage is shredded into thin ribbons and mixed together with mayonnaise-based slaw dressing (or lighter vinaigrettes).

Red onion or carrots can be added for extra pizzazz – this simple side provides just enough crunch to enhance every bite of fried chicken perfectly!

4. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a classic Italian combination of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil.

It’s a great vegetarian option to accompany fried chicken or any other dish.

I love the vibrant colors and sweet-tangy flavor of this salad, which comes together in minutes with just four ingredients. It always reminds me of the summer holidays spent in Italy with my family.

5. Potato Salad

Potato salad is an all-time favorite side that goes well with practically any meal – especially fried chicken!

With potatoes as its base ingredient, potato salads are usually creamy and tangy due to the addition of mayonnaise or vinaigrette dressings.

I like adding chopped chives for extra color and pickles for a hint of sweetness.

6. Spinach Salad

Spinach salads come together quickly when you’re pressed for time but still want something light yet flavorful on the menu.

All you need are some fresh spinach leaves, thinly sliced onion rings (optional), garnishes such as nuts or seeds, and your favorite dressing – simple yet high in flavor!

When I serve it alongside fried poultry dishes like chicken wings, it really adds complexity to the plate by cutting through the rich flavors masterfully.

7. Waldorf Salad

A Waldorf salad is a classic accompaniment to any meal.

It’s made with a blend of crunchy apples, celery, and walnuts in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.

The perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors pairs beautifully with fried chicken or other classic dishes – delicious!

8. Tomato Cucumber Salad

For something fresh, mixed tomato and cucumber salad can’t be beaten.

This salad features diced tomatoes and cucumbers mixed together in an herby dressing such as vinaigrette.

I prefer mine topped off with feta cheese crumbles for added texture and richness.

9. Pesto Potato Salad

Who doesn’t love homemade pesto?

Use it to take your potato salad up a notch!

Simply mix cooked potatoes, cubed red peppers, black olives, onions, small cubes of cheese (optional), chopped parsley and fresh basil leaves with store-bought or homemade pesto sauce – Yum!

Add some boiled eggs for protein if you’re serving it as a main dish.

10. Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Honey Balsamic Dressing

Roasted beet salad is a perfect companion for crispy fried chicken.

Its earthy flavor from the beets, combined with sweet honey balsamic dressing and crunchy walnuts, makes this salad irresistible.

Topped off with creamy tangy goat cheese crumbles, it’s a flavor experience that pairs well with other picnic favorites.

11. Chickpea Salad

A hearty chickpea salad dressed in olive oil and lemon juice blends perfectly into any meal as well.

Loaded with flavor from chunks of cucumber, feta cheese, parsley-mint combo, and onions – this salad has all of your favorite ingredients in one bite!

Juicy tomatoes add an extra crunch to every forkful and I love drizzling some honey on top for even more sweetness.

12. Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is a great source of protein so why not add it to your next meal?

This quinoa salad pairs wonderfully with fried chicken as it can create its own unique flavor by adding just the right amount of spices such as paprika or coriander.

Toss in bell peppers and onion along plus some olives or dried cranberries for added texture and sweetness to round out the flavors of this healthy alternative dish.

13. Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This peppery, refreshing arugula salad is a perfect companion to fried chicken.

I love making it with a simple lemon vinaigrette made from olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Adding in Parmesan or feta cheese makes this dish even better, adding tangy flavors that contrast beautifully with the citrus notes of the vinaigrette.

14. Three Bean Salad

This classic side is filling enough to serve on its own but light enough to pair nicely with fried chicken.

My favorite version includes kidney beans, chickpeas, and black beans for maximum flavor and texture variations.

I make sure to add plenty of diced onions and bell peppers for brightness and crunch too!

15. Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad has become a go-to summertime staple of mine ever since I discovered how easy it was to make at home.

The cheesy component (Gruyere or cheddar work best) along with some slivered almonds creates sweet-salty bliss when paired with crispy fried chicken.

Plus, there’s something about broccoli that just screams picnic food!