Southern fried chicken is an iconic comfort food that is beloved across the United States. The crispy, juicy chicken is delicious on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can take the meal to the next level After analyzing over 40 classic Southern side dish recipes to serve with fried chicken, I’ve compiled a list of the top 25 sides that perfectly complement this savory main
The Best Vegetable Sides for Fried Chicken
1. Collard Greens
Collard greens are a quintessential Southern side dish that pairs wonderfully with fried chicken Slow-cooking the greens with bacon, onions, and seasoning makes them silky and full of smoky, savory flavor The bitter greens balance the rich chicken perfectly.
2. Green Beans
Green beans with butter are a great side dish for fried chicken, whether they are fresh, frozen, or canned. To make green beans, all you have to do is sauté them with garlic or simmer them with bacon. A creamy green bean casserole is what you need for important events.
3. Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw offers a refreshing contrast to hot fried chicken. Using bagged slaw mix speeds up prep. Dress it with mayo, sour cream, vinegar, and a touch of sugar for a classic tangy flavor. Adding fruit like pineapple or grapes jazzes it up.
4. Fried Okra
Okra lovers know this veggie is a must with fried chicken. Breaded and pan-fried okra pods are irresistibly crunchy. Be sure to use small, tender okra pods and coat them in a flavorful cornmeal batter.
5. Squash Casserole
Fried chicken and squash casserole go together like peanut butter and jelly. Summer squash, also known as zucchini, is cooked down with bell pepper and onion. It is then mixed with cheese, eggs, and buttery crackers or cornbread.
6. Corn on the Cob
Sweet, juicy corn on the cob is a classic pairing with fried chicken. Boil, grill, or roast it—any preparation complements fried chicken. For a fun twist, try grilling the corn vertically for eye-catching “corn ribs”.
7. Succotash
Lima beans, corn, and peppers make a tasty and healthy side dish for veggie fried chicken. Putting the vegetables in a pan with bacon adds a smokey flavor. This is a simple side dish that you can make any time of the year with frozen corn and lima beans.
Satisfying Starchy Sides
8. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are many people’s favorite food to eat with fried chicken. Using a ricer instead of a masher makes them extra smooth and fluffy. For variety, try red-skinned or sweet potatoes.
9. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a staple at Southern picnics and potlucks. Soft potato chunks and hard-boiled eggs are held together by a creamy dressing that has celery, onion, relish, and bacon added to it. Letting the salad chill overnight helps the flavors mingle.
10. Macaroni and Cheese
Ooey-gooey baked macaroni and cheese rounds out a fried chicken dinner perfectly. Combining shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby with evaporated milk makes an extra creamy sauce for the macaroni. Top with breadcrumbs or more cheese for a crunchy crust.
11. Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans pair flawlessly with fried chicken. Kidney, navy, pinto, or pork and beans work well. Jazz them up with brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, onions, and bacon. Let them simmer until thick and saucy.
12. Creamed Corn
Adding heavy cream and butter to fresh or frozen corn creates an indulgent, decadent side dish for fried chicken. For added flavor, throw in grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, paprika, and fresh herbs.
13. Hush Puppies
These savory cornmeal fritters are a classic Southern specialty. Adding minced onion, corn, and spices to the batter results in crisp, golden-brown fritters with a perfect cornmeal flavor. They pair perfectly with fried chicken.
Satisfying Bread Sides
14. Buttermilk Biscuits
Warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits beg to be served with fried chicken. Kneading the dough minimally yields the flakiest biscuits. Brushing the tops with melted butter before baking gives them a pretty sheen and more flavor.
15. Cornbread
Whether baked in a skillet or muffin pans, cornbread complements fried chicken flawlessly. For moist, tender cornbread, mix the batter gently—overmixing can toughen it. For variety, add cheese, jalapeños, or corn kernels to the batter.
16. Yeast Rolls
Soft, pillowy yeast rolls are wonderful for soaking up fried chicken pan drippings and dipping in gravy. Letting the dough rise twice creates the fluffiest rolls. Brush with melted butter before baking for maximum flavor.
Satisfying Salad Sides
17. Cucumber Salad
Fresh cucumber salad offers a cool, crisp contrast to fried chicken. Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed in a vinaigrette of vinegar, olive oil, and herbs. Letting the salad chill for a couple of hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
18. Tomato Salad
A rainbow of colorful tomatoes looks stunning next to golden fried chicken. The juicy tomatoes pair wonderfully flavor-wise, too. Add fresh mozzarella and torn basil leaves to take this simple salad to the next level.
19. Watermelon Salad
Sweet watermelon salad is so refreshing with fried chicken. Diced watermelon combined with cucumber, feta cheese, red onion, and mint makes a lively summer side. The lime dressing balances the watermelon’s sweetness.
20. Potato Salad
A scoop of cold, creamy potato salad is a summer cookout staple next to fried chicken. Potato salad made with a mayo dressing tastes best when prepared a day ahead, so the flavors can mingle. Crunchy bits of celery and onion provide texture.
Even More Classic Fried Chicken Pairings
21. Deviled Eggs
No Southern picnic spread is complete without deviled eggs. These appetizer-style sides are easy to make with hard boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, spices, and garnishes like paprika and minced pickle.
22. Baked Beans
These smoky, sweet beans simmered with bacon and brown sugar make the perfect partner for fried chicken. Using canned baked beans speeds preparation. Garnish with chives or crispy fried onions.
23. Corn Fritters
Crunchy corn fritters loaded with sweet fresh corn pair perfectly with crispy fried chicken. Folding whipped egg whites into the corn batter keeps these fritters extra light and fluffy. Fry them up in small batches for a crowd.
24. Coleslaw
Tangy coleslaw with its crunchy cabbage and carrots texture complements fried chicken wonderfully. Using pre-shredded slaw mix makes this picnic staple a breeze to prepare. Toss with mayo, vinegar, sugar, and pepper.
25. Biscuits and Gravy
For the ultimate Southern comfort food feast, fried chicken should be served with homemade biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. Split open the hot biscuits and spoon on the rich, savory gravy.
With so many classic sides to choose from, there’s no shortage of recipes for the perfect fried chicken dinner. Round out the meal with cool slaws, hot cooked veggies, fluffy breads, and spoonfuls of potato salad. Southern hospitality at its finest!
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What to Eat With Fried Chicken?
While ones mention fried chicken, smiles come to our faces. Fried chicken is great by itself, but when served with a bunch of different side dishes, it can please everyone in the family and blow your mind.
Many dishes may go with fried chicken. From different salads to vegetables prepared in numerous ways, you can enrich your favorite dinner with countless fried chicken side dishes.
Below we have compiled some foods to enhance the crunchy sensation that everyone loves.
Green beans will make a super healthy fried chicken side dish that goes well with any meal. It will perfectly match your fried chicken, too. Smothered green beans will add a sweet and savory taste to your chicken time.
If you want to find the best side dish to go with your fried chicken next time, you should try sweet potatoes. You will need no more dessert once you put enough delicious candied sweet potatoes as sides.
This creamy classic macaroni salad will improve your delicious fried chicken mixed with yogurt. You may choose to customize it with colorful vegetables or ham to make it more nutritious. Everyone around the table will love this side salad for fried chicken.
Try cornbread if you need something filling with your chicken. Add this soaking taste to your juicy and crunchy menu for a perfect dinner with your family.
Back to salads again; potato salad will be a perfect complement to the fried chicken. You can make the side dish taste better by adding onions or vegetables. This will make you eat it twice as fast.
This one will be a super healthy side dish to your favorite dinner. Prepared in many ways, this tangy flavor will make a perfect pair with your crispy fried chicken.
Wondering what to eat as ideal fried chicken side dishes? Now that you have prepared your excellent chicken meal, fried okra is what you need as a perfect veggie. Together, these two crispy tastes will blow your mind.
No one objects to the idea that French fries are the classic side dishes to fried chicken. True, but you should try them with these spices this time; sprinkle it with black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. See how it tastes!
Green salad is a versatile accompaniment for many meals, green salad offers the best side dish to any meaty feast. Put whatever mint and leafy vegetables you find in your garden. Green salads will make super healthy fried chicken side dishes.
Made from cornmeal batter, perfectly fried hush puppies make a perfect side dish to your fried chicken. These hush puppies will bring a sweet and salty taste to your mealtime. It is easy to prepare using the same oil after you’re done with your fried chicken.
A plate of summer salad with cucumbers, tomato, and preferably red onions will bring excellent balance to your fried chicken. You may choose to lightly coat your delicious tomato & cucumber salad with olive oil and local tangy vinegar.
Beans are nutritious cookouts; they will also make perfect fried chicken side dishes. This time, try perfectly baked beans with your delicious fried chicken. Besides, you won’t need too much because beans will be enough to fill you up with your main dish.
Potatoes of any type go very well with fried chicken. This time, try boiling them for a healthier side dish. Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes will make a perfect dip for your chicken tenders, as well.
Creamed corn will bring additional taste to your dinner. As it can be seasoned with hundreds of different spices, you can catch the perfect flavor alongside your fried chicken. Put black pepper, cayenne, salt, and sugar; add more seasoning to your personal preference.
You can prepare many types of biscuits to go with your crispy fried chicken. A tray of hot buttermilk biscuits is my favorite. You will be thrilled by the amazing smell of this perfect side dish; children will love it.
16 Side Dishes for Fried Chicken
Fried chicken side dishes, from mashed potatoes to fried okra, are the best way of improving your chicken feast. Try at home or eat outside to have a full taste of this delicacy, you will need extra flavor to the perfect crunch.
Fried chicken is the most popular way of enjoying the perfect chicken. The crispy exterior and tender, juicy inner part make it the number one delicacy everyone craves. Whether as a snack or a proper meal, we adore this finger-licking food any time, day or night.
For many households, fried chicken makes a privileged dinner when accompanied by the suitable side dishes. You can pick plenty of different tastes to enrich your chicken menu. Easy-to-prepare, ultimate comfort fried chicken side dishes will turn your mealtime into a true feast.
5 Steps To The Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken
FAQ
What goes well with southern fried chicken?
What to Eat With Fried Chicken?Sweet Potatoes. Next time, you have to try sweet potatoes if you are looking for the perfect side dishes that go well with your fried chicken. Macaroni Salad. Cornbread. Potato Salad. French Fries. Green Salad. Summer Salad. Baked Beans.
What can you put with southern fried chicken?
40 Delicious Side Dishes For Fried Chicken01 of 40. Carrot Raisin Salad. Credit: . 02 of 40. Cucumber And Vidalia Onion Salad. 03 of 40. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. 04 of 40. Sweet Potato-And-Cabbage Slaw. 05 of 40. Creamed String Beans. 06 of 40. Summer Squash Skillet. 07 of 40. Corn And Tomato Salad. 08 of 40. Pimiento Cheese Cornbread.
What are the best fried chicken sides for dinner?
When you have fried chicken for dinner, the sides are just as important as the chicken itself (you can’t just eat fried chicken!). There are Southern-style buttermilk biscuits and creamy mashed potatoes among these fried chicken sides that are sure to be a hit with everyone.
What to serve with fried chicken?
Sweet grapes and a cool, creamy dressing make it a good choice to pair with fried chicken. After preparing a batch of fried chicken, an easy side dish is what you’ll want. Make this simple and flavorful tomato salad in just 15 minutes. This is our favorite side dish to pair with fried chicken when serving it at a picnic or backyard barbecue.
Are fried chicken tenders a good side dish?
Many people in the South love fried chicken, but people all over the country enjoy this popular dish. Side dishes for fried chicken work for fried chicken tenders, too, or even baked chicken tenders or baked chicken. This list of side dishes is great for any meal you’re serving.
What dessert goes with fried chicken?
It wouldn’t be a southern dinner without a classic southern dessert to go with it. Serve up a warm side of peach cobbler with a scoop of ice cream on the side to round out the perfect fried chicken meal. The flaky crust, peach filling, and crumble topping make this dessert irresistible to anyone with a plate of chicken.
What goes well with fried chicken wings?
Fresh, crunchy side dishes like cucumber salad, cabbage and apple slaw, and grilled corn on the cob are a must! They balance out the richness of fried chicken perfectly. If you like a bit of heat, cucumber kimchi is crunchy, spicy, and refreshing — and it pairs so well with Korean fried chicken wings!
What to eat with fried chicken & mashed potatoes?
It’s always a hit. Tender green beans with bacon are a delicious Southern-inspired side dish that partners beautifully with fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The savory broth is touched with bacon, shallots, and just a hint of crushed red pepper.