Fried chicken, with its crispy, golden exterior, and juicy, flavorful interior, is a beloved dish that has captured hearts worldwide. But no fried chicken feast is complete without the perfect side dishes to complement its savory goodness. From classic comfort foods to lighter, refreshing options, we’ve compiled a list of 13 delectable side dishes that will take your fried chicken meal to the next level. Whether you’re hosting a picnic, a family dinner, or simply craving some mouthwatering fried chicken, these sides are here to add a delightful twist to your culinary experience. So, let’s dive into a world of flavors and textures that pair perfectly with this iconic dish.
Must-Try Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a beloved classic that’s loved for its crispy, flavorful exterior and tender meat. To complement the deliciousness of fried chicken, you need equally enticing side dishes that bring a variety of flavors and textures to the table. Whether you’re planning a family meal or a gathering with friends, these 10 side dishes are sure to enhance your fried chicken feast:
1. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes stand as the ultimate comfort food, offering a silky texture that pairs flawlessly with the crispy crunch of fried chicken. This classic combination creates a delightful contrast in every bite, embodying the essence of Southern comfort cuisine. Whether relished at a holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, this duo captures the heartiness of traditional Southern dishes while adding a layer of comforting indulgence to your meal.
It’s a timeless match that celebrates the art of comfort food, ensuring that each mouthful is a journey into the world of culinary satisfaction and pure comfort. The buttery richness of the mashed potatoes complements the savory and crispy fried chicken, creating a memorable culinary experience that leaves a lasting impression.
2. Biscuits
The inclusion of fluffy and warm biscuits as a classic side dish adds a comforting touch of homestyle goodness to your fried chicken meal. These biscuits, when served with a generous spread of butter or honey, bring an extra layer of flavor to the dining experience. The combination of these soft and slightly crumbly biscuits with the crispy and savory fried chicken creates a delectable contrast that embodies the heart of Southern comfort food.
Whether relished at a family gathering or a cozy dinner, this pairing captures the essence of traditional Southern cuisine while infusing it with a touch of homemade warmth. It’s a timeless match that celebrates tradition and culinary pleasure, ensuring every bite is a satisfying journey into the world of comfort and satisfaction.
Quick Link: 10 Impressive Benefits of Cherries for Overall Health
3. Cole Slaw
No fried chicken feast is complete without a refreshing coleslaw to provide the perfect balance to the richness of the main dish. The crisp and tangy cabbage in the slaw acts as a refreshing counterpart to the savory and crispy chicken, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that elevates the entire meal. This classic pairing captures the essence of Southern comfort food, where contrasts come together to offer a well-rounded culinary experience.
Whether enjoyed at a summer picnic or a cozy indoor dinner, coleslaw and fried chicken embody the heartiness of Southern cuisine while adding a touch of refreshing indulgence to your plate. It’s a timeless combination that celebrates tradition and culinary pleasure, ensuring that every bite is a refreshing journey into the world of comfort and satisfaction.
4. Cornbread
Sweet and crumbly cornbread, a cherished Southern staple, brings a delightful touch of sweetness to your meal. The pairing of this slightly sweet cornbread with savory fried chicken forms a culinary partnership that can only be described as a match made in heaven. The crumbly texture and mild sweetness of the cornbread provide a harmonious contrast to the crispy and savory fried chicken, creating a dynamic and unforgettable flavor experience.
Whether you’re savoring it at a festive gathering or a casual family dinner, this classic combination embodies the heartwarming traditions of Southern cuisine while adding a layer of pure indulgence to your culinary adventure. It’s a timeless duo that celebrates the art of comfort food, ensuring every bite is a journey into the world of culinary satisfaction and Southern delight.
5. Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese stands as the epitome of comfort food, where its rich and cheesy goodness adds a layer of sublime satisfaction to your fried chicken experience. This classic pairing creates a delightful contrast, with the crispy exterior of the fried chicken perfectly complemented by the indulgent creaminess of the mac and cheese. The combination embodies the essence of comfort, offering a comforting embrace of flavors and textures.
Whether served at a family gathering or a relaxed evening meal, this duo encapsulates the heartiness of Southern cuisine while adding an element of pure indulgence to your plate. It’s a timeless match that celebrates tradition and culinary pleasure, ensuring that every bite is a delightful journey into the world of comfort and satisfaction.
6. Corn on the Cob
The addition of grilled or boiled corn on the cob introduces a natural sweetness and satisfying crunch to your fried chicken feast. This classic pairing takes on a new level of deliciousness when seasoned with a luxurious blend of butter and fragrant herbs, creating a truly delightful experience for the taste buds. The combination of tender, juicy corn and crispy fried chicken brings a dynamic contrast to the meal, elevating its overall enjoyment. Whether enjoyed at a summertime barbecue or a cozy indoor dinner, this duo captures the essence of Southern comfort food while infusing it with a touch of culinary artistry. It’s a testament to the magic that happens when fresh, seasonal ingredients come together in perfect harmony, offering a taste of tradition with a delectable twist that lingers long after the last bite.
7. Collard Greens
The addition of slow-cooked collard greens to your meal introduces a hearty and robust side dish that perfectly complements the crispy texture of fried chicken. With their earthy and slightly bitter flavor profile, collard greens bring a layer of depth and complexity to the dining experience. This dynamic pairing is a testament to the art of Southern cooking, where contrasting flavors and textures harmonize to create a memorable feast.
Whether relished at a festive gathering or a cozy family dinner, the combination of collard greens and fried chicken offers a true taste of the South, delivering a symphony of tastes and textures that satisfy both the palate and the soul. It’s a culinary journey that celebrates tradition and comfort while providing a unique and memorable twist to your Southern-inspired meal.
8. Baked Beans
Introducing sweet and smoky baked beans to your fried chicken feast imparts a delightful touch of barbecue-infused flair. This harmonious fusion of flavors adds a dynamic and deeply satisfying dimension to your culinary journey. The inherent sweetness of the beans, complemented by the smoky undertones, creates a flavor profile that perfectly complements the crispy and savory fried chicken. This delightful combination captures the essence of a barbecue-inspired Southern feast, where each bite resonates with a medley of tastes and textures.
Whether you’re enjoying it at a summertime picnic or a cozy indoor dinner, the sweet and smoky baked beans and fried chicken promise an unforgettable culinary experience. It’s a duo that celebrates the heartiness of Southern comfort food while adding a unique and memorable twist to your meal.
9. Fried Okra
A Southern classic, crispy fried okra, proves to be an exceptional companion to fried chicken. The okra’s satisfying crunch introduces an exciting dimension to the meal, elevating its overall appeal. The delightful pairing of these two fried favorites is a testament to the South’s culinary prowess, combining textures and flavors that create a symphony of taste. Whether you’re relishing this duo at a family gathering or savoring it on a cozy evening, the crispy okra and fried chicken promise a mouthwatering experience that’s difficult to resist.
10. Potato Salad
A creamy potato salad, adorned with fresh herbs and a zesty dressing, offers a refreshing and substantial side dish. Its cool and luscious quality creates a delightful counterpoint to the hot and crunchy fried chicken. This harmonious pairing balances the meal with the comforting creaminess of the potato salad, enhancing the overall dining experience. Whether served at a picnic, family gathering, or any occasion, this combination is a testament to the art of culinary harmony, where textures and flavors come together in perfect sync. Indulging in this classic duo provides a truly satisfying feast that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
You may Also Like: 9 Quick Tips for a Healthier Quesadilla Without Sacrificing Flavor
11. Yellow Squash Casserole
This dish combines the tenderness of squash, the gooey richness of cheese, and the satisfying crunch of crackers, creating a truly unforgettable side dish or a hearty main course. What’s remarkable is that this culinary delight can easily be prepared with low-fat ingredients without sacrificing its deliciousness. Moreover, it offers versatility in ingredients – yellow squash can be swapped for zucchini, and traditional crackers can be replaced with cornflakes.
These options make it a perfect choice for a summertime side dish, ensuring that your meal is not only scrumptious but also adaptable to your taste and dietary preferences.
12. Slow-Cooked Green Beans
A satisfied reviewer, the cooky girl, exclaimed, “I followed the recipe to the letter, and it resulted in absolutely delectable, melt-in-your-mouth Southern green beans.” The chef recommends a delightful twist – dipping cornbread into those flavorful juices. Combining this with some crispy fried chicken creates the quintessential Southern meal, a harmonious symphony of flavors that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of the South. It’s a soul-soothing experience that captures the essence of Southern comfort food. So, if you’re seeking an authentic taste of the South, these green beans, when paired with cornbread and fried chicken, promise to deliver a heartwarming Southern feast that’s second to none.
13. Hush Puppies
Much like fried chicken, hush puppies are a beloved Southern classic, deep-fried to crispy perfection, and their harmonious pairing is nothing short of irresistible. While their indulgence might be considered sinful, their taste is undoubtedly captivating.
Delving into a bit of delightful trivia, legend has it that these delectable cornmeal balls earned their name from a clever cook’s attempt to silence some barking dogs. While the authenticity of the tale remains unverified, one thing is certain: hush puppies are a mouthwatering delight. Their crunchy exterior and soft, flavorful interior make them a beloved companion to Southern dishes. So, whether you’re enjoying them for their legendary history or their sheer deliciousness, hush puppies are a Southern tradition that continues to delight taste buds.
Bottom Line
In the world of culinary delights, fried chicken stands as a timeless favorite. But as our list of 13 tantalizing side dishes has shown, the accompaniments can elevate this classic meal to new heights. From indulgent mac and cheese to zesty coleslaw and refreshing cucumber salad, the variety of choices ensures there’s something for everyone. So, the next time you savor some crispy fried chicken, don’t forget to pair it with one of these delectable sides to create a perfect harmony of tastes and textures. Your taste buds will thank you!
FAQs
We’ve included a few lighter options in our list, such as a fresh fruit salad and grilled vegetables, that can balance the indulgence of fried chicken with healthier choices.
Yes, we’ve considered vegetarians too! Dishes like creamy mashed potatoes and baked mac and cheese are perfect choices for those looking for meatless sides.
Absolutely! Many of these sides can be prepared ahead of time, making them convenient for picnics or potlucks. Just be sure to store and transport them appropriately.
If you’re craving a spicy kick, try our jalapeño cornbread or a tangy kimchi slaw. These sides will complement the heat of spicy fried chicken perfectly.