We're diving into the ultimate soul-soothing experience - fried chicken! There's just something magical about the crispy, juicy goodness that brings a smile to our faces and warmth to our hearts. But let's not forget, no main meal is complete without the perfect sides. So, get ready to explore the best sides to go with fried chicken!
Fried Chicken: Ultimate Comfort Food
Fried chicken is the epitome of comfort food for a myriad of reasons. Its crispy, crunchy texture paired with tender, juicy meat creates a satisfying contrast that appeals to our senses.
Beyond taste, fried chicken brings a flood of nostalgia, reminding us of cherished memories and loved ones. As a versatile dish enjoyed in various ways and deeply ingrained in cultural cuisines, it fosters a sense of connection and belonging.
Whether it's a shared meal or a special treat, fried chicken's presence in home-cooked meals adds an extra layer of comfort, making it the ultimate soul-soothing comfort food.
What Goes With Fried Chicken?
When looking for the perfect pairing sides for fried chicken, several factors come into play to enhance the overall dining experience.
- Firstly, consider the textural contrast – fried chicken's crispy exterior calls for a side that complements it with a different texture, such as creamy mashed potatoes or buttery cornbread.
- Secondly, balancing flavors is essential – a side with tangy or zesty notes like coleslaw can cut through the richness of fried chicken, creating a harmonious taste profile.
- Additionally, cultural compatibility is worth exploring – certain cuisines have traditional sides that naturally complement fried chicken, like biscuits in Southern American cuisine or macaroni salad in Filipino cuisine.
- Lastly, consider the occasion and preferences of your guests – for a lighter option, cucumber salad or refreshing watermelon can be ideal, while for indulgence, macaroni and cheese or honey butter cornbread muffins can provide an extra level of satisfaction.
Best Sides With Fried Chicken
Here is a tasty lineup of our favorite sides that go with fried chicken, from comforting mashed potatoes and gravy to refreshing salads and sweetened cornbread.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are like a warm, velvety hug in a bowl. Their smooth and buttery texture perfectly complements the crunchy exterior of fried chicken, creating a divine contrast. The rich and comforting flavors of these spuds harmonize splendidly with the savory goodness of the chicken, leaving you yearning for more.
We love this recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Get the recipe here
We love this recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Buttery Cornbread
Ah, cornbread! Golden, crumbly, and infused with a touch of sweetness, it's a side that makes fried chicken sing with joy. The nutty cornmeal flavors playfully dance alongside the chicken's savory notes, resulting in a delightful harmony of tastes. We love this recipe from Norine's Nest. It goes with friend chicken as well as winter soups, salads and BBQ!
Get the recipe here
Tangy Coleslaw
Let's not forget about the tangy, crunchy goodness of coleslaw! This refreshing side cuts through the richness of fried chicken, offering a burst of zesty flavor with every bite. The cool and creamy cabbage-based goodness is the perfect yin to fried chicken's yang. We love this recipe from Bare FeetIn The Kitchen.
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Fluffy Biscuits
Biscuits and fried chicken are a classic pairing that simply never gets old. The tender, flaky biscuits soak up all the delicious chicken juices, adding a layer of pure delight to each mouthful. Trust us; one bite of this duo will have you floating on a cloud of comfort.We love this recipe for homemade biscuits from NatashasKitchen.com, they are super soft and quick and easy to make with just 6 ingredients.
Get the recipe here
Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese - the epitome of comfort food! This velvety, cheesy delight is the ultimate companion for fried chicken. The combination of crispy, succulent chicken with creamy, cheesy pasta creates a flavor explosion that'll transport you to culinary heaven. Enjoy Patti LaBelle’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe from Insanely Good Recipes. Patti LaBelle is not just an award-winning singer, she’s a pretty impressive home cook, as well.
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Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Add a touch of sweetness to your meal with skillet corn with honey and butter. This subtly sweet goodness complements fried chicken in a way that'll have you licking your fingers clean. Plus, it's quick and easy to make using fresh or frozen corn.
Get the recipe here
Refreshing Cucumber Salad
For those looking for a light and refreshing option, cucumber salad is the answer! The cool and crisp cucumber slices, combined with a tangy dressing, provide a palate-cleansing balance to the richness of fried chicken.This recipe is sweet, savory, and just a little bit spicy from Table For Two. We love how simple and no fuss this recipe is to pull together.
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Watermelon, Feta, And Mint Salad
For another light and refreshing option, try a watermelon feta salad. The juicy sweetness of watermelon harmonizes with the tangy saltiness of feta cheese, providing a burst of flavors that beautifully complements the richness of fried chicken. We love how fresh basil and mint makes it taste especially bright in this version from Alexandra’s Kitchen.
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Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Add some grilled veggies to your plate with vegetable skewers. The smoky, charred flavors of bell peppers, zucchini, and onions provide a fresh contrast to the fried chicken. We enjoyed The Forked Spoons idea of drizzled tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed fresh garlic herb sauce.
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Classic Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, garlicky croutons, and tangy dressing is a refreshing option that pairs well with the richness of fried chicken. We love how Jessica Gavin adds briny salt-cured anchovies to add a characteristic flavor to her salad, using eggs to create the perfect emulsion for the dressing. Then just top off with aged Parmesan cheese.
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Sweet and Spicy Slaw
Kick up the flavor with a sweet and spicy slaw! The combination of crunchy cabbage, carrots, and a zesty dressing adds a delightful kick to your fried chicken experience.This Rainbow Slaw from Clean Food Crush is a creative chopped salad idea. We love that it's full of color to keep things fun and interesting at the dinner table.
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Soulful Collard Greens
Bring a touch of Southern charm to your fried chicken feast with these collard greens from Curbing Carbs. These tender greens, simmered with flavorful spices and perhaps a hint of smoky turkey or bacon, provide a comforting and wholesome accompaniment.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Take the fries game up a notch with sweet potato fries! Their natural sweetness complements the savory fried chicken perfectly, creating a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Learn how to make CRISPY sweet potato fries in the oven from Chew Out Loud.
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Classic Baked Beans
Add a dose of nostalgia to your meal with classic baked beans. Their hearty and smoky profile pairs amazingly well with fried chicken, making it feel like a picnic on a plate. We love how easy Stay Snatched makes this classic dish with canned beans, bacon, and your favorite BBQ sauce.
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Southern Biscuit Gravy
Take your biscuits to the next level by smothering them in rich, creamy Southern-style gravy. The combination of this savory goodness with fried chicken will have your taste buds doing a happy dance with everyone at Erhardts Eat.
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Waffles
Fried chicken and waffles - a match made in culinary heaven! The combination of crispy, savory chicken with fluffy, slightly sweet waffles drizzled with maple syrup creates an unforgettable fusion of flavors that's both comforting and indulgent. We love making the mornings special with these sweet milk waffles are the perfect weekend breakfast or brunch treat from Recipe Girl.
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Fried Okra
Crispy, crunchy, and oh-so-addictive, fried okra makes for a fantastic sidekick to fried chicken. The mild, earthy flavor of okra complements the chicken's boldness, making it a match made in comfort food heaven.We love how House of Nash Eats seasons crisp cornmeal coating on the outside of each poppable bite then fried until golden brown and crispy.
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Red Beans and Rice
A hearty and satisfying side, red beans and rice bring a touch of New Orleans flair to your fried chicken feast. The combination of tender beans and fluffy rice perfectly balances the indulgence of fried chicken. Kitschen Cat uses a pressure cooker to created this vegetarian dump and eat dinner. We love that there is no need to soak the beans ahead of time, everything is done in 90 minutes!
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Classic Wedge Salad
The cool and refreshing crunch of the lettuce complements the crispy texture of fried chicken, while the creamy and tangy ranch dressing adds a delightful flavor contrast. You can add cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon, blue cheese crumbles or chives as seen in this recipe version of The Modern Proper that adds so much flavor to something ordinary.
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Garlic Butter Green Beans
Add a touch of elegance to your meal with garlic butter green beans. The subtle garlic notes and the richness of butter, from Peters Food Adventures, enhance the overall dining experience when paired with the crispy goodness of fried chicken.
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Classic Potato Salad
A timeless favorite, classic potato salad offers a refreshing side option. The creamy potatoes, crunchy veggies, and tangy dressing create a delightful contrast to the savory fried chicken. We love how A Couple Cooks show how to start with the basics.
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Macaroni Salad
If you're a mac and cheese fan, you'll love its chilled cousin - macaroni salad! The creamy pasta goodness, combined with crunchy veggies, adds a refreshing twist to your fried chicken affair. We love the idea that The Cozy Cook suggest as an add-on options including ham, tuna, hard boiled eggs, and more.
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Sweet and Tangy Pickles
Balance out the richness of fried chicken with some sweet and tangy pickles on the side. The zesty flavors will keep your taste buds on their toes throughout the meal. We love anything homemade, so you can try to make these homemade pickles with this recipe from Notes of Bacon.
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Grilled Corn with Chili-Lime Butter
Transform corn on the cob into a gourmet delight by grilling it and slathering it with zesty chili-lime butter. The smoky, citrusy flavors complement the fried chicken in a tantalizing way. Aberdeen's Kitchen adds honey for a touch of sweetness that pulls the flavors together, which we love.
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Classic Deviled Eggs
Bring a nostalgic touch to your table with classic deviled eggs. The ultimate classic appetizer and finger food. These creamy, flavorful bites are the perfect bite-sized accompaniment to fried chicken. We love this recipe from Simply Delicious version because they add sour cream and a splash of pickle juice for extra creaminess and tang.
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There you have it - a lineup of the best dishes to elevate your fried chicken experience to new heights of satisfaction! Whether you're hosting a family gathering or simply treating yourself, these comforting eats are sure to leave you with a heart full of happiness and a belly full of joy. Happy munching!
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