7 Delicious Side Dishes To Pair With Oven-fried Chicken

Deep-fried chicken is very delicious, but it might be too greasy and unhealthy.

This is when the oven-fried chicken comes in as a perfect solution.

If you are looking for some quick and mouth-watering side dishes for your oven-fried chicken, don’t miss our article as you will find some easy-to-make and good accompaniments to serve with your next batch of crispy oven-fried chicken.

Let’s check it out!

What is oven-fried chicken?

Oven-fried chicken is just like fried chicken, but instead of being deep-fried in oil on the stovetop, it is cooked in the oven.

By baking the chicken in the oven, you can reduce the amount of fat and calories while still enjoying crispy, golden crust and juicy pieces of chicken.

You can opt for different cuts of chicken, from chicken breast to chicken wings or thighs, either boneless or bone-in, skinless or skin-on.

The chicken should be coated in a thin layer of flour or seasoned batter to achieve a crispier crust.

Oven-fried chicken can be served as the main course of any meal of the day, as an appetizer, or even a snack.

What to consider when choosing an oven-fried chicken’s side dish?

Oven-fried chicken is a succulent and satisfying dish that pairs well with different side dishes.

But how do you know that a side dish will work perfectly with your pieces of oven-fried chicken?

Here are some things to consider whenever you want to choose a side dish for oven-fried chicken:

Determine the meal of the day that you are going to serve your oven-fried chicken

The meal that consists of oven-fried chicken can decide what you should serve with the main dish.

If you have your fried chicken for dinner, it is better to pair it with a light side dish like a salad or roasted vegetables.

On the other hand, a heavier accompaniment will be more suitable for lunch.

Consider the flavor profile of your side dish

Do you prefer a savory taste or sweet taste in your side dish when paired with oven-fried chicken?

Since the main chicken dish works with both a savory and sweet side dish, it all depends on your preference to opt for the right recipe.

7 best side dishes to serve with oven-fried chicken

In general, a side dish that works with a classic crispy deep-fried chicken dish will also pair well with oven-fried chicken.

All are easy to make and have a delicious flavor.

1.     Mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is a hearty side dish that is sure to satisfy your hunger.

This simple dish calls for cooked macaroni pasta that is topped with a cheddar cheese sauce to create a rich and creamy taste.

A meal with mac and cheese and oven-fried chicken is extremely suitable to boost your mood whenever you feel hungry and upset.

2.     Mashed potatoes

Another classic side dish to serve with your oven-fried chicken is mashed potatoes.

This filling side dish is great to pair with different meat-based dishes, especially chicken and beef.

There are many recipes for mashed potatoes with some twists on the ingredients added besides mashed boiled potatoes and milk.

3.     French fries

Another way to cook potatoes to serve with oven-fried chicken is by frying them.

You can opt for French fries that are made in the oven at the same time as chicken to save cooking time as well as cut down some fat intake from the deep-frying method.

4.     Coleslaw

You can also serve your oven-fried chicken with coleslaw.

Coleslaw is a simple but delicious salad that is made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and mayonnaise.

It delivers a slightly creamy and refreshing taste that is perfect to offset fried chicken.

5.     Cornbread

Cornbread is another favorite side dish to accompany the oven-fried chicken.

Cornbread is a kind of bread that is easiest to make, and it also calls for inexpensive ingredients.

It should have a nice golden and a bit crispy crust with a soft but dense texture inside.

6.     Biscuits

Since crispy fried chicken is a Southern staple, there is no reason why we shouldn’t pair it with another classic Southern side dish, such as biscuits.

Buttermilk biscuits are among many people’s favorites.

They are easy to make and very satisfying to enjoy with crispy oven-fried chicken.

7.     Roasted vegetables

Another healthy and vegan side dish to accompany your oven-fried chicken is roasted vegetables.

You can opt for potatoes, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, or squash for roasting to achieve the most delicious dish without any fuss or breaking the budget.

Roasted vegetables help add nutrients to your meal and balance the meaty and savory taste of the main chicken dish.

The bottom line

The traditional deep-frying method can be a messy process that wastes oil and makes the fried chicken greasy.

Frying your chicken in the oven can help achieve moist and tender meat without all those extra calories from oil.

Moreover, you can even make this dish more hearty with our aforementioned side dishes.

From a classic Southern side like buttermilk biscuits or cornbread to a lighter and healthier companion like coleslaw, you can find some that best suit your taste buds.