Food Guide

Deliciously Crispy: Discover the Perfect Side Dish for Fried Chicken

Emily Wong is an Asian-American food writer the founder of Cookindocs.com. With nearly 8 years of experience, she has a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with food. Emily's vision for Cookindocs.com is to create a community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing their experiences with others. Read my story

What To Know

  • Fried chicken refers to a cut of chicken (like chicken breast, drumstick, thigh, or wing) that can be either skin-on or skinless, bone-in or boneless that is coated in a seasoned batter and deep-fried until it is crispy and golden on the outside and juicy and tender inside.
  • So when choosing a side dish for this delicacy, it is best to determine what meal you are going to serve fried chicken to make the most proper choice.

Fried chicken is a classic Southern dish that doesn’t need much to make it taste good.

But in case you want something more than just the crispy and juicy chicken, what do you serve with fried chicken?

In this post, we will explore different options for side dishes to pair with your favorite food.

So grab some paper and a pen, and get ready to take notes!

You might find some new ideas for dinner tonight or the next time you are hosting friends over for the game night.

What is fried chicken?

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Fried chicken is one of the most popular dishes in the world that can be found in any cuisine without any fuss.

It originated in the southern cuisine of America but has become a favorite of all ages all over the world over time.

Fried chicken refers to a cut of chicken (like chicken breast, drumstick, thigh, or wing) that can be either skin-on or skinless, bone-in or boneless that is coated in a seasoned batter and deep-fried until it is crispy and golden on the outside and juicy and tender inside.

This dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even a snack.

It is served in most fast-food chains or can be made at home.

Traditionally, chicken is fried in a generous amount of oil in the pan on the stovetop.

However, today, people can achieve this dish with an air-fryer to cut down some excess oil.

What to consider when choosing a fried chicken’s side dish?

There are endless side dishes that can be served with fried chicken, but it doesn’t mean that any random side dish can work well with your crispy and juicy chicken.

Here we provide some tips on how to make the perfect pairing.

So, whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, read on for some advice on how to create a delicious and harmonious meal:

Fried chicken goes well with other comfort foods if you want a trick meal

Fried chicken often comes with other comfort foods like fried potatoes (French fries), burgers, or cheese sticks in most fast-food restaurants.

Although these options are not healthy to consume for the long term, they create a truly trick meal if you are in the mood for something unhealthy but satisfying occasionally.

A vegetable-based dish will be a healthier option to serve with fried chicken

For those who are looking for a side dish that can offset the greasy taste of fried dishes like fried chicken, a vegetable-based dish is an answer.

There are many side dishes that are made from or contain vegetables as one ingredient for you to choose from, such as a salad, soup, or stir-fry.

The green color of vegetables can also make your meal more appealing when paired with golden crispy fried chicken.

Consider if you want to serve fried chicken at what meal of the day

Fried chicken can work as different meals at any time of the day.

So when choosing a side dish for this delicacy, it is best to determine what meal you are going to serve fried chicken to make the most proper choice.

For example, fried chicken for dinner should come with a light accompaniment like salads or French fries instead of mac and cheese or cornbread.

What goes with fried chicken? 7 best side dishes to serve with fried chicken

Here are the seven side dishes that are favored by many people to serve with fried chicken:

1.     French fries

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French fries are the most classic dish to pair with any meat-based dish.

These little crispy sticks have a slightly sweet flavor of potatoes and a salty taste from the spices used in the recipe.

They are perfect for a light meal but still keep you full for a while.

2.     Mashed potatoes

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Another potato-based dish to serve with fried chicken is mashed potatoes.

This is one of the iconic foods in American cuisine.

Mashed potatoes are easy and quick to make, and they are packed with essential nutrients as well as delicious flavor.

3.     Cornbread

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You can also try serving cornbread with fried chicken if you want to be fuller.

Cornbread is one of the easiest kinds of bread and it can be done with ease from the most inexpensive ingredient, corn.

4.     Baked beans

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A plate of baked beans can warm your stomach and your soul with its earthy and sweet flavor.

Baked beans also pair well with fried chicken, but this dish takes a while to cook.

So you better prepare it before having your chicken fried.

5.     Mac and cheese

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Mac and cheese are a perfect couple to serve with some comfort foods, ideally fried chicken.

Mac and cheese are cheesy and can help you fill your empty stomach with a rich and creamy flavor.

Therefore, this combination should be served when you are really hungry and in day time instead of late at night.

6.     Biscuits

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Biscuits are a Southern staple that pairs well with fried chicken.

Buttermilk biscuits are the most classic recipe when it comes to making a traditional batch of biscuits to serve with fried chicken.

But you have a lot more flavor to opt for too.

7.     Salad

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Last but not least, a bowl of salad can balance the greasy taste of fried chicken, and it will make you feel less guilty when eating a dish that is high in fat like this.

Salads are made from different kinds of vegetables with personal preferences.

This vegan side dish is easy to make, crunchy, refreshing, and very healthy.

The bottom line

There are plenty of side dishes that can go well with fried chicken, but we have picked the seven most common and classic accompaniments to serve alongside the Southern staple.

With so many options, we know how hard it is to choose the best side dish for fried chicken.

Therefore, just take your time and try these suggestions one by one every time you have fried chicken on your diet, then you can figure out what you like the most.

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Emily W.

Emily Wong is an Asian-American food writer the founder of Cookindocs.com. With nearly 8 years of experience, she has a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with food. Emily's vision for Cookindocs.com is to create a community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing their experiences with others. Read my story
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