Name: 27+ BEST Sides for Fried Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound macaroni; 4 cups water; 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard; 1 teaspoon salt; 12 ounce can evaporated milk; 8 ounces Tillamook medium cheddar cheese (grated); ¾ cup parmesan cheese (grated); 2 Tablespoons butter; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; Salt and pepper (to taste)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Wondering what the best sides for fried chicken are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. From mac & cheese, to sauteed greens, and more!

From classics such as macaroni & cheese and baked beans to healthier options such as vinegar coleslaw (my personal favorite) and zucchini fries, there are so many side dishes for fried chicken.

So, let’s dig in!

Keep reading to discover 27+ easy recipe options!

Sides for Fried Chicken

These are some of my favorite fried chicken sides:

But the list goes on! Keep reading to find even more delicious recipes…

What to Serve with Fried Chicken

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

Get the RECIPE

This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with a secret ingredient plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead shot of bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter, next to bowl of sour cream.

These Easy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream are the most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever have. They're light, creamy, buttery and tangy and easy to make with the help of your stand mixer – No hand mashing required!

Get the RECIPE

Overhead shot of Mexican street corn salad in serving bowl.

This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.

Get the RECIPE

Serving spoon in bowl of tomato cucumber salad.

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Get the RECIPE

Bowl of cooked pinto beans flecked with cilantro.

Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.

Get the RECIPE

This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season.

Get the RECIPE

Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.

Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!

Get the RECIPE

Blistered shishito peppers served on a black plate with lemon wedges.

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead shot of Thai Cucumber Salad in green bowl with spoon next to bunch of cilantro.

This Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It's a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.

Get the RECIPE

Hawaiian coleslaw in white serving bowl.

Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

Get the RECIPE

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Get the RECIPE

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Get the RECIPE

CLOSE UP OF ROASTED SWEET POTATOES ON SERVING TRAY WITH SPOON.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.

Get the RECIPE

Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.

This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

Get the RECIPE

Pasta salad in bowl on wooden cutting board next to bowl of pepper flakes.

This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.

Get the RECIPE

Close up of green bean fries on baking sheet lined with parchment.

Crispy parmesan Green Bean Fries are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included.

Get the RECIPE

Close up of baked potato with sour cream, cheese and bacon.

Learn how to make perfect slow cooker baked potatoes with minimal effort. Just season the potatoes with a bit of olive oil and salt, wrap in foil, and cook in the crockpot. Serve them with your favorite toppings like cheese and sour cream, or chili. Or, host a Baked Potato Bar.

Get the RECIPE

Fennel salad with chickpeas in white bowl.

This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.

Get the RECIPE

These are the BEST Glazed Carrots – Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned, and perfectly glazed. These carrots make an amazing side dish that both kids and adults can’t get enough of!

Get the RECIPE

Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.

This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

Get the RECIPE

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad recipe combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing. It's a perfect make-ahead salad recipe! | platingsandpairings.com

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

Get the RECIPE

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.

This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.

Get the RECIPE

Overhead close up of bowl of grilled potato salad.

Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious!

Get the RECIPE

More Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Fried Chicken Sides?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sides for fried chicken. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.