30 Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Chicken
30 Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Chicken
Read Time: 13 mins
30 Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Chicken
up crisp every time
up crisp every time. 3/30 Creamy Coleslaw 139 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For me, this is the best coleslaw recipe because a package of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts down on prep time. This coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois Want to know the secret to making homemade coleslaw quick? Pick up a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots (or, almost as fast, use a food processor). The
creamy, tangy dressing is the perfect balance to savory fried chicken
creamy, tangy dressing is the perfect balance to savory fried chicken. 4/30 Cherry Tomato Salad 27 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe evolved from a need to use the bumper crops of delicious cherry tomatoes we grow. It’s one of my favorite cherry tomato recipes, especially at cookouts. —Sally Sibley, St. Augustine, Florida Sweet-tart cherry tomatoes are delicious fresh from the vine in the summer, but they’re also pretty reliable from the store all year round. This bright, herby recipe is
a great way to liven up a fried chicken dinner
a great way to liven up a fried chicken dinner. 5/30 Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 107 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese. It’s saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you’ll be hooked. —Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia Serve up a restaurant-worthy meal by pairing delicious fried chicken with creamy mac and cheese. The cheesy, saucy side dish is a nice textural contrast to
the crunchy chicken
the crunchy chicken. 6/30 Mexican Street Corn Bake 21 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Mexican Street Corn Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We discovered Mexican street corn at a festival. This easy one-pan version saves on prep and cleanup. Every August I freeze a lot of our own fresh sweet corn and then I use that in this recipe, but store-bought corn works just as well. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas Since fried chicken is usually lightly spiced, it pairs well with all kinds
of cuisines
of cuisines. Give it a Southwestern slant by serving this Mexican street food-inspired corn. Though the flavors are complex, the corn comes together easily in one pan. 7/30 Vibrant Black-Eyed Pea Salad 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My black-eyed pea salad reminds me of a Southern cooking class my husband and I took while visiting Savannah, Georgia. People go nuts for it at picnics and potlucks. —Danielle Lee, Charleston, South Carolina Planning a picnic? Don’t skip this beloved southern side dish!
Make it ahead of time so the flavors have time to develop
Make it ahead of time so the flavors have time to develop. 8/30 Asian Coleslaw 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asian Slaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s an Asian slaw recipe without all the greasy mayonnaise. It’s well-liked by the people who’ve tried it. A bit of sugar mellows the tangy Asian coleslaw dressing. —Alta Goodman, Canton, South Dakota Fried chicken is a staple in many Asian cuisines, and the savory main dish tastes delicious with an Asian-spiced side dish. This recipe results in
Using pattypan squash is a creative twist
a mild, sweet, sesame-scented slaw, but you could spice it up by adding a dash of Sriracha or by sprinkling a bit of cayenne pepper into fried chicken breading. 9/30 Garlic-Herb Pattypan Squash 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. Using pattypan squash is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas Round, knubby little pattypan squash is a fun summer veggie that cooks up quickly. If
you can’t find any, swap in small zucchini or another summer squash
you can’t find any, swap in small zucchini or another summer squash. 10/30 Barley Corn Salad 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A terrific alternative to pasta salad, this colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to corn, barley, and red and green peppers. Bring it to your next get-together and see how fast it disappears! —Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas Love pasta salad but not the soggy noodles? Try this delightful, versatile salad, where whole grain barley takes the place
If you’re eating gluten-free, try whole buckwheat, sorghum or brown rice
of pasta. If you’re eating gluten-free, try whole buckwheat, sorghum or brown rice. 11/30 Crispy Smashed Potatoes 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Golden brown and buttery, these crispy smashed potatoes live up to their tantalizing name. A sprinkle of fresh herbs when they’re hot out of the oven maximizes the flavor…and the pretty. —Althea Dye, Howard, Ohio Both crispy and crunchy, these potatoes match perfectly with fried chicken. After a quick boil to tenderize the taters, they roast in the oven, making them
a fairly hands-free side
a fairly hands-free side. 12/30 Bacon Collard Greens 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often made with smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida Bitter, vitamin-rich collard greens transform into a silky side in this classic recipe. After sauteing onions and bacon until they’re taking on color, collard greens stew in broth till completely tender. 13/30 Traditional Mashed Potatoes 4 Reviews
This classic fried chicken side is especially comforting in the winter
Test Kitchen Approved Mashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings (about 4-1/2 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mashed potatoes make a wonderful accompaniment to most any meal, so keep this recipe handy. Cozy, creamy mashed potatoes are a delicious counterbalance to crunchy fried chicken. This classic fried chicken side is especially comforting in the winter. 14/30 Sauteed Zucchini 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sauteed Zucchini Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I
plant many vegetables to use in cooking
plant many vegetables to use in cooking. Zucchini is among our favorites and usually grows in abundance. This zucchini stir-fry is always a hit at our house. —Deborah Elliot, Ridge Spring, South Carolina 15/30 Summer Orzo Salad 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Summer Orzo Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with
whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here!
whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Homemade biscuits are tough to beat. This top-rated recipe is packed with buttery flavor. You can also substitute store-bought biscuits for a speedy chicken side dish. 16/30 17/30 Cleo’s Potato Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom, Cleo Lightfoot, loved cooking all kinds of recipes, but her favorite meal was one she made when hosting backyard barbecues in the summer. She would make her famous ribs, baked beans
and this delicious potato salad
and this delicious potato salad. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Creamy potato salad might be our favorite hearty summer side ever! Stirring a dash of cider vinegar into the creamy potatoes makes the flavors pop. 18/30 Parmesan Potato Wedges 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Potato Wedges Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I recommend serving these Parmesan potato wedges alongside a salad for a light lunch or serving them as a side dish with a chicken or beef entree. —Beth Ask, Ulster, Pennsylvania One
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois Want to know the secret to making homemade coleslaw quick?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Danielle Lee, Charleston, South Carolina Planning a picnic?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas Love pasta salad but not the soggy noodles?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio Do you dip fried chicken in barbecue sauce?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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