Let’s be real – southern fried chicken is already amazing on its own. That crispy, golden-brown coating hiding juicy meat underneath? Pure heaven! But pairing it with the right sides can take your meal from good to “slap-yo-mama” delicious (as my grandma would say).
I’ve spent years perfecting my southern feast game, and today I’m sharing my top picks for what to eat with southern fried chicken. These sides ain’t just fillers – they’re crucial players in creating that perfect southern comfort meal that’ll have everyone at your table begging for seconds.
Classic Southern Sides for Fried Chicken
1. Buttermilk Biscuits
Nothing screams “southern feast” like fluffy buttermilk biscuits alongside your fried chicken. They’re perfect for soaking up gravy or just eating plain with a bit of butter.
My grandma always said the secret to perfect biscuits is leaving little chunks of cold fat (whether butter or lard) the size of peas when cutting the flour in. This creates those gorgeous flaky layers that make your heart sing.
2. Mac and Cheese
When it comes to starchy sides for fried chicken, mac and cheese is an absolute must-have. This ain’t the time for that boxed stuff either – we’re talking about real, creamy, cheesy goodness.
The best mac and cheese for fried chicken uses a combo of cheeses – sharp cheddar for flavor and something like Velveeta for that ultra-creamy texture. Baked with a golden, buttery top? Pure comfort food bliss!
3. Creamy Coleslaw
The cool, crisp crunch of coleslaw provides the perfect contrast to hot, crispy chicken. The tanginess cuts through the richness, cleansing your palate between bites.
I prefer mine with a creamy dressing, but you can also go for a vinegar-based version if you want something lighter Either way, it’s a southern classic that belongs on your fried chicken plate
4. Collard Greens
These leafy greens cooked low and slow with bacon and onions are a southern staple for good reason. They provide that perfect bitter contrast to balance out the richness of fried chicken.
The secret to amazing collards is in the “pot likker” – that flavorful broth that forms as they cook down with smoked meat. Some folks even like to dip their cornbread in it!
5. Cornbread
Speaking of cornbread – this sweet, crumbly side is another must-have with fried chicken. Whether you prefer it sweet with honey or more savory, it’s the perfect vehicle for sopping up any sauces or gravies.
Hot tip: bake it in a cast-iron skillet for that perfect crispy edge all around. Nothing beats that first corner piece!
Southern Veggie Sides for Fried Chicken
6. Fried Okra
Since you’ve already got the oil hot for your chicken, why not throw in some okra too? These little crispy bites coated in cornmeal are absolutely addictive.
The crunchy exterior gives way to that unique, slightly gooey center that okra lovers can’t get enough of. It’s basically the popcorn of southern side dishes!
7. Fried Green Tomatoes
Another southern classic that makes perfect use of that hot oil. Slices of unripe tomatoes coated in cornmeal and fried until golden brown are a tangy, crispy delight.
The contrast between the tart tomato and the crunchy coating is absolutely magical alongside fried chicken. Plus, they look mighty pretty on the plate!
8. Green Beans
Southern-style green beans ain’t your crisp-tender variety. These beans are cooked for a long time (sometimes 2+ hours!) with bacon or ham hocks until they’re super tender and infused with porky goodness.
The resulting beans are silky, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up the juices from your fried chicken. Pure comfort in a bowl!
9. Squash Casserole
Summer squash casserole is a southern classic that brings a touch of sweetness to balance out savory fried chicken. Yellow squash mixed with onions, cheese, and topped with crispy cracker crumbs is pure comfort food.
What I love about this dish is how the squash melts into creamy goodness while the topping provides that necessary textural contrast. It’s like a warm hug on your plate!
Starchy Sides for Fried Chicken
10. Mashed Potatoes
While not exclusively southern, creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing with fried chicken. Especially if you’ve got some gravy to pour over them!
The key to great mashed potatoes is not overworking them (makes ’em gluey) and adding plenty of butter and cream. Some folks add a touch of garlic or sour cream for extra flavor.
11. Potato Salad
A cold, creamy potato salad is especially perfect for summer fried chicken meals. The contrast between hot chicken and cold potatoes is mighty satisfying on a warm day.
My favorite version includes red potatoes (skin-on), hard-boiled eggs, a bit of mustard, and plenty of mayo. Don’t forget the dill pickles for that briny kick!
12. Baked Beans
Sweet and smoky baked beans bring a wonderful depth to your fried chicken plate. The combination of tender beans in that thick, molasses-sweet sauce just works perfectly.
Wanna take ’em up a notch? Add some crispy bacon on top. The smokiness complements the chicken beautifully, and that extra texture doesn’t hurt either!
13. Hush Puppies
These little balls of cornmeal batter fried until golden brown are a southern classic for a reason. Legend has it they got their name because cooks would toss them to barking dogs to “hush puppies” while they cooked.
Whether that story’s true or not, these crispy, slightly sweet fritters are the perfect finger food alongside fried chicken. I like mine with a touch of onion and jalapeño for extra flavor!
Fresh & Light Sides for Fried Chicken
14. Cucumber Salad
When you’re eating something as rich as fried chicken, sometimes you need something light and refreshing to balance things out. Enter: cucumber salad.
Thinly sliced cucumbers in a tangy vinegar dressing provide that perfect palate-cleansing quality. Plus, they’re super quick to make and can be prepared ahead of time!
15. Fresh Tomato Salad
During tomato season, there’s nothing better than a simple tomato salad alongside your fried chicken. Juicy, ripe tomatoes dressed simply with salt, pepper, a splash of vinegar, and maybe some fresh herbs.
The acidity and freshness of the tomatoes cuts through the richness of the fried chicken beautifully. It’s a seasonal pairing that’s hard to beat!
What About Dessert?
While not technically a side dish, no southern fried chicken meal is complete without something sweet to finish. Here are a couple classic options:
- Peach Cobbler: Sweet, juicy peaches topped with a flaky crust or crumble. Add vanilla ice cream for the full experience!
- Banana Pudding: Layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers. Let it sit for a bit so those cookies get soft and cake-like.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Southern Fried Chicken Meal
When planning your southern feast, keep these things in mind:
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Balance is key: Mix creamy sides with crunchy ones, and include something fresh or acidic to cut through the richness.
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Consider the season: Fresh corn and tomato salads in summer; heartier sides like mac and cheese in winter.
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Don’t overdo it: Pick 3-4 sides max for a regular meal. Save the full spread for special occasions!
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Prep ahead: Many southern sides taste even better the next day, so make them ahead to save time and enhance flavors.
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Temperature contrast: Serve something cold alongside your hot chicken – like coleslaw or potato salad.
My Go-To Combinations
For everyday meals, I typically stick to:
- Fried chicken + mac and cheese + collard greens
- Fried chicken + biscuits + cucumber salad
- Fried chicken + mashed potatoes + coleslaw
For special occasions or Sunday dinner:
- Fried chicken + biscuits + mac and cheese + collard greens + fried okra + peach cobbler
Wrapping It Up
Southern fried chicken is all about comfort, tradition, and bringing people together. The sides you choose can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable. Whether you go for the classics like mac and cheese and collard greens or mix it up with some fresh salads, the key is balance and quality ingredients.
What’s your favorite side to pair with fried chicken? I’m always looking to expand my southern feast repertoire!
Now excuse me while I go make some biscuits – all this talk about southern food has got my stomach growling something fierce!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- whole chicken (cut up) – you can just use your favorite cut of chicken here: breasts, thighs, wings, legs.
- salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder – this is the blend of seasonings I enjoy but feel free to use your favorite or use the copycat KFC seasoning blend above in the FAQ.
- buttermilk – I talk about this in more detail above in the Frequently Asked Question section. This really makes the meat so tender and keeps it from being dry. As I said above, there really is just no true substitute for buttermilk here. If you are in an absolute pinch, you can check out my post on How to Make Buttermilk (but seriously, try to use the real stuff here).
- hot sauce – this is optional but adds a nice little kick.
- cornstarch – this is what gives you that crispy skin so don’t skip it.
- peanut oil – this is my favorite oil to fry in since it isn’t going to take away flavor from the chicken (and its the less stinky kind of oil).
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN:
Place the cut up chicken in a large bowl. Add the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, toss to coat the chicken in the spices.
Add the buttermilk and hot sauce to the bowl, stir until everything is combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but it’s best if you can let it sit overnight.
In a medium-sized bowl add the flour, cornstarch, salt and black pepper.
Whisk this mixture together until completely combined.
Taking the chicken pieces one at a time, let the excess buttermilk drip off. Coat in the flour mixture, make sure the chicken is well coated. Shake off any excess. Set the chicken aside and let it sit for a few minutes until the coating starts to look a little pasty.
Fill up a deep fryer with peanut oil (or neutral frying oil of your choice) and preheat to 325°F. (If using a dutch oven or cast iron skillet, I would recommend preheating to 300°F – you may need to turn down the heat if you notice it getting too hot – cast iron holds heat very well so it is easy for it to get too hot so please monitor.) Carefully add the piece of chicken to the deep fryer. Fry until golden brown, turning every few minutes. You will need to fry in batches so you do not overcrowd the fryer.
Chicken is done when golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Depending on the size of the chicken, dark meat takes about 12-14 minutes and white meat takes 8-10 minutes.
When the chicken is done frying, place it on a paper towel lined sheet tray and immediately sprinkle a little flaked salt on top. Continue with the rest of the chicken pieces.
- Chicken needs to be stored in the refrigerator. To do this, you will want to let the fried chicken cool completely before preparing to store, this will help the coating stay crisp.
- Place the cooked chicken in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator where it will stay good for up to 5 days. You can reheat in the oven, microwave or an air fryer. The oven and the air fryer will help keep the skin crispy while re-heating.
- If you want to freeze the fried chicken then you will want to store in an airtight container and place in the freezer where it will stay good for up to 6 months.
- To reheat Fried Chicken from frozen you will want to let it thaw in the refrigerator and then bake it in the oven (at 400F degrees) or use an air fryer until heated through.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN WINGS | CRISPY WING RECIPE
FAQ
What goes well with southern fried chicken?
Serve southern fried chicken with classic Southern sides such as creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, fluffy biscuits, tangy coleslaw, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. Other popular options include greens (like collard greens), baked beans, fried green tomatoes, and sweet corn. You can also add lighter options like a simple garden salad to balance the meal.