What to Make for Dinner with Chicken Wings: 18 Tasty Ideas for a Complete Meal

Hey there, wing lovers! It’s football season again, and I’ve been on a serious chicken wing kick lately. But let’s be honest – sometimes you want wings to be the star of dinner, not just an appetizer. The question is: what do you serve with them to make a complete meal?

After testing dozens of combinations in my kitchen (and maybe staining a few too many shirts with wing sauce), I’ve put together this ultimate guide to turning those delicious chicken wings into a proper dinner. These pairings work whether you’re baking, air frying, grilling, or even ordering takeout wings!

Why Chicken Wings Make an Awesome Dinner Option

Before diving into the side dishes let’s talk about why chicken wings deserve main course status

• They’re incredibly versatile (buffalo, BBQ, teriyaki, dry rub – the options are endless!)
• Everyone loves eating with their hands
• They cook relatively quickly
• They can be made healthier by baking instead of frying
• They’re perfect for feeding a crowd or family

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – what to pair with those finger-lickin’ wings!

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Wings

1. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes and spicy wings are a match made in heaven. The natural sweetness balances out zesty wing flavors beautifully. Just scrub them clean, poke a few holes rub with olive oil and salt and bake at 425°F until tender (about 45-60 minutes).

Pro tip: I like to add a pat of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor. The sweet-spicy combo is chef’s kiss.

2. Sweet Potato Fries

If you want the sweet potato goodness but in a more finger-food friendly format, sweet potato fries are your answer. They’re healthier than regular fries but still give you that crispy satisfaction Serve them with spicy mayo or ranch for dipping

3. Loaded Potato Skins

Talk about crowd-pleasers! Crispy potato skins loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream complement wings perfectly. The creamy, cheesy goodness helps cool down spicy buffalo wings. My friends literally fight over these whenever I make them for game day.

4. Mac and Cheese

Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese? The creamy, rich pasta is the ultimate comfort food companion to chicken wings. You can make it from scratch or use a boxed version – either way, the velvety texture pairs beautifully with crispy, saucy wings.

For an extra special touch, try baking your mac and cheese with breadcrumbs on top for that crispy-creamy contrast.

5. Potato Salad

Potato salad is definitely one of the most classic sides for wings. The cool, creamy potatoes perfectly offset fiery hot sauces. I like to add crunchy bits of onion, relish, bacon, and celery to mine for texture contrast.

Bonus: chilled potato salad can help soothe mouths that have been burned by extra-spicy wings!

6. Cornbread

Warm, buttery cornbread might seem like an odd choice with wings, but trust me – it’s amazing. The subtle sweetness and pillowy texture pair wonderfully with tangy wings. For extra flavor, mix cheese, jalapeños, or corn kernels into your cornbread batter.

7. Fried Rice

Fried rice works particularly well with Asian-style wings (think teriyaki, Korean, or sweet chili). The rice soaks up all those delicious sauces dripping from your wings. Toss in some veggies like carrots, peas, and onions for extra nutrients and crunch.

8. Coleslaw

There’s a reason coleslaw is served at every wing joint! Cool, crunchy slaw complements hot wings beautifully. You can go with:

• Creamy mayo-based slaw
• Tangy vinegar slaw
• Asian-inspired slaw with sesame dressing

I personally prefer vinegar coleslaw with buffalo wings – the acidity cuts through the richness perfectly.

9. Grilled Corn on the Cob

When cooking wings on the grill or smoker, throw some corn on too! The sweet kernels pair fabulously with savory, smoky wings. Liven up the corn with a drizzle of creamy herb butter or elote-style with mayo, lime, and chili powder.

10. Caprese Salad

Fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella make caprese salad a fantastic choice for wing dinners. The juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy cheese balance bold chicken wing flavors beautifully. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze for even more oomph.

11. Stuffed Mini Peppers

Give your wings a kick of extra spice by pairing them with stuffed mini peppers. Fill them with cream cheese, cheddar, or even a spicy meat mixture, then bake until hot and melty. The peppers add a nice crunch factor too.

12. Onion Rings

Onion rings might just be the ultimate chicken wing sidekick. Their crispy batter provides a fabulous textural contrast to juicy wings. Kids and adults alike will devour this tasty duo.

13. Pasta Salad

For chicken wings, especially spicy ones, creamy, tangy pasta salad is a great side dish. Mix pasta with a thick sauce made from sour cream, Greek yogurt, or mayo. Then add crunchy veggies like red onion, bell pepper, and celery.

14. Loaded Nachos

Nachos are always a crowd-pleaser. Layer corn chips with melty cheese, salsa, guacamole, beans, sour cream, and other favorite toppings. The spicy, crunchy chips complement both mild and spicy chicken wings perfectly.

15. Air Fryer Vegetables

For a healthier accompaniment, air fry carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or other vegetables. Air frying gives them a wonderfully crispy texture without the need for tons of oil. Season with garlic, herbs, lemon, and parmesan for maximum flavor.

16. Guacamole

Cool, creamy guacamole works magic alongside spicy chicken wings. Mash ripe avocados with tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño for the perfect dip. Serve guacamole with fresh tortilla chips on the side for scooping.

17. Baked Cauliflower

Crispy baked cauliflower offers a healthier alternative that still provides great texture and flavor. Toss cauliflower florets in olive oil, garlic powder, and parmesan, then roast until golden. It’s especially good with buffalo wings!

18. Collard Greens

For a Southern-inspired meal, serve your wings with slow-cooked collard greens. The earthy, slightly bitter greens provide a healthy dose of vegetables while complementing the richness of the wings perfectly.

Pro Tips for Making the Best Chicken Wings

Since we’re talking about a wing-centered dinner, I should share some of my favorite wing-making tips:

For Crispy Baked Wings

1. Dry them really well with paper towels first
2. Use baking powder (not baking soda!) in your seasoning
3. Bake at high heat (425°F is ideal)
4. Use a wire rack on your baking sheet for maximum air circulation

For Extra Flavorful Wings

1. Marinate them overnight when possible
2. Season both before cooking AND after with your sauce
3. Don’t sauce too early – add sauce in the last few minutes of cooking or right after

Complete Chicken Wing Dinner Menu Ideas

Want some ready-to-go menu plans? Here are a few of my favorite combinations:

Game Day Special

• Buffalo chicken wings
• Loaded potato skins
• Celery and carrot sticks
• Blue cheese dip

Asian-Inspired Wing Dinner

• Sweet chili or teriyaki wings
• Coconut rice
• Asian slaw with sesame dressing
• Grilled pineapple slices

Southern Comfort Wing Meal

• BBQ or honey-glazed wings
• Cornbread
• Collard greens
• Mac and cheese

Healthy-ish Wing Dinner

• Baked lemon-herb wings
• Sweet potato fries
• Caprese salad
• Air-fried vegetables

The Bottom Line

Chicken wings don’t have to be relegated to appetizer status – with the right sides, they make an amazing main course for dinner! Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting game night with friends, these pairings will help you create a satisfying meal centered around everyone’s favorite finger food.

My personal favorite combo is buffalo wings with mac and cheese and a vinegar slaw. The creamy, spicy, tangy combination hits all the right notes. But I’d love to hear what your go-to wing dinner looks like!

What’s your favorite thing to serve with chicken wings? Have you tried any unusual pairings that worked surprisingly well? Drop me a comment below – I’m always looking for new ideas to try!

Chicken wings pair well with classic bar sides like French fries, onion rings, and mac and cheese, as well as fresh and cooling options such as celery and carrot sticks, coleslaw, and salads. For a more complete meal, consider serving them with a carb like rice or cornbread and a fresh vegetable like roasted vegetables or beans.

Serve chicken wings with classics like french fries, onion rings, and celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese or ranch dressing. Other great options include macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, corn on the cob, baked beans, and jalapeno poppers.