What Can I Eat With Buffalo Chicken? 14 Delicious Side Options

Buffalo chicken is a classic flavor loved by many. The tangy, spicy buffalo sauce pairs perfectly with juicy chicken wings or tenders. But what should you serve alongside this saucy chicken dish? With so many possibilities, it can be tricky to narrow down your options. That’s why I’ve rounded up 14 of the very best side dishes and snacks to enjoy with buffalo chicken.

The Classics

Some sides are tried and true pairings that you just can’t go wrong with When in doubt, opt for one of these classic buffalo chicken accompaniments

Celery and Carrot Sticks

Crunchy fresh celery and carrot sticks help balance out the spiciness of buffalo chicken. Offer them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. The veggies’ cooling crunch contrasts perfectly with the sauce’s heat.

Blue Cheese Dip

Cool and creamy blue cheese dip is pretty much required eating alongside buffalo chicken. The bold, salty dip cuts through the chicken’s spice. Make it from scratch if you can – the flavor blows store-bought out of the water.

Ranch Dressing

Like blue cheese dip, creamy ranch dressing helps tame buffalo chicken’s heat. Its distinctive, herb-flecked flavor is the perfect complement. Try making homemade with dill, parsley, chives, and other fresh herbs.

Bread Rolls

Offering warm bread rolls is a no-fuss way to round out your buffalo chicken meal. Bakery-fresh rolls are ideal, but even store-bought rolls just need a quick bake. Their crispy outsides and fluffy insides soak up buffalo sauce deliciously.

Carb Sides

While buffalo chicken is deliciously saucy, you’ll want something to help sop it all up. These carb-loaded sides are ideal pairings:

Mac and Cheese

Few pairings are as perfect as buffalo chicken and mac and cheese. The indulgent, cheesy pasta acts as an edible sponge for the buffalo sauce. Use a mix of cheddar, gruyere, colby and Swiss for ultimate flavor.

Fries or Chips

What goes better with chicken than fries or chips? Crispy fries – sweet potato or regular – pair perfectly with saucy buffalo chicken. Tortilla chips work nicely too, especially with a side of salsa or guacamole.

Onion Rings

With their addictive crunch, onion rings are hard to resist alongside buffalo chicken. For maximum flavor and crunch, use panko breadcrumbs and bake instead of fry. Offer them piping hot right out of the oven.

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes make a hearty side for buffalo chicken. Load up russets with chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch and cheese or offer toppings for DIY loaded spuds.

Homemade Bread

Warm slices of homemade bread are ideal for mopping up every last bit of buffalo sauce. Focaccia, baguette and rolls all pair deliciously. Bake up a loaf or two to accompany your saucy chicken.

Lighter Sides

If you need something fresh and light to balance heavy buffalo chicken, these sides hit the spot:

Lettuce Wedge Salad

Cool wedges of lettuce are a nice change of pace from chips or fries. Serve crispy bacon, blue cheese, and homemade ranch alongside for DIY toppings. It’s a lighter way to enjoy buffalo flavors.

Spinach Salad

Leafy spinach makes a fantastic base for a DIY salad bar. Provide chopped veggies, dried fruits, nuts, and dressing for customization. The salad’s sweet, mild flavor balances the chicken beautifully.

Corn on the Cob

Fire-roasted or boiled corn on the cob gives you another handle to hold – perfect for messy buffalo chicken eating! Roll the corn in seasoning salt, hot sauce or other flavors.

Avocado Fries

For something indulgent yet light, avocado fries are hard to top. Their crispy outsides and smooth insides pair amazingly with chicken. Just be sure your avocados are perfectly ripe.

Vegetable Crudités

Beyond classic celery and carrots, try an assortment of raw veggies for dipping in ranch and blue cheese. Bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes and jicama will give you variety of flavors and textures.

Indulgent Twists

If classic sides seem a little boring, try one of these unique buffalo chicken pairings:

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

For the ultimate buffalo chicken indulgence, make it into pizza! Top dough with sauce, chicken, mozzarella and blue cheese for next-level flavor. Ranch makes a tasty drizzle over the hot pizza.

Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Game day nachos get an upgrade with spicy chicken. Layer tortilla chips with cheese, chicken, more buffalo sauce and cool ranch dressing or sour cream. They’re nachos like you’ve never tasted before.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Game day necessitates easy finger foods, and sliders deliver. Layer soft rolls with chicken, lettuce, tomato and ranch for hand-held buffalo chicken joy. A batch of sliders can feed a crowd with ease.

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

For pretty, poppable appetizers, buffalo chicken pinwheels have you covered. Spread tortillas with seasoned cream cheese, chicken, veggies, cheese and ranch. Roll up and slice – perfect party food!

Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings”

Vegans and vegetarians needn’t miss out on buffalo flavor! Crispy cauliflower florets coated in buffalo sauce taste remarkably like wings. Offer vegan ranch for the full experience.

Sweet Treats

If you’re craving something sweet after buffalo chicken, try one of these crave-worthy desserts:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bite-sized cookies are the perfect handheld dessert after saucy buffalo chicken. The sweet chocolate balances the heat nicely. Plus, cookies pair well with cold beer or milk.

Brownies

Fudgy, chewy brownies make a delicious dessert when you’re seeking chocolate. Try brownies with peanut butter or other mix-ins to complement the buffalo chicken even more.

Apple Pie

For a traditional dessert, warm apple pie is tough to beat. The tart apples, flaky crust and ooey-gooey filling cleanse your palate after all that spice and salt.

Cheesecake

Cool and creamy cheesecake makes a nice change of pace after hot, saucy chicken. Try topping your slice with fruit or chocolate to switch up the flavors even more.

Drinks to Wash It All Down

Don’t forget beverage options to accompany your buffalo chicken and sides!

Beer

You can’t go wrong with ice-cold beer, especially lighter lagers and pilsners. The crisp, smooth brews wash down spicy food and satisfy thirst.

Milk

Got kids at the buffalo chicken dinner table? Milk is the perfect drink to tame overly spicy food. Adults appreciate it too – the creaminess and chill balance heat nicely.

Iced Tea

For an anytime beverage, freshly brewed iced tea hits the spot. Sweet tea provides sweetness to counter buffalo chicken’s spice, or offer lemons for unsweetened tea.

Margaritas

If you want something festive and fun, whip up a batch of margaritas! The sweet-tart lime flavor pairs wonderfully with kicky buffalo chicken.

Buffalo chicken is endlessly versatile, pairing well with classic sides, fresh vegetables, indulgent carbs, and sweet treats. With so many possibilities, you’ll never get bored eating alongside your favorite saucy chicken! Branch out and try a new buffalo chicken pairing tonight.