What Goes With Chicken and Waffles? 17 Tasty Side Dishes to Complete Your Meal

Chicken and waffles is a classic Southern comfort food pairing that brings together sweet and savory flavors in one delicious meal While fried chicken and waffles are satisfying on their own, the right side dishes can take this soul food favorite to the next level

In this article, we’ll explore 17 of the most popular and tasty side dishes that perfectly complement chicken and waffles. Whether you’re prepping Sunday brunch or planning a weeknight dinner, these sides will make your chicken and waffles meal complete.

Comfort Food Sides for Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and waffles already covers the comfort food bases. But why not up the coziness factor with these hearty, indulgent sides?

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes are a natural pairing for chicken and waffles. The cream cheese adds a rich tangy flavor that keeps them from becoming overly heavy. Allow the butter and cream cheese to soften to room temperature before mashing for the smoothest texture.

Mac and Cheese

You can’t go wrong with homemade mac and cheese alongside chicken and waffles. A classic stovetop version with cheddar, American, and Monterey Jack cheese is simple yet totally irresistible. Plus, who can resist mopping up leftover cheese sauce with waffles?

Cheesy Jalapeño Grits

For an extra comforting Southern touch, whip up a batch of rich, spicy jalapeño cheddar grits. The heat from the peppers and sharpness from the cheese pair perfectly with the sweet, salty flavors of chicken and waffles.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Bring on the holiday spirit with a serving of sweet potato casserole next to your chicken and waffles. The sweet potato filling gets topped with a deliciously crispy pecan streusel topping. It’s sweet indulgence at its finest.

Veggies and Salads for Chicken and Waffles

While chicken and waffles covers the protein and carb bases, adding veggies or a fresh salad ensures you get a balanced, nutrient-rich meal.

Rainbow Fruit Salad

A refreshing fruit salad with berries, melon, oranges and more tossed in a honey lime dressing lightens up this meal. The sweet fruits complement the savory chicken and waffles flawlessly.

Korean Slaw

For a lighter slaw option, try a Korean style made with carrot, cabbage, scallions and a chili garlic vinaigrette. It has the perfect amount of tang and heat to balance the fried chicken and waffles.

Succotash

This fresh veggie medley of corn, lima beans and red peppers sautéed with bacon hits all the right notes alongside chicken and waffles. It brings color, crunch and savory flavor to your plate.

Spicy Collard Greens

Slow cooked collard greens seasoned with onions, vinegar, brown sugar and red pepper make the ideal Southern side for chicken and waffles. Their tangy spice contrasts the sweet and salty main dish.

Fresh Salads for Chicken and Waffles

Crisp, raw salads with bright vinaigrettes serve as tasty palate cleansers with the rich chicken and waffles.

Arugula Salad

A simple arugula salad tossed in a lemon balsamic vinaigrette offers a nice peppery kick to balance out your meal. Add feta, tomatoes or pears for extra flavor and crunch.

Watercress Salad

Delicate watercress gets dressed up with fresh orange segments, red onion and a citrusy vinaigrette in this refreshing salad. It’s a light and lively side for chicken and waffles.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Sweet, juicy strawberries, spinach, feta cheese and candied pecans create a salad full of varying flavors and textures that pair beautifully with chicken and waffles.

Pickled Veggies for Chicken and Waffles

Bright, vinegar-based pickled veggies offer the ideal tangy contrast to salty, sweet chicken and waffles.

Spicy Refrigerator Pickled Okra

Quick pickled okra with dried red chilies and garlic adds a pleasant pop of heat and crunch to balance this meal. Just be sure to use young, tender okra to avoid sliminess.

Dilly Beans

Crunchy dill pickled green beans have a similar fresh tang and satisfying snap as okra. They can be whipped up in just 20 minutes for an easy chicken and waffles side.

Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Pickles

Cooling cucumber pickles flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and allspice make a delicious accent next to chicken and waffles. Their sweet and heat complements the dish well.

Toppings and Extras for Chicken and Waffles

Take your chicken and waffle combo to new heights of flavor with these creative condiments and toppings.

Maple Candied Bacon

Crisp bacon roasted with a maple syrup glaze is the ultimate sweet and salty garnish for chicken and waffles. Every bite of your meal gets kicked up a notch.

Peach Salsa

Fresh peaches, jalapeño, red onion and cilantro form a sweet and spicy salsa that’s sensational spooned over waffles or chicken. The bright fruit flavor balances the richness.

Strawberry Compote

For a lighter alternative to maple syrup, try an antioxidant-rich strawberry compote made with fresh berries, sugar and lemon juice. Its sweet-tart taste complements waffles flawlessly.

Herb Infused Honey

Whip up a batch of honey infused with fresh rosemary, thyme or sage. Drizzled over your chicken and waffles, it adds natural sweetness plus savory herbal flavor.

Putting It All Together

When preparing your ultimate chicken and waffles feast, choose a couple of complementary sides from each category to offer a variety of flavors and textures. Aim for a mix of lighter and heavier, sweet and savory dishes to satisfy all preferences.

Some excellent complete meal ideas could include:

• Chicken and waffles with Korean slaw and maple candied bacon

• Chicken and waffles with sweet potato casserole and peach salsa

• Chicken and waffles with roasted asparagus and strawberry salad

The possibilities are endless for fabulous pairings with this cherished meal. With the right combination of sides, you can take your chicken and waffles from a fun comfort food to an unforgettable soul food experience.

So go on, gather your family or friends and dig in to chicken and waffles made extra special with these mouthwatering accouterments. Just be prepared for plenty of satisfied smiles and empty plates once you serve up this winning southern combo.