Chicken fried steak is a beloved comfort food for many people across the southern United States. This classic dish features a tenderized beef cutlet that is breaded and pan-fried until golden and crispy. While the chicken fried steak itself is quite rich and filling, the right side dishes can round out the meal and make it truly satisfying.
When choosing side dishes for chicken fried steak you’ll want options that provide a nice balance of flavors, textures and nutrition. Below are 12 excellent side dish ideas that pair wonderfully with chicken fried steak.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Buttery, creamy mashed potatoes are a natural fit with chicken fried steak. The smooth rich potatoes complement the crispy fried coating of the steak beautifully. And of course mashed potatoes are ideal for sopping up any delicious pan gravies made from the chicken fried steak drippings. For a bit of extra flavor, try mixing in sour cream, garlic, cheese, or chives.
2. Coleslaw
A tangy coleslaw adds a bright, crunchy contrast to the hearty chicken fried steak. The cool, vinegar-laced slaw provides a refreshing balance against the warm, crispy meat. Try making your coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and a mayo-based dressing spiked with apple cider vinegar.
3. Green Beans
Buttery green beans are a classic accompaniment for chicken fried steak. You can cook them simply by sautéing in olive oil with a little garlic and salt, or jazz them up with crumbled bacon, slivered almonds, or lemon juice. Either way, the crisp-tender beans pair nicely with the fried steak.
4. Creamed Corn
Sweet creamed corn is a beloved side dish in the South. The rich, creamy corn provides a wonderful complement to the crispy crust of the chicken fried steak. Make your creamed corn extra decadent by adding a pat of butter before serving.
5. Mac and Cheese
What better match for crispy, crunchy chicken fried steak than ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese? The cheesy pasta is an indulgent accompaniment that soaks up any pan gravies beautifully. Top your mac and cheese with crispy fried shallots or parsley for an extra punch of flavor and texture.
6. Cornbread
Warm cornbread is another Southern staple that pairs perfectly with chicken fried steak. The slightly sweet, corny bread provides a pleasant contrast to the savory, salty flavors of the fried meat. Try serving your chicken fried steak with piping hot honey buttered cornbread right out of the oven.
7. Biscuits and Gravy
Flaky, buttermilk biscuits smothered in rich sausage or bacon gravy is a match made in comfort food heaven. Let the biscuits soak up that hearty gravy for a satisfying accompaniment to chicken fried steak.
8. Steamed Broccoli
For a lighter, healthier side dish option, try serving your chicken fried steak with some steamed broccoli florets. The vibrant green broccoli provides nutritious balance. Toss the steamed broccoli with a little olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and parmesan for extra flavor.
9. Fried Okra
If you want to go all in on the crispy, fried theme, fried okra is a fun, tasty option. Dredge fresh okra in buttermilk then cornmeal and shallow fry until golden brown and crispy. The fried okra provides a nice textural contrast and Southern flair.
10. Onion Rings
Crunchy, salty onion rings offer the perfect pairing of flavors and textures alongside chicken fried steak. For an easy shortcut, use frozen onion rings from the grocery store. Or make them from scratch by dipping sliced sweet onions in buttermilk then breadcrumbs before frying.
11. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked, tender collard greens are a classic Southern side dish that complements chicken fried steak wonderfully. Cook the greens low and slow with smoked ham hocks or bacon until meltingly tender, then season them with vinegar for a tangy kick.
12. Baked Beans
No Southern meal would be complete without a hearty side of baked beans. Sweet, smoky baked beans pair perfectly with the savory flavors of chicken fried steak. Jazz them up with bacon, onion, brown sugar, ketchup and mustard.
So there you have it – 12 side dish ideas to take your chicken fried steak meal to the next level. Mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, mac and cheese – you really can’t go wrong with any of these tasty sides. Playing around with different flavor and texture profiles will keep your chicken fried steak dinner feeling fresh and satisfying.
Wine and cocktails
Complement your delicious dish with the perfect beverage. These are the best types of wine and cocktails to serve with country gravy and steak.
Chicken fried steak dinners might be classic, but theyre never boring—especially when served with the proper garnish!
- Tabasco sauce
- Fresh-cracked black pepper
- Panera pickled onions
- Fresh herbs, like parsley, chives, or dill
- Cowboy Candy (candied jalapenos)
- Extra gravy (everyone always wants more of it!)
❤️ Why we love it
- The classic recipe is beyond hearty and easily feeds the whole family
- Its an affordable piece of steak, but tastes as good as the pricey stuff
- Creamy gravy is comforting like a big ol hug from Mom
- Bonus: pounding on steaks with a meat mallet is a great stress reliever
Chicken-fried steak is such a classic Southern dish, Texas has a whole day dedicated to its honor! (Its October 26, in case youre wondering.)
Plus, delicious breaded steak and creamy white gravy go great with tons of side dishes, so you have plenty of options.
What Are Good Side Dishes For Chicken Fried Steak? – Southern Culture Collective
FAQ
What can you serve with chicken fried steak?
You can’t have chicken fried steak without mashed the potatoes. It’s against the law—my law. As far as other sides, green beans, English peas, corn on the cob, or fried okra would all be scrumptious with this dish.
What to have with southern fried chicken steaks?
- Perfect Mashed Potatoes.
- Southern Cornbread.
- Stewed Okra and Tomatoes.
- Southern Style Collard Greens.
What to eat chicken steak with?
Endless Serving Suggestions: The sides that pair well with this chicken steak recipe are unlimited! I served it with sauteed vegetables and french fries. It also pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, or creamy garlic pasta! Add the chicken to your favorite pesto pasta, salad, or any other chicken recipes.
What sides go well with chicken fried chicken?
- Green Beans. Green beans will make a super healthy fried chicken side dish that goes well with any meal. …
- Sweet Potatoes. …
- Macaroni Salad. …
- Cornbread. …
- Potato Salad. …
- Coleslaw. …
- Fried Okra. …
- French Fries.
What to serve with chicken fried steak?
Here’s the short answer. The best side dishes to serve with chicken fried steak are cream cheese mashed potatoes, Southern-style mustard greens, okra and tomatoes, and buttermilk biscuits. You can also go with lemon green beans, Greek salad, pickled beets, or fried eggs. For a low-carb option, try lemon garlic zucchini noodles. Ready?
What side dishes go well with fried chicken?
From salads to veggies, here are 16 of the best side dishes that will perfectly complement your fried chicken: 1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans Garlic Parmesan roasted green beans — the perfect sidekick to fried chicken. Light, crunchy and full of flavor – they’ll be the belle of the ball thanks to all that garlicky, cheesy goodness.
What are the best side dishes for steak?
Oven-roasted veggies are the perfect side dish; not just for steak but for any type of meat or fish. You just have to chop up the veggies of your choice, put them in a steel sheet, drizzle some olive oil. Add pinches of salt and black pepper to enhance the flavors of the veggies.
What to eat with fried chicken?
Garlic Parmesan roasted green beans — the perfect sidekick to fried chicken. Light, crunchy and full of flavor – they’ll be the belle of the ball thanks to all that garlicky, cheesy goodness. Who can resist?
Can you eat chicken fried steak with scrambled eggs?
Or keep it lean with a side of scrambled eggs! Chicken fried steak isn’t just for lunch or dinner – it’s a great dish for brunch too. Prop a fried egg over your chicken steak and add some hash browns on the side for a satisfying meal. Pro-tip: to get those super crisp edges, make sure the oil is piping hot before cracking the egg.
What is chicken fried steak?
Chicken fried steak is an American dish made of beef cutlets, coated in bread crumbs, and pan-fried. This dish has been served in restaurants and homes for over a century, and it has become the main dish of Southern cuisine. It is made with high-quality beef tenderized before being breaded and cooked in oil or butter.