What Sides Go Well with Breaded Chicken? 15 Winning Pairings

Breaded chicken is a classic comfort food enjoyed around the world. Its crispy, golden exterior enveloping tender, juicy meat makes it irresistible While breaded chicken is delicious on its own, pairing it with the right sides can take your meal from great to extraordinary

The key is finding sides that complement and enhance the flavors and textures of the chicken. After cooking many breaded chicken meals, I’ve discovered 15 winning side pairings that never disappoint Read on for breaded chicken side dish inspiration!

Complementary Flavors and Textures

When selecting sides for breaded chicken, I aim for dishes that provide an appealing flavor and texture contrast. The crispy coating and savory meat beg for sides that offer creaminess, crunch, brightness, or comfort. These qualities balance the chicken and make the meal more interesting.

I also look for sides that echo any seasonings or ethnic flavors used in the chicken breading. For example, breaded chicken with Italian herbs and Parmesan goes well with pasta or bruschetta sides incorporating similar ingredients. Southern-style breaded chicken shines with classic Southern sides like cornbread and collard greens.

15 Winning Breaded Chicken Side Pairings

Here are my top 15 side recommendations to serve with breaded chicken, whether baked or fried:

1. Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes are a no-brainer pairing for breaded chicken. Their smooth, rich texture contrasts the crispy exterior beautifully. Jazz them up with garlic, cheese, or herbs.

2. Coleslaw

Cool, crunchy coleslaw provides brightness and freshness alongside breaded chicken. The tangy cabbage and carrots cut through the savory flavors.

3. Macaroni and Cheese

For ultimate comfort food, homemade mac and cheese is unbeatable. The creamy, cheesy pasta bakes into a rich accompaniment for crispy chicken.

4. Rice Pilaf

Fluffy rice pilaf soaks up any sauce and provides a starchy base for the chicken. Build in herbs, vegetables, or broth flavors.

5. Roasted Vegetables

Roasting green beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or any vegetable caramelizes their natural sugars. The subtle char pairs beautifully with breaded chicken.

6. Baked Sweet Potato

A baked sweet potato gives a hint of sweetness and pairs well with spicy or herb-crusted chicken. Load it up with butter, brown sugar, or cheese.

7. Garlic Bread

Buttery, garlicky bread fills the house with amazing aroma. Its richness matches fried chicken, and it’s perfect for dipping in any leftover pan juices.

8. Green Salad

A fresh green salad with vinaigrette provides brightness and crunch, balancing a heavy fried chicken meal. Top with fruits, nuts, or cheese for more flavor.

9. Corn on the Cob

In summer, grill corn on the cob to serve with breaded chicken for a fun, hands-on meal. Slather with compound butter for extra richness.

10. Potato Wedges

Crispy baked potato wedges match the texture of breaded chicken. Season simply with salt and pepper or get creative with spicy seasonings.

11. Dinner Rolls

Warm, soft rolls are perfect for pulling apart and using to soak up pan sauces and gravies served with your chicken.

12. Cornbread

Cornbread delivers crumbly, grainy texture and warm flavor. It absorbs pan drippings well and contains fun corn kernels.

13. Collard Greens

Slow-cooked collard greens balance fried food with pleasant bitterness. Their richness pairs well with herb-seasoned or spicy chicken.

14. Quinoa Salad

For a lighter meal, serve protein-packed quinoa salad with vinaigrette. Its fluffy texture and brightness complement breaded chicken.

15. Beans and Rice

Beans and rice provide comfort, nutrition, and versatility. Black beans, kidney beans, or red beans with white rice taste fantastic with breaded chicken.

Putting Together a Complete Meal

When menu planning, I like to include 3-4 complementary sides to provide an appealing variety of flavors, textures, colors, and nutrition.

A well-rounded breaded chicken dinner might include a starchy side like mashed potatoes or rice, a vegetable like roasted Brussels sprouts or a salad, and a bread like rolls or cornbread. Mix and match to suit your tastes!

Enjoy the Possibilities

Breaded chicken deserves sides with just as much craveable crunch and flavor. With so many options for creamy, crispy, hearty, fresh, and comforting pairings, you can create amazing meals.

Experiment with different side dish combinations to discover your favorite breaded chicken meals. Then sit down to a well-deserved feast! Crispy chicken tastes even better when the sides are just as good.