What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken: 25 Delicious Side Dishes

Buffalo chicken is a classic flavor that packs some serious heat From fiery buffalo wings to buffalo chicken dip, the tangy, spicy flavor of buffalo sauce is a crowd-pleaser. But when planning your next buffalo chicken meal, don’t forget about the sides! Choosing the right sides to serve with buffalo chicken is key to balancing out the heat and creating a delicious and satisfying meal.

In this article, we’ll share 25 of the best side dishes to serve with buffalo chicken Whether you need a cooling complement to your spicy buffalo wings or a hearty side for buffalo chicken sandwiches, this list has you covered. Let’s dive in!

The Best Sides for Buffalo Chicken

1. Celery and Carrot Sticks

Celery and carrot sticks are a no-brainer pairing with buffalo wings. The crunchy veggie sticks help cool your mouth down between spicy bites. For an easy appetizer, serve sliced celery, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese dressing.

2. Blue Cheese Coleslaw

Cool down the heat with this creamy blue cheese coleslaw. The tangy dressing pairs perfectly with spicy buffalo dishes. Try making your coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots for crunch. Adding crumbled blue cheese takes it to the next level!

3. Ranch Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a great buffalo chicken side, especially when dressed with a creamy, cooling ranch sauce. Rotini or wagon wheel pasta holds the thick dressing nicely. Load up your pasta with diced cucumbers, shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, and your favorite herbs.

4. Loaded Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are a satisfying side. Top russet potatoes with butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and scallions for a loaded side dish. The cooling sour cream helps balance the heat of your buffalo chicken.

5. Mac and Cheese

You can’t go wrong with macaroni and cheese, especially the baked kind with a crispy, cheesy topping. The rich, creamy cheese sauce compliments spicy dishes perfectly. Make it buffalo style by adding diced chicken and hot sauce to the mix.

6. Corn on the Cob

Fire-grilled corn on the cob slathered in butter is the perfect summer side for buffalo chicken. The naturally sweet corn balances the spice. For an extra creamy touch, dollop the corn with sour cream before seasoning with salt and pepper.

7. Coleslaw

Creamy coleslaw is a classic pairing with spicy fried chicken. The cooling creaminess helps temper the heat. Make your coleslaw extra creamy by using a mayo-based dressing or tangy yogurt dressing. Toss in shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and parsley.

8. Potato Salad

Just like coleslaw, potato salad is a traditional cookout side that pairs well with spicy chicken. Creamy potato salad with diced potatoes, onion, celery, parsley, and a mayo-mustard dressing cools your palate. Add hard boiled eggs for extra protein.

9. Dinner Rolls

Fresh, soft dinner rolls are great for dipping and soaking up buffalo sauce. Brush rolls with melted butter or garlic butter. Serve an assortment of white, wheat, and Hawaiian rolls to please every palate. Don’t forget the butter pats!

10. Fried Pickles

For an out-of-the-box side, try fried pickles! Bread and fry pickle chip slices for a tangy, crispy side. The briny vinegar flavor balances salty, savory chicken. Serve fried pickles with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

11. Air Fryer French Fries

You can’t go wrong with French fries served alongside buffalo chicken. Air fryer fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. Fry thinly sliced russet or yellow potatoes seasoned with salt, garlic powder, and parsley.

12. Caesar Salad

A cold, crisp Caesar salad is a delicious way to find balance with hot, spicy chicken. Chopped romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, shaved Parmesan, and a zesty Caesar dressing come together for a creamy, cooling salad.

13. Cornbread

Warm cornbread studded with corn kernels is a perfect match for Nashville hot or buffalo style chicken. The sweet cornbread cools your mouth between bites of heat. Serve cornbread with honey butter for even more bliss.

14. Baked Beans

No barbecue or cookout is complete without baked beans. Slow cooked pinto or navy beans simmered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is a classic. Add smoky bacon or diced ham for a hearty bean side.

15. Cucumber Salad

Quick pickled cucumbers are a refreshing change of pace from heavier sides. Thinly slice cucumbers and onions, then marinate them in vinegar, sugar, and dill. The crisp, tart cucumbers balance salty, savory chicken.

16. Potato Wedges

For a fun twist on fries, try crispy potato wedges. Cut potatoes into thick wedges, coat them in olive oil and seasoning, then roast them in the oven until browned and crisp. Potato wedges have more surface area for getting super crispy.

17. Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit salad makes a nice light and refreshing side for buffalo chicken. Mix diced pineapple, grapes, strawberries, melon, and citrus fruits. The sweet fruit flavors contrast the heat. Serve fruit salad chilled.

18. Garlic Bread

Warm, buttery garlic bread is impossible to resist, especially with saucy buffalo chicken wings or sandwiches. Spread sliced bread with butter, minced garlic, and parsley, then broil or grill until golden brown. The richness balances the heat.

19. Green Salad

A simple green side salad nicely complements rich, saucy buffalo chicken. Build a salad with mixed greens, chopped veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers, crunchy croutons, and your favorite dressing. Top it off with shredded cheese.

20. Onion Rings

Crispy, crunchy onion rings make a tasty buffalo chicken pairing. Coat sliced onions in buttermilk then bread and fry them until golden brown and delicious. Serve onion rings with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese.

21. Roasted Broccoli

Roasting broccoli caramelizes it for a deeper flavor. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper then roast in a hot oven until lightly charred. Roasted broccoli is a nice low-carb veggie side for buffalo dishes.

22. Dinner Salad

For a fresh, vegetable-packed side, build a dinner salad. Start with a base of mixed greens then pile on shredded carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Top with cheese, croutons, and your favorite dressing.

23. Cornbread Stuffing

Thanksgiving-style cornbread stuffing is a warm, comforting side for buffalo chicken. Sauté bread cubes with onion, celery, herbs, and broth until moist and flavorful. Mix in cooked corn kernels for sweetness and crunch.

24. Pasta Salad

Macaroni, rotini, or tortellini pasta salad is a great potluck dish with buffalo chicken. Toss cooked pasta with diced bell peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, Italian dressing, and shredded mozzarella or Parmesan.

25. Dinner Rolls

Warm, soft dinner rolls are perfect for serving with saucy buffalo chicken dishes. Brush rolls with garlic butter or herb butter before serving. Provide a basket of assorted white and wheat rolls along with butter pats.

Tips for Serving Buffalo Chicken

Follow these tips to take your buffalo chicken and sides to the next level:

• Offer cooling dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or yogurt dill to help temper the heat of buffalo chicken. Cooling dips complement spicy dishes.

• Mix up crunchy and creamy sides for contrasting textures. Try roasted veggies and creamy pasta or potato salads.

• Make it a buffet! Offering a buffalo chicken buffet with an assortment of sides lets guests build their own plates. Provide a mix of salads, veggies, carbs, and dips.

• Make it portable. For buffalo chicken wings, cut up celery and arrange with carrot sticks and dip cups for easy snacking. Buffalo chicken sandwiches and wraps also travel well.

• Keep sides simple. Let the flavors of your crispy buffalo chicken take center stage by serving simple sides like buttered rolls, a nice green salad, or fresh cut veggies.

With so many tasty sides to choose from, you can serve up the perfect plate to match your buffalo chicken. Cool, creamy sides help balance the iconic fiery flavor of buffalo chicken. Now gather your blue cheese dip and carrot sticks, and get ready to dive into some delicious buffalo chicken recipes!