15 Southern Side Dishes For Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is my absolute favorite Southern dish. Sure, it’s simple – it’s basically just chicken coated in batter and then deep-fried until golden brown. Yet somehow, it tastes like heaven!

It’s got that crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside quality that’s just so irresistible. With the perfect gravy to go with it, it’s the quintessential comfort food.

And when it comes to fried chicken, I always have to serve it with other Southern sides. There’s just no other way!

Southern cooking is all about deep frying and using the best ingredients like cheese and bacon. It may not be the healthiest cuisine, but it’s perfect when you need some good ‘ol comfort food.

Here are 12 tasty side dishes that will transform your fried chicken into a Southern Feast!

1. Biscuits

Biscuits are a true Southern staple. I don’t think you can even call it a Southern meal without biscuits on the table!

And oh my, the pairing of fried chicken and biscuits is just to die for. The flakiness of the biscuits perfectly complements the tenderness of the chicken.

While there are a ton of biscuit recipes out there, for me simple buttermilk biscuits are always the best.

2. Mac and Cheese

Fried chicken is all protein, so you’ll want something starchy to round out your meal. And when it comes to Southern starches, nothing fits the bill better than good-old mac and cheese.

Tender, juicy, and savory chicken plus hearty, creamy, and cheesy pasta? Now that’s just pure love.

3. Baked Beans

Baked beans might be a common side for barbecue, but it also tastes amazing with fried chicken. Its sweet and smoky flavors complement the savory chicken wonderfully.

Plus baked beans are also hearty, so it will easily satisfy those growling tummies. 

Oh and here’s a tip to make your baked beans even more irresistible: top them with crisp and smoky bacon slices!

4. Cornbread

Apart from biscuits, cornbread is another baked good that pairs amazingly with chicken. Whether it’s sweet or savory, the tender and crumbly bread just tastes fantastic with fried chicken.

I love to soak up all the creamy gravy for that melt in your mouth goodness.

5. Mashed Potatoes

While mashed potatoes aren’t technically Southern, they sure as heck taste great with the southern fried chicken.

Whip up some mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and juicy fried chicken and you’ll have a feast fit for a king (or queen!).

6. Hush Puppies

Just like fried chicken, hush puppies are another Southern staple that’s deep-fried to perfection. That’s probably why they taste so good together! Sinful, true, but totally irresistible.

Here’s a fun bit of trivia: They say these balls of cornmeal batter got their name because they were once used by a cook to silence some barking dogs.

Now I don’t have the tapes to confirm the story, but here’s one thing I know for sure: hush puppies taste amazing.

7. Coleslaw

Whether you use the more traditional mayo-based dressing or go the tangier vinegar-based route, coleslaw is an excellent way to round out your fried chicken meal.

It’s refreshing, crispy, and tangy,which pairs perfectly with the rich and savory fried chicken.

8. Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob may be a super simple side, but sometimes, something simple is all you really need. Especially if you’re eating such a delectable entrée like fried chicken.

My advice: instead of just boiling corn on the cob in water, cook it in milk and butter! It makes the corn even more flavorful and gives it that extra Southern flair.

9. Fried Okra

You’re already deep-frying chicken, so might as well use that oil to make fried okra! And if you care to make it even more interesting, add some crushed pecans to your cornmeal batter for an extra crispy side. Believe me, this little addition is insanely good!

10. Fried Green Tomatoes

Now if you can’t get enough of fried stuff, here’s another goodie that tastes amazing. Fried green tomatoes are as Southern as it gets.

Plus, they’re crazy good and easy to make! Just coat green tomato slices in cornmeal batter and fry them until golden brown.

Not only do they pair well with fried chicken, but you can also use them in salads and sandwiches.

11. Green Beans

Green beans normally take 5 minutes to make, but if you can cook this veggie for a little bit longer, it will make it even more incredible. Cook them for 2 hours for more tender green beans oozing with juices. Perfect with fried chicken and cornbread!

12. Potato Salad

Apart from mashed potatoes, a potato salad is another Southern classic. With a tinge of mustard, this creamy side gives a nice tartness to balance out the richness of the fried chicken.

Be sure to use only Duke’s mayo to coat your potatoes to get that exceptionally creamy salad!

13. Baked Potatoes 

Here’s another spuddy treat that pairs well with fried chicken. It’s creamy, rich, and filling – everything you need to round out your meal.

Load your baked potatoes with sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, and you’ve got yourself a phenomenal side.

14. Squash Casserole

If you’d like something sweet to balance out the richness of fried chicken, then a summer squash casserole is the side for you. This southern classic is sweet and refreshing. Plus it’s so easy to make, you can even cook it in the microwave!

15. Peach Cobbler

Let’s end this list on a sweet note, shall we? There’s perhaps no other dessert that is more Southern than the peach cobbler.

Complete with sweet and juicy peaches, a flaky crust, a crisp crumble topping, and loads of butter and spices, this dessert is the perfect way to end your meal.

Top it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it even more lip-smackingly good.