15 Perfect Southern Side Dishes For Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is one of the tastiest foods available. At least that is what we think. You can eat fried chicken on its own but what makes it better is pairing it with other foods. Whether you are serving fried chicken for dinner or at a dinner party you need to have the right sides. 

Since fried chicken is a southern dish, the best way to serve it is with some Southern sides. That narrows down the search a little bit, but not by much. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

We have put together a list of all the best southern side dishes to pair with your fried chicken. Southern dishes are known for their comforting properties and that is exactly what you are going to get with these side dishes. We have also answered a few questions relating to Southern food. 

Quick Table: 15 Southern Side Dishes

1. Macaroni And Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a classic southern dish. It is rich and creamy. What is amazing about the Southern version of macaroni and cheese is the seasonings. You have hints of garlic, cayenne pepper, and paprika.

Southern macaroni and cheese also gets rid of the usual Bechamel base, so you end up with a runny, creamy, and cheesy consistency. This is the perfect Southern side dish to bulk up your fried chicken meal.

Calories Per Serving: 164

Preparation Time: 45 Min

2. Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk biscuits are buttery and fluffy. They are perfect as a side dish to go with fried chicken. You can break them in half, put the fried chicken between the halves and eat it like a sandwich.

The buttermilk biscuits don’t overpower the flavors of the fried chicken which is why they are such a good side. These buttermilk biscuits are best served with some gravy for extra moistness. 

Calories Per Serving: 353

Preparation Time: 35 Min

3. Fried Okra

Fried okra and fried chicken are the perfect combinations, especially if you don’t want to eat something too heavy. Some people might shy away from eating two fried items at the same time but we don’t.

You might as well make fried okra if you are going to be frying chicken. Fried okra is so tasty that it is hard to stop eating it. The sweet and juicy nature of the fried okra suits the saltiness of fried chicken.

Calories Per Serving: 178

Preparation Time: 30 Min

4. Hush Puppies

We are sticking with the deep-fried theme and are introducing our next contender, hush puppies. Hush puppies are small balls of cornmeal batter that are deep-fried.

You might see them served with fish but they taste just as good with fried chicken. Making hush puppies is quick and simple, so they are great to make when you’ve been working hard on fried chicken. 

Calories Per Serving: 337

Preparation Time: 25 Min

5. Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are the easiest way to add some color and vegetables to your fried chicken meal. Southern collard greens are even better! These collard greens are braised in a spiced, meat flavored pot liquor.

They have so much flavor it enhances the experience of eating fried chicken. Collard greens are soft which is a nice contrast from the crunchy coating of fried chicken. 

Calories Per Serving: 24

Preparation Time: 45 Min

6. Squash Casserole

Squash casserole is another side that adds to the fried chicken experience. This squash casserole has a creamy sauce made from cheese, eggs, and mayonnaise. It is topped with a crunchy and butter topping.

This is great for having with fried chicken as the textures of each food contrast with each other. You will keep coming back for seconds with this casserole dish. 

Calories Per Serving: 470

Preparation Time: 50 Min

RELATED: 15 Delicious Chicken and Dumpling Recipes

7. Cornbread

Cornbread is another side dish that pairs well with almost anything. It is an extremely comforting side dish.

This crispy cornbread has a lovely golden crust on top of it but the cornbread is still fluffy. Pairing cornbread and fried chicken is ideal for those who want a lighter meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 330

Preparation Time: 55 Min

8. Baked Beans

If you want a side that will add that extra moistness to your fried chicken meal, then Southern baked beans are the ones for you. Southern baked beans are smoky but have a sweetness to them. The sauce is great to dip your fried chicken into. 

Calories Per Serving: 155

Preparation Time: 45 Min

9. Potato Salad

If you have ever had Southern potato salad, then you know how refreshing and creamy it is. This Southern potato salad is no exception.

The salad has everything you could ever want in it. It has eggs, relish, celery, and of course, potatoes. This refreshing side is perfect for satisfying your hunger.

Calories Per Serving: 143

Preparation Time: 25 Min

RELATED: 15 Amazing Chicken With Chile Cheese Rice Recipes

10. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a super light Southern side dish. That is why it makes sense to pair it with fried chicken. To really amplify the taste of your fried chicken you should put some coleslaw on it.

The creaminess of the coleslaw adds extra juiciness to the chicken. Then there is the added crunch of the cabbage. It is a match made in heaven. 

Calories Per Serving: 152

Preparation Time: 40 Min

11. Candied Sweet Potato

If you are someone who enjoys sweet and savory mixed together, then you need to try candied sweet potato with your fried chicken.

The sweetness of the potato complements the spices of the fried chicken seasoning. You could even put roasted marshmallows on top for some extra sweetness. 

Calories Per Serving: 151

Preparation Time: 25 Min

12. Southern Grits

If you are someone who wants to add even more comfort to your fried chicken meal, then you need to make these creamy Southern grits. Grits are dried corn that has been stone-ground.

These grits are slow-cooked to make them creamy and rich. This is the ultimate soothing side to have with your fried chicken.

Calories Per Serving: 154

Preparation Time: 35 Min

RELATED: 15 Stunning Southern Sides To Turn With Chicken Pot Pie

13. Fried Green Tomatoes

We are bringing it back to the fried sides for fried chicken. These fried green tomatoes are perfect for adding tartness to your fried chicken.

Fried green tomatoes are crispy on the outside but have a soft and juicy center. This is a tantalizing size for making your fried chicken more refreshing. 

Calories Per Serving: 54

Preparation Time: 45 Min

14. Corn On The Cob

It is a classic side dish. Corn on the cob is often seen at barbeques. Southern corn on the cob is juicy which is perfect for fried chicken. This corn on the cob is glazed to make the corn on the cob have even more flavor.

This is a fantastic side dish if you are looking to add some quick vegetables to your fried chicken meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 106

Preparation Time: 40 Min

15. Peach Cobbler

It may technically be a dessert, but it is one that goes so well with fried chicken. We already know that fried chicken pairs well with sweet and juicy foods, so peach cobbler is no exception.

This is the perfect way to end your meal or if you are adventurous enough have on the side of your fried chicken. This is the side dish for everyone who loves a buttery, juicy side (dessert). 

Calories Per Serving: 65

Preparation Time: 55 Min

Final Thoughts

That brings us to the end of this list looking at 15 Southern side dishes to pair with fried chicken. All of the side dishes on this list complement the flavors of fried chicken and at the same time enhance these flavors.

We hope we have been able to support you when it comes to finding the perfect Southern side dish for your fried chicken. Another tip is that all these dishes go well together so feel free to make more than one. 

That is it from us, we hope you have a wonderful time eating these delicious dishes!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Southern Food? 

When we refer to Southern food, it means the cuisine that has come from the southern states of the United States of America.

The southern states where Southern food comes from are Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, DC, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Arkansas, and Maryland. 

There are many different cultural influences on Southern cooking and so there are several styles of it. The popular types of Southern cuisine are Soul Food, Creole, Cajun, Gullah, Floribbean, and Low Country.

As we mentioned earlier, there are lots of different influences on Southern cooking. Some of these influences are European, Native American, and African. 

So the term Southern food or Southern cuisine refers to a wide variety of styles of cooking. It is a term that brings them all together. There isn’t a set menu of Southern food or cuisine as it can be broken down into regional styles. 

Is Southern Food The Same As Soul Food?

Southern food and Soul food are oftentimes used interchangeably. Whilst many people do this, it is not actually correct. 

As we mentioned before, Southern food refers to the cuisines that come from the southern states of the US. However, Southern cuisine has been broken down into different categories. One of these categories is Soul Food. This is why people find it confusing. 

You can say that all Soul food is Southern, but it would be incorrect to say that all Southern food is Soul food. If you did this you would be ignoring all the other categories of Southern food. 

So Soul food is Southern food, not all Southern cuisines are Soul food. So they are not the same, in the sense that you can use them interchangeably. Soul food is a type of Southern cuisine. 

Is Southern Food Unhealthy?

We have heard quite a lot that people believe that Southern food is unhealthy. This is because the foods are very rich. So whilst it’s not the healthiest food on the earth, we wouldn’t say it is unhealthy. 

The types of Southern foods that are advertised and popular are some of the richest ones. They are also foods that would be eaten on the occasion, not necessarily every day.

So with that in mind, most foods that people enjoy would be deemed unhealthy if you ate them every day. 

There are plenty of choices from the Southern cuisine that would be healthier to eat, you might just not know about them. 

With all this in mind, yes if you ate foods like Southern macaroni and cheese every day this would be unhealthy. However, if you eat it in moderation, it’s not unhealthy to do so. 

15 Southern Side Dishes For Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a Southern staple. But it’s not complete without a side of Southern-style sides.

Ingredients

• Macaroni And Cheese

• Buttermilk Biscuits

• Fried Okra

• Hush Puppies

• Southern Collard Greens

• Squash Casserole

• Cornbread

• Baked Beans

• Potato Salad

• Coleslaw

• Candied Sweet Potato

• Southern Grits

• Fried Green Tomatoes

• Corn On The Cob

• Peach Cobbler

Directions

• Pick a recipe from the list above
• Click the recipe name and visit the website
• Collect the ingredients and cook the food
• Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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