If you’re wondering what to serve with chicken and waffles, we’ve got you covered! This list features 25 delicious side dishes to choose from to create the perfect meal.
Chicken and waffles is a classic Southern American comfort food dish.
It’s typically made with fried chicken pieces such as chicken breasts, chicken wings, or chicken thighs, but you can use whatever you have on hand such as frozen chicken strips.
You can make homemade waffles or use a waffle mix.
Or, if you’re pressed for time, you can even use frozen waffles.
This dish is perfect for brunch, dinner, or any time of day!
What’s not to love about pairing crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles?
It’s the ultimate combination, right?
But what should you serve with alongside this American delicacy?
You can definitely go with the obvious French fries, sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs, or a simple fruit salad, but there are a lot of other different ways you can serve this popular dish.
We’ve compiled 25 delicious side dishes that are a perfect match for chicken and waffles.
Whether you’re serving crispy chicken tenders or chicken pieces and Belgian waffles or buttermilk waffles, these are the perfect side dishes to complement your main course.
Best Side Dishes to Serve With Chicken and Waffles
1
Baked Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit:Kid Tested Recipes
When comfort foods combine, you have heaven on earth, right? This rich, creamy and indulgent mac and cheese features two kinds of cheese and is baked to perfection with a panko bread crumb topping.
2
Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Photo Credit:Camp. Grill. Eat.
These creamy mashed potatoes also feature garlic, sour cream, and grated cheddar cheese for the ultimate comfort food side dish!
3
Southern Collard Greens
Photo Credit:Grits and Pinecones
If you're looking for an easy collard greens recipe to pair with your chicken and waffles, this is the one for sure. With only 3 ingredients, you'll love how simple this recipe is to make.
4
Creamy Crockpot Grits
Photo Credit:Recipes From a Pantry
If you love grits, you've got to try making them in the slow cooker. These creamy Southern-style grits are an easy-to-make delicious side dish.
5
Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Pudding
Photo Credit:Saporito Kitchen
Whether you make this with homemade or leftover cornbread, this cheesy bread pudding is a perfect side dish for chicken and waffles fans.
6
KFC Macaroni Salad
Photo Credit:You Say Potatoes
Any time there are pickles involved you can count me in! This flavor-packed KFC copycat side dish will not disappoint fans of the original.
7
Potato Salad
Photo Credit:Meaningful Eats
I'm convinced that potato salad is the ultimate side dish for EVERYTHING but it especially pairs nicely with chicken and waffles. This extra tasty version uses a special trick to infuse the flavors for the best outcome.
8
Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
Photo Credit:Watch Learn Eat
You can't go wrong with green beans as a side in most occasions, and using an air fryer is the perfect way to make them. They're seasoned with just salt and pepper, but I suggest topping them with some hot sauce as an extra bonus.
9
Cream Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
Photo Credit:I Heart Eating
Any time potatoes and cheese are involved, you know you're taste buds are going to be happy! These scalloped potatoes feature a combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese resulting in cheesy, creamy perfection.
10
Bacon Jerky
Photo Credit:Aubrey's Kitchen
This bacon jerky has a sweet and smoky flavor that perfectly complements a plate of chicken and waffles. Take it up a notch by adding a bit of heat with some cayenne pepper and sriracha.
11
Ranch Coleslaw
Photo Credit:Daisies and Pie
Everything's better with ranch dressing...even coleslaw! It's one of the best things in life, right? All kidding aside, this easy recipe has just 4 simple ingredients and adds the perfect amount of tanginess to your chicken and waffles pairing.
12
Air fryer Corn on the Cob
Photo Credit:Rachna Cooks
Corn on the cob is one of my favorite sides for almost any meal. Using an air fryer to roast the corn is a great way to keep it tender and juicy. You can use black pepper to season the corn or turn up the heat with some cayenne or chili flakes.
13
Collard Greens Recipe
Photo Credit:Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
This classic Southern dish is made with ham hocks, chicken broth, and crushed red pepper flakes which add so much flavor to this delicious dish.
14
Pear Compote
Photo Credit:The Healthy Epicurean
This compote featuring pears, golden raisins, ginger, brown sugar, spices and lemon zest is the perfect addition to chicken and waffles for the sweet and savory combo lovers out there!
15
Sweet Carrot Cabbage and Beet Slaw
Photo Credit:Craving Something Healthy
When serving chicken and waffles, you can't go wrong with a slaw side dish like this version featuring a combination of cabbage, carrots, beets, apple, raisins and pecans.
16
Air Fryer Okra
Photo Credit:Cook Eat Live Love
Another Southern staple, the best part about this air fryer okra recipe is that it only requires 3 ingredients to cook this veggie side dish to perfection.
17
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit:I Heart Eating
This stovetop mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and makes for a winning combination when paired with chicken and waffles for sure!
18
Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Photo Credit:Lovefoodies
Combining cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan, this simple recipe takes basic mashed potatoes to the next level.
19
Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette
Photo Credit:Food Plus Words
This unique coleslaw recipe features a combination of savory and sweet flavors for the perfect complement to a platter of chicken and waffles.
20
Bloody Maria co*cktail
Photo Credit:2 Cookin Mamas
This twist on the classic Bloody Mary may technically be a drink but the addition of the bourbon candied bacon totally makes it count as a side, right? Hey, when serving brunch, I say anything goes!
21
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Photo Credit:Simplify Create Inspire
Using an air fryer is the best way to make so many things and onion rings are no exception. They're tasty, crispy, and take just 10 minutes to cook.
22
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Photo Credit:Simply Scrumptious Eats
This potato side dish is garlicky, cheesy and delicious! Go ahead and add some bacon if you'd like to take things up a notch.
23
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Photo Credit:Clean Plate Mama
Featuring apples, roasted walnuts, and goat cheese, and a maple vinaigrette dressing, this salad is a great side to pair with the main event!
24
Peach Chutney Dressing
Photo Credit:The Devil Wears Salad
Skip the maple syrup or honey butter and instead, use this tasty chutney dressing to top off your waffles. And while you're at it, why not dip some chicken in there too...don't worry, I won't tell.
25
Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage
Photo Credit:Balance With Jess
When you combine Cajun-seasoned shrimp, spicy sausage and cheesy grits, you've got the perfect blend of flavors to complement a delicious feast of homemade chicken and waffles.
So, which of these great side dishes will you try the next time you serve up your favorite chicken and waffles recipe?
