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 dish that has become popular in restaurants all over the country.
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!
My oldest daughter is a HUGE fan of chicken and waffles! I mean, what’s not to love about pairing crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles?
If you’re looking for a shortcut version, use frozen gluten-free waffles and frozen gluten-free chicken strips.
Can you make chicken and waffles vegan or vegetarian?
Heck yeah! Vegetarians, you should be all good with most waffle mixes but be sure to check the labels first.
Then go for your favorite brand of plant-based “chicken” tenders.
If you’re vegan, be sure to use a vegan waffle mix or substitute flax eggs for the eggs and non-dairy milk for the milk.
Hint: If you are also gluten-free, use a gluten-free waffle mix or frozen gluten-free waffles and try the Jack and Annies GFV chicken tenders.
Can you make chicken and waffles low-carb?
You certainly can! There are lots of great ideas online such as these keto chicken and waffles from Peace, Love, and Low Carb.
What should you serve with chicken and waffles?
You can definitely go with traditional sides like French fries (my daughter’s #1 choice), sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs, or a simple fruit salad, but there are a lot of other different ways you can serve this classic dish.
We’ve compiled 25 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 Mashed Potatoes
Just when you thought mashed potatoes couldn't get any better, the addition of cheddar cheese and bacon takes this comfort food favorite to the next level!
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.
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.
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.
Any time potatoes and cheese are involved, you know your taste buds are going to be happy! These scalloped potatoes feature a combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese resulting in cheesy, creamy perfection.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
