What to Serve With Chicken and Waffles: 25 Best Side Dishes

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.

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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?

It’s the ultimate comfort food combination!

Can you make chicken and waffles gluten-free?

Yes! I recommend this gluten-free chicken and waffles recipe from Fearless Dining if you want to go the homemade route.

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
close-up shot of wooden spoon scooping out baked mashed potatoes with bacon and cheese from a casserole dish.
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!
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2
serving of baked mac and cheese on a white plate with a fork on it.
Kid Tested Recipes
Baked Mac and Cheese
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.
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3
two bowls of collard greens with a piece of cornbread in the front.
Grits and Pinecones
Southern Collard Greens
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.
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4
overhead of grits in a bowl with butter pat and a spoon in it.
Recipes From a Pantry
Creamy Crockpot Grits
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.
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5
cornbread pudding in two wooden bowls with more in casserole dish next to them.
Saporito Kitchen
Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Pudding
Whether you make this with homemade or leftover cornbread, this cheesy bread pudding is a perfect side dish for chicken and waffles fans.
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6
macaroni salad in a white bowl with a scoop on a spoon.
You Say Potatoes
KFC Macaroni Salad
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.
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7
slight overhead of potato salad in a glass bowl.
Meaningful Eats
Potato Salad
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.
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8
spoon scooping some scalloped potatoes from a white casserole dish.
I Heart Eating
Cream Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
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.
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9
overhead of stovetop mac and cheese in a white bowl.
I Heart Eating
Homemade Mac and Cheese
This stovetop mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and makes for a winning combination when paired with chicken and waffles for sure!
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10
Camp. Grill. Eat.
Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These creamy mashed potatoes feature garlic, sour cream, and grated cheddar cheese for the ultimate comfort food side dish!
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11
overhead of shrimp and grits with sausage in a white bowl with a spoon in it.
Balance With Jess
Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage
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.
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12
overhead of air fryer green beans on a white plate.
Watch Learn Eat
Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
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.
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13
okra pieces on a piece of parchment in front of more on a plate and in a bowl.
Cook Eat Live Love
Air Fryer Okra
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.
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14
overhead of collard greens with ham hocks in a white bowl.
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Collard Greens Recipe
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.
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15
three ears of air fryer corn on the cob on a plate.
Rachna Cooks
Air fryer Corn on the Cob
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.
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16
overhead of ranch coleslaw in a decorative bowl with a spoon in it.
Daisies and Pie
Ranch Coleslaw
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.
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17
carrot and beet slaw in a white bowl with serving spoons.
Craving Something Healthy
Sweet Carrot Cabbage and Beet Slaw
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.
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18
strips of bacon jerky in a mason jar.
Aubrey’s Kitchen
Bacon Jerky
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.
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19
air fryer onion rings in a white bowl.
Simplify Create Inspire
Air Fryer Onion Rings
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.
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20
overhead of some air fried smashed potatoes.
Simply Scrumptious Eats
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
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.
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21
overhead of salad in a white bowl with two serving spoons in it.
Clean Plate Mama
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Featuring apples, roasted walnuts, and goat cheese, and a maple vinaigrette dressing, this salad is a great side to pair with the main event!
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22
fork holding some slaw with more in a bowl underneath it.
Food Plus Words
Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette
This unique coleslaw recipe features a combination of savory and sweet flavors for the perfect complement to a platter of chicken and waffles.
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23
pear compote in a small glass with a spoon in it.
The Healthy Epicurean
Pear Compote
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!
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24
overhead of peach chutney dressing on a dark plate.
The Devil Wears Salad
Peach Chutney Dressing
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.
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25
two bloody maria cocktails with garnishes around.
2 Cookin Mamas
Bloody Maria Cocktail
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!
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So, which of these great side dishes will you try the next time you serve up your favorite chicken and waffles recipe?

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