We're having wings tonight? Oh yeah, count us in!
Now, chicken wings are amazing on their own, but let's not forget the side dishes (the drumette and flat sections of the chicken wing, popular fried or grilled poultry cuts).
A great side can turn a good meal into a legendary feast. We've got opinions (lots of them) on the best sides to serve with chicken wings.
One of my go-to sides? Sweet potato fries. Just saying.
Let's talk about how we can make your wing night complete. Get ready to drool over these amazing sides.
Top 12 Side Dishes for Chicken Wings
Here are our top 12 picks for what to serve with chicken wings:
| Side Dish | Main Ingredients | flavor | Difficulty | Time |
| Coleslaw | Cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise | Creamy, tangy | Easy | 15 min |
| Sweet Potato Fries | Sweet potatoes, olive oil, sea salt | Sweet, savory | Easy | 25 min |
| Pickled Vegetables | Carrots, cucumbers, vinegar | Tangy, crunchy | Easy | 10 min |
| Cornbread Muffins | Cornmeal, flour, buttermilk | Sweet, savory | Medium | 30 min |
| Avocado Salad | Avocado, tomatoes, red onion | Fresh, creamy | Easy | 10 min |
| Baked Beans | Beans, brown sugar, bacon | Sweet, smoky | Medium | 1 hr |
| Greek Salad | Cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese | Fresh, tangy | Easy | 15 min |
| Fried Plantains | Plantains, oil, sea salt | Sweet, savory | Easy | 20 min |
| Grilled Pineapple | Pineapple, honey, lime juice | Sweet, tangy | Easy | 15 min |
| Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower | Cauliflower, garlic, Parmesan cheese | Savory, garlicky | Medium | 30 min |
| Watermelon Feta Salad | Watermelon, feta cheese, mint | Fresh, sweet, salty | Easy | 10 min |
| Jalapeno Poppers | Jalapenos, cream cheese, bacon | Spicy, creamy | Medium | 25 min |
1 - Coleslaw
Coleslaw is our pick for the perfect wing side. The crunchiness of the cabbage (Brassica oleracea), paired with a tangy, creamy dressing, balances out those spicy wings like a charm.
We love it with a mix of purple and green cabbage, carrots, and a bit of apple.
Sometimes, we throw in a handful of raisins for that extra zing.
The dressing is simple: mayo, vinegar, a touch of sugar, and mustard for some kick. Trust us, the freshness of this coleslaw brightens up the entire meal.
It's like a mini-vacation in a bowl.
2 - Sweet Potato Fries
Who can say no to sweet potato fries? They're crispy, sweet, and savory.
We fry 'em up till they're golden and crunchy. The basics are sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), olive oil, salt, and paprika.
The flavor? Out of this world.
Sweet, with a touch of spice.
They're a sassy cousin to regular fries and pair nicely with warm sides for sweet potato soup.
Perfect for dipping!
3 - Pickled Vegetables
We're big fans of pickled veggies as a wing side and they work well as tangy complements for roasted vegetables.
Ingredients usually include cucumbers, carrots, and radishes. Our secret tip?
Add some jalapeños for a kick. The vinegar marinade (often a 1:1 vinegar-to-water brine) gives them a bright, acidic flavor.
They balance every bite perfectly.
Love the way the pickling takes each veggie to the next level.
4 - Cornbread Muffins
Mmmm, cornbread muffins, y'all! We love them sweet and buttery, with a hint of honey.
Ingredients we use: cornmeal (ground from Zea mays), flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter. Sometimes, a pinch of jalapeños for spice.
They're soft inside, with crispy edges. Perfect to soak up wing sauce.
Each bite, a blissful explosion of flavor.
5 - Avocado Salad
Let's sing praises for avocado salad. Rich, creamy avocados (Persea americana) mixed with cherry tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro.
We usually toss them with lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The combination is refreshing and bright.
It's a light, crispy companion that balances the spicy wings perfectly and pairs with fresh sides for taco salad.
6 - Baked Beans
Baked beans are a must for any wing night and sit nicely with classic sides for baked beans.
We start with navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), add molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and bacon.
That bacon brings smoky goodness. The beans? Soft and tender.
We love how they soak up all the sweet flavors. Oh, and they're surprisingly good cold too.
Perfect side for wings.
7 - Greek Salad
A classic and bright pick that also pairs with light sides for Greek chicken.
We mix cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta (a brined sheep and/or goat's milk cheese).
The flavors? Tangy, salty, and crisp.
A drizzle of olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, and a sprinkle of oregano.
It's bright, bold, and refreshing. Perfect for balancing those spicy wings.
8 - Fried Plantains
We absolutely love fried plantains. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, they're sweet and savory.
Plantains (Musa × paradisiaca), oil, salt. That's it!
We usually slice them thin and fry until golden.
They're perfect with wing sauce.
Every bite is a taste of tropical delight. Perfect way to switch things up.
9 - Grilled Pineapple
Grilled pineapple is a useful for wing night. You get a taste of summer in every bite.
We don't complicate things: pineapple (Ananas comosus) slices, a touch of brown sugar, and a little cinnamon.
Grilling caramelizes the sugars, creating a sweet and smoky flavor. Perfect balance for spicy wings.
Try it, you'll love the contrast. And the simplicity?
Priceless.
10 - Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower
We love this side because it's savory and slightly cheesy. The cauliflower gets roasted to perfection.
Ingredients are simple: cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and a pinch of salt.
Roasting brings out a nutty flavor. The parmesan adds some umami.
It's crunchy, rich, and absolutely delicious.
Plus, it's healthier than you think!
11 - Watermelon Feta Salad
This salad is like a summer breeze in a bowl. We love its contrasting flavors.
Juicy watermelon meets tangy feta. Crunchy cucumbers and fresh mint improve the dish.
Ingredients? Simple: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), feta, cucumber, mint, lime juice, and a bit of olive oil.
The lime juice ties everything together. It's refreshing and bright.
Make sure to chill before serving.
12 - Jalapeno Poppers
We love these little bites of heaven. They're spicy, cheesy, and crispy.
We stuff jalapenos (Capsicum annuum) with cream cheese and cheddar. Then, we coat them in breadcrumbs and bake or fry them.
The result? A crunchy exterior with a gooey, spicy filling.
The flavors explode in your mouth. You'll get heat from the jalapenos and gooeyness from the cheese.
Take it from us, these are never enough. They're a must-have on our wing nights.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
