Quick Sides for Wings for 2024
Wings are undeniably one of the most beloved finger foods, especially when they are hot, juicy, and coated in a spicy sauce.
Whether you prefer classic buffalo wings or tangy BBQ flavors, these delicious bites are synonymous with game days, parties, and cozy nights in.
But what makes a great chicken wing dinner even better? The perfect side dishes, of course!
No need to spend hours in the kitchen, as these easy sides for wings are packed with delicious flavors and can be prepared with simple ingredients.
From crispy sweet potato fries to creamy blue cheese dip and fresh carrot sticks, these sides will complete your meal and add an extra level of satisfaction to your wing night.
Here Are the Quick and Easy Sides that Go Well with Chicken Wings
Super-Crispy Oven Fries
These fries will take you back to childhood, but they’re so good you won’t want to share them with anyone else. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with flavor. Making them in an air Fryer with sour cream as a dipping sauce makes it a classic side dish. A healthier option is to cut up some cherry tomatoes to make it a wholesome tasty side dish.
Classic Potato Salad
This classic potato salad is a crowd-pleaser, but if you want to add some extra flavor, try adding bacon bits, diced ham, or crumbled-cooked sausage. See our recipe for potato salad.
What Makes Potato Salad My Favorite Side for Chicken Wings
Flavor Balance:
- Contrast in Flavors: Chicken wings are often spicy, tangy, or smoky, depending on the sauce or marinade used. Potato salad, on the other hand, is generally creamy and mild, which can balance out the strong flavors of the wings.
- Complementary Tastes: The earthiness of potatoes complements the meatiness of chicken wings.
Texture:
- Variety: Chicken wings are usually crispy and/or juicy, while potato salad is soft and creamy. This difference in texture adds another layer of interest to the meal.
- Mouthfeel: The creaminess of the potato salad can also help to counteract the spiciness or tanginess of the wings, providing a more rounded eating experience.
Convenience:
- Make-Ahead: Potato salad can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, making it a convenient option when you’re focusing on cooking the wings.
- Easy to Serve: Both dishes are easy to portion out and serve, making them ideal for gatherings or family meals.
- Portability: Both are also easy to transport, making them good choices for picnics or potlucks.
Also, if you are serving a large group, then see our handy table of how much potato salad to serve per person.
Hot Mac and Cheese Pairs with Spicy Chicken Wings
This mac and cheese has a kick from the jalapeño peppers, but it’s not too spicy. It’s perfect for those who don’t like too much spice and the cheese tones down the jalapenos.
Chicken Nuggets Pair with Chicken Wings when You Are Serving Kids
Sometimes, kids do not like to eat chicken wings, so serve a few chicken nuggets with them.
The secret ingredient is tomato sauce making this combination ultimate comfort foods.
Homemade Cobb Salad Pairs Perfectly with Easy Chicken Wings
This salad is perfect for parties because it’s easy to eat and transport. It’s also delicious and filling, so you won’t feel like you’ve had overeaten.
Baked Avocado Fries
These fries will take you back to childhood, but they’re so good you won’t want to share them with anyone else. They’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and just plain delicious.
Cornbread
Cornbread has a nice crunchy crust and a soft interior. It’s perfect for dipping into a bowl of chili or serving alongside a big plate of fried chicken wings.
Homemade Coleslaw
Homemade coleslaw has all the flavor of regular slaw without any of the junk.
It’s easy to make, too. Just mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, mustard powder, celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, and dill weed.
Add shredded cabbage and toss well. Serve immediately. See our handy table for how much coleslaw to serve per person.
Onion Rings
These onion rings are so delicious they will leave you begging for more. They’re crispy outside and tender inside, and the secret ingredient is a touch of garlic powder.
Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is packed with veggies and will satisfy you all day. It’s perfect for lunch boxes and picnics.
Here is why I like pasta salad with spicy foods like chicken wings.
- Contrast in Flavors: Chicken wings often come with bold flavors like spicy, tangy, or smoky. Pasta salad can be made with a variety of dressings and ingredients that are milder, offering a nice counterbalance.
- Complementary Tastes: The neutral flavor of pasta can serve as a canvas that complements the strong flavors of chicken wings.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is one of those dishes that I think everyone should know how to make. It’s so versatile and easy to throw together. Plus, it’s delicious. See our special recipe for homemade Indonesian fried rice. This really brings asian flavors to your chicken wing meal.
Easy Street Corn
I love buying corn in a cup in Asia, and you know what it pairs perfectly with chicken wings. The corn is cooked in butter and then tossed with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, and chili powder. It’s served hot and topped with cheese.
This goes great with hot chicken wings with cheesy goodness.
Baked Potato Skins
Baked potato skins are so easy to whip up that they’re perfect for any occasion.
They’re super versatile, too – you could serve them as appetizers, snacks, or a perfect finger food. The key is using a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (see the difference between Butchers Paper and Parchment Paper )
Pickles
The pickle has long been a staple of American cuisine. Furthermore, there are many different types of pickles available today.
Pickled beets, pickled cucumbers, pickled carrots, pickled onions, pickled okra, pickled watermelon rind, pickled eggs, pickled radishes; most of these will add a tang to your chicken wings.
Soft Pretzels
This style of pretzel is soft enough to eat without a knife, and they taste like a cross between a breadstick and a roll. They’re perfect for dipping into sauces and eating with chicken wings, but I love them just plain, too.
Couscous and Cranberry Salad
Couscous absorbs the flavors of the chicken wings well and provides a great yet gentle texture. See how much couscous you need per person.
Green Beans
If you’re looking for a quick way to get some veggies into your plates of chicken wings, try green beans. They’re simple to prepare and can be used in a variety of ways. You can sautee, steam, boil, or roast them.
Spicy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
If you’ve ever had honey mustard sauce, you know how good it is. I love the honey mustard sauce on chicken wings.
But do not forget ranch dressing which mixes well with the savory flavors from spicy wings.
Garden Salad
A Garden Salad pairs well with chicken wings and does not overpower the taste of the chicken wings. A garden salad can include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, celery, red onion, green onions, garlic, and basil. The dressing is made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Mashed Potato
Mashed Potatoes are one of the quickest and easiest sides for wings, plus they are very versatile. They can be used in so many different ways, but I love mixing the mashed potatoes into the chicken wing sauce or juices.
What Are the Best Low-Carb Sides for Wings?
The quickest, easiest, and tastiest low-carb side for chicken wings is Green Beans that have been roasted in olive oil with garlic and then topped with cheese.
You can also try these other carb dishes that pair well with wings for dinner.
- Creamed Spinach
- Baked Zucchini
- Mushrooms and Butter
- Parmesan Cheese
- Crispy Fried Onions
- Feta Cheese
- Crispy Bacon
- Black Beans
What Are the Best Sides for Buffalo Chicken Wings
The best sides that go with buffalo chicken wings are :
Corn on The Cob Goes Well with Buffalo Wings
Sweet Corn on the Cob is one of my favorite things to put on top of chicken wings. Sweet corn is boiled until tender, then seasoned with salt and pepper.
Also, try Garlic Bread, Baked Potato Skins, Coleslaw, Mashed Potatoes, and Spicy Honey Mustard Dips.
What Is the Best Rice to Go with Chicken Wings
The best rice that pairs with chicken wings is : Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is an aromatic long-grain rice native to India. It is often referred to as “the king of all rice” because it has a nutty aroma and a delicate fragrance.
One of my favourite rice dish to serve with wings on game day is yellow rice
Top Healthy Sides for Wings
- Roasted or Boiled Green Beans
- Grilled Asparagus
- Grilled Tomatoes
What Are the Best Sides to Serve with Korean Wings
Korean food has a lot of different sides to choose from. These include kimchi, gochujang, rice cakes, fried tofu, and many more.
There are so many options that deciding what to eat with your wings is hard. But there are a few things that are good choices.
- Kimchi is one of the most popular sides of Korean food and will pair with wings. It’s spicy and tangy and goes well with any meat or seafood, including Korean chicken wings.
- Gochujang is another popular side dish for Korean Chicken Wings
- Rice cakes are also very popular. They’re crispy and chewy and go great with any meat or fish.
- Fried tofu is another option. It’s usually served cold and tastes great with anything.
What Are the Best Vegetables to Serve with Chicken Wings
Eating vegetables with chicken wings can add a refreshing and healthy component to your meal. Here are some popular vegetable options that pair well with chicken wings:
Celery and Carrot Sticks
- Cooling Effect: Both celery and carrot sticks have a cooling effect that can help balance the heat from spicy wings.
- Crunchy Texture: The crunchiness provides a nice contrast to the soft and juicy texture of the wings.
Cucumber Slices
- Hydration: Cucumbers have a high water content, which can be refreshing when eating spicy or salty wings.
- Mild Flavor: The mild flavor of cucumber doesn’t overpower the taste of the wings.
Bell Peppers
- Colorful: Bell peppers add a splash of color to the plate.
- Sweetness: The natural sweetness can balance out the spiciness of the wings.
Do You Eat Chicken Wing Skin?
Reasons to Eat the Skin:
- Flavor: The skin often holds a lot of the seasoning and marinade, making it one of the most flavorful parts of the chicken wing.
- Texture: The skin can become crispy when cooked properly, adding a satisfying crunch to the wing.
- Fulfillment: For some people, the skin is the best part of the chicken wing, offering a richer, more complete eating experience.
Reasons to Avoid the Skin:
- Caloric Density: Chicken skin is high in fat and therefore calories. If you’re watching your caloric intake, you might choose to remove the skin.
- Health Concerns: The skin contains more saturated fats and cholesterol compared to the lean meat, which could be a concern for those monitoring their heart health.
- Dietary Restrictions: Some diets, like certain low-fat or cholesterol-lowering diets, recommend avoiding chicken skin.