Wondering what sides for chicken wings to serve so they turn into an amazing meal? Here are some delicious sides to eat with chicken wings that will make them more appetizing for the entire family!
With so many varieties to choose from, it would be impossible to get bored with chicken wings. They’re not exactly a full meal, though even if you add some Grilled Apples.
Whether you are at a best wings tailgating competition or just whipping up a double batch to watch Sunday’s game, you want to know what goes with wings to have your party rule the day.
It’s a good thing they go well with plenty of side dishes. This will allow you to get a far more interesting experience when enjoying your favorite Orange and Honey Sriracha, Grilled Garlic Parmesan, or Smoked Chicken Wings.
Don’t forget your indoor Air Fryer versions as well. We love to make Sweet Asian ones when the weather is too cold (who said that?) to grill. The boneless wings from the fryer only take 20-25 minutes. Try using lemon pepper or Buffalo seasoning.
Regardless if you are looking to transform them into a comforting meal, or you’re trying to stick to lower calorie options, I’m sure you’ll find at least a few recipes you’ll want to try!
🧅 Heavier Sides To Serve With Chicken Wings
A comforting feast is perfect for the cold season and there’s nothing wrong with craving one every once in a while.
These sides are finger-licking good, and most of them make great snacks as well.
Baked Onion Rings
Baking and air frying are wonderful methods to enjoy crispy foods with a limited amount of grease. You will still get that comfort food taste without the calories.
For these baked onion rings, the perfect crispiness is provided by the panko breadcrumbs.
They taste way nicer than the typical restaurant versions that use a thick layer of batter and lots of oil. The sweetness and crunchy texture works perfectly with a platter of freshly grilled wings.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Enjoy sweet potato fries with a soft center, crispy exterior, and low in fat! Nothing beats chicken wings and fries.
The Air Fryer will provide the best texture but it’s ok if you don’t have one. The oven gets the job done too. We use the Ninja Basket Version for making these and they turn out fantastic every time.
Just be sure to toss them a few times while baking so they cook evenly. Serve these up with a couple of different dipping sauces on the side.
Jalapeño Cornbread Swirls Recipe
I’m a big fan of the classic cornbread but I also like to explore alternatives because there are so many fantastic flavor pairings to try. These are delicious, especially as it only takes three easy-to-find ingredients and take just a couple minutes to make.
Cornbread swirls are easy to make and they really look impressive. I’m sure guests and your family will love these as a party appetizer too. When making these for a party, consider using a mini cupcake pan to make them the two bite option.
15 Minute Soy Sauce Butter Fried Rice
The combination of ingredients in this fried rice recipe is amazing! I love recipes like this one that has ingredients we are all familiar with yet used in an interesting manner. Plus, the minimal cook time makes it perfect when making good sides for wings. You can have this whipped up while the wings are grilling and everything will be ready at the same time.
Chili flakes, soy sauce, butter, green onions, and broccoli go really well together and they definitely complement some juicy chicken wings.
Smashed Potatoes
If there’s something you need to appreciate about potatoes is how delicious they can be without spending a lot of effort.
Stepping away from the classic French fries, try these smashed potatoes. If you don’t want to have the garlic flavor, switch it up for other flavors from your spice cabinet. Try a Cajun or classic rosemary and thyme combination.
You’ll be surprised how yummy they can turn out with just 10 minutes prep! Be creative and convert this to a recipe for the grill so you don’t heat up the house.
Crispy Fried Dill Pickles
You can definitely enjoy some regular dill pickles with chicken wings, but the fried version is a comforting treat we all deserve to try.
The best part is, you can use various kinds of pickles and keep experimenting! This is another recipe that can be whipped up using your Air Fryer to save even more time.
Homemade BBQ Chips
The store-bought potato chips usually contain some ingredients that are difficult to pronounce, so making them at home is the best way to make sure you know what you are eating.
To get them really crispy, rinse the sliced potatoes in cold water before cooking. This will remove all the excess starch that can make them stick together.
Grab some Disposable French fry holders or the fancy Metal Cone versions you see at breweries when you are hosting guests. I guarantee that these will be a huge hit at your next BBQ!
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese
You don’t need a special occasion to make this lovely mac and cheese variation. Serve it up and it can be the highlight of your cookout. But pair it with wings, and you have a match made in heaven.
Let’s be honest, though. So many things go well with mac and cheese! We don’t need wings for an excuse.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
When you need something delicious on the table fast, put your Air Fryer to good use!
These Jalapeño Poppers need just eight minutes in the Air Fryer and make a perfect two bite appetizer, especially when hosting a cookout where friends and family mingle standing up.
Be prepared, though: you might need to make several batches.
🥗 Lighter Sides To Serve With Chicken Wings
Opting for a lighter side is a simple way to keep the calories down. As much as you might love carbs, you will find the flavors of veggie-rich dishes can be out of this world! There is no need to skip keeping your weight under control and still partaking in the fun.
Roasted Asparagus With Caramelized Onions & Pine Nuts
Asparagus is one of those veggies great for roasting.
The caramelized onions and pine nuts give it a sweet, earthy and crunchy taste that is out of this world!
Even if you use just some salt and olive oil, it will taste wonderful. This is a dish that I would serve if you are expecting your guests to sit down to eat. Juggling this one along with silverware standing up is a challenge. When this becomes an issue, we try to use the Resusable Picnic Plates with a place for your thumb and wine glass all in one.
Crunchy Beetroot & Apple Salad
With sweet, sour, and savory flavors carefully combined, this colorful salad is a yummy appetizer or snack.
Pair it with chicken wings for a match made in heaven!
Protein and a serious amount of vitamins and minerals seem like the kind of meal that can help you refuel while keeping the calories down and the fiber high.
Sautéed Eggplant
If you ever tried grilled or oven-roasted eggplant, I am sure you will love the sautéed version!
With sautéing, the caramelization process is more intense, which will create an intense flavor.
You can even customize the ingredients to bring in some of your favorites. I use our Lodge Cast Iron skillet when making it. It caramelizes beautifully and can also be done out on our grill using the same method.
Sweet Onion & Vinegar Coleslaw
I think we can all appreciate the myriad variations of this classic salad that goes well with anything and everything.
The secret of this coleslaw is in the dressing.
Vinegar, sugar, oil, grated onion, and celery seeds make a unique combo that can successfully replace the traditional mayo-based dressing. Make sure to make this slaw ahead of time so the flavors have time to come together.
You’ll have it chilled and ready to go when the wings come off the grill!
Keto Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower has its own creamy goodness and subtle flavor that will guarantee your guests will rave over them.
You can keep things simple and use just cauliflower, butter, and heavy cream or add other tasty ingredients like cheese, bacon, and garlic. We still consider this “light” as those ingredients are optional.
Your taste buds will be fooled here thinking it is a comfort food but it’s so good for you that your waist line will thank you.
Sautéed Korean Cucumber Side Dish
Sautéed Korean cucumbers are a delightful side dish for chicken wings.
This is a really quick dish keeps a bit of the cucumber’s crunchiness.
Everything is coated with sesame seeds and sesame oil. The smell in your kitchen is amazing!
If you get lazy on this one, simply slice the cucumbers and drizzle with the oil and sesame seeds for a super quick adaptation.
Best Avocado Salad
For a light but satisfying summer meal, serve your chicken wings with this avocado salad.
The cilantro lime dressing is easy to make, especially with all the useful tips included.
Pair it with various meat-based mains, like fish tacos, chicken enchiladas, and almost any BBQ dish. A little caution on this one as the avocados like to turn colors quickly so make sure the dressing is fully covering for full protection.
Easy Tzatziki Recipe
Your family and guests will love chicken wings served with a tzatziki dip. Not only can you dip your wings in it, you can use it to dip tomatoes, cucumbers and celery.
The creamy cucumber yogurt sauce with garlic, dill, and lemon makes a highly enjoyable dip that’s also low in calories.
FAQ
Wing are chock full of vitamin A, B6 and B12 not to mention zinc, calcium and iron.
The part that makes them unhealthy is the skin, the little fat and how you prepare them such as deep frying. Combat this by removing the skin before cooking so the herbs or seasoning is still on the chicken, grill or air fry them and always be cautious how many you actually eat. Remember portion sizes.
While most of us nibble them and miss out on a lot of the meat that is left near the bones (don’t waste all that yummy food!) There is a way to combat that.
Holding the wing flat (the one that has the two bones) you will snap off the little bit of cartilage on the pointing side. Now put that pointed side of the wing to the plate and PUSH down with your fingers towards the plate to push the meat down, similar to what we do when making Chicken Lollipops. Now the meat is right at the end, you can dip and eat, while not leaving anything on the bones.
If you are a visual person, watch the first couple seconds of this video.
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Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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