15 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Wings

Turn your favorite appetizer into a meal

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Published on 02/1/21
Air Fryer Onion Rings

The Spruce/Leah Maroney

Wondering what to serve with chicken wings at your next game day gathering or potluck? Try these inspired ideas for yummy side dishes that go great with a plate of chicken wings, from crave-worthy fried foods to healthy salads, and more.

  • 01 of 15

    Easy Oven French Fries

    Easy Oven French Fries

    The Spruce

    Enjoy a pub-style dinner at home by serving your favorite chicken wings with easy homemade French fries. These are oven-baked, for a lower-calorie side, without the splatter factor of oil-fried potatoes. For crispy results, toss evenly-sliced potato sticks in a little bit of olive oil, and don't overcrowd the baking sheet.

  • 02 of 15

    Greek Yogurt Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

    Greek Yogurt Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

    The Spruce/Leah Maroney

    Everyone loves Caesar salad, making it an ideal side dish when you're hosting friends and family. Toss together this easy version for game day gatherings, or whenever you need a cooling side to pair with hot and spicy chicken wings. It's got all the fancy flavor of a restaurant Caesar salad, with a no-fuss, tangy dressing you can whip up in the blender, and even make ahead.

  • 03 of 15

    Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

    Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    A handful of dried spices, and just a bit of sugar, transform a humble head of cauliflower into a caramelized, spicy treat. These spicy baked cauliflower florets are a sneakily healthy side dish to serve with honey garlic wings. They are also a great way to get spice-loving family members to eat more veggies.

  • 04 of 15

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    The Spruce/Leah Maroney

    Blue cheese adds an undeniable wallop of flavor to this easy, creamy, crunchy coleslaw salad. It makes a fantastic, tangy cookout side dish for sweet barbecue chicken wings, or an inspired topping for pulled pork, hot dogs, and fish tacos. Any crumbled blue cheese will work in this recipe, from a powerful Roquefort, to a milder Danish Blue.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below.
  • 05 of 15

    Deep Fried Butternut Squash

    Deep Fried Butternut Squash

    The Spruce/Diana Rattray

    Perfectly seasoned, with a nice, crunchy crust, and a tender interior, butternut squash bites are a tasty pairing for saucy, maple-glazed wings. These easy, crispy veggie bites are reminiscent of tempura vegetables, with a homey vibe that makes them ideal for year-round snacking and eating.

  • 06 of 15

    Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    The Spruce/Diana Rattray

    The flavors of Ranch dressing and Buffalo chicken wings go together like chips and salsa. This essential cookout and potluck pasta salad makes a big bowlful, and is easy to double for a larger crowd. Make it with whatever short pasta is hanging out in your pantry, and feel free to tweak it to taste with chopped raw vegetables, or drained canned beans for extra protein.

  • 07 of 15

    Quick Microwave Nachos

    Quick Microwave Nachos

     The Spruce

    Imagine a plate piled high with your favorite Super Bowl snacks, and it probably includes chicken wings and nachos. Whip up a quick and easy platter of microwave nachos for football watching parties, or whenever you want to recreate the magic of this popular game day appetizer. Older kids can even assemble these nachos on their own, for a satisfying after-school snack.

  • 08 of 15

    Southern Macaroni and Pimiento Cheese

    Southern Macaroni and Pimiento Cheese

    The Spruce/Diana Rattray

    Macaroni and cheese turns an appetizer of chicken wings into a filling, Southern-style dinner. With oodles of sharp cheddar cheese, diced pimientos, and a a crunchy French fried onion topping, this family-friendly baked pasta casserole is sure to score a place in your weekday rotation.

    Continue to 9 of 15 below.
  • 09 of 15

    Creamy Dill Pickle Potato Salad

    Creamy Dill Pickle Potato Salad

    Ina Peters/Stocksy United

    Create the ultimate cookout plate with a pile of barbecue chicken wings and a heaping serving of creamy, dilly potato salad. Bright and tangy pickle juice adds refreshing balance to the creamy mayonnaise dressing, for a cookout-friendly side that goes great with everything from chicken and burgers, to grilled steaks and seafood.

  • 10 of 15

    Air Fryer Onion Rings

    Air Fryer Onion Rings

    The Spruce/Leah Maroney

    Air fryer onion rings have all the crispy, crunchy goodness of the popular restaurant snack, without the extra fat and calories found in deep-fried onion rings. Serve them up with honey garlic or teriyaki chicken wings for a crave-worthy meal that will bring the family running to the table.

  • 11 of 15

    Greek-Style Barley Salad

    Greek-Style Barley Salad

    The Spruce/Ahlam Raffii

    Enjoy the yummy flavors and health benefits of a grain salad and a Greek salad, all in one scrumptious side. This fresh barley salad with colorful, chopped raw vegetables and tangy feta cheese is the perfect, picnic-style accompaniment to a serving of spicy barbecue chicken wings.

  • 12 of 15

    Homemade Soft Pretzels

    tray of homemade german pretzels

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    These amazing, soft golden pretzels are easy to prepare and bake. They make a great crowd-pleaser to serve with wings. Salty, addictive, and browned on the outside with a tender interior, they are sure to disappear quickly at potlucks and game day gatherings. Just add a bottle of your favorite light or dark beer.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below.
  • 13 of 15

    Spicy Greens Salad with Gochujang Dressing

    Spicy Greens Salad with Gochujang Dressing

    Katie Workman/Getty Images

    Bold-tasting, Chinese-style chicken wings call for a side dish that can hold its own. Look no further than this unique side salad of mixed, peppery greens tossed in an assertive dressing that includes spicy Korean gochujang, plus a little orange juice and honey for added sweetness. It's a side dish you'll want to serve with all your home-cooked Asian mains.

  • 14 of 15

    Stuffed Baked Potatoes

    Stuffed Baked Potatoes

    The Spruce/Loren Runion

    Baked stuffed potatoes — also known as twice-baked potatoes — are always a hit at game nights and barbecues. They make a hearty and satisfying side dish for honey glazed chicken wings, or a piping hot bowl of beef chili. Add your choice of cheese and other toppings to customize them to taste, with suggestions in the recipe.

  • 15 of 15

    Classic Bruschetta

    Authentic Bruschetta on toasted bread

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    Alternate bites of luscious chicken wings with fresh, acidic bites of classic bruschetta. Often served as a passed appetizer, this recipe makes the perfect duo for your game day spread. It takes minimal effort and ingredients, so you can focus more time on refreshments and having fun. Turn these Italian crostinis into your own adventure by piling them high with canned fish, charcuterie, cheese, olives, or whatever else you can find in your pantry.