Whether you’re cooking for the family or arranging a relaxed get-together with your mates, adding chicken wings to your menu is always guaranteed to go down a storm. Chicken wings are deliciously juicy and full of flavor. They can be the main dish or part of a buffet. But what do you eat with them?
Our chefs carefully make a wide range of tasty dishes to go with our famous wings at our sports bars and restaurants in Solihull and other places. Now that you know what to serve with chicken wings, here are our eight favorite recipes.
Spicy chicken dishes pack some serious heat. While the fiery kick is part of the appeal, the richness of the sauce and intensity of the spices can quickly overwhelm your palate Thankfully, the right sides can help balance out the flavors and prevent your mouth from being burnt to a crisp
We’ll talk about the best side dishes to go with spicy chicken in this article so that your meal is balanced, tasty, and easy to handle. These sides go great with spicy chicken. They range from cool salads and slaws to starchy sides and creamy dips.
The Heat is On: Appreciating the Allure of Spicy Chicken
Spicy chicken has become incredibly popular and for good reason. When it’s done right, there’s nothing better than tender meat covered in a spicy mix that makes your tongue tingle. You keep coming back for more because the mix of sweet and spicy tastes so good.
Flavors like wings, drumsticks, and tenders get an extra kick from paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and other spices. From not too spicy to so hot it will blow your head off, there is a spicy chicken dish for everyone.
While some like to up the ante by piling on even more hot sauce, most enjoy spicy chicken best when the heat is balanced out. This prevents the burning sensation from dulling your taste buds and allows the other flavors like herbs, citrus and savory seasonings to shine through.
That’s where the right side dishes come in. Playing a supporting role, they help balance out and highlight the flavors of the spicy chicken star.
Cooling Complements: Salads and Slaws
Salads and creamy slaws are natural pairings for spicy chicken. With their combination of cooling greens, crisp veggies and tangy dressings, these sides provide relief from the heat while adding flavor and texture contrasts.
Coleslaw is a classic option. The crunchy cabbage and carrots soaked in a creamy, vinegar-laced dressing helps cut through the spice. Try tangy variations like lime cilantro slaw for a Mexican spice pairing or a cooling raita coleslaw with Indian dishes.
Potato salad also complements fiery chicken well. The starchiness of the potatoes mellows the heat while the vinegar dressing and crunchy bits of onion and celery brighten up the rich flavors.
Chopped veggie salads make refreshing, healthier options too. With spicy chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots dressed in a light vinaigrette, you get a great mix of tastes and textures.
For a fruit-filled fix, tropical fruit salads like mango, pineapple and papaya help tame the heat with their sweetness. Melon salads work similarly, with refreshing honeydew and cantaloupe cubes cooling things down.
Starches: Satisfying Spuds, Grains and More
Starchy sides soak up sauce and help mellow out spicy chicken’s heat. Potatoes, rice, pasta and breads make excellent accompaniments.
Mashed potatoes reign supreme, providing a creamy contrast to cut through the spices. Roasted potatoes also work well – crispy on the outside with a fluffy interior.
Rice is another essential pairing, with its fluffy, mild grains absorbing the rich sauce. White and fried rice are perfect picks, as are global varieties like coconut rice, cilantro lime rice and jasmine rice.
Pasta brings its own sauce-soaking benefits. Buttered noodles, mac and cheese, pasta salads and similar dishes give the heat something starchy to cling to.
When it comes to breads, options like buttery rolls, biscuits, flatbreads and even pita chips are great for dipping and mitigating the heat. Garlic bread is another winner, with its savory flavor and spice-taming starch.
Cooling Complements: Creamy Dips and Dressings
What better way to balance out fiery chicken than with a cooling, creamy dip? These rich and tangy options provide sweet relief in every bite.
Classic ranch dressing is tailor-made for this task. It’s cool, tangy and packed with herbs – the perfect fire extinguisher and flavor booster in one. Blue cheese dip works similarly, with its crumbly bite cutting through the spice.
Guacamole and avocado salsa offer creamy relief thanks to the rich smoothness of the avocado. Their fresh flavors and pleasant acidity help lift the chicken flavors as well.
Tzatziki is another great Mediterranean option, thanks to the cooling yogurt and herb flavors. Its cucumber and garlic notes freshen up each bite. For Indian options, a mint raita or mango chutney work excellently.
Don’t overlook condiments like sour cream, Greek yogurt and cream cheese either. Their subtle tang and rich creaminess help temper the heat.
Thirst Quenching Drinks
What you sip on to accompany spicy chicken matters just as much as what you eat with it. The right beverages can truly save your tongue from the fiery wrath of chili spices.
Iced tea, particularly the sweetened variety, is a longtime favorite pairing. The chilliness and subtle sweetness helps calm seared tastebuds. Lemonade works similarly, providing sweet, lemony relief.
Fruit juices like orange, grapefruit, pineapple and cranberry refresh the palate and bridge the flavors nicely. Coconut water is ideal for rehydrating and cooling as well.
Beer and cocktails are popular pairings too. Crisp lagers, wheat beers and cider provide a pleasant contrast while drinks like margaritas blend sweet, sour and spice.
Of course, you can never go wrong with good old water. Sipping some between bites cleanses your palate and keeps the heat manageable. Add some fruit like lemon or cucumber for extra flavor.
Standout Sides for Spicy Chicken
- Cool, crunchy coleslaws, salads and slaws
- Creamy, starchy mashed potatoes
- Rice varieties like jasmine or cilantro lime
- Pasta and buttery breads
- Sweet and creamy dressings and dips
- Thirst-quenching iced tea, lemonade and juices
Spicy chicken may be the star, but the right supporting sides make the dish truly shine. With a balanced plate of complements keeping the heat in check, you can properly appreciate the full flavors at work in your favorite fiery chicken recipes.
So don’t be afraid to spice it up – just make sure you’ve got the cool complements ready to save your palate! With the perfect sides taking the edge off, you can enjoy all the amazing flavors of spicy chicken without getting burned.
Sides For Chicken Wings: What To Serve With Chicken Wings
From melty, rich mac and cheese goodness to crunchy yet fluffy seasoned fries, you’ll never be short on options when deciding on the perfect side dishes to enjoy alongside your chicken wings. All of our ideas are easy to change to accommodate your guests who are vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, so everyone can eat what they want. So, without further ado, let’s get those stomachs rumbling with our tasty side dish suggestions:
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Mac and cheese is first. This is a favorite at our sports bar in Canterbury and all of our other locations. Nothing gives heart eyes quite like the ultimate cheese pull, so perfecting your sauce will be first on the agenda. The secret is to mix your cheese – a combination of gruyere and mozzarella is our go-to, but cheddar also works beautifully.
Start by melting butter over medium heat in a large saucepan before adding flour and stirring. Slowly add the milk until the butter and flour paste is gone. Then add your spices. For a mild kick, we like garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder.
The consistency you are looking for is just enough to coat the back of your spoon. Once you reach this, it’s time to take your pan off the heat and add your cheese while stirring consistently.
And there you have it, the tastiest mac and cheese sauce on the internet. For more recipes, including a vegan alternative, take a look at our previous article!
We have found that there’s one dish that even the pickiest of eaters cannot say no to, and that’s onion rings. So, if you’re looking for a side that’ll please everyone’s tastebuds, this is your winner.
Super straightforward to prepare and even easier to cook, onion rings can be made with just a handful of cupboard ingredients. Start by slicing an onion into rings around a quarter of an inch thick.
For your batter, in one bowl, combine flour, cornfour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In another, whisk eggs with milk and salt. You’ll need to coat your onion rings in the flour mixture and then in the egg mix. Shake away any excess, coat your onion rings in breadcrumbs, and then fry in oil.
Head over to My Latina Table for more handy tips on perfecting this recipe.
Able to be effortlessly tailored to any dietary requirements, stuffed potato skins are one of the most versatile side dishes you could choose. Fill your potato skin with the flavour combinations of your choice, from the classic cheese and crispy bacon to chilli con carne. You can even swap your potatoes for sweet potatoes for a super tasty alternative!
Preparing your potatoes couldn’t be easier. Simply prick your potatoes with a fork and lightly coat them in olive oil. Pop them into the oven for around an hour at 220°C (200°C fan or gas mark 7) until they are gorgeously golden and fluffy in the middle. Always leave them to cool for about 15 minutes before beginning your filling. Take a look at The Spruce Eats for a host of great filling recipes!
It’s safe to say that we’ve found no one who can turn down the crispy-coated, cheesy goodness of mozzarella sticks – there are even vegan alternatives that are just as mouthwatering! Taking just 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, you can even make your mozzarella sticks the day before and freeze them ready to pop in the oven when your guests arrive. We love the easy-to-follow recipe over on BBC Good Food!
Now, when it comes to mozzarella sticks, it would be rude to serve them without an indulgent dipping sauce. Marinara is always a go-to, a rich tomato-based sauce complete with garlic, basil and oregano. But if you’re looking for something with a little more of a kick, you cannot go wrong with sweet chilli sauce. We’d serve both if we were you!
Speaking of heat, this brings us smoothly to our next side, the bite-sized sensations that are jalapeño poppers. Warm, spicy, and not forgetting cheesy, jalapeño poppers are a staple alongside wings.
You’ll be pleased to know that jalapeño poppers are just as simple to make as they are to eat. Depending on how big you want your sides to be, you’ll start by slicing your jalapeños into halves or quarters. These are then filled with cream cheese (and bacon bits, too, if you want some extra crunch) and deep-fried in a breadcrumb coating.
For full instructions on how to make jalapeño poppers, along with a handy tutorial video, take a look at All Recipes!
If you’re looking for a wing side that can also double up as a dip, then deliciously creamy coleslaw is a must-have. Much like loaded potato skins, you can easily put your own twist on your coleslaw recipe, whether you add sultanas for some subtle sweetness or add a pinch of spice for an unexpected but most definitely relished kick. Regardless of your secret ingredients, here’s how to make a super simple creamy coleslaw.
Start by thinly slicing or grating white cabbage, carrots and onions (if you have a mandoline slicer, this would also be perfect) into a large bowl. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and white wine vinegar before seasoning it with salt, mustard powder, and white pepper. Thorough mix and voilà, it’s really as easy as that!
This recipe can be served immediately or stored in the fridge for up to three days, and if you have extra, you absolutely must try this coleslaw on a chicken burger – you won’t regret it!
Chicken wings and fries go together like Wing Kingz and sports. It’s a match made in food heaven, so of course, they have had to land a place on our list of must-try sides. But you know us, we don’t do plain, so it’s only right to add a little seasoning.
Whether you visit us in-store or order our fries to takeaway in Coventry and other locations, you’ll have two flavours to choose from – our cajun or truffle fries. But if you’re looking to get your chef’s hat on and try your hand at a recipe from home, you cannot go wrong with a classic French fry seasoning.
The secret is all in your timing. The moment you take your fries out of the oven or fryer, coat them straight in your seasoning while they are still hot. So, how do you make the seasoning? All you’ll need to do is mix the following ingredients:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Basil
- Parsley
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
And even better, once your seasoning is made, it can be stored for up six months in an airtight spice jar, ready to use whenever you’re looking to turn your chips up a notch.
And now, we move on to what is the pièce de résistance for many – it’s got to be garlic bread. Whether you love pizza or ciabatta, with cheese or without, garlic bread is always going to be a guilty pleasure that we cannot help but tuck into. But did you know that you can prepare, cook and serve up your very own homemade garlic bread in less than half an hour? Don’t believe us – try this recipe:
In a bowl, combine softened butter with crushed garlic cloves (the more cloves, the stronger taste) and finely chopped parsley. This is then ready to spread over the bread of your choice – Italian bread is the most popular choice, but you could even make a tear-and-share dish like this recipe by Jamie Oliver.
Once your bread is lovingly dressed in garlic butter, sprinkle over a little parmesan, then cook until toasty and lightly golden. We promise this side will go down a storm!
While all of these sides are delicious in their own right, it’s important to select one that partners perfectly with your wings of choice. Below, we’ve broken down the best sides for a few of our best-selling wings. Check out our suggestions to create a mouthwatering combo.
Buffalo sauce is tangy and sharp, so your side needs to work with these powerful flavours, not against them. For this reason, we think Mac and cheese is the ideal partner for your buffalo wings. The creamy cheese helps cool down the spice and mellow out the sour kick.
When it comes to choosing the side for your hot wings, you need something that’s going to temper the spice. No matter how much heat you think you can handle, it never hurts to have a cooling companion alongside your spicy wings. That’s why creamy coleslaw is our side of choice to partner with hot wings. The mayonnaise and sour cream combine perfectly to cool down the spiciest foods.
Korean and BBQ wings are sweet, spicy, and sticky, so your side dish needs to work alongside the wings to cut through these sharp flavours. We think crispy onion rings are the perfect side dish for sweet BBQ chicken wings because they act as a palette cleanser between each wing, ensuring the sweetness doesn’t become overwhelming.
Lemon pepper wings are more subtle in their flavour, so it’s important not to overpower them with your side dish. That’s why we think you can’t go wrong with some well-seasoned fries. Whether you add cajun seasoning or truffles on top, you’re on to a winner.
The best way to enjoy garlic parmesan wings is by doubling down on the garlic. We recommend our cheesy garlic bread to partner your wings; just don’t expect any compliments on your breath after finishing your meal! Why not wash it down with one of our famous Mojitos to get back that minty, fresh feeling?
Just like reggae, mac and cheese is a staple in the Caribbean, so it’s an excellent partner for these sweet and smokey wings. If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food, try dipping your wings in the mac and cheese- don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Similarly to hot wings, mango habanero packs a spicy punch. That’s why we’ve also chosen creamy coleslaw as the ideal partner for these sweet and fiery wings. Side note: These wings taste even better alongside some draught beer!
Gordon Ramsay’s Hot Ones Inspired Wings
FAQ
What pairs well with spicy food?
Spicy Food and Beverage PairingsKey Points That You Should Know. Discovering the Perfect Match for Heat. The Cooling Contrast of Dairy. Citrus-Infused Beverages: A Zesty Counterbalance. Beer Bonds with Spice. Bold Flavors of Red Wines. Tea’s Tannins Tame the Flame. Selecting Spirits for Spirited Dishes.
What goes well with chicken spice?
Creating a balance between savory, spicy, and aromatic notes can elevate a dish. For example, herbs like rosemary or thyme add aromatics, while paprika or cayenne provide heat. Sweet spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can complement chicken, especially in recipes with a hint of sweetness.
What side dishes go with hot chicken?
For a classic Nashville hot chicken experience, sides like white bread and pickles are essential. Beyond that, traditional Southern sides such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, and cornbread are excellent choices.
What to serve with spicy roast chicken?
Sides for a roast chickenCrispy roast potatoes with rosemary, za’atar and salsa verde. Chaat masala potatoes with yoghurt. Roast potatoes with green sauce and tahini. Grilled carrots and tofu with harissa. Carrots and leeks, Turkish style. Grilled red cabbage with gorgonzola and grapes.