We eat chicken nuggets all the time, but I sometimes wonder what else I can make to go with them to mix things up in the kitchen.
We’ve put together a list of all our favorite foods to eat with chicken nuggets, including carbs, vegetables, and of course, the best sauces to go with them.
As I mentioned above, chicken nuggets are an incredibly versatile freeze staple for families. So, there are a lot of different ways to serve them. But if you want to make the perfect meal with chicken nuggets, we suggest adding at least one vegetable and one source of carbs. And of course, no chicken nugget meal is complete without a tasty dipping sauce.
To make it easier when you are putting together your chicken nugget meal we have split our suggestions into these categories.
Note: If you want some information for best ways to cook homemade or frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer, in an oven and more check out our related guides.
And if you want to know what to serve with other chicken based freezer friendly products we have guides on chicken goujons, chicken tenders and chicken dinosaur nuggets to give you some more specific dinner inspiration.
As adults, many of us still love chicken nuggets, which were a favorite food as kids. This fried chicken is tasty because it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Even though nuggets are tasty on their own, adding side dishes that go well with them can really elevate your meal.
After analyzing over 2000 words of content from leading food websites, I’ve compiled a list of 30 crowd-pleasing sides that perfectly complement chicken nuggets. From classic pairings like fries and creamy mac and cheese to lighter options like salads and roasted veggies, there’s something for everyone!
Best Classic Comfort Pairings
Crispy French Fries
French fries that are golden and crispy are a great side dish for chicken nuggets. The fries are salty and rich, which goes well with the crunchy, juicy nuggets. This is a classic combo for a reason. Add some fun seasonings to your fries, like cajun spices, truffle oil, or parmesan.
Macaroni and Cheese
Warm, ooey-gooey mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. Made extra decadent with melted cheese, this carb-heavy side balances the fried chicken nuggets. Consider trying fun add-ins like bacon, broccoli, or hot sauce to jazz up traditional mac and cheese.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a satisfying accompaniment to chicken nuggets Butter, milk, sour cream, and cheese blend together to create the ultimate comforting side dish For variety, try different mashed potato recipes with unique flavors like garlic, chives, or roasted garlic.
Tater Tots
These bite-sized crispy potato nuggets pair perfectly with chicken nuggets. Tater tots offer a fun twist on classic fries with their crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. Season them with spices or dip them in fun sauces like ranch, cheese or barbecue.
Best Fresh and Light Sides
Caesar Salad
If you eat fried nuggets, a fresh Caesar salad with parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, crisp lettuce, and tangy dressing will help you feel better. The hot chicken nuggets and cool, crunchy greens go well together because they are so different in temperature and texture.
Coleslaw
Tangy coleslaw offers a refreshing, lighter side to serve with chicken nuggets. The crunchy cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy dressing compliment the juicy chicken. Try unique coleslaw flavors like apple, bacon, lime, or bleu cheese.
Steamed Broccoli
Broccoli is a healthy way to get veggies into your chicken nugget dinner. Lightly steamed broccoli florets provide freshness and crunch. Season simply with lemon, garlic, or cheese for extra flavor.
Fruit Salad
It goes well with salty and savory chicken nuggets. A fresh fruit salad with small pieces of pineapple, orange segments, grapes, and berries is a great addition. Also, the juicy fruits help clean your mouth between fried food bites.
Best Flavorful and Fun Pairings
Sweet Potato Fries
For a flavorful twist on regular fries, try oven-baked sweet potato fries alongside your nuggets. Sweet potatoes offer a vibrant orange color plus natural sweetness to balance the chicken’s saltiness.
Potato Wedges
These wedge-cut spuds are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. Season liberally with salt, pepper, paprika and your other favorite spices. Potato wedges can also be roasted with garlic or parmesan for extra flavor.
Onion Rings
Crispy breaded onion rings offer tasty crunch and savory flavor when paired with chicken nuggets. For best results, use sweet onions like Vidalia and dip the hot onion rings in your favorite condiments like ranch, barbecue sauce, or aioli.
Mozzarella Sticks
For ultimate indulgence, serve crunchy fried mozzarella sticks stuffed with oozing cheese alongside chicken nuggets. This appetizer pairing is sure to satisfy any craving for breaded, fried foods. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Jalapeño Poppers
Spice up your chicken nuggets with creamy, spicy jalapeño poppers. These breaded and fried jalapeño halves filled with a mix of cheese make a fun pairing. Cool down the heat with ranch or sour cream for dipping.
Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob makes for a classic summer side dish with chicken nuggets. The sweet juices and smoky char flavor from the grill balance the crispy nuggets wonderfully. Slather with butter, mayo, lime, or hot sauce.
Baked Beans
Warm and savory baked beans seasoned with bacon, onions, brown sugar and spices make an unexpectedly delicious partner for chicken nuggets. The soft, saucy beans contrast with the crispy nugget coating.
Coleslaw
A fresh and vibrant side salad of thinly sliced cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, and a tangy dressing offers color and crunch alongside chicken nuggets. Try pairing with unique dressing flavors like lime cilantro or apple cider vinaigrette.
Macaroni Salad
Chilled macaroni salad with a creamy mayo-based dressing makes a nice cooling contrast to hot chicken nuggets straight from the oven. Mix in shredded cheese, bell peppers, onions, olives, or whatever you love for extra flavor and crunch.
Crunchy Vegetable Crudités
Serve an assortment of raw, freshly cut vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumber, radishes, and bell peppers with creamy ranch dressing for dipping. The crisp veggies and bright flavors balance the fried chicken.
Chicken nuggets are versatile enough to pair with just about any side dish under the sun. Use these suggestions as inspiration to come up with your own perfect pairing! From hot or cold, crunchy or creamy, simple or deluxe – the possibilities are endless. With an array of complementary flavors and textures on your plate, chicken nuggets can be so much more than just a kids’ meal.
Smiley Faces and Alphabet Letters
I know smiley faces and alphabet letters are just fried potato in a different shape but for some reason a different shape, makes my kids go crazy.
Just a heads up if your kids are anything like mine they will start to let their food go cold as their try and spell their name and other words with the letters they have.
Another family favorite, Tater tots are great as a side for chicken nuggets. Either straight out of the freezer or served as a Tater tot casserole.
Sweet Potato are super versatile and are a great alternative to regular French fries.
If you kids prefer a sweet potato casserole or mashed sweet potato this would work great too.
If you want a potato but not fried, then mash is a great healthy alternative.
Hear me out with this one. I know spaghetti doesn’t spring to mind when you first think about chicken nuggets but let me say three words to you – Chicken Nugget Milanese!.
This Italian American classic is usually served with one big escalope but why not serve it with chicken nuggets instead as a more family friendly version. You can read our recipe for chicken nugget Milanese here!.
Like with spaghetti, you might not think of rice when you serve nuggets, but they go really well with Chinese and Japanese food.
Just think about all the fried chicken recipes you have in these takeaway cuisines such as orange chicken, lemon chicken and Katsu chicken.
Substitute an escalope for a nugget and serve with rice and sauce and you are on to a family friendly winner.
In the South, biscuits are a classic food. For a classic biscuit sandwich, I like to put a nugget on a biscuit with chili jam and cheese.
However if biscuits aren’t your thing then you could serve the sandwich with any type of bread such as sliced loaf, buns or baguette whatever is your preference.
Best vegetables to eat with chicken nuggets
Corn is a BBQ classic and is a great accompaniment to chicken nuggets. Frozen, fresh, kernels or on the cob it really doesn’t matter, corn is just a great thing to serve with chicken nuggets.
Baked Beans are my children’s favorite thing to serve with chicken nuggets. They love a regular variety but as adults we like to serve our nuggets with a BBQ Baked Bean.
Peas are a classic side dish for chicken nuggets or any children’s meal to be honest. We usually use frozen peas but any type of peas frozen, fresh, canned or mushy are perfect.
Veggie Fries are a great way of getting vegetables into your kids in a more pleasing way that just on the side of the plate.
Depending on your family preferences you could serve a mix of vegetables or just one type. Zucchini Fries, are a favorite in our household with some delicious tempura batter but any veggie fries will work.
If you are short on time but want to get a variety of vegetables into your kids then California Mix has to be the answer.
Want to know how to make California Mix more exciting then check out our California mix recipes here.
Another family friendly staple, fresh or frozen broccoli is a great accompaniment to chicken nuggets.
Coleslaw, is a great way of getting vegetables into your littles. We love to make our own homemade coleslaw with shredded onions, cabbages, carrots mixed with yoghurt and mustard and mayo however there are some great store bought coleslaws on the market too.
If you have a veggie hater in your family why not serve the chicken nuggets with a fruit cup instead. Strawberry, blueberry, grape, and apple are what we usually put in our fruit cup, but you should use whatever your kids like.
Another great way to get another one of your child’s five a day into this quick meal. My kids love apple sauce and will eat it with everything chicken nuggets included!
Salad is the perfect summer accompaniment for chicken nuggets. We like to make our salads as bright and colourful as possible.
Everything That’s Actually In A Chicken Nugget
FAQ
What are good side dishes for chicken nuggets?
- Funeral Potatoes
- Zucchini Fries
- Baked Sweet Potato
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Pea Salad
- Cucumber Salad
What to make with chicken nuggets for dinner?
11 Ways to Turn Frozen Nuggets into DinnerChicken Nugget Parmesan. Cook up the nuggets according to their package directions and boil a pot of pasta. Chicken Nugget Sliders. Chicken Nugget Pitas. Buffalo Chicken Nugget Wraps. Chicken Nugget Caesar Salad. Chicken and Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese.