✔ Updated · now 46 sides grouped by dips, fries, comfort sides, salads and party snacks
Wings are messy, saucy, finger-licking fun, and the right sides turn them into a proper feast. Here are 46 ideas, from cool ranch and crunchy slaw to fries, mac and cheese and game-day dips.
The best sides for chicken wings are a cool dip (ranch or blue cheese) with celery and carrot sticks, a starchy side like French fries, potato wedges, mac and cheese or cornbread, and something fresh and crunchy like coleslaw, cucumber salad or corn on the cob. For a party, add dips like Buffalo chicken dip, potato skins and sliders.
- Classic: ranch or blue cheese, celery and carrots, fries.
- For dinner: mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw or potato salad.
- Lighter: cucumber salad, Caesar salad, roasted veggies, corn on the cob.
- Game day: Buffalo chicken dip, potato skins, sliders, pretzels and beer cheese.
How to Choose Sides for Chicken Wings
Think of a wing spread in three parts: something cool and creamy (ranch, blue cheese, slaw), something starchy (fries, mac and cheese, cornbread) and something fresh and crunchy (veggie sticks, salad, corn). Match the side to the sauce and you can't go wrong.
| Wing flavor | Best sides |
|---|---|
| Buffalo or hot | Blue cheese or ranch, celery and carrots, coleslaw, cucumber salad, mac and cheese |
| BBQ | Cornbread, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, macaroni salad |
| Lemon pepper or garlic parmesan | Fries, Caesar salad, roasted potatoes, parmesan zucchini |
| Asian-style (teriyaki, honey garlic, Korean) | Fried rice, cucumber salad, Asian slaw, teriyaki pineapple bites |
| Dry rub or Cajun | Cajun fries, street corn, chipotle ranch, sweet potato fries |
| Game day crowd | Buffalo chicken dip, potato skins, sliders, pretzels with beer cheese |
Dips and Dunkers
Every wing night needs something cool and creamy to dunk into, and a crunchy something to scoop it with.
1. Wingstop-Inspired Ranch
Thick, tangy, herby buttermilk ranch, just like the wing-shop cups. Make it a few hours ahead so the flavors meld.
Get the recipe →2. Blue Cheese Dressing
Chunky blue cheese whisked with sour cream, mayo, buttermilk and lemon. The classic partner for Buffalo wings.
3. Chipotle Ranch
Creamy ranch blended with smoky chipotle in adobo. A cooling dip with a little kick for BBQ or dry-rub wings.
Get the recipe →4. Celery and Carrot Sticks
Cold, crunchy and refreshing between bites of hot wings. Serve them standing up in a glass with ranch or blue cheese.
5. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Shredded chicken baked with cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch and cheddar. Scoop it with chips, crackers or celery.
Get the recipe →
6. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Hot, creamy and cheesy with spinach and artichoke hearts. Its richness balances spicy wings perfectly.
Get the recipe →
7. French Onion Dip and Chips
Sweet caramelized onions stirred into sour cream. Serve with kettle chips or homemade potato chips.
Get the recipe →
8. Million Dollar Dip
A cold, creamy party dip with cheddar, bacon, almonds and green onion. Make it the night before.
Get the recipe →
9. Pretzels with Beer Cheese Dip
Warm, sharp cheddar and beer cheese sauce with soft or crunchy pretzels. Pure game-day food.
10. Hummus and Veggies
Creamy hummus with peppers, cucumbers, carrots and snap peas. A lighter dip that still feels like a treat.
11. Cream Cheese with Hot Pepper Jelly
A block of cream cheese topped with sweet-spicy pepper jelly and served with crackers. Zero cooking required.
Fries and Potato Sides
Wings and fries are a classic for a reason. Here's the trick for crispy oven fries: soak the cut potatoes in cold water, dry them really well, then roast on a hot pan.
12. Wingstop-Inspired Fries
Thick-cut fries tossed in a sweet-and-salty seasoning. The copycat side that wing fans crave.
Get the recipe →
13. Five Guys-Inspired Cajun Fries
Double-fried boardwalk-style fries shaken with bold Cajun seasoning. Crispy, spicy and very addictive.
Get the recipe →
14. In-N-Out-Inspired Animal Style Fries
Fries loaded with melted cheese, caramelized onions and tangy spread. A messy, cheesy treat.
Get the recipe →
15. KFC-Inspired Potato Wedges
Thick wedges in a peppery, seasoned coating, baked or fried until crisp outside and fluffy inside.
Get the recipe →
16. TGI Fridays-Inspired Potato Skins
Crispy potato shells loaded with cheddar, bacon, sour cream and green onions. A bar-food favorite.
Get the recipe →
17. Crispy Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Small potatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic and rosemary until golden. A grown-up swap for fries.
18. Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy, slightly sweet fries dusted with smoked paprika. Great with hot wings and a chipotle dip.
19. Classic Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy potato salad with mayo, mustard, celery and egg. Cool and creamy next to spicy wings.
Get the recipe →
20. Funeral Potatoes
A cheesy, creamy hash brown casserole with a crunchy cornflake topping. Big-batch comfort food for a crowd.
Get the recipe →Mac and Cheese, Bread and Comfort Sides
Hungry crowd? Add one of these and wings become a real dinner.
21. Cracker Barrel-Inspired Mac and Cheese
A rich, baked mac and cheese with a golden cheesy top. The ultimate comfort side for wing night.
Get the recipe →
22. Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
Chilled mac and cheese rolled into balls, breaded and fried until crunchy with a molten middle.
23. Cornbread
Sweet, buttery, golden cornbread squares. Great for soaking up any leftover wing sauce.
Get the recipe →
24. Red Lobster-Inspired Cheddar Biscuits
Fluffy garlic-butter cheddar biscuits that disappear in minutes. Bake a double batch.
Get the recipe →
25. Hibachi Fried Rice
Garlic butter fried rice with egg, soy sauce and vegetables. Perfect with sticky Asian-style wings.
Get the recipe →26. Baked Beans
Smoky, sweet baked beans with bacon and a little brown sugar. A natural match for BBQ wings.
Slaws, Salads and Vegetables
Something fresh and crunchy cuts through all that rich, saucy goodness. Pick at least one from this group.
27. KFC-Inspired Coleslaw
Finely chopped cabbage and carrot in a sweet, tangy creamy dressing. Cool, crunchy and classic.
Get the recipe →
28. Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw
Red cabbage, crisp apple and a zingy mustard vinaigrette. A bright, mayo-free slaw.
29. Cucumber Salad
Thin cucumber slices in a light vinegar dressing with red onion and dill. Super cooling with hot wings.
30. Couscous Salad
Fluffy couscous with herbs, tomato, cucumber, lemon and olive oil. Light, fresh and make-ahead friendly.
31. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, olives and feta in a lemony dressing. Hearty but fresh.
32. Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine, parmesan, crunchy croutons and a garlicky Caesar dressing. A crowd-pleasing green salad.
33. Macaroni Salad
Creamy, tangy macaroni salad with celery, onion and pickle relish. A cookout classic that loves BBQ wings.
34. Caprese Salad Skewers
Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil on sticks with a balsamic drizzle. Light and pretty.
35. KFC-Inspired Corn on the Cob
Buttery, sweet corn on the cob, simple and juicy. Easy to cook for a crowd.
Get the recipe →
36. Mexican Street Corn
Grilled corn slathered with creamy sauce, cotija, chili powder and lime. Messy, smoky and fun.
37. Parmesan Baked Zucchini
Zucchini spears baked with a crisp parmesan crust. A healthier crunchy side.
Party Snacks and Finger Foods
Game day spread? Mix wings with a few of these finger foods so everyone can graze.
38. Onion Rings
Thick, crunchy battered onion rings. A copycat take on the fast-food favorite that pairs perfectly with wings.
Get the recipe →
39. Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls
Bite-size cheese balls rolled in bacon, ranch seasoning and herbs. Serve with crackers and pretzels.
Get the recipe →
40. Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Dates
Sweet dates stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon and baked until crispy. Sweet, salty and smoky.
41. Cheeseburger Sliders
Mini burgers with melted cheese on soft slider buns. Wings plus burgers equals a happy crowd.
42. Corn Dog Bites
Bite-size hot dog pieces dipped in cornbread batter and fried. Fun with ketchup and mustard.
43. Mozzarella Sticks
Breaded mozzarella fried until golden and stretchy. Dunk them in marinara or ranch.
44. Teriyaki Pineapple Bites
Roasted pineapple chunks glazed with teriyaki. Sweet and savory, especially with spicy wings.
45. Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Crunchy water chestnuts wrapped in bacon and glazed with teriyaki. A retro party favorite.
46. Salted Caramel Popcorn
Sweet, salty, crunchy popcorn for snacking between rounds of wings and the big game.
Get the recipe →Make It a Wing Night
Need the wings too? Try our copycat Wingstop-inspired lemon pepper wings, Hooters-inspired wings or KFC-inspired hot wings, and browse every sauce in our guide to Wingstop flavors.
Food safety tip: cook wings to 165°F, keep hot wings and warm dips hot (140°F or above) or cold dips and slaws cold (40°F or below), and don't leave any of it out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular side for chicken wings?
Celery and carrot sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing are the classic, followed closely by French fries. For a fuller meal, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad and cornbread are the most popular choices.
What vegetables go with chicken wings?
Celery, carrots, cucumbers and bell pepper strips are perfect raw with a dip. Corn on the cob, Mexican street corn, roasted broccoli, parmesan zucchini and green salads also go well, and they add freshness to balance rich, saucy wings.
What do you serve with wings for dinner?
Make wings a full dinner by adding one starchy side, like mac and cheese, fries, fried rice or cornbread, plus one fresh side, like coleslaw, Caesar salad or corn on the cob. Plan on about 6 to 10 wings per person for a main meal.
What goes with chicken wings for a party?
Set out dips like Buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke dip and French onion dip with chips, plus finger foods like potato skins, sliders, pretzels with beer cheese and mozzarella sticks. Add a veggie tray and a slaw for something fresh.
Should you serve ranch or blue cheese with wings?
Both! Blue cheese is the traditional partner for Buffalo wings, with a tangy, funky bite that cools the heat. Ranch is milder and more popular with kids and picky eaters. Put out a bowl of each and let everyone choose.
