Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak is an American dish made of beef cutlets, coated in bread crumbs, and pan-fried.

This dish has been served in restaurants and homes for over a century, and it has become the main dish of Southern cuisine.

It is made with high-quality beef tenderized before being breaded and cooked in oil or butter.

The meat is flavored with salt, pepper, and other spices before being fried.

The frying process gives the steak a crispy outer layer that holds in the beef’s juice and flavor.

Chicken fried steak has become widely popular because it’s easy to make and tastes delicious.

However, some prefer to eat their steak without breading and frying them. Many side dishes go well with this delicious dish.

We’ve rounded up 8 of the best side dishes to pair with chicken fried steak. Read on to find out more.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Chicken Fried Steak?

Chicken fried steak is a favorite among many Americans, but it is also quite fattening.

The flavor of the battered meat and frying process certainly leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds, but it can be a bit too rich in some cases.

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when searching for a healthier alternative.

Several side dishes suit well with this dish and will help balance the meal’s nutritional side.

In addition to being an ideal pairing, these selections also come with a few fewer calories, allowing you to enjoy your meal guilt-free.

For example, broccoli cheddar rice is one of my favorite ways to serve chicken fried steak.

It’s simple to make, and the flavors go so well together.

Another reason to consider adding a few side dishes to your meal is that it can make the dish seem more appetizing to the less adventurous eaters in your family.

If you have picky kids, adding a small side dish to their plate can give them a bit more variety in their meal without pushing them too far out of their comfort zone.

What to Serve with Chicken Fried Steak? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are eight side dish recipes that pair well with chicken fried steak and provide a nutritional balance for this fattening meal.

1 – French Fries

French fries are a go-to side dish favorite among Americans, and with good reason.

The crispy, salty taste is so wonderful it’s easy to forget this side dish isn’t great for you – which makes it even more of a shame that recipes for fries typically call for frying in oil.

Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way to make healthier fries, you can bake them instead.

Heat the oven and put some potatoes on a baking sheet sprinkled with olive oil and salt.

Put foil over the potatoes for easy cleanup, and put in the oven at 450 degrees F for about 30 minutes.

These fries are just as crispy as their fried counterparts but have a fraction of the calories.

2 – Black Beans and Rice

Black beans and rice is a savory side dish that goes well with chicken fried steak for several reasons, especially if you happen to be serving Mexican fare.

The satisfying flavors of cumin, garlic, and onion will leave your guests feeling full without feeling weighed down while also providing a boost of protein.

This side dish is also healthy, given that it contains whole grains and plant-based proteins.

You can adjust the seasonings to your personal preferences, and you won’t have to worry about eating something unhealthy.

If you’re looking for a different way of serving black beans and rice that is also great with chicken fried steak, try pairing it with sweet corn.

The flavors of garlic, onion, and cumin are still there, but the sweetness from the corn gives the side dish a whole new flavor.

3 – Green Beans with Bacon

Green beans are another nutritious side dish that compliments chicken fried steak well.

The vegetable not only provides your meal with antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin A, but it also adds texture to your meal.

The other part of this pairing’s success is the bacon, which gives this side dish a savory, salty flavor.

If you happen to be using sliced bacon instead of bacon bits, make sure that you brown it in a pan before serving it.

Cooking the green beans with the rendered fat from the bacon will only make them more flavorful – and if you don’t want an overwhelmingly smoky taste, you can always remove the bacon from the green beans before serving.

4 – Baked Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is a nutrient-dense food that has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and fight cancer.

In addition, the vegetable’s low-calorie count makes it a healthy option.

Acorn squash goes incredibly well with chicken fried steak because of its creamy texture, which contrasts the crispy exterior of the meat.

It’s also a cinch to take on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.

Then put in the oven at 450 degrees F for 25 minutes or until done.

You can add more flavor to the squash by adding vegetables like zucchini, onions, and green peppers.

5 – Creamed Corn

Cream corn is a traditional side dish recipe that pairs well with chicken fried steak because of its sweet, melty consistency.

A small amount of this side dish goes a long way, so it’s a good choice if you want to have some calories left over for dessert – say chocolate cake.

Cream corn is incredibly easy to make – place two cans of drained corn in a saucepan, along with eight ounces of cream cheese.

Cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and the mixture takes on a creamy consistency.

Feel free to add garlic powder for extra flavor.

6 – Macaroni and Cheese

As far as comfort foods go, macaroni and cheese are a classic choice.

This side dish tastes great with chicken fried steak due to its simplicity – you can serve it from either a stovetop or a crockpot for easy cooking, and the familiar flavors make it an old favorite, too.

Macaroni and cheese also make a hearty meal on their own, but you can also add vegetables like broccoli and carrots to make it healthier and more well-rounded.

You can also add meat, like chicken or bacon, to the dish and increase the nutritional value and flavor.

7 – Cheese Grits

Grits may not be a side dish that you automatically think about when serving chicken fried steak, but they provide the perfect accompaniment because of their light, creamy nature.

The main ingredient in grits is cornmeal, making it a heart-healthy way to serve a side dish.

However, grits are usually cooked with cheese and butter – so think about reducing the amount of both ingredients you use if you’re looking for a lighter option.

You can also substitute half-and-half instead of the traditional milk that’s used in this recipe.

8 – Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Mushrooms and beef go together like peanut butter and jelly.

There’s a reason why dishes like Beef Stroganoff and Salisbury steak exist: the flavors compliment each other so well; you’ll want to serve them together time and again.

This dish is incredibly easy to make – place two cups of sliced mushrooms in a saucepan with a half cup of water and cook until the mushrooms soften.

Then add some beef broth and stir until boiling before adding flour to thicken it into a creamy sauce.

Add salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Conclusion

Chicken fried steak goes wonderfully with all of these side dishes.

They’re each delicious and nutritious, so no matter what you decide to serve with this dish, you’ll be doing your body a favor.

Although some of these dishes are very light, they can be served with other side dishes like potatoes or rice to create a hearty meal.

Use this list as inspiration when cooking for guests or family members – regardless of your culinary experience, you’ll know exactly what to serve that will impress everyone.

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