Introduction to What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken
Buffalo chicken, known for its spicy and tangy flavor, is a dish that shines with the right accompaniments. Whether you’re enjoying it as wings, tenders, or even as part of a sandwich, pairing buffalo chicken with complementary sides can elevate the experience. In this article, we’ll explore classic pairings, more creative combinations, and health-conscious alternatives to help you create the perfect meal. With a diverse range of options, you’ll be sure to find something that suits any occasion.
The Flavor Profile of Buffalo Chicken
Before diving into the various pairings, it’s essential to understand the distinct flavor profile of buffalo chicken. Buffalo sauce typically consists of hot sauce, butter, and seasonings, creating a balance of spicy, tangy, and buttery richness. The heat from the sauce is what makes buffalo chicken so popular, but it’s also why choosing the right sides is crucial. You’ll want options that either complement or cool down the heat, creating a well-rounded dish.
Why Pairing Matters: What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken?
The bold flavors of buffalo chicken can sometimes overpower your taste buds, which is why it’s essential to balance them with sides that offer contrasting textures and flavors. Creamy, crunchy, or even slightly sweet elements can tone down the spice while enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, pairing buffalo chicken with healthier alternatives allows you to enjoy this indulgent dish without the guilt. Now, let’s explore the best sides to serve with your favorite buffalo chicken recipes.
Classic Pairings for Buffalo Chicken
Let’s start with the traditional sides everyone loves when it comes to buffalo chicken. These tried-and-true options never fail to balance the heat of the buffalo sauce.
1. Blue Cheese Dressing
Perhaps the most iconic pairing for buffalo chicken is blue cheese dressing. Its sharp, tangy, and creamy taste perfectly offsets the heat from the hot sauce, offering a cooling effect with each bite. You can either buy pre-made blue cheese dressing or try making your own by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, and lemon juice. Homemade dressing often allows for customization to suit your taste preferences.
2. Ranch Dip
For those who aren’t fond of blue cheese, ranch dip is an excellent alternative. Its creaminess provides a refreshing balance to the heat of buffalo chicken, and the subtle herby notes work well with the tangy sauce. Ranch is versatile and complements a wide range of foods, making it a popular choice at gatherings.
- Tip: Serve ranch dip alongside buffalo wings, tenders, or sandwiches to create an easy and delicious meal.
3. Celery and Carrots
A serving of celery and carrots is a staple on any buffalo chicken platter. The crisp texture of these vegetables provides a welcome contrast to the tender chicken. The freshness of celery and carrots also cools down your palate between bites of spicy chicken, making them a simple yet effective pairing.
- Why it works: The natural sweetness of carrots and the cooling effect of celery make them the perfect partners for spicy buffalo chicken.
Fresh and Crunchy Vegetable Options: What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken?
If you’re looking to add more variety or a healthier spin, fresh vegetables are a fantastic way to complement buffalo chicken. They provide balance and texture while keeping the meal light.
4. Coleslaw
Coleslaw can be a game-changer when paired with buffalo chicken. Its crunchy texture and creamy, tangy dressing contrast beautifully with the heat. Opt for either a creamy coleslaw or a vinegar-based version for a lighter, tangier side. The cool cabbage and dressing help to offset the spice, ensuring your taste buds aren’t overwhelmed.
- Pro Tip: Add shredded apples or radishes to your coleslaw for an added layer of sweetness or spice.
5. Pickled Vegetables
Pickled vegetables like cucumbers, onions, and jalapeños are another excellent pairing. The acidity from the pickling process cuts through the richness of buffalo sauce, providing a tart contrast. Pickled onions and cucumbers, in particular, add a crunchy and tangy element to the meal, refreshing your palate between bites.
- Best with: Pickled vegetables work well with buffalo chicken wraps, sandwiches, or tacos.
6. Salads
If you’re aiming for something lighter, a crisp salad with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and radishes works wonders. Top the salad with a yogurt-based blue cheese dressing or even a light ranch dressing to tie the flavors together without adding too much richness.
- Optional Add-Ons: Adding avocado or roasted sweet potatoes to your salad can provide a creamy or sweet element that pairs beautifully with the spicy chicken.
Hearty Starches to Serve with Buffalo Chicken
Starchy sides are perfect for soaking up the buffalo sauce and providing that hearty, comforting element that makes any meal complete.
7. French Fries or Waffle Fries
French fries, particularly waffle fries, are a match made in heaven for buffalo chicken. The crispy texture of the fries contrasts with the tenderness of the chicken, and they also help absorb some of the spicy buffalo sauce. Waffle fries, with their ridged surface, hold onto even more sauce, making each bite extra flavorful.
- Variation: For a healthier twist, opt for baked sweet potato fries. Their natural sweetness complements the tangy heat of buffalo chicken.
8. Mac and Cheese
For a truly indulgent side, you can’t go wrong with mac and cheese. The creaminess of the cheese sauce provides the perfect counterbalance to the spiciness of buffalo chicken. You can also get creative and mix buffalo chicken directly into the mac and cheese, creating a fusion dish that’s both cheesy and spicy.
- Try it with: Consider adding breadcrumbs on top of your mac and cheese for a crispy, crunchy finish.
9. Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes offer a creamy, buttery base that works exceptionally well with buffalo chicken. Add cheese to your mashed potatoes for an extra layer of flavor, or even top them with buffalo sauce for a cohesive dish. You can find a simple yet flavorful cheesy mashed potatoes recipe here.
- Best with: Cheesy mashed potatoes are ideal for pairing with grilled buffalo chicken or buffalo chicken sliders.
Pasta Pairings with Buffalo Chicken: What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken?
Pasta isn’t often thought of as a traditional pairing with buffalo chicken, but creamy pasta dishes can be incredibly satisfying alongside spicy chicken.
10. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Cold pasta salad is a great option, especially for summer barbecues. Mix cooked pasta with celery, carrots, and a light ranch dressing to balance the heat of buffalo chicken. Add shredded buffalo chicken for a spicy twist on the classic pasta salad.
- Tip: Use rotini or penne pasta, as their shapes help trap the dressing, making each bite flavorful.
11. Buffalo Chicken Alfredo
Buffalo chicken alfredo combines two rich flavors for a hearty, indulgent meal. The creamy Alfredo sauce tempers the heat of the buffalo sauce, while the pasta adds substance. This dish is perfect for those looking to create a comforting, flavorful dinner that feels a little more elevated.
- Serving suggestion: Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor.
Grain and Rice Sides for Buffalo Chicken
If you’re seeking healthier alternatives, grains such as quinoa or brown rice provide a nutritious option that pairs well with buffalo chicken.
12. Quinoa or Brown Rice
For a lighter meal, opt for quinoa or brown rice as a base for your buffalo chicken. Both grains provide fiber and protein while keeping the dish nutritious. You can mix in sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to add more texture and flavor.
- Pro Tip: Make a buffalo chicken grain bowl by layering quinoa or brown rice with buffalo chicken, avocado, black beans, and a dollop of Greek yogurt for a healthier twist on a classic burrito bowl.
13. Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowl
A buffalo chicken burrito bowl combines the heat of buffalo chicken with the fresh, wholesome ingredients of a burrito bowl. Start with a base of rice or quinoa, add black beans, corn, shredded lettuce, and top with buffalo chicken. Finish with avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Serving suggestion: Add a squeeze of lime juice for extra freshness.
Creative and International Pairings: What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken?
Want to give your buffalo chicken meal an exciting twist? Here are some creative and internationally-inspired pairings that will take your meal to the next level.
14. Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Who doesn’t love tacos? Buffalo chicken tacos are a fun and easy way to enjoy the flavors of buffalo chicken with a Mexican twist. Fill soft tortillas with shredded buffalo chicken, lettuce, cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. You can also add diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and avocado for an extra layer of flavor.
- Variation: Try serving the tacos with a side of pickled jalapeños for a bit of extra heat.
15. Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo chicken pizza is a popular way to enjoy the spicy flavor of buffalo chicken in a new format. Spread buffalo sauce over pizza dough, add shredded buffalo chicken, and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then finish with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Best with: Add sliced red onions or scallions for extra flavor and texture.
16. Deviled Eggs with Buffalo Chicken
Deviled eggs make a fantastic appetizer for a buffalo chicken meal. The creamy, tangy filling contrasts nicely with the heat from the chicken. For an added twist, try incorporating a bit of buffalo sauce into the filling or topping each egg with a small piece of buffalo chicken. Check out this deviled eggs with relish recipe for inspiration.
Sweet and Savory Pairings
A little sweetness can go a long way in balancing the heat of buffalo chicken. Here are some sweet and savory pairings that work beautifully with buffalo chicken.
17. Honey-Glazed Carrots
The natural sweetness of honey-glazed carrots provides a nice contrast to the heat of buffalo chicken. The honey caramelizes on the carrots, creating a slightly sticky, sweet exterior that complements the tangy buffalo sauce.
- Best with: Serve alongside grilled buffalo chicken for a well-balanced meal.
18. Apple Slaw
Adding apples to your coleslaw gives it a sweet, crisp bite that pairs wonderfully with spicy buffalo chicken. The tartness of the apples cuts through the heat, while the crunch adds a refreshing texture to each bite.
FAQs about What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken?
Let’s address some common questions about what pairs well with buffalo chicken:
- What cheese pairs best with buffalo chicken?
- Blue cheese is the traditional choice due to its strong, tangy flavor, but mozzarella and cheddar also work well for those who prefer a milder option.
- What are some healthy sides for buffalo chicken?
- Cauliflower rice, grilled vegetables, and Greek yogurt-based dips are excellent healthier alternatives that pair well with buffalo chicken.
- Can you serve buffalo chicken with fruit?
- Yes! Apples, pineapples, and pears all work well with buffalo chicken, offering a sweet contrast to the spicy flavors.
- What’s the best way to tone down the heat of buffalo chicken?
- Dairy-based sides like blue cheese, ranch dressing, or Greek yogurt help cool down the heat. Pairing buffalo chicken with vegetables like celery and carrots also helps balance the spice.
Conclusion On What Tastes Good with Buffalo Chicken
From classic pairings like blue cheese dressing and fries to more creative options like buffalo chicken tacos and apple slaw, there’s no shortage of delicious sides to complement the bold, spicy flavors of buffalo chicken. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a weeknight meal, or looking for healthier alternatives, the right sides can make all the difference in elevating your buffalo chicken experience.