What side dishes go with chicken-fried steak?

Chicken-fried steak is a classic Southern and Tex-Mex dish consisting of a breaded and fried beef steak, traditionally served with gravy. When making this hearty main dish, it’s important to pair it with side dishes that will complement the flavors and provide a balanced plate. So what are the best side dishes to serve with chicken-fried steak?

Table of Contents

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a natural pairing for chicken-fried steak. The creamy, buttery potatoes help soak up the flavorful gravy and provide a neutral base for the highly seasoned fried steak. To make perfect mashed potatoes:

Peel and cut 2 lbs of russet or Yukon gold potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and return to the hot pot to evaporate any excess moisture.

Mash the potatoes while still hot. Add 8 tbsp (1 stick) of melted butter and 1/2 cup heated milk. Mash and whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Season with salt and white pepper to taste. For extra richness, stir in 2 oz of softened cream cheese.

The smooth, creamy potatoes are the perfect blank canvas for soaking up the rich chicken-fried steak gravy.

Cole Slaw

Cool, crunchy cole slaw is a great contrast to the hot, crispy chicken-fried steak. The vinegar dressing provides welcome brightness to cut through the heavy flavors. To make tasty cole slaw:

Thinly slice 1 small head of green cabbage and 1 large carrot into shreds.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp celery seeds, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Add the shredded cabbage and carrots and toss to evenly coat.
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

The crisp, acidic cole slaw cuts through the richness of the fried steak for perfect balance on the plate.

Skillet Cornbread

No Southern meal is complete without a warm wedge of cornbread! Skillet cornbread is crispy on the outside and moist inside – the ideal accompaniment to chicken-fried steak and gravy. To make it:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven as it preheats.
In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 4 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.

In another bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined – avoid over-mixing.
Carefully remove the hot skillet from oven. Pour in the cornbread batter and bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

The hot cast iron skillet gives the cornbread crispy edges and bottom. Enjoy it crumbled over the chicken-fried steak and gravy.

Green Beans

Green beans add color to the plate and provide a lighter, healthier balance to the high-fat chicken-fried steak. Quick-cooking green beans can be prepared while the steak is frying. To make flavorful green beans:

Trim 1 lb fresh green beans and rinse clean.

Steam the beans over boiling water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and still crisp.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Add the steamed beans and sauté for 2 minutes.

Season with salt, pepper, and desired herbs like garlic, thyme, or rosemary.

The bright green beans add texture and freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the flavor.

Baked Mac and Cheese

For the ultimate comfort food pairing, try chicken-fried steak with homemade baked mac and cheese. The cheesy pasta is rich and indulgent, pairing perfectly with the crispy fried steak. Make it ahead for easy heating and serving. To bake mac and cheese:

Boil 1 lb elbow macaroni until al dente, drain and set aside.
Make a cheese sauce by melting 4 tbsp butter and whisking in 4 tbsp flour to make a roux.
Gradually whisk in 2 cups warm milk, simmering until thickened. Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp mustard, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper until smooth and melted.
Combine cheese sauce and pasta in a baking dish. Top with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.
Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and topping is browned.

The creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food alongside crispy chicken-fried steak.

Creamed Spinach

Buttery creamed spinach makes an elegant accompaniment for chicken-fried steak. The rich, velvety spinach helps cut through the fried flavor. To make creamed spinach:

Wash and chop 1 lb fresh spinach leaves, cooking in a skillet until just wilted.

Drain spinach and finely chop. Return to skillet over low heat.
Stir in 4 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1/2 cup milk, cooking until thickened to make a roux.
Season sauce with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir in spinach until heated through.

The rich, smooth creamed spinach provides a sophisticated flavor and texture contrast to the crispy chicken-fried steak.

Baked Beans

What’s better with barbecue than beans? Baked beans are a classic for good reason – the sweet, sticky beans pair perfectly with smoky, savory meats. For an easy side, heat canned beans or make homemade baked beans. To bake from scratch:

Chop 1 onion and sauté with 2 tbsp olive oil until soft.

Add 3 cans navy beans with liquid, 1 cup barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp mustard, 1 tsp liquid smoke.
Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until thickened.
Stir and top with chopped bacon for the last 15 minutes if desired.

Sweet, saucy baked beans complement the crispy coated chicken-fried steak beautifully.

Corn on the Cob

Don’t overlook simple corn on the cob as the perfect summer side for chicken-fried steak! Grilled corn adds sweetness and a smokey flavor that pairs nicely with fried meats. To make it:

Shuck 6 ears of corn and remove silk strands.

In a pot of boiling water, cook corn for 7-10 minutes until kernels are tender.
For grilled corn, coat shucked ears with oil and grill turning occasionally for 15-20 minutes.
Slather grilled or boiled corn with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Sweet juicy corn on the cob complements the spices and textures of chicken-fried steak for the ultimate summer meal.

Biscuits and Gravy

For the most authentic chicken-fried steak experience, serve it smothered in creamy gravy with hot, fluffy biscuits on the side. Making your own biscuits is simple and well worth it. To make biscuits:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a bowl, mix 2 cup flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Cut in 6 tbsp cold butter until mixture looks like crumbs.
Make a well and stir in 3/4 cup cold milk just until combined into a shaggy dough.

Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Roll out to 3/4-inch thickness.
Cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter or glass. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake 12-15 minutes until puffed and golden brown.

Split fresh-baked biscuits and smother with creamy sausage or peppered milk gravy for Southern perfection alongside crispy chicken-fried steak.

Conclusion

Chicken-fried steak is a hearty, comforting main dish that pairs well with a variety of classic side dishes. Mashed potatoes, cole slaw, cornbread, green beans, mac and cheese, creamed spinach, and biscuits with gravy are all natural pairings that complement the flavors and textures of chicken-fried steak. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients will ensure your sides are the perfect accompaniment to this Southern favorite.