9 Side Dishes for Wings That Are Easy and Delicious

By Andrea Cohen
Published 8/29/2025
In This Article
9 Side Dishes for Wings That Are Easy and Delicious
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Wings are a game-day classic and a favorite at everything from backyard barbecues to casual dinners. They’re savory, fun to eat, and often deliver a punch of spice. But if wings are the star of the plate, the sides can make the meal complete. Healthy side dishes for wings provide balance and supply flavor without going overboard on calories, sodium, or fat.

Choosing the right side dish for wings can make your meal taste fresher and feel more satisfying. A crisp, colorful salad or a lightened-up grain or potato dish helps offset the richness of wings. Even simple choices can turn a plate of wings into a well-rounded meal. And it’s easier than you think to find healthy side dishes that pair well with this popular food.

Tips for Making Healthy Sides for Chicken Wings

Making side dishes healthier doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple strategies can turn the best side dishes for chicken wings into lighter options. Here’s how:

  • Turn to veggies. Fresh, roasted, or air-fried vegetables are easy to make and taste delicious. From salads and slaws to cooked dishes, veggies are refreshingly healthy sides for wings.
  • Choose whole grains and beans. Quinoa, brown rice, or whole grain pasta can be turned into hearty sides that fill you up. Beans are another way to add fiber, protein, and flavor.
  • Lighten dressings and dips. Swap creamy, mayo-based sauces, dressings, and dips for those made from yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar.

Recipes for Healthy Side Dishes for Chicken Wings

When it comes to side dishes for hot wings, buffalo wings, or any style of chicken wings, whether they’re slightly sweet, savory, or fiery, the best sides add balance and flavor. Here are some popular recipes that pair well with wings:

  • Sweet Potato French Fries

    Heart Healthy Sweet Potato French Fries
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    60 mins

    Oven-baked sweet potato fries seasoned with olive oil, Parmesan, and fresh parsley turn out crispy on the edges and tender inside. Their natural sweetness and light, cheesy flavor pair perfectly with the bold taste of wings while having less fat than traditional fries.

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  • Dilled Cucumber Salad

    Heart Healthy Dilled Cucumber Salad
    Photo Credit: iStock
    30 mins

    Thin slices of cucumber soak up a simple white balsamic and fresh dill dressing, creating a cool, refreshing crunch in every bite. This easy, no-cook side cuts through the richness of wings and brightens the whole plate.

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  • Bang Bang Potatoes

    Heart Healthy Bang Bang Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    60 mins

    Golden roasted potatoes are coated in a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce made with Greek yogurt, sriracha, and honey. They’re simple to prepare and add a zesty kick that complements wings in the best way possible.

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  • Broccoli Slaw

    Heart Healthy Broccoli Slaw
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    This crunchy slaw mixes broccoli, red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, and turkey bacon with a tangy yogurt-vinegar dressing to create a fresh, slightly sweet taste. It’s easy to toss together and adds a cool, crisp balance to the heat of spicy wings.

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  • Healthy Macaroni Salad

    Healthy Macaroni Salad
    Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing
    25 mins

    Tender macaroni is coated in a yogurt-based dressing with pickles, olives, and roasted peppers for classic flavor without the heavy mayo. This simple, creamy pasta salad pairs perfectly with wings for a satisfying yet lighter side.

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  • Esquites

    Heart Healthy Esquites
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    15 mins

    This Mexican-style street corn salad combines sweet corn kernels with lime, a sprinkle of cheese, and fresh cilantro for a bright, tangy, and tasty side that cools and complements hot, saucy wings.

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  • Air Fryer Carrots

    Heart Healthy Air Fryer Carrots
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    20 mins

    Air-fried carrots caramelize into tender, slightly sweet bites with just a hint of seasoning. They’re a low-effort, nutrient-packed side that adds color and a lighter-tasting contrast to your favorite chicken wing recipe.

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  • Mediterranean Bean Salad

    Heart Healthy Mediterranean Bean Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    20 mins

    This colorful salad blends tender beans, crisp vegetables, crumbled feta, and fresh herbs to create a hearty, protein-packed side. It’s quick to toss together and is a delicious complement to chicken wings.

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  • Carrot and Raisin Salad

    Heart Healthy Carrot and Raisin Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Shredded carrots, diced pineapple, and raisins combine in a light yogurt dressing for a refreshing crunch with a touch of sweetness. This is an easy, make-ahead side that balances out the spice of wings.

    View Recipe

Why These Side Dishes for Wings Are Better for You

Here are some of the reasons why these healthy side dishes work so well as an accompaniment to chicken wings:

  • Fresh balance: Salads and other sides made with fresh veggies or beans offer a cooling counterpoint to hot, greasy wings. They also add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein.
  • Flavor harmony: Tangy, sweet, fresh, and bright elements in these dishes complement and elevate the bold, spicy profile of wings.
  • Filling: Since chicken wings usually aren’t the healthiest of food options (check out our blog, Are Chicken Wings Healthy? to learn more about the healthfulness of wings), pairing them with healthy sides helps fill you up so you don’t need to eat quite as many wings. You still get to enjoy the taste you love, but wind up with a more balanced meal that’s often lower in fat, sodium, and calories.

In addition to our healthy sides for wings, we also have healthier chicken wing alternatives you may enjoy. Our tasty Buffalo Chicken Tenders have all the taste you love from Buffalo wings with less fat and calories. Can’t get enough of that Buffalo sauce flavor? You’ll also find it in our Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, and Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower Tacos. All delicious and good for you, too!

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