You have your delicious blackened chicken recipe, but what should you serve with it? From southern style sides to dipping sauces and everything in between, I’ve gathered up some of the best side dishes that pair perfectly with your spicy blackened chicken!
I also love it with cool and refreshing dishes like salads or mango salsa to balance all that heat!
Pair blackened chicken with your favorite sides to make a delicious meal.
What is blackened chicken?
Before we jump into what sides go with blackened chicken, let’s answer an important question. What IS blackened chicken?
The blackening technique is a cooking process rooted in Cajun cuisine, made popular by the late New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme.
Blackened chicken is heavily seasoned with a special cajun spice mixture called blackening seasoning, then seared in a very hot skillet. It has a spicy blackened coating with a juicy interior. You’ll never want to eat plain chicken again!
Blackening Seasoning is a blend of spices with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Some also contain dark brown sugar, chili powder, or white pepper.
Here are some of the absolute best blackened chicken side dishes to go with your main course!
Four Cheese Mac & Cheese
You can not go wrong with a creamy cheesy macaroni and cheese recipe! This one is made with four cheeses melted into a béchamel sauce, then topped with buttery toasted crumbs for the perfect contrasting textures. You'll be licking the spoon (and the plate) with this elevated ultimate comfort food!
Is there anything more southern than Fried Green Tomatoes? These juicy green tomatoes are seasoned with a cornmeal flour mixture, then deep fried to perfection. They’re golden and crispy on the outside, and warm and juicy on the inside. They make a great blackened chicken side dish.
This classic cajun remoulade sauce is sure to spice up any chicken dinner! It makes a great dipping sauce for blackened chicken, or use it as a salad dressing for a chicken salad.
Southern Green Beans are slow cooked string beans combined with onion, garlic and crisp bacon. The end result is heavenly with scrumptious tender melt in your mouth green beans.
Blackened corn is a great side dish recipe to spice up your meal! Juicy corn is charred in a cast iron pan then tossed with blackening seasoning, butter, lemon, and parsley. It’s sweet, smoky, and all around delicious.
Roasted Green Beans and Brussels Sprouts is a simple, but flavorful side dish! This easy sheet pan recipe has perfectly tender but crisp brussels sprouts and green beans tossed with fresh basil, lemon zest, and a hint of garlic. It is the perfect side dish with a pop of flavor!
Double down on the spice, and dip your blackened chicken in this zesty chipotle lime sauce! It's extra creamy, smoky, and spicy. It’s easy to prepare, and only takes about 5 minutes to make!
This creamed corn recipe is a southern staple! It goes great with the spicy blackened chicken. Simple, creamy, and easy to make. You will love this cream corn!
Cool down the spicy cajun chicken by serving it with a cold pasta salad! This one has pesto, orzo, tomatoes, mozzarella balls, arugula, and sweet balsamic glaze.
This sweet potato casserole with pecans is the a great side dish for your meal! Creamy sweet potatoes and crunchy pecan topping. Sweet potato casserole is for more than just the holidays!
This delicious roasted corn and tomato salad proves simple is best! Just 3 ingredients and you have the star of every summer meal. It’s crisp and refreshing, and makes the perfect side for spicy blackened chicken.
This recipe for super creamy, tender and thinly sliced scalloped potatoes is made with gruyere cheese, thyme and sage. An absolutely delicious potato side dish and perfect for serving with blackened chicken.
These brussels sprouts are pan-fried with crumbled bacon and butter, and topped with parmesan for a flavorful side dish! Plus bacon makes everything better!
Sautéed garlic butter mushrooms are perfect for weeknights and to serve at any holiday. The herb garlic butter on these mushrooms go with everything! Plus these take less than 15 minutes to make! You can whip them up while you let your chicken rest.
Another great way to cool down the spice blend of blackened chicken is by serving it with a cold salsa! This mango pico de gallo has sweet mango and spicy jalapeño. It goes great on top of blackened chicken breasts.
This cheesy au gratin potatoes recipe is layered with both cheddar and parmesan cheeses and baked till creamy inside and crispy on top! This kind of recipe was a staple at my southern family’s Sunday dinners!
This potato salad can be served warm or at room temperature. Plenty of bacon, dill, and sour cream make this an easy crowd pleaser and delicious side dish. Not only is warm potato salad delicious, it’s also a time saver!
Easy green beans side dish ready in 20 minutes! Blistered green beans are tossed in blackened seasoning, garlic, onions, and butter. Lots of flavor, little time.
This easy roasted corn salsa has a little bit of heat and lots of flavor. Made with just a few ingredients – jalapeño, red onion, white corn, cilantro, lime and salt. It's the perfect addition to tacos, burritos, bowls or to serve as a side.
This delicious creamy alfredo sauce is full of cajun seasoning. Slice your blackened chicken breasts and toss with this cajun alfredo sauce and your favorite pasta.
This simple roasted broccoli and potatoes is an easy and tasty side dish! Crispy potatoes and tender broccoli florets make a delicious side dish, ready in 30 minutes!
Sautéed sweet potatoes are the perfect easy side dish for dinner! The sweet potatoes have tender insides with crisp outsides and are coated in tasty warm spices.
This Grilled Vegetable Salad Recipe is the absolute BEST! Kalamata olives, artichokes, and feta cheese add a Mediterranean flair. Not only is it beautiful, but it tastes delicious. A great way to add more veggies with your blackened chicken dinner.
The perfect creamy mashed potato recipe! Smooth potatoes with Boursin cheese, cream, butter, and fresh chives. Serve them for the holiday season or a special dinner. 5 ingredients and 30 minutes.
This easy green bean almondine (or amandine) is made with fresh or frozen beans cooked in butter and topped with toasted almonds. This veggie side dish is based on Julia Child’s buttered green beans.
Creamed spinach is made with shallots, garlic, butter, and heavy cream to make a rich cheesy sauce worthy of a steakhouse experience. It's perfect for family dinner!
Southern Tomato Pie is a savory pie made with fresh tomatoes, basil, thyme, mayo, and three cheeses in a buttery cracker crust. This classic summer dish goes great with spicy blackened chicken!
This Israeli salad updates a classic tomato cucumber salad. Modern twists include olives, avocado, sumac, and mint. Perfect for summer eating. A great dish to cool down the spicy blackened chicken.
Cubed mango is marinated in honey and dark rum for some Caribbean flair and then lightly charred on the grill on skewers. This is a fun one especially if you're grilling the blackened chicken!
This Italian House Salad is just like the kind they serve at Italian restaurants! You’ll love the bold flavors and how easy it is to make it. A great simple side dish.
Avocados are grilled and stuffed with a fresh, homemade pico de gallo in this grilled avocado side dish recipe. Another great recipe to serve if you are firing up the grill for your blackened chicken.
I prefer to use a high heat oil like avocado oil for blackening chicken. This neutral oil has a high smoke point, so it smokes less than others in a hot cast iron skillet. Olive oil and melted butter will usually cause more smoke.
How long to cook blackened chicken?
The time it takes to cook blackened chicken depends on your cooking method. If you sear it in a skillet, then transfer to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) to finish cooking, it should take about 12-15 additional minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
I’m the blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, and otherwise food obsessed gal behind Lauren From Scratch. I was born and raised in New Orleans and lived in South Louisiana most of my life. Growing up around Cajun country has instilled a love of food that runs deep in my bones. I am passionate about food and teaching you how to make mouth-watering Louisiana inspired dishes in your own kitchen!
