Cajun chicken is a real flavor powerhouse, thanks to its signature blend of spices like paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs coating succulent chicken.
Those bold, smoky-yet-spicy seasonings make for an incredibly craveable main dish. But you’ll want some equally zesty sides to stand up to all that Louisiana flair.
From creamy, cooling accompaniments to balance the heat to fresh salads and indulgent starches, I’ve gathered some of the best side dishes to serve alongside kickin’ Cajun chicken.
Get ready to turn up the heat!
1.Creamy Coleslaw
When you’ve got something as spicy as Cajun chicken on the menu, you’ll definitely want a cooling, creamy slaw to tame that burn and this recipe hits the mark!
It’s creamy but not heavy, sweet but still tangy, and the cabbage stays crisp.
The dressing takes just minutes to whip up with mayonnaise, a touch of sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper and celery seed. Toss that with the packaged coleslaw mix and let it chill for an hour to let the flavors meld.
The sweetness and acidity of the slaw help balance out the bold, spicy flavors of cajun chicken. It’s a classic pairing that always satisfies.
2.Honey Skillet Cornbread
Is there anything more Southern and comforting than a piping hot skillet of cornbread alongside cajun-spiced proteins?
This buttery, golden cornbread gets an irresistible crispy crust thanks to being baked in a screaming hot cast iron skillet.
The honey adds a touch of sweetness that pairs so well with the buttery, crispy crust you get from baking it in a cast iron skillet.
It’s quick to whip up. Just mix the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, combine, and pour into a hot skillet. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have a skillet full of golden, fluffy cornbread that’s ready to be devoured.
The sweet, buttery cornbread is the perfect counterpoint to the bold spices. It soaks up all those delicious juices too.
3.Cajun Fries
Fries make an amazing vehicle for ensuring not a single bite of Cajun chicken goes unaccompanied by something crispy and indulgent.
These crispy, golden fries are packed with bold, smoky flavor from the cajun seasoning.
Just grab a bag of frozen fries, pop them in the air fryer for 8 minutes, and generously sprinkle with cajun seasoning. Voila – restaurant-quality fries in no time!
The hint of heat complements the entrée while the fries themselves help temper any mouth-burning from the boldly seasoned chicken.
4.Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
Take your cornbread up a serious notch by baking up these cheddar and jalapeño studded loaves alongside your Cajun chicken.
With shredded cheese and diced jalapeños baked right into the moist, crumbly cornbread batter, you get intense pockets of cheesy, spicy flavors in every bite.
The secret to the perfect texture is using a mix of cornmeal and flour, along with both butter and oil for rich flavor and moistness. Buttermilk adds a nice tang too.
To get that crispy crust, you simply melt the butter right in the cast iron skillet before adding the batter. It only takes about 10 minutes to mix up the batter and 25-30 minutes to bake.
The slight heat plays so well with that Cajun kick while the cheese lends its cooling creaminess. Serve it up with some honey butter for drizzling over those irresistible slabs of bread.
5.Southern Baked Beans With Bacon
I love baked beans – they’re such a comforting side dish! And this Southern baked beans recipe is one of my favorites. It’s hearty, smoky, a little sweet and tangy, and topped with crispy bacon.
They’re the perfect side dish for any summer cookout or to serve alongside some cajun chicken. The combination of smoky bacon, sweet molasses, tangy BBQ sauce, and creamy beans is simply irresistible.
It takes only about 45 minutes total, with just 10 minutes of prep time. Perfect for a quick and satisfying side.
The beans and bacon provide a hearty contrast to spicier cajun dishes. The sweetness helps balance the heat, while the creaminess complements chicken’s leaner texture.
But honestly, they’re so good, you could happily eat a big bowl of them all on their own.
6.Hush Puppies
These crispy, golden fried cornmeal bites are a must for soaking up any extra sauces from that Cajun chicken.
This easy southern recipe yields crispy on the outside, soft and lightly sweet on the inside fried cornmeal balls. They’re the best I’ve ever made or tasted.
To make ’em, simply whisk together the dry ingredients, make a quick buttermilk with milk and vinegar, then mix in the wet ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
Hush puppies go great with spicy cajun dishes because the subtle sweetness balances out the heat.
7.Cajun Remoulade
When you’ve got Cajun chicken on the menu, some sort of zesty remoulade sauce is an absolute must for dipping or drizzling.
The sauce is a blend of mayo, grainy mustard, garlic, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and fresh parsley. Just mix it all together and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
What I love about this remoulade is how versatile it is. It pairs beautifully with cajun chicken, adding a creamy, tangy kick that complements the spices in the chicken.
It’s also great for dipping or spreading on sandwiches, crab cakes, fried pickles, and more.
8.Buttermilk Biscuits
These flaky buttermilk biscuits are the perfect side dish to jazz up your Cajun chicken dinner! With layers of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
They’re quick and easy to whip up. Just pulse the ingredients in a food processor, roll out the dough, layer it a few times, then cut out your biscuits.
In under an hour, you’ll have steaming hot, golden brown biscuits fresh from the oven. The hardest part is resisting eating the whole batch myself!
Their rich buttery flavor and light, fluffy insides make them an irresistible companion to spicy Cajun dishes.
9.Cajun Rice
For a simple starch with tons of flavor built right in, try serving Cajun chicken atop a bed of delicious Cajun rice. It’s bursting with bold, spicy flavors and only takes about 20 minutes to whip up.
This one-pot wonder is a breeze to make. Just sauté some garlic and peppers, brown the tomato sauce for extra richness, then toss in the rice, cajun seasoning, and a splash of lemon juice. The rice takes on a beautiful tomato color and soaks up all those delicious spices.
Top it with some chicken and smother everything in spicy sauce for the ultimate one-dish meal.
10.Smothered Green Beans
These Cajun-spiced green beans make for the perfect smoky, rich veggie accompaniment to pair with your chicken.
I can’t get enough of them. The combination of sweet brown sugar, savory bacon, rich butter, umami soy sauce and aromatic garlic takes humble canned green beans to a whole new level.
It’s so easy to make and only takes a few minutes to prepare. You can even cook the bacon ahead of time to save even more time. Plus, this recipe makes a huge batch, perfect for potlucks or feeding a crowd.
This is my go-to side dish for cajun chicken. The sweetness complements the spicy chicken perfectly, while the salty bacon and soy sauce balance things out. Plus, the tender, saucy green beans are a great textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
11.Cajun Roasted Potatoes
These zesty roasted potatoes are a no-brainer for serving alongside bold Cajun-spiced chicken.
The prep only takes about 10 minutes!
To make these potatoes, just toss chunked potatoes with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, herbs, salt and pepper. Then pop them in the oven and let them roast until they’re crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
These Cajun potatoes are so versatile and pair well with many proteins. Plus, they’re always a hit with family and friends. I often double the recipe when I’m expecting a crowd!
12.Fried Okra
I absolutely love this fried okra recipe! It’s a classic southern dish that’s perfect as a side for cajun chicken. The okra has a light, crispy coating that lets the flavor of the veggie really shine through.
To make it, just dip the okra slices in an egg and milk mixture, then coat them in seasoned flour. Next, fry them up in my trusty cast iron skillet until they’re golden brown. The whole process only takes about 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
Fried okra is a great accompaniment to spicy cajun dishes because its mild flavor helps balance out the heat and the crispy texture is a nice contrast to tender chicken.
It’s a must-make summer side dish in my book.
13.Dirty Rice
Infused with incredible depth of flavor, dirty rice makes an amazing base for soaking up all the sauces from Cajun chicken.
It gets its signature “dirty” look from being prepared with chicken livers and gizzards which add an earthy, umami richness.
This recipe takes about 5 minutes to chop the veggies and measure out the spices. Then you just brown the meat, sauté the veggies, add the rice and broth, and let it simmer. In just 35 minutes, you’ve got a hearty and delicious meal.
This Dirty Rice is the perfect side dish to serve with Cajun chicken. The bold flavors of the rice complement the spices in the chicken perfectly.
14.Succotash
For a fresh, vibrant side to brighten up the spread, look no further than a zesty succotash salad.
The combination of fresh, sweet corn, tender edamame beans, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic basil is simply divine.
But let’s be real – the best part is the crispy bacon crumbled on top! It adds a salty, smoky flavor that perfectly complements the veggies.
This succotash is a cinch to make. You just sauté some onion and garlic in the bacon drippings, toss in the corn, edamame, and seasonings, then finish it with the tomatoes and basil.
In under 30 minutes, you’ve got a vibrant, mouthwatering side that pairs beautifully with the bold spices of cajun chicken. It’s a match made in backyard BBQ heaven!
15.Black-Eyed Pea Salad
I’m a big fan of bean salads and this Black Eyed Pea Salad is one of my favorites! It’s so easy to make – you just whisk together a zesty lemon balsamic vinaigrette and toss it with black eyed peas, colorful veggies, and fresh herbs.
You can have this healthy, flavorful salad ready in only about 20 minutes! It’s perfect as a make-ahead dish to bring to summer cookouts, picnics, or potlucks.
While it’s a great side dish year-round, I especially enjoy serving this salad on New Year’s Day for good luck.
The black eyed peas pair wonderfully with traditional Cajun mains like gumbo, jambalaya, or blackened chicken.
16.Red Beans and Rice
You can’t get much more authentically Louisiana than a side of saucy red beans and rice.
This creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy dish is the perfect way to kick off the week.The Camellia red beans become tender and flavorful after simmering for hours with smoked sausage, ham hock, and aromatic veggies and spices.
Most of the cooking time is hands-off, so you can let the beans do their thing while you tackle your Monday to-do list. And with just 15 minutes of prep time, getting this comforting meal on the table is a breeze.
The dish makes for such a hearty yet comforting accompaniment to Cajun chicken.
17.Grillades and Grits
For the ultimate indulgent Southern pairing alongside Cajun chicken, serve up a plate of decadent grillades and grits.
The tender, slow-cooked round steak is smothered in a flavorful sauce made with the Holy Trinity of veggies and plenty of garlic. The rich, savory grillades are served over a bed of creamy, cheesy grits – talk about a match made in heaven!
While this dish takes some time to cook, the prep is pretty quick and easy. The hardest part is waiting for it to finish simmering on the stove – your whole house will smell incredible!
Grits create the perfect base for sopping up all those Cajun-spiced chicken juices. It’s downright sinful but so worth it!
My name is Beth, Elizabeth Evelyn to be exact. A native Tennessean, I was born in the South.
I am the author behind Local Milk Blog.
Local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind.
It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday.
Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.