What Goes With Chicken Wings 2025: Healthy Pairings

Chicken wings are popular in many cultures worldwide, from Korea to the US. This dish is so versatile that no matter your preferences, there’s a chicken wing recipe out there for you to enjoy!

Besides versatility, chicken wings are also quite affordable and easy to prepare. The most popular versions are deep-fried or baked and are a great option for keto dieters looking for more diversity. You can eat them by hand (no cutlery necessary), so they are often served as an appetizer or snack, especially in sports bars and restaurants.

Depending on how you cook and serve them, chicken wings can be the main star of the table or a side dish. Dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or honey mustard, are the most common companions, but there are other, healthier options.

Per our in-house nutritionist, chicken wings provide valuable protein and nutrients, but it's important to be mindful of the preparation method and portion sizes. For this, I put together a few healthier pairings to try!

All the recipes on this page are carefully crafted by our team, including our in-house nutritionist, who also calculates the nutritional information provided. While we strive for accuracy, please note that actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

1. Chicken Wing Charcuterie Board

Ingredients

For the buffalo wings:

• 3 lbs chicken wings

• ½ cup hot sauce

• ¼ cup butter ghee

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp cayenne

• ½ tsp fine sea salt

For the charcuterie board:

• 5 medium-sized carrots (cut into sticks)

• 5 celery stalks (split into 2 or 4)

• 2 English cucumbers (cut into sticks)

• 5 medium-sized radishes (cut into rounds)

• 10 cherry tomatoes (halved)

• 2 oz buffalo sauce

• 2 oz ranch

• 2 oz blue cheese sauce

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.

2. Pat the chicken wings dry and place them in a bowl. Add oil, salt, garlic powder, and toss to fully coat the wings. 

3. Arrange the wings on the rack and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, flip them over, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until crispy.

4. Meanwhile, make the buffalo sauce. Add hot sauce and butter in a small pot. Place the pot on medium-high heat, allow the butter to melt, and whisk to combine. Add cayenne pepper for extra heat (this step is optional) and set aside.

5. Get the wings out of the oven and toss them in a bowl with the buffalo sauce until they are covered.

6. Return the wings to the rack and bake for 5 more minutes.

7. Transfer to the charcuterie board, next to all the veggies and dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Overview

If you like to entertain, this version of a Charcuterie Board must be in your recipe portfolio! Juicy, flavorful wings take center stage, surrounded by a spread of dipping sauces, crispy veggies, and fun extras like pickles, cheese cubes, and even waffle fries (because why not?).

The best part? You can mix up the flavors—classic buffalo, honey garlic, lemon pepper—so there's something for everyone. Plus, it looks fancy without being fussy. 

Pile everything onto a big board, add some cold drinks, and you’ve got a guaranteed hit. Trust me, once you serve this, you’ll never go back to plain old wing platters again. It’s the ultimate way to turn a casual hangout into a feast!

2. Baked Chicken Wings & Sweet Potato Wedges

Ingredients

• 17 oz chicken wings

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (cut into thin wedges)

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp dried rosemary

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, season the chicken wings with garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet.

3. In a clean bowl, toss the potato wedges with olive oil, rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Spread them beside the chicken wings.

4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the wings are crispy. Flip the wings halfway through for even crispiness.

5. Divide the wings and wedges into 2 plates and serve hot!

Overview

Chicken wings usually come covered in delicious sauces or right next to a yummy dip, but if you’re looking out for your calorie intake, you can’t have your fill. Enter the healthier option, served next to fiber-rich sweet potatoes!

The wings are baked to crispy perfection with just a simple blend of seasonings—no frying, no heavy sauces, just pure, delicious flavor. The sweet potato wedges add the perfect touch of natural sweetness and are just as crispy on the outside and tender inside.

What I love most is that this meal feels like a treat, but it’s packed with protein, fiber, and wholesome goodness. It’s proof that you don’t need greasy takeout to enjoy wings. Serve it with a side of Greek yogurt dip or a squeeze of fresh lemon, and you’ve got a guilt-free comfort meal!

3. Honey Garlic Wings & Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

For the wings:

• 1 lb chicken wings

• 1 tbsp avocado oil

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp white onion powder

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 2 tbsp oil for coating the rack

• Chopped fresh cilantro and scallions (for the topping)

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the salad:

• 15 pitted green olives (chopped)

• 2 Roma tomatoes (chopped)

• 1 medium-sized English cucumber (chopped)

• Juice from 1 lime

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp raw honey

• Zest from 1 lime

• 1 pinch of chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder

• 2 tsp of Coconut Aminos

• Warm water (as needed to thin up the sauce)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top (to allow the airflow to circulate around the wings) and coat it in oil. 

2. In a medium-sized bowl, add the wings, avocado oil, chili powder, white onion powder, garlic powder, ground ginger, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss/mix everything until the wings are fully coated.

3. Place the coated wings on the oil-coated wire rack, fatty side down. Spread them out as much as possible.

4. Put the backing sheet in the oven for around 30 minutes, but flip the wings halfway through for maximum crispiness.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the salad. In a medium-sized bowl, mix all the veggies, juice from 1 lime, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything and set aside until serving time.

6. Next, make the sauce for the wings. In a small bowl, add raw honey, lime zest, a pinch of all the seasonings we already used for the wings, Coconut Aminos, and a bit of warm water (to thin the sauce). Whisk everything.

7. Get the wings out of the oven and place them in a bowl. Add the sauce and give a good toss to coat the wings.

8. Plate the wings with some fresh chopped cilantro and scallions on top and serve next to the salad. Bon Appetit!

Overview

This wings and salad pairing is the perfect option for a dinner that feels special but is easy on time and budget. I like to make this recipe during the week when I want something flavorful but not too heavy or when I feel a bit under the weather. 

The baked wings are coated in a simple honey garlic glaze, bringing the right mix of sweet, savory, and sticky goodness. And the cucumber salad adds a refreshing crunch that balances out the richness of the wings beautifully.

This meal is proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to enjoy something amazing. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner with your significant other, especially if you pair it with a nice glass of wine and some candles (ambiance matters!).

4. Spicy Wings With Asian Coleslaw

Ingredients

• 16 chicken wings

For the spice rub:

• 1 red onion (roughly chopped)

• 5 large garlic cloves (roughly chopped)

• 2 cm (0.8 inch) piece ginger (peeled, chopped)

• 2 small red chilies (deseeded, chopped)

• ¼ cup Kecap Manis

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

For the coleslaw:

• ¼ red cabbage (finely shredded)

• 1 large carrot (cut into thin strips)

• 1 red bell pepper (cut into thin strips)

• 2 green onions (sliced into thin strips)

• 1 Lebanese cucumber (seeds removed, thinly sliced)

• 150 g (5 oz) cup mushrooms (thinly sliced)

• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce

• 1 lime (juiced)

• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Blend all ingredients for the wings spice rub in a food processor until well combined.

3. In an ovenproof dish, arrange chicken wings in a single layer. Add the spice rub on top and make sure each wing is well-covered. Cover and leave in the fridge for up to 3 hours. This allows the wings to marinate and become tender and tasty.

4. Place the ovenproof dish in the oven and let the wings roast uncovered for 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until fully cooked.

5. Meanwhile, work on the coleslaw. In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, capsicum, green onions, cucumber, and mushrooms.

6. In a small bowl, whisk sweet chili sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, and oil. Drizzle over the salad and toss to coat everything.

7. Get the wings out of the oven, place them on a plate, and serve them next to the coleslaw. Enjoy!

Overview

This dish is bold, flavorful, and just a little adventurous – perfect if you like spicy, crunchy foods! I think it’s the perfect dish to shake up your usual dinner routine without giving your wallet a shake-down.

The wings have just the right amount of heat: spicy enough to tingle your taste buds but balanced with a touch of sweetness and umami. The real star here, however, is the Asian coleslaw. Forget the usual mayo-heavy version! This version is crisp, vibrant, and packed with flavors.

Overall, this recipe is an exciting twist on classic comfort food and is seriously delicious. Whether you're making it for yourself or impressing someone with your cooking skills, you’re guaranteed to be successful!

5. Crispy Baked Wings & Rings

Ingredients

For the wings:

• 4 lbs chicken wings (halved at joints and discard the wingtips)

• 2 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ¾ tsp salt

• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

For the buffalo sauce:

• 1 tbsp water

• ⅓ cup hot sauce

• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar

For the rings:

• 4 large onions (cut into ½-inch rounds)

• 4 quarts peanut oil

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 1 cup light-flavored beer (ice-cold)

• ½ cup 80-proof vodka

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt to taste

Method

1. Separate onion rounds into rings and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for at least 1 hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil, place a wire rack on top, and spray with non-stick spray.

3. Pat the wings dry using paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and baking powder and toss to coat evenly.

4. Arrange the wings skin-side up in a single layer on the wire rack. Place in the oven and turn every 20 minutes until crispy and browned (this may take up to 1 hour, depending on size).

5. Meanwhile, transfer the frozen rings to a bowl and thaw them under tepid running water. Dry thoroughly on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and remove the inner paper-like membrane that separates the layers.

6. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and paprika. In a separate bowl, mix beer and vodka. Gradually add the beer mixture to the flour mixture, whisking until the batter reaches a thick paint-like consistency.

7. Place a large wok or Dutch oven (or a deep saucepan) over medium-high heat, add peanut oil, and let it reach 375°F (190°C).

8. Dip each onion ring into the batter (make sure it’s fully covered), let excess batter drip off, then carefully lower the ring into the hot oil. Fry in batches, flipping halfway through, until golden brown (about 4 minutes).

9. Transfer the fried rings to a paper towel-lined bowl and sprinkle with salt. 

10. Once you finish the rings, place a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir together all buffalo sauce ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

11. Get the wings out of the oven (once done) and let them rest for 5 minutes. Then, toss the wings in the sauce and serve next to the onion rings. Bonne Appetit!

Overview

If you’re up for a little kitchen challenge that’s totally worth it, why not try some crispy onion rings next to your baked wings? I won’t lie: these onion rings take a fair bit of effort to make, and they do absorb around 15% of their weight in oil, so don’t be fooled into thinking they’re low in calories. 

Still, I think the baked wings tossed in classic buffalo sauce help balance things out. I love the sweetness of the onion and the crunchiness of the batter right next to the tender and fragrant chicken wings!

For an extra kick, you can add some pickles or a green salad, but you can also make do with a cold beer or a glass of wine!

FAQ

What are the best sauces for chicken wings?

Classic choices include Buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, teriyaki, and lemon pepper, but you can make your own based on your preferences. Ranch or blue cheese dressing are popular dipping options.

What sides go well with chicken wings?

If you’re looking for something healthier, choose celery and carrot sticks, salads (like in the Honey Garlic Wings and Cucumber Salad recipe), or sweet potato wedges. If you want something that’s more comforting, go for French fries, coleslaw, onion rings, or mac and cheese. 

Are chicken wings better baked, fried, or grilled?

It depends on your preference. Baked and grilled wings are the healthier options, while fried wings are crispy and traditional. Regardless of how you choose to make them, the sides are equally as important, so choose carefully.

What drinks pair well with chicken wings?

Beer (IPAs, lagers, or stouts), soda (cola or root beer), iced tea, or even a spicy margarita or whiskey-based cocktail complement wings well. For a more exotic option (like with the Spicy Wings with Asian Coleslaw recipe), you can also add a glass of wine.