If there is a type of Food that Everyone Loves, it has to be Fried Chicken.
Despite it being one of the most simple dishes to make—just some chicken coated in batter that is then deep-fried in sizzling oil—there is a lot to love about this delectable dish.
Southern cooking is all about deep frying and using some of the most irresistible ingredients like cheese and bacon, and at the center of it all is the scrumptious fried chicken.
With such importance placed on the humble fried chicken, with its crispy exterior and juicy center, this dish is sure to pair well with several side dishes of Southern origin.
While it may not be the healthiest choice, it is the best type of comfort food that you can enjoy for a warm, homely feeling.
So, without further ado, whether it’s picnic catering for corporate events or a day out with the family, here is how you can build a perfect fried chicken picnic menu for your next special outing.
Biscuits
Biscuits are one of the most iconic Southern sides. They are light and tender, and pairing this treat with some fried chicken is a match made in heaven.
The classic Southern buttermilk biscuit has a buttery yet tangy taste, and a texture that is just on the verge of crumbling.
The soft layers hold well together, making it the perfect side dish for a fried chicken picnic menu.
Mac and Cheese
With fried chicken giving you a hefty serving of protein, you’ll be craving something a little starchy to balance off your meal, and what’s a better staple starch than mac and cheese?
A small serving of this creamy, cheesy pasta paired with your fried chicken is going to give you all the happiness you need for the day.
Hushpuppies
Hushpuppies are another deep-fried Southern dish that is absolutely irresistible.
This small, savory, deep-fried ball of goodness is made out of cornmeal-based batter, which offers a savory sweet taste and makes it crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside—a winning combination!
If you believe that too many fried foods don’t go well together, you clearly have not tried this combination of fried goodness.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes may seem like an odd choice for a side dish (unless of course, you’re from the South), but this treat is surprisingly good and very easy for your caterer to customize your menu with.
All it takes is coating some unripe tomatoes in cornmeal batter and frying them until they are golden brown.
Not only do they pair well with fried chicken, but your caterer can also just toss them into your salads for an added crunch.
Coleslaw
This is the perfect salad to balance off the rich and savory taste of the fried chicken.
Its crispy and tangy taste will help round off the meal, while simultaneously giving you a good serving of veggies to balance out all the fried food you’ll be eating.
Speak to your caterer to choose from a traditional mayo-based dressing or a tangier vinegar-based route.
Potato Salad
This creamy salad is another classic Southern comfort food, and something you will see at any cookout—people take their potato salad very seriously in the South.
With the addition of both mayo and mustard, this dish is the perfect amount of creamy and tangy.
There is also plenty of texture in the Southern variation of this dish with some finely diced celery, green onions, and sweet relish.
Peach Cobbler
No picnic menu is complete without dessert and if there is any dessert that you would want added to this list, it has got to be peach cobbler.
This dessert is the perfect way to end your meal with a sugar-packed punch of juicy peaches, a flakey crust, a crisp crumble topping, and a good amount of butter and spices.
You can top this off with some whipped cream or ice cream that your caterer can organize for the occasion.
Pecan Pie
With pecan nuts growing abundantly in the South, many dishes from this region involve it. This includes the rather traditional Southern dessert; pecan pie.
Made with pecan nuts mixed into a filling of eggs, butter, and sugar, this dish has a sweet and buttery crunch that comes with a savory and nutty aftertaste.
Once you are done with your serving, you will be begging for one more slice of this delicacy.
Build the Perfect Fried Chicken Picnic Menu
With a range of various Southern goodies to choose from, you can undoubtedly build the perfect fried chicken picnic menu for your next special outing.
If you’d rather let someone else handle the preparation of a customized fried chicken picnic menu, you can get it all professionally done by a catering company. That way you have enough time to enjoy the day, and not to mention the delicious food.
