Colonel Sanders' image on bucket-shaped sign above KFC franchise
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It's Not All About the Chicken. Here's Every KFC Side Dish, Ranked

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Colonel Sanders' image on bucket-shaped sign above KFC franchise
RapidEye/istockphoto

Side by Side

After 70+ years in business, Kentucky Fried Chicken has locked down a chicken recipe that’s kept people loyal. But a fast-food chicken chain is only as good as its sides, so how does KFC do in that department? Should you grab corn or slaw? And what manner of potato? Here are the six KFC side dishes, ranked.


Prices and availability are subject to change.


Related: KFC Ditches Popcorn Chicken, 4 Other Items To Simplify Menu

kfc secret recipe fries
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

Best: Secret Recipe Fries

$2.99


Well, well, well. What do we have here? I’m blown away. These are awesome. We’re talking about thick, crunchy potato wedges, jagged and angled like a piece of battered fish. They’re seasoned, but not overly so. I’m all about it. Really nice job on these things, Sanders.


Related: KFC Doesn't Offer Free Bucket Refills. Try Telling That to TikTok

biscuit at kfc
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

2. Biscuit

$1.19


Yeah, this is a good biscuit. It’s nice and dense, but easy to rip apart. Not too crumbly though, which is important for a person like me who is always trying to make sliders out of every biscuit I see. This’ll do pretty nicely for that.


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kfc mashed potatoes
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

3. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

$2.99


I can’t imagine there are many people in the world who would say they don’t like mashed potatoes. Even children who are picky eaters love it. Potatoes just have the magic that way. Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew, ya know? These are creamy, pleasantly salty, and both sticky and smooth at the same time thanks to that unctuous gravy. There’s nothing not to like about this food.

kfc coleslaw
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

4. Coleslaw

$2.99


Nasty fast-food chain coleslaw is something I’ll always love. It unlocks some sort of childlike memory in me, I guess. Takes me back to the days of growing up on El Pollo Loco’s slaw. That finely-diced mix of cabbage and carrots drenched in weird, sugary mayo will always call to me. KFC’s is quite good.

sweet corn at kfc
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

5. Sweet Corn

$2.99


This is admittedly a bit bland, but kernels of corn are always going to be a killer sidekick to fried chicken. All you really need to do to give this a boost is mix it in with your mashed potatoes. The taters get texture and the corn gets flavor. Everybody wins.


Also, huge missed opportunity not calling these “Colonel’s Kernels.”

kfc mac and cheese
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

6. Mac and Cheese

$2.99


There are certain dishes in this world that represent soul. Macaroni and cheese is one of them. A good mac has a lot of soul, and KFC’s has absolutely none. The cheese tastes fake. The pasta is weird and chewy. The cheese sauce barely even clings to the noodles; it’s like two separate components. Such a shame.