BBQ chicken is an amazing comfort food that can be enjoyed no matter the season! It’s great the night of, but I love it because it also works well the following day if you pull the leftover chicken off the bone to use in different meals. BBQ chicken is loved the world over with charcoal grilled chicken being a favorite dish in Asia while Portugal uses piri piri peppers to flavor their BBQ chicken meal.
I love how well chicken pairs with such a variety of side dishes. It’s easy to find side dishes that compliment your BBQ chicken and elevate it to a whole new level! I’ve pulled together some of my favorite healthy sides for BBQ chicken and you’re sure to find one that matches the flavor or nutrients you’re looking for.
BBQ chicken is a quintessential summertime favorite. The smoky, sweet, and savory flavor of perfectly grilled chicken is hard to beat. But what really takes your BBQ chicken to the next level are the side dishes you pair it with.
The right sides can complement the chicken, add nutrition, and give your meal variety and balance. They take BBQ chicken from an ordinary weekday dinner to an extraordinary backyard feast.
We’ll look at 25 of the best side dishes to go with BBQ chicken in this article. These recipes will make your next chicken cookout great. They include old favorites and fun new ones.
The Classics: Best Traditional BBQ Side Dishes
Some sides are called classics for a reason – they are tried and true crowd pleasers perfect for any barbecue spread. Here are 5 must-have traditional sides for BBQ chicken
1. Baked Beans
What’s a barbecue without baked beans? BBQ chicken goes well with the sweet and smokey beans. You can bake navy or pinto beans with bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and your favorite spices.
2. Coleslaw
Crispy, creamy coleslaw goes well with smoky grilled meat because it cools you down. Make a simple slaw with mayo or get creative by adding nuts, fruits, or different dressings.
3. Corn on the Cob
Buttery grilled corn on the cob is pure summertime happiness. Leave the husks on while grilling for extra smoky flavor.
4. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy macaroni salad satisfies comfort food cravings. It’s easy to serve if you make it ahead of time and only heat it up at the grill.
5. Potato Salad
No BBQ is complete without potato salad! Take your pick of creamy mayo-based, tangy vinegar-based, or loaded baked potato salads.
Satisfying Starches: Filling & Flavorful Carb Sides
Starches like potatoes, pasta, and corn make excellent hearty side dishes for BBQ chicken. They are crowd-pleasing accompaniments. Here are 5 satisfying starchy sides:
6. Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted red or russet potatoes are simple to make but full of flavor. Toss with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary before roasting.
7. Pasta Salad
Chill out with a cold pasta salad like penne with veggies, bowties with pesto, or Greek orzo salad. The options are endless for pasta sides!
8. Cornbread
Warm cornbread fresh from a cast iron skillet or the oven is irresistible. Add honey butter for extra decadence!
9. Biscuits
Fluffy, homemade biscuits are a classic BBQ accompaniment. Try classic buttermilk or cheese & chive for variety.
10. Rice
White or brown rice – whichever you prefer – soaks up the juices perfectly. Rice pilaf seasoned with herbs and spices adds extra flavor.
Veggie Sides: Fresh, Healthy Accents
Don’t forget your veggies! Bright, crisp, fresh vegetables complement the rich chicken beautifully. Here are 5 veggie-based sides to try:
11. Grilled Veggies
Get bonus flavor by grilling vegetable skewers or halves of squash, eggplant, and zucchini brushed with olive oil.
12. Baked Beans
Baked beans like green beans or asparagus roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper are simple and tasty.
13. Cucumber Salad
A cool cucumber salad with a vinaigrette wakes up your palate. Add tomatoes, onion, feta for extra flavor.
14. Corn on the Cob
We can’t forget grilled corn on the cob! Leave the husk on while grilling for the best flavor.
15. Cole Slaw
Cabbage and carrot based cole slaw offers vitamin C, fiber, and crunch.
Sensational Salads: Fresh & Light Sides
Salads are a smart way to add color, nutrition, and zest. These 5 salads balance the richness of BBQ chicken beautifully:
16. Potato Salad
A cookout isn’t complete without potato salad! Choose mayo-based, vinegar-based, German, or loaded baked potato salad.
17. Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta salads like Greek, Italian, pesto, or macaroni are endlessly adaptable. Make them up to 3 days ahead.
18. Veggie Salad
Mix up your veggies – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion, carrots – and top with a tangy vinaigrette.
19. Bean Salad
Protein-rich bean salads, like chickpea or white bean, offer fiber and hearty texture.
20. Fruit Salad
Cool, sweet mixed fruit salads with berries, melon, stone fruits, and citrus refresh the palate.
Out-of-the-Box Side Dishes: Creative & Fun Pairings
Once you’ve covered the basics, get creative with these 5 outside-the-box sides to impress your guests:
21. Grilled Fruit
Grilled peaches, pineapple, grapes, or watermelon add a caramelized sweetness that pairs perfectly with savory chicken.
22. Chips & Dips
Crunchy tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, or layered bean dip makes an easy crowd-pleasing snack.
23. Caprese Skewers
Assemble colorful, tasty skewers with cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella for a fresh accent.
24. Greek Orzo Salad
Orzo pasta salad studded with cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese makes a satisfying meatless side.
25. Watermelon Feta Salad
Cubes of juicy watermelon topped with creamy, briny feta cheese offer a fabulous flavor and texture contrast.
Perfect Pairings for Spectacular BBQ Chicken
Barbecue chicken deserves accompaniments with just as much vibrant flavor. These 25 side dishes, from timeless classics to creative innovations, all complement and enhance juicy grilled meat perfectly.
Mix and match traditional favorites and fresh new recipes to take your next BBQ chicken dinner from basic to spectacular. Most importantly, choose sides that appeal to you and your guests’ preferences. With flavorful, filling sides like these, your cookout spread can’t go wrong.
Nine Healthy Sides For BBQ Chicken
Grilled chicken and fries are a match made in heaven, but if you’re trying to eat healthy, they’re often cut from your side dish list. Thankfully, Well Plated has found the secret to making oven-baked fries that are crispy on the inside, but still tender on the outside to allow you to get your fix of potato fries without all the grease. Believe it or not, potatoes are healthy for you when eaten in moderation, especially if you leave on the skin. You’ll get fiber, vitamin C and B6 as well as potassium. There are a few secrets to getting crispy fries. First, use Yukon gold potatoes and second soak them in very hot (unsalted) water to slightly cook the inside. Cook at 450 °F and add your favorite fry spices and you’ve got a tasty solution for when you’re craving starchy sides for BBQ chicken.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients: Yukon gold potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, salt, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
What’s better than a loaded baked potato? A healthy loaded baked potato with all of the flavor and none of the guilt! The savory flavors of baked potatoes and the smokey flavors of BBQ chicken are a classic flavor combination, and Recipe Runner has come up with some clever swaps to make healthy baked potatoes that you can serve with your grilled chicken. By using low-fat cream cheese instead of sour cream you still get the rich creamy flavor with a lot less fat and plenty of additional protein. One of the best parts of this perfect side dish is that it can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, green onion, red onion, salt and pepper, paprika, and bacon.
Potato salad is a great summer side dish to serve at picnics and outdoor BBQs alongside some grilled chicken. Healthy Seasonal Recipes has taken this classic side dish and given it a protein-packed twist with a lot less fat by using fat-free Greek Yogurt in place of a lot of the usual mayonnaise. The addition of egg adds even more protein and gives this potato salad an even creamier feel. Katie recommends using thin-skinned waxy potatoes and staying away from starchy potatoes like russets because they’re a little too dry and crumbly on the inside.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time:30 minutes
Ingredients: Potatoes, Greek yogurt, mayo, celery, relish, Dijon mustard, hard-boiled eggs, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, red onion, and parsley.
Low Carb and Keto Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken
BBQ chicken pairs perfectly with an ooey gooey bowl of warm mac and cheese. If you’re following a Keto diet it can be tough to pass up on this classic noodle side dish. Thankfully, there are creatives out there making dishes like a Keto mac and cheese recipe that’s just as cheesy and delicious as the classic. The secret to making Keto mac and cheese — cauliflower! Using cauliflower in place of the noodles, alongside tons of cheese offers a mac and cheese savory flavor without the carbs.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients: Cauliflower, whole milk, cream cheese, salt and pepper, heavy cream, garlic powder, chili powder, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, bacon, crushed pork rinds, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
If you’re eliminating starchy sides from your diet but still want to pair your grilled chicken with some fries, why not try making vegetable fries? Wholesome Yum uses rutabaga to make fries that are safe for the Keto diet, and also very tasty. These are one of the best chicken side dishes to cook using an air fryer if you have one because the moving air allows each side of the fry to get super crispy. If you’ve only got 5 minutes to meal prep some sides to go alongside your BBQ chicken meal, you’ve got to try rutabaga fries!
Asparagus is a nutritious vegetable high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C. It’s also very low in carbs which makes Peace, Low & Low-Carb’s cheesy garlic roasted asparagus recipe a great Keto or low-carb side for chicken meals. If you struggle to get your kids to eat this healthy veggie, give this recipe a try. Adding cheese to vegetables can sometimes be the magic trick that encourages kids to take a few more bites.
Prep Time: Roughly 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients: Asparagus spears, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper, smoked white cheese and mozzarella cheese.
Would You Eat This BBQ Chicken with the Head On?
FAQ
What to eat barbecue chicken with?
BBQ chicken pairs well with a variety of classic sides. Some popular choices include coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, and corn on the cob. You can also consider sides like mac and cheese, cornbread, or a simple green salad.
What to eat with BBQ chicken?
Delicious side dishes can turn simple BBQ chicken, hot dogs, or burgers into a savory feast that everyone will rave about. What to serve with BBQ chicken? When it comes to deciding what to eat with barbecue grilled chicken, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or corn on the cob might come immediately to mind.
What side dishes go well with BBQ chicken?
When it comes to side dishes, potato salad is a classic. This dish works well with just about every entrée, but especially BBQ chicken. It’s creamy, hearty, and downright delicious. Quick tip: Make the potato salad even more filling by adding hard-boiled eggs into the mix. 12. Fried Okra.
How many BBQ chicken side dishes are there?
With these 27 BBQ chicken side dishes, you’re all set to impress your family and friends at your next barbecue.
Can baked chicken be served with BBQ chicken?
Yes, the best side dishes for baked chicken can also be served with BBQ chicken. Some popular options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. These versatile sides complement the flavors of both types of chicken, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
What to eat at a BBQ?
For a fresh, healthier side dish option, serve green beans at your BBQ. You can make them more delicious by sauteing them with garlic and onion. Or add bacon to make it everyone’s new favorite side dish. 8. Cornbread You can make cornbread the easy way with a packet of Jiffy mix, or use your favorite ‘from scratch’ recipe.
What salad goes with BBQ chicken?
A cucumber and tomato salad is a simple yet flavorful side. A light olive oil and vinegar dressing, juicy tomatoes, red onions, and fresh cucumbers make this salad taste great. It balances out the smokey BBQ chicken. Fruit salad is a sweet and juicy addition that works well with BBQ flavors.