18 Delicious Sides to Eat with Pulled Chicken

Pulled chicken is a versatile protein that can be used in everything from sandwiches and tacos to soups and salads. Its tender shredded texture soaks up sauces beautifully while still maintaining its juicy flavor. But what should you serve alongside this tasty shredded poultry?

Having the right side dishes can take your pulled chicken meal from ho-hum to extraordinary The key is finding sides that complement the chicken’s texture and mild flavor without overpowering it From classic comfort foods to fresh, crunchy veggies, here are 18 delicious options to consider pairing with your pulled chicken.

Starchy Sides

Starch-based sides like potatoes, rice, and pasta provide comforting carbs and textures to balance out the shredded chicken. Some excellent starchy sides for pulled chicken include:

• Mashed potatoes: Buttery, fluffy mashed potatoes go perfectly with chicken shreddings because they add a creamy texture. Russets or Yukon Golds both work well here. Jazz them up with cheese, bacon, chives or other mix-ins.

• Baked potatoes – Baked russet or sweet potatoes provide a firmer texture and natural sweetness to complement the savory chicken. Load them up with butter, cheese, broccoli, bacon, and more.

• Mac and cheese: This creamy, cheesy dish is the best comfort food ever. The thick cheese sauce goes well with the soft shreds of pulled chicken. Make it from scratch or dress up a boxed version.

• As for the rice pilaf, the fluffy rice pilaf is like a canvas that soaks up any sauce or flavor from the chicken. Jazz it up with veggies, herbs, or citrus zest.

• Pasta salad – Chilled pasta salads like pesto, Italian, or Greek create a hearty base for chicken. Rotini or farfalle work well. The pasta soaks up dressing and pairs nicely with the shredded meat.

Crunchy Veggie Sides

Fresh, vibrant vegetable sides add color, nutrients, and pleasant crunch to balance tender pulled chicken. Some tasty options include:

• Coleslaw: Cool and crunchy coleslaw goes well with rich chicken because it is tangy and creamy. Enjoy it Southern-style or with an Asian twist.

• Roasted veggies – Roasting green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or asparagus caramelizes their flavors to pair beautifully with chicken. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.

• Garden salad – A fresh garden salad with mixed greens, carrots, bell peppers, and your favorite dressing resets the palate after rich chicken. Top it with avocados or bacon for more substance.

• Cucumber salad – Chilled cucumber salad with a zingy dressing provides a refreshing, palate-cleansing accompaniment to pulled chicken’s heavy flavors.

• Corn on the cob – Grilled corn on the cob makes for classic backyard fare alongside BBQ chicken. Slather in butter, sprinkle with Parmesan, or top with Mexican crema.

Warm Vegetable Sides

Warm vegetable dishes provide extra comfort and richness along with herbal flavors to enhance pulled chicken. Great options include:

• Sautéed green beans – Sautéed green beans with sliced garlic and olive oil offer flavorful crunch alongside shredded chicken. Toss in halved cherry tomatoes for extra color.

• Honey glazed carrots – Sweet, glistening honey glazed carrots balance the savory chicken beautifully thanks to their gentle sweetness. Toss baby carrots in honey, butter, and thyme.

• Creamed spinach – Silky creamed spinach makes a decadent pairing, with its rich creaminess contrasting the chicken’s texture. Sauté spinach with olive oil, garlic, nutmeg, and heavy cream.

• Ratatouille – Mediterranean-style ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs provides a bold, aromatic accompaniment for chicken.

• Roasted root vegetables – Hearty roasted root veggies like sweet potatoes, parsnips, and carrots add comforting sweetness and depths of flavor to complement the chicken.

Potluck-Style Sides

For a casual, fun vibe, consider potluck-style sides that incorporate pulled chicken or complement it via contrasting flavors and ingredients. Great options include:

• Chicken tortilla soup – Robust chicken tortilla soup conveniently includes shredded chicken in its mix of Tomatoey broth, corn, beans, chiles, and more. Top with crunchy tortilla strips.

• Chicken quesadillas – Cheesy quesadillas filled with gooey shredded chicken, peppers, and onions make an easy, tasty side to slice up and dip into salsa and guacamole.

• Chicken & waffles – For an unexpected sweet and savory combo, enjoy pulled chicken alongside crisp, fluffy waffles topped with butter and maple syrup.

• BBQ baked beans – Rich, saucy baked beans with molasses and bacon are a classic partner to shredded BBQ chicken, adding smoky, sweet flavors.

• Macaroni salad – Cool, crunchy macaroni salad with a creamy mayo-based dressing provides a tangy, starchy counterpoint to chicken. Stir in veggies like celery and bell peppers.

Final Thoughts

With its mild flavor and shredded texture, pulled chicken partners well with a wide variety of sides that complement it without overshadowing it. From starchy comfort foods like mashed potatoes to vibrant crunchy sides like slaw and salad, you have endless possibilities for creating a delicious, well-rounded meal with this versatile shredded poultry.

So the next time pulled chicken is on the menu, explore mixing and matching it with a few of these tasty accompanying dishes for a hearty, satisfying meal everyone will love. Those leftovers will also likely inspire new flavor combinations to try during future meals.