BBQ chicken is often the centerpiece, but what you serve alongside it can elevate the meal and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
In this piece, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite healthy side dishes that pair perfectly with BBQ chicken, offering fresh, flavorful, and nutritious options.
Grilled chicken is a summertime staple. It’s lean flavorful and easy to make for a crowd. But coming up with side dishes that complement juicy grilled chicken can be a challenge. You want something hearty yet refreshing, simple yet satisfying. Well, I’ve got you covered with 25 sensational sides to serve alongside your favorite grilled chicken recipe!
I looked at more than 50 popular recipes from top food blogs and websites to find the best sides to go with grilled chicken. I thought about flavors, textures, preparation time, dietary needs, and how the food looked. The result is a list of mouthwatering sides that will go perfectly with your chicken, from fruit salads to crispy smashed potatoes.
Get ready to impress your family and guests with these delicious sides for grilled chicken.
Best Starchy Sides
Grilled chicken goes great with starchy sides that can soak up all the delicious juices These recipes are carb-loaded comfort at its best,
1. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistible, this rich potato dish is the ultimate comfort food. The potatoes cook down to a velvety texture in a savory cheddar sauce. It’s indulgent but still lighter than heavy casseroles.
2. Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Garlic, rosemary, and Parmesan-flavored crispy roasted potatoes are a simple and popular side dish. They’re simple to prepare but pack a ton of flavor.
3. Mexican Street Corn Salad
This sunny corn salad combines charred corn with cotija cheese, cilantro, lime, and chili powder for an incredible Mexican-inspired flavor. It’s fresh, healthy, and full of texture.
4. Cheesy Polenta
Creamy soft polenta gets an upgrade with gooey melted cheese and sautéed mushrooms. It’s comforting, elegant, and totally craveable.
5. Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Potatoes meet bacon, cheddar, green onions, and sour cream in this fun twist on classic potato salad. It’s cool, creamy, and perfect for summer barbecues.
Best Veggie Sides
Balance out the chicken with nutritious and colorful vegetable dishes. These bright, fresh options add great texture and flavor.
6. Grilled Vegetable Kebabs
Skewered cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions char beautifully on the grill. Brush them with herbed olive oil for ultimate flavor.
7. Tomato Cucumber Salad
The quintessential summer side salad combines juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and red onion in a light vinaigrette. It’s healthy, refreshing, and endlessly customizable.
8. Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
Broccoli turns sweet and caramelized when roasted in the oven. A squeeze of lemon brightens up the flavor. Simple but so satisfying.
9. Caprese Pasta Salad
Bite-sized mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil get tossed with pasta and drizzled with a red wine vinaigrette. It’s like a fresh Caprese salad in pasta form.
10. Grilled Asparagus
Tender asparagus spears are lightly brushed with olive oil and cooked over the grill until lightly charred. A healthy veggie side with tons of flavor.
Best Fresh & Fruity Sides
Cool, sweet fruit dishes balance the savory chicken beautifully. Berries, stone fruits, and melons make ideal choices.
11. Watermelon Feta Salad
Cubes of juicy watermelon get tossed with crumbled feta, mint, and a red wine vinaigrette in this stellar summer salad. It’s sweet, salty, and refreshing.
12. Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach and sweet strawberries pair up for a fruit-forward take on spinach salad. Toasted almonds add crunch.
13. Grilled Peach Salad
Grilling peaches brings out their sweetness – the perfect match for peppery arugula and creamy burrata cheese in this unique salad.
14. Pineapple Salsa
This chunky pineapple salsa pops with fresh flavor from the sweet pineapple, spicy jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.
15. Honeydew Feta Stacks
These quick, beautiful appetizers feature melon rounds stacked with feta, prosciutto, and mint. They’re fresh, elegant, and full of contrasting flavors.
Best Slaws & Salads
From crunchy slaws to pasta salads, these fresh, tangy sides are fantastic with savory grilled chicken. Cool and crisp textures rule here.
16. Classic Coleslaw
A very traditional coleslaw combines shredded cabbage and carrots with a creamy mayo dressing. It’s a familiar backyard BBQ classic.
17. Jalapeño Lime Coleslaw
For a kick, add minced jalapeño and lime juice to coleslaw. The heat and acidity really make the flavors pop.
18. BLT Pasta Salad
Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes get chopped up and tossed with pasta and a creamy ranch dressing for a fun twist on BLTs.
19. Greek Orzo Salad
This Mediterranean orzo salad combines the bright flavors of feta, black olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and parsley.
20. Curried Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, cranberries, cashews, and scallions are tossed in a creamy curry yogurt dressing for an elevated veggie-packed salad.
Best Hot Sides
Warm, hearty sides complement the chicken wonderfully on a cool evening. Beans, casseroles, and skillet dinners make savory picks.
21. Cheesy Corn Casserole
A classic corn casserole gets even better with the addition of cheese, jalapeños, and green chiles. Comforting and full of texture.
22. Skillet Mac and Cheese
Everybody loves mac and cheese! This quick stovetop version uses pasta, milk, cheese, and seasoning for fast cheesy enjoyment.
23. Green Beans Amandine
Green beans are sautéed in butter and tossed with sliced almonds for a simple yet elegant vegetable side. A French bistro favorite.
24. Cowboy Beans
These well-seasoned baked beans are filled with ground beef, bacon, onion, brown sugar, and spices. Perfect for backyard barbecues.
25. Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread is always a hit. Rub sliced baguette with garlic butter before toasting until golden brown. Irresistible!
So now you have 25 amazing options for sides to serve with your favorite grilled chicken recipes! From refreshing fruit salads to hearty casseroles, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect match. Fire up that grill, whip up one or more of these sensational sides, and get ready for your best grilled chicken dinner yet!
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter
Corn on the cob is a classic BBQ side that adds a sweet and smoky flavor when grilled. To keep it healthy, I use a light herb butter instead of heavy creams or oils.
There are a few different kinds of fresh herbs in the butter, like parsley, cilantro, and chives. There is also some garlic, lemon juice, and sea salt.
The corn is simply grilled over medium heat until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Sea Salt
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious, naturally sweet option that pairs wonderfully with BBQ chicken.
I peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then toss them with a bit of olive oil, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt.
I roast them at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until they’re tender and slightly caramelized at the edges.
Why it works: Sweet potatoes add a subtle sweetness that balances the savory and smoky flavors of the BBQ chicken. The cinnamon and sea salt elevate the natural flavors of the sweet potatoes without making them too heavy or overly spiced.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken – Sides Dish Ideas #shorts
FAQ
What are good sides with grilled chicken?
32 Side Dishes To Serve With Grilled Chicken01 of 32. Heirloom Tomato Salad. 02 of 32. Watermelon Feta Salad. 03 of 32. Grilled Corn Ribs. 04 of 32. Tomato-And-Watermelon Salad. 05 of 32. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. 06 of 32. Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad. 07 of 32. Three Pickle Potato Salad. 08 of 32. Spicy Pineapple Slaw.