What to Cook with Barbecue Chicken: 15 Delicious Recipes

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BBQ chicken is often the main dish, but what you serve with it can make the meal better and make an impression on your guests that will last.

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.

Barbecue chicken is a classic favorite for good reason – it’s flavorful easy to make, and versatile. The smoky sweet barbecue flavor pairs well with all kinds of ingredients, allowing you to get creative with leftovers or take your grilled chicken in new directions. Here are 15 delicious ways to use barbecue chicken in tasty recipes

Transform Leftovers into Entirely New Dishes

You can make a lot of easy weekday meals with barbecue chicken that you have left over. Here are some creative ways to use leftovers in new ways.

  • BBQ Chicken Pizza – Top a pre-baked pizza crust with shredded barbecue chicken, red onion, cilantro, and mozzarella. Finish with a drizzle of barbecue sauce.

  • BBQ Chicken Salad – Toss shredded chicken with mixed greens, corn, black beans, avocado, and ranch or vinaigrette dressing.

  • BBQ Chicken Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce. Grill until crispy.

  • BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Pile barbecue pulled chicken onto a bun with pickles and coleslaw.

  • BBQ Chicken Pasta – Toss cooked pasta with shredded chicken, roasted vegetables, and a dash of barbecue sauce.

Pair with Fresh Flavors

The richness of barbecue chicken benefits from fresh, bright ingredients like citrus, herbs, and crunchy vegetables. Try:

  • Fill corn tortillas with chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, and lime crema. Serve with BBQ chicken tacos.

  • Mix chicken with romaine, corn, tomato, avocado, bell pepper, cilantro, and citrus vinaigrette in a BBQ chicken chopped salad.

  • For the BBQ Chicken Flatbread, put chicken, arugula, roasted red peppers, goat cheese, and lemon zest on top of the flatbread.

  • BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls – Wrap chicken, carrots, cucumber, and cilantro in rice paper. Serve with peanut or chili sauce.

Complement with Hearty Ingredients

Barbecue chicken pairs nicely with starchy sides, hearty greens, and smoky, charred flavors. Consider making:

  • BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes – Stuff baked potatoes with chicken, cheddar, bacon, and barbecue sauce.

  • BBQ Chicken & Grits – Serve chicken over cheesy grits with sautéed greens.

  • BBQ Chicken Egg Rolls – Wrap chicken, coleslaw mix, and smoked gouda in egg roll wrappers and fry.

  • BBQ Chicken Lasagna – Layer lasagna with chicken, smoked mozzarella, caramelized onions, and barbecue sauce.

Elevate with Global Flavors

Add excitement by pairing barbecue chicken with ingredients from around the world. Some ideas:

  • BBQ Chicken Banh Mi – Stuff chicken into a baguette with pickled carrots, daikon radish, cucumber, cilantro, and chili mayo.

  • BBQ Chicken Naan Pizza – Top naan with chicken, mango chutney, red onion, and feta.

  • BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls – Serve chicken over cilantro-lime rice with black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Mexican crema.

  • BBQ Chicken Satay – Skewer chicken and serve with peanut dipping sauce, rice noodles, and Asian slaw.

Make Comforting Casseroles & Bakes

For hearty, family-friendly meals, use barbecue chicken in cozy baked dishes like these:

  • BBQ Chicken Pot Pie – Mix chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce and bake in a pie crust.

  • BBQ Chicken Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with chicken, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese.

  • BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – Toss chicken with macaroni and cheddar cheese sauce. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.

  • BBQ Chicken Shepherd’s Pie – Layer mashed potatoes over chicken, vegetables, and gravy in a casserole dish.

So try one of these tasty recipes next time you have barbecue chicken! The possibilities are endless for reinventing leftovers or making chicken the star of a fresh new dish.

what to cook with barbecue chicken

Coleslaw with Greek Yogurt Dressing

what to cook with barbecue chicken

Coleslaw is a traditional BBQ side, but I like to make it healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.

I shred cabbage and carrots and toss them with a dressing made from Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, a touch of honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

The dressing is creamy but light, and the crunch of the vegetables adds great texture.

Cauliflower Rice with Lemon and Parsley

what to cook with barbecue chicken

Cauliflower rice is a healthy alternative to traditional rice and adds a light, fresh element to the meal. I pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains.

Then I cook the cauliflower rice with garlic in olive oil. At the end, I add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a handful of chopped parsley.

Why it works: Cauliflower rice is low in carbs and high in fiber, making it a great side for those looking to keep the meal light and healthy. The lemon and parsley add freshness, while the sautéing process enhances the natural flavor of the cauliflower. It pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken without overwhelming the dish.

The Secret to Perfect BBQ Chicken Thighs

FAQ

What goes well with BBQ chicken?

The sides I’ve mentioned—grilled corn on the cob, quinoa salad with avocado, roasted sweet potatoes, cucumber-tomato salad, coleslaw with Greek yogurt dressing, grilled vegetable skewers, cauliflower rice, Greek-style roasted eggplant, avocado-mango salsa, and zucchini noodles with pesto—are all healthy, vibrant .

What to make for dinner with a barbecue chicken?

Top 100 bbq chicken recipes for dinner110-minute French onion chicken rice bake. 2BBQ chicken bacon pizza. 3Chicken, leek and sour cream pie. 4Chicken and cheese chimichangas. 5Chicken and black bean nachos. 6Creamy chicken and spinach potato bake. 7Lime and sriracha BBQ chicken tacos. 8Creamy Mexican chicken and corn salad.

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