25 Amazing Side Dishes to Serve with Grilled Chicken

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 analyzed over 50 popular recipes from top food blogs and culinary sites to find the very best accompaniments for grilled chicken I considered a variety of factors – flavors, textures, prep time, dietary needs, and visual appeal The result is a mouthwatering list of sides that will perfectly complement your chicken, from crispy smashed potatoes to refreshing fruit salads.

So fire up that grill and get ready to wow your family and guests with these sensational 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

Crispy roasted potatoes flavored with garlic, rosemary, and parmesan make an easy, crowd-pleasing accompaniment. 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!