Barbecue chicken is a classic summertime favorite. The smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor makes it a crowd-pleasing entrée. But what really takes this meal to the next level are the delicious sides you pair with it!
Complementing your barbecue chicken with the right sides can enhance the flavors and make the entire meal feel special. That’s why I want to share my 12 favorite side dishes that go perfectly with barbecue chicken. These are all easy to make, full of flavor, and sure to be a hit!
5 Simple Starchy Sides
Of course, barbecue chicken goes great with classic barbecue side dishes like potato salad, baked beans, and cornbread. But here are a few more creative starchy sides to consider:
1. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, creamy potatoes baked with cheddar, parmesan, and cream make a decadent side dish The mild flavor doesn’t compete with the barbecue chicken but adds more comfort food flair. Just 30 minutes of prep and these cheesy potatoes come out of the oven crispy on top and soft and creamy inside
2. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
For a fun, summery twist on macaroni salad, try this version loaded up with pineapple, bell pepper, and green onion. The sweet and tangy dressing pairs perfectly with smoky barbecue chicken. Bring this colorful pasta salad to your next backyard cookout!
3. Mexican Street Corn
Grilled corn slathered in a zesty, creamy sauce, then sprinkled with queso fresco and cilantro makes an awesome side. The lime chili powder, cotija cheese, and cilantro really enhance the flavors of the barbecue chicken. Char it on the grill alongside the chicken for maximum smoky flavor.
4. Crispy Roasted Garlic Potatoes
Crisp-tender baby potatoes roasted whole with olive oil, garlic and rosemary are simple but delicious. The crispy edges soft interiors, and aromatic garlic seasoning complement barbecue chicken so well. Roast them in the oven while the chicken finishes on the grill.
5. Cheesy Skillet Cornbread
You can’t go wrong with classic cornbread alongside barbecue chicken, but mixing in corn, bacon, and green onions takes it to the next level. The cheddar cheese and jalapeños add even more flavor. Bake this easy cornbread in a cast iron skillet for a crispy edge.
4 Fresh Vegetable Sides
Balance out the richness of barbecue chicken with some lighter, fresher vegetable side dishes:
6. Tangy Coleslaw
A scoop of cool, creamy coleslaw with just the right amount of tang is pretty much required eating alongside barbecue anything. My favorite trick is adding grated apple for sweetness – it takes coleslaw from basic to spectacular.
7. BLT Pasta Salad
Pasta salad with all the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich tastes amazing with barbecue chicken. Toss rotini with mayonnaise seasoned with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill. Then add crisp bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and sliced green onions.
8. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Skewers of zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and pineapple grilled until tender and charred make a satisfying side. Brush them with a smoky-sweet glaze while they cook for maximum flavor. The variety of colors and textures pairs perfectly with barbecue chicken.
9. Watermelon Arugula Salad
Cool, juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, feta cheese, and fresh mint dressed with a honey lime vinaigrette is such a refreshing salad for summer. It’s just what you need to balance out a plate of saucy barbecue chicken straight from the grill.
3 More Tasty Pairings
Here are a few more creative sides that I think taste fantastic with barbecue chicken:
10. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ooey, gooey broccoli rice casserole is comfort food at its finest. Mix cooked rice with broccoli, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and seasonings, then bake until bubbly and browned on top. It’s easy, customizable, and matches the flavors of barbecue chicken.
11. Air Fryer Okra Fries
For a Southern-inspired side, air fry frozen okra tossed in cornmeal for a quick crispy treat. The air fryer gives you all the crunch of fried okra without the grease or mess. Dip these crunchy okra fries in spicy mayo or ranch dressing for a delightful pairing.
12. Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
Warm, soft garlic bread is made for soaking up barbecue sauce. Make it even better by stuffing a loaf with mozzarella cheese, spreading on garlic butter, and pulling it apart to serve. The rich, indulgent bread balances the acidity of the barbecue sauce flawlessly.
Planning the Perfect Barbecue Chicken Spread
When planning your complete barbecue chicken dinner, try to include a mix of starchy sides, lighter veggie dishes, and fun extras like cheesy bread. Pick some classic choices along with a few more creative options to keep things interesting.
Aim for a balance of textures and flavors – some creamy, some crunchy, some rich, and some fresh and light. With the right combination of sides, your barbecue chicken will be so much more than just another weeknight meal. It’ll feel like a backyard bash!
Of course, the most important part of any good barbecue is spending time together outdoors making memories over delicious food. Don’t stress too much about side dishes – just enjoy the company and the smoky, sweet comfort of backyard barbecue chicken.
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.
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.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken – Sides Dish Ideas #shorts
FAQ
What’s a good side dish for barbecue 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?
- 110-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.