Have you ever made a batch of delicious pulled chicken sandwiches only to realize you’re not sure what to serve alongside them? Don’t worry, I’ve been there too! Pulled chicken sandwiches are amazing on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can transform your meal from good to absolutely incredible.
In this article, I’ll share my favorite side dishes that perfectly complement pulled chicken sandwiches. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ planning a family dinner, or just craving some comfort food these sides will elevate your meal and leave everyone asking for seconds!
Understanding What Makes a Great Pulled Chicken Sandwich Pairing
Before diving into specific sides it’s helpful to understand what makes certain foods pair well with pulled chicken sandwiches. The perfect sides should
- Balance the flavors: Complement the savory, sometimes tangy flavors of the chicken
- Add contrasting textures: Provide crunch or creaminess to balance the tender meat
- Consider the sauce profile: Match sides to the BBQ sauce, white sauce, or other flavors in your sandwich
- Think about seasonality: Fresh, seasonal produce can elevate your meal
- Account for the occasion: Casual backyard BBQ or more formal gathering
Now, let’s dive into the best sides for your pulled chicken sandwich feast!
Classic Comfort Sides That Never Fail
1. Coleslaw: The Undisputed Champion
Coleslaw is probably THE most popular side for pulled chicken sandwiches, and for good reason! The creamy, tangy dressing and crunchy cabbage provide the perfect contrast to the rich, savory chicken. You can even use it as a topping directly on your sandwich for extra flavor and texture.
Try these variations:
- Traditional creamy coleslaw with mayonnaise
- Vinegar-based coleslaw (lighter and tangier)
- Apple slaw with a bit of sweetness and extra crunch
2. Potato Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Staple
Potato salad is another beloved side that pairs exceptionally well with pulled chicken. Its creamy texture and starchy potatoes provide a satisfying counterpoint to the shredded chicken.
Popular variations include:
- American-style with mayo, mustard, celery, and onion
- German potato salad with warm vinegar dressing and bacon
- Sweet potato salad for a colorful twist
3. Corn on the Cob: Summertime Bliss
During summer months, there’s nothing quite like fresh corn on the cob alongside your sandwich. Its sweetness and juiciness perfectly complement the savory chicken.
Ways to serve it:
- Simply grilled with butter and salt
- Mexican street corn (elote) with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime
- Creamed corn for cooler weather
4. Baked Beans: Smoky & Sweet
Baked beans are a classic BBQ side that pairs wonderfully with pulled chicken, especially if your chicken has BBQ sauce. They’re super easy to prepare—you can even buy them pre-made and keep them warm in a slow cooker.
Try these versions:
- Traditional baked beans with molasses, bacon, and brown sugar
- Spicy baked beans with chili powder or jalapeños
5. Mac and Cheese: Comfort Food Heaven
The creaminess of mac and cheese makes it the perfect complement to tangy BBQ flavors in pulled chicken. You can even make it in your crockpot if you don’t want to heat up your kitchen!
Options include:
- Classic mac and cheese with elbow macaroni
- Gourmet versions with fancy cheeses like Gruyere or Gouda
- Loaded mac with bacon, jalapeños, or other savory toppings
Fresh & Vibrant Sides for Balance
6. Cucumber & Tomato Salad: Simple & Refreshing
This classic salad is easy to make and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of pulled chicken.
Variations include:
- Simple cucumber and tomato with vinaigrette
- Greek-style with feta cheese, olives, and red onion
7. Watermelon Salad: A Summertime Delight
Watermelon salad is a refreshing and hydrating side that’s perfect for hot weather. Its sweetness provides a delightful contrast to savory chicken.
Try these combinations:
- Watermelon with feta and mint
- Watermelon and cucumber for extra cooling refreshment
- Watermelon and arugula for a peppery bite
8. Green Salad: A Versatile Choice
A simple green salad can be a healthy and refreshing addition to any pulled chicken sandwich meal. It’s light enough to not overwhelm the main dish but substantial enough to round out your meal.
Options include:
- Garden salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers
- Caesar salad with romaine, parmesan, and croutons
- Spinach salad with bacon and hard-boiled eggs
9. Corn Salad: Summer in a Bowl
If you’ve never tried corn salad, you’re missing out! It uses ingredients that are at their freshest in summer, like fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. It’s the quintessential summer side dish!
Southern-Inspired Sides
10. Cornbread: A Southern Staple
Cornbread is a crumbly, slightly sweet bread that perfectly complements pulled chicken. You can make it from scratch or use a Jiffy mix for a quick option.
Varieties include:
- Classic cornbread
- Sweet cornbread with honey or sugar
- Jalapeño cornbread for a spicy kick
11. Fried Green Tomatoes
Nothing says summer like fried green tomatoes! They’re made with inexpensive ingredients and are the perfect way to use under-ripe tomatoes from your garden.
12. Fried Okra
Another Southern side dish is fried okra. It’s actually far more delicious than it sounds! Some stores sell them in the freezer section, or you can make them homemade by tossing okra in cornmeal batter and frying.
13. Collard Greens
These leafy greens typically sautéed with oil, butter, or bacon fat make a traditional Southern side that pairs beautifully with pulled chicken.
14. Hush Puppies
These tender little bite-sized morsels of fried dough are absolutely delicious alongside pulled chicken sandwiches. Some grocery stores sell them pre-made in the freezer section too.
Potato-Based Sides
15. Potato Wedges
Wedge fries are an easy and inexpensive side dish. Just slice a Russet potato into wedges, sprinkle on your favorite seasoning, and bake in the air fryer or oven.
16. Baked Potatoes
It’s super easy to make baked potatoes in the oven, air fryer, or even your slow cooker. Serve with toppings like sour cream, butter, cheese, or salsa.
17. Sweet Potato Fries
A fun twist on a traditional side! You can make them savory with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or embrace their sweetness with cinnamon and sugar coating.
18. Roasted Red Potatoes
Red potatoes can be cooked in a foil packet right on the BBQ grill. Just coat them with olive oil, seasoning, and maybe some onion.
19. French Fries
A pulled chicken sandwich really calls for some french fries. Make it easy on yourself and buy pre-made frozen fries to bake in the air fryer or oven.
Pasta and Grain Sides
20. Pasta Salad
An easy pasta salad is simple to throw together and can be prepared the night before or morning of your barbecue. Toss cooked pasta with fresh veggies, Italian dressing, and maybe some feta or olives.
21. Macaroni Salad
Creamy macaroni salad has been served at almost every barbecue I’ve attended. It’s versatile and can include your favorite ingredients.
22. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf makes a surprisingly good summer side dish. It can even be served at room temperature, so there’s no need to babysit it.
23. Quinoa Salad
A fresh side dish idea is a cold quinoa salad with cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, and a few other simple ingredients. Your health-conscious guests will appreciate this option!
24. Brown Rice Salad
Another light refreshing summer side is brown rice salad. It often has a light lemon dressing and includes cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
Easy No-Cook Sides
25. Vegetable Tray
Many people appreciate some extra veggies, and a vegetable platter is an easy make-ahead option. You could even buy a pre-made veggie tray and set out ranch for dipping.
26. Watermelon Slices
It doesn’t get any simpler than serving sliced watermelon with your pulled chicken dinner. Some people even like to sprinkle salt on it to complement its sweetness.
27. Potato Chips and Dip
Store-bought French onion dip and potato chips are ALWAYS a barbecue favorite. A total no-brainer!
Unique & Adventurous Sides
28. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Mexican street corn, also known as elote, is a must-try. Fresh corn paired with lime juice, queso fresco cheese, and chile powder is a fun twist on traditional corn on the cob.
29. Corn Fritters
Corn kernels and a few other simple household staples come together to make surprisingly good corn fritters. You can even use thawed frozen corn if you don’t have fresh on hand.
30. Corn Pudding
Typically made with cornbread mix, corn, and a few other simple ingredients, corn pudding casserole is always a hit. You can make it ahead of time and serve at room temperature.
31. White Bean Salad
A cold bean salad is more delicious than you’d think! Make it ahead of time for a light, refreshing side to offset heavier dishes.
32. Brussels Sprouts
If you’re thinking of those chewy microwaved nightmares from childhood, think again! Roasted brussels sprouts take on a whole new smoky flavor when cooked and seasoned properly. Adding bacon doesn’t hurt either!
Don’t Forget Dessert!
Round out your pulled chicken sandwich meal with a delicious dessert:
33. Strawberry Shortcake
34. Lemon Squares
35. Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Toppings to Elevate Your Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
While we’re talking about what goes with pulled chicken sandwiches, let’s not forget toppings that can go ON your sandwiches! Try some of these:
- Fresh tomatoes
- Red onions
- Pickles
- Cheddar cheese
- Fried onions
- Sliced avocado
- Pineapple
- Bacon
- Extra homemade BBQ sauce
- Coleslaw
- Fresh herbs
FAQs About Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
What’s the best bread for pulled chicken sandwiches?
Brioche buns, potato rolls, and sourdough rolls are all excellent options. Brioche offers rich, buttery flavor, potato rolls are soft and slightly sweet, and sourdough provides a tangy, robust base.
Should I toast the buns?
Yes! Toasting prevents the buns from becoming soggy from the sauce and adds a nice textural contrast to the soft chicken.
What cheese goes well with pulled chicken?
Sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and provolone are all excellent choices. Each offers a different flavor profile to complement your chicken.
What condiments besides BBQ sauce can I use?
Beyond BBQ sauce, try creamy coleslaw dressing, spicy mayo, honey mustard, or even a light vinaigrette.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to pulled chicken sandwiches, the sides you serve can make or break your meal. Whether you’re going for classic comfort foods like coleslaw and potato salad or branching out with more adventurous options like elote or quinoa salad, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Remember, the best meals are about more than just the food—they’re about bringing people together to enjoy good company and conversation. So grab some friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy your pulled chicken sandwiches with these amazing sides!
What goes with Pulled Chicken Sandwiches?
A few popular sides to pair with Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, and baked beans. I also often pair this meal with a green salad, roasted vegetables, corn-on-the-cob, or potato chips.
How to Make Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
- Take your rotisserie chicken and break it into a few smaller portions – this will make it easier and faster to heat up.
- In a large pan on the stove, add the bbq sauce, chicken broth, white vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine the ingredients.
- Add the pre-cooked chicken to the large pan with sauce.
- Heat the chicken and sauce in the pan over medium-low heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is heated all the way through.
- Next, remove the chicken from the pan and shred (or pull) the chicken apart with two forks.
- While the chicken is removed from the pan, add the brown sugar to the sauce and stir until the sugar has melted and the sauce is no longer gritty.
- Once you’ve finished shredding the chicken, add it back into the pan and toss to coat all the shredded chicken in the finished bbq sauce.
- Turn off the heat and place a lid on the pan to keep the chicken warm while preparing the rolls.
- Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half and butter the insides of the rolls. This will help them to broil quickly.
- Place the buttered, open face rolls in the oven to broil until just golden brown.
- After the rolls have broiled, evenly distribute the barbecue shredded chicken onto the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls.
- Place slices of cheddar cheese on top of the warm chicken, then add the top half of the roll to complete the sandwich.
- Serve warm & enjoy!
