Are you hosting a summer cookout and wondering what to serve with that smoky, tangy BBQ chicken? You’re not alone! While the chicken might be the star of the show, it’s the side dishes that really complete the meal and turn a simple BBQ into an unforgettable feast.
I’ve been hosting backyard barbecues for years, and trust me, people always remember the sides! Whether you’re grilling chicken breasts, serving pulled chicken sandwiches, or making BBQ chicken sliders, I’ve got you covered with 35 mouthwatering sides that’ll make your barbecue the talk of the neighborhood.
Classic Potato Sides for BBQ Chicken
Nothing complements BBQ chicken quite like a delicious potato dish. Here are some crowd-pleasing options:
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Potato Salad: The creaminess pairs perfectly with tangy BBQ sauce. You can go with a classic mayo-based version or try an olive oil dressing for a lighter option.
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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes: Rich, creamy potatoes baked with cheddar, parmesan, and cream make a decadent side that doesn’t compete with your BBQ chicken.
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Healthy Loaded Baked Potatoes: Get all the flavor without the guilt! Use low-fat cream cheese instead of sour cream for a healthier twist that still tastes amazing.
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Oven-Baked Fries Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside The secret? Use Yukon gold potatoes and soak them in very hot (unsalted) water first
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Potato Wedges Super easy and cheap! Just slice a Russet potato into wedges, add your favorite seasoning, and bake
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Sweet Potato Fries: A fun twist that can be either savory (with salt, pepper, and garlic powder) or sweet (with cinnamon and sugar).
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Roasted Red Potatoes: These work great in a foil packet right on the BBQ grill. Just add olive oil, seasoning, and maybe some onion.
Fresh and Light Veggie Sides
Balance out the richness of BBQ chicken with these lighter options:
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Coleslaw: The slightly sweet crunch complements smoky BBQ perfectly. Bonus: it works as both a side AND a sandwich topping!
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Greek Side Salad: Proves that salads don’t have to be boring! With cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and grape tomatoes, it’s fresh and flavorful.
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Fresh Green Salad: Everyone appreciates some mixed greens with their favorite toppings. Keep it simple with a bagged mix if you’re short on time.
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Cucumber Salad: Refreshing on a hot summer day and super easy to make ahead.
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Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and pineapple grilled until charred – delicious!
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Watermelon Arugula Salad: Cool, juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, feta cheese, and fresh mint with a honey lime vinaigrette. So refreshing!
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Vegetable Tray: An easy make-ahead option that gives people a healthy choice. Buy pre-made or make your own.
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Brussels Sprouts: Forget those mushy nightmares from your childhood! Roasted brussels sprouts with a bit of bacon are amazing.
Corn-Based Sides That Steal the Show
Corn and BBQ chicken are a match made in heaven:
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Fresh Sweet Corn: A classic summer side that you can cook right on the grill alongside your chicken.
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Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Grilled corn slathered in a zesty, creamy sauce, then sprinkled with queso fresco and cilantro. The lime and chili powder complement BBQ chicken wonderfully.
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Corn Salad: The quintessential summer side using fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
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Corn Pudding: Made with cornbread mix and a few other ingredients, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that can be served at room temperature.
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Corn Fritters: Surprisingly good and easy to make with just corn kernels and a few pantry staples.
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Cornbread: A Southern staple that’s perfect with BBQ. Use Jiffy mix for an easy version or make it from scratch.
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Cheesy Skillet Cornbread: Take it up a notch by adding corn, bacon, green onions, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños.
Pasta and Rice Sides
These starchy sides are filling and delicious with BBQ chicken:
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Macaroni and Cheese: The creaminess is perfect with tangy barbecue flavors. Make it in your crockpot to avoid heating up your kitchen!
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Pasta Salad: So simple to throw together and can be prepared the day before. Just toss cooked pasta with veggies, Italian dressing, and maybe some feta or olives.
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Macaroni Salad: A barbecue staple that’s versatile enough to include your favorite ingredients.
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad: A fun, summery twist loaded with pineapple, bell pepper, and green onion.
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Rice Pilaf: Makes a surprisingly good summer side that can be served at room temperature.
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Brown Rice Salad: Light and refreshing with a lemon dressing, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
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Quinoa Salad: With cucumber, chickpeas, and red onion, this will please your health-conscious guests.
Southern-Inspired Sides
These Southern classics pair beautifully with BBQ chicken:
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Baked Beans: Super easy to prepare and can be kept warm in a slow cooker. They’re practically mandatory at a BBQ!
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Fried Green Tomatoes: Nothing says summer like these crispy delights – perfect for using up those under-ripe tomatoes from your garden.
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Fried Okra: Way more delicious than it sounds! You can make them from scratch or buy them frozen.
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Hush Puppies: These tender, bite-sized morsels of fried dough are simple but absolutely delicious.
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Collard Greens: A Southern staple typically sautéed with oil, butter, or bacon fat.
Low-Carb and Keto Options
Following a low-carb diet? These sides have got you covered:
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Keto Mac and Cheese: Using cauliflower instead of pasta, this cheesy side dish gives you all the comfort food flavor without the carbs.
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Rutabaga Fries: A great alternative to potato fries that works perfectly in an air fryer.
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Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus: High in fiber, iron, and vitamin C, but low in carbs. Adding cheese helps kids eat their veggies too!
Toppings for BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
If you’re serving BBQ chicken as sandwiches, consider these toppings:
- Fresh tomatoes
- Red onions
- Pickles
- Cheddar cheese
- Fried onions
- Sliced avocado
- Pineapple
- Bacon
- Extra homemade BBQ sauce
- Coleslaw (yep, it works as a topping too!)
- Fresh herbs
Don’t Forget Dessert!
Finish your BBQ chicken meal with something sweet:
- Strawberry shortcake
- Lemon squares
- Ice cream sundae bar
- Brownies
- Lemon blueberry cake
Tips for Planning Your BBQ Chicken Spread
When planning your BBQ chicken meal, I always try to include:
- A mix of textures: Some creamy sides, some crunchy ones
- Temperature variety: Hot sides and cold sides
- Make-ahead options: Prepare what you can the day before
- Something light: At least one fresh veggie option
- A classic favorite: People expect certain sides at a BBQ!
My Personal Favorites
If I’m being honest, when I’m hosting a BBQ, I usually go with coleslaw, mac and cheese, and corn on the cob. It’s a winning combination that pleases everyone, and the coleslaw can do double-duty as a sandwich topping for anyone who wants it.
For healthier options, I love the Greek side salad and the cheesy garlic roasted asparagus. They’re both super tasty without being heavy.
Final Thoughts
Remember, summer barbecues are all about enjoying good food with great company. Don’t stress too much about having the perfect sides – just pick a few that sound good to you, and your guests will be happy!
What’s your go-to side dish for BBQ chicken? Do you have a family favorite that wasn’t on this list? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Now excuse me while I go fire up the grill and make some of these sides for tonight’s dinner. I’m thinking potato salad, grilled corn, and maybe those cheesy garlic asparagus spears… my mouth is watering already!
Happy grilling, everyone!
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 Side Dishes Go With Barbecue Chicken? – Southern Culture Collective
FAQ
What’s a good side dish for barbecue chicken?
Good sides for BBQ chicken include classics like creamy coleslaw, smoky baked beans, and cheesy macaroni and cheese for a comforting meal, or refreshing options such as corn on the cob, green salad, or vibrant fruit and vegetable salads for a lighter, crisper contrast. Other great choices are cornbread or roasted vegetables, which add a touch of sweetness or savory depth.
What goes well with a barbecue chicken?
- Sweet Baked Beans. Baked beans are a backyard BBQ classic. …
- Rich and Creamy Coleslaw. …
- Smoked Mac and Cheese. …
- Buttery Cornbread. …
- Corn on the Cob. …
- Order Side Dishes from La Rosa Chicken and Grill.