Let’s face it, folks – grilled chicken is basically the superhero of summer meals. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just trying to get dinner on the table without melting in your kitchen, grilled chicken is there to save the day! But even superheroes need sidekicks, right? I’ve spent years perfecting my grilled chicken game, and along the way, I’ve discovered some seriously amazing sides that take your bird from basic to brilliant.
In this mega-guide, I’m sharing 32 of my absolute favorite sides that go good with chicken on the grill. From classic potato salads to fancy veggie dishes that’ll impress even your pickiest dinner guests, these sides will have everyone asking for seconds (and your recipes)!
Fresh & Zingy Salads
When the weather’s hot and that grill is fired up, nothing complements chicken better than some crisp, refreshing salads. These aren’t your boring lettuce-only affairs – these salads bring serious flavor!
1. Heirloom Tomato Salad
When summer tomatoes hit their peak, this simple salad lets them shine in all their glory. Slice up those gorgeous heirloom varieties in different colors, add a sprinkle of salt, good olive oil, and fresh basil. The acidity cuts through grilled chicken perfectly.
2. Watermelon Feta Salad
This unexpected combo is a total game-changer! Sweet juicy watermelon with salty feta is straight-up magical next to smoky grilled chicken, Pro tip assemble this right before serving since watermelon releases liquid as it sits
3. Tomato-Watermelon Salad
Can’t decide between tomatoes or watermelon? Why not both? This combo captures summer in every bite with a savory-sweet profile that pairs beautifully with anything off the grill.
4. Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad
This triple threat brings different textures and flavors to the table. The cool crunch of cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado create a perfect contrast to hot-off-the-grill chicken.
5. Fresh Tomato Salad
Sometimes simpler is better! Grab different tomato varieties chop ’em up add red onion for crunch, and toss with bocconcini or mozzarella. A little balsamic vinegar, and you’ve got pure summer on a plate.
6. Cucumber-And-Vidalia Onion Salad
Got 10 minutes? That’s all you need for this zesty, refreshing side that brings a cool crunch to your grilled chicken dinner.
7. Smashed-Cucumber Salad
This ain’t your average cucumber salad! Smashing the cucumbers helps them absorb more flavor. Trust me, it’s worth getting a little aggressive with your veggies for this one!
Corn-Based Sides (Because Summer!)
Is it really summer without corn? I think not! These corn-focused sides are perfect matches for grilled chicken.
8. Grilled Corn Ribs
Ok, these are FABULOUS (and that’s not just me saying it – the reviews agree)! Cutting corn into “ribs” makes them fun to eat and creates more surface area for that smoky grill flavor. Cut cobs in half crosswise for easier handling.
9. Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
Covered in salty Cotija cheese, spicy cayenne, and tangy lime juice, this grilled corn embodies everything amazing about summer eating. Make it while your chicken rests!
10. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Same amazing flavors as traditional elotes, but in easy-to-eat salad form! The combo of grilled corn, Cotija cheese, mayo and spices creates something magical. Tip: grab some Tajín Clásico chile-lime seasoning to take it to the next level.
11. Southern Fried Corn
Made with bacon drippings (yes, really!), this decadent corn side is what summer dreams are made of. Pair with simply seasoned grilled chicken for a perfect balance.
12. Microwave Corn on the Cob
When you need corn fast, this genius hack is a lifesaver! Just pop unshucked corn in the microwave, cut off the end, and slide the husk right off. No mess, no fuss – just delicious corn ready for butter and salt.
13. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole
This sunny side dish is what happens when creamed corn meets cornbread – and it’s AMAZING with grilled chicken! For extra flavor, add some bacon bits and jalapeños before baking.
Potato & Pasta Sides (The Crowd Pleasers)
Let’s be real – nobody ever complains about potatoes or pasta on their plate. These hearty sides are guaranteed to disappear fast!
14. Oven-Baked Potato Wedges
Crispy outside, fluffy inside, and way healthier than fried options. The combo of parmesan, garlic powder and onion powder makes these irresistible. Always use Russets for best results!
15. Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
These trendy potatoes deserve all the hype! Boil ’em, smash ’em (I use a drinking glass for even pressure), then roast until ridicuously crispy. Fair warning: you’ll probably “taste test” half the batch before dinner.
16. Three Pickle Potato Salad
This ain’t your basic potato salad! Packed with pickled okra, relish, and diced pickles, it brings a tangy punch that pairs perfectly with smoky grilled chicken.
17. The Best Potato Salad Recipe
Everyone has their favorite potato salad recipe, but this one might just become your new go-to! Use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (other varieties will turn mushy), and don’t mess with the dressing – it’s perfect as is.
18. Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
This Tex-Mex twist on potato salad uses roasted sweet potatoes instead of regular spuds. Serve it hot or cold – both ways are delicious with grilled chicken!
19. Sweet Potato Fries
Savory but slightly sweet, these colorful fries bring something special to your plate. The Italian seasoning and lemon pepper blend is what makes them stand out. Toss them in cornstarch before baking for extra crispiness!
20. BLT Pasta Salad
Everyone’s favorite sandwich transformed into the ultimate pasta salad! This hearty side is substantial enough that, combined with grilled chicken, it makes a complete meal.
21. Amish Macaroni Salad
This ain’t just pasta and mayo! With eggs, red peppers, celery, onion, and pickle relish in the mix, each bite delivers tangy-sweet flavor and satisfying crunch.
22. Trisha Yearwood Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Hands-off cooking at its finest! Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work while you focus on grilling perfect chicken. Just stir in extra cheese at the end for the ultimate comfort food side.
Veggie Sides Worth Getting Excited About
Vegetables don’t have to be boring! These sides might actually steal the spotlight from your perfectly grilled chicken.
23. Best Roasted Vegetables
A colorful medley of veggies roasted to perfection makes any grilled chicken dinner feel complete. Pro tip: cut sweet potatoes smaller than other veggies since they take longer to cook.
24. Oven-Roasted Zucchini
High-heat roasting (400°F) is the secret to perfect zucchini that’s tender inside and caramelized outside. Flip halfway through cooking, and add parmesan and panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch!
25. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Even brussels sprouts haters will change their tune when you roast them with bacon and onion! Cook at 400°F for 30-40 minutes for perfectly crispy edges and tender middles.
26. Grilled Mushrooms
Already have the grill fired up? Throw on some mushroom skewers! Just 5 minutes per side, then brush with garlic butter for an umami-packed side that complements chicken beautifully.
27. Fried Green Tomatoes
Summer officially begins with the first fried green tomato of the season! Crispy, tangy, and absolutely perfect alongside smoky grilled chicken.
28. Pan-Fried Okra With Cornmeal
When okra is fresh and tender, this simple preparation lets it shine. The cornmeal coating creates perfect crispy bites that will disappear from the table in minutes.
29. Grilled Okra-and-Pepper Skewers With Dijon Dipping Sauce
Why dirty another pan when you can grill your sides too? These colorful skewers cook right alongside your chicken for an easy, all-in-one meal solution.
30. Sautéed Squash And Zucchini
If your grill has a side burner, this is the perfect easy veggie dish to make outside while your chicken cooks. Simple, fresh, and delicious!
31. Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus + grill = magic! Just remember to lay spears crosswise on the grates so they don’t fall through. Perfect with any grilled chicken recipe.
32. Zucchini Fritters
These cheesy, garlic-y green “pancakes” are surprisingly kid-friendly despite their color! Just be sure to drain that zucchini thoroughly or they won’t crisp up properly.
Mix and Match for the Perfect Meal
One of the best things about grilled chicken is how versatile it is! You can pair it with:
- Something creamy (like potato salad or mac and cheese)
- Something crunchy (like slaw or cucumber salad)
- Something fresh (like a tomato or watermelon salad)
My personal favorite combo is grilled chicken with Mexican street corn salad and crispy smashed potatoes. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with ANY of these sides!
Final Thoughts
Grilled chicken might be the star of your summer meals, but these sides are definitely not just playing backup! Each one brings something special to your plate, and many can be prepped ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
Now fire up that grill and get cooking – your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
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.
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.
The Secret to Mouthwatering Grilled Chicken
FAQ
What is a good side for grilled chicken?
Good side dishes for grilled chicken include fresh salads, grilled or roasted vegetables, potato-based dishes like potato salad or mashed potatoes, rice, corn on the cob, and various pasta salads. A refreshing, crisp salad can complement the richness of grilled chicken, while a starchy side like potatoes or rice can round out the meal.
What is a nice side dish for chicken?
- Sweet Potatoes. Next time, you have to try sweet potatoes if you are looking for the perfect side dishes that go well with your fried chicken. …
- Macaroni Salad. …
- Cornbread. …
- Potato Salad. …
- French Fries. …
- Green Salad. …
- Summer Salad. …
- Baked Beans.
What are good sides on the grill?
- Grilled Cheesy Potato Pack. (37)
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Foil Packs. (12)
- Grilled Bell Peppers, Onion and Mushrooms. (1)
- Grilled Smoky Cheddar Potatoes Foil Pack. (84)
- Grilled Southwestern Corn. …
- Grilled Asparagus and New Potatoes. …
- Cheesy Grilled Potatoes. …
- Grilled Garden Vegetable Medley Foil Pack.