Wondering what delicious side dishes to pair your BBQ chicken with? From potatoes to salads, and low-carb options, here are the best dishes to serve with BBQ chicken.
What goes well with BBQ chicken? Well, read on to find the answers. With thirty-one finger-licking side dishes for barbecue chicken, this list offers something for every taste.
Whether a picnic gathering, summer potluck, or a quiet patio joint, these delicious BBQ chicken side dishes are perfect for any occasion.
Table of Contents
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken
Although Southern classics such as coleslaw or creamy potato salad generally pair well with BBQ chicken, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to finding a side dish for your smoky meats.
From salads, roasted and sautéed veggies, creamy casseroles, or other bakes, the BBQ chicken combos are pretty endless.
My advice would be to play around with textures and flavors and try to offer a decent balance. Sweet and tangy, crisp and soft, creamy with a spicy kick, are just some great ideas.
If serving a crowd, though, make sure to aim for a recipe that doesn’t require long prep times. Luckily for you, whatever the occasion, below, you’ll find some of the tastiest BBQ chicken sides.
Potato Sides for Chicken
Whether a holiday feast, a busy weeknight dinner, or a backyard BBQ party, serving potatoes with chicken is always a good idea. For your BBQ poultry, though, these are the best side dishes.
1. Greek Potato Salad
Light and creamy, and without any real mayo or eggs, this healthier potato salad is just as delicious with red potatoes, Yukon gold, or even yams.
The beloved Greek flavors come from the kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a generous amount of parsley and dill.
2. Pan Roasted Potato Salad
Pan-roasted sliced potatoes packed with smoky prosciutto cubes, and then layered on top of a green bed of arugula with olives.
The roasted potatoes offer a 2-in-1 texture, both crispy and soft, and the pesto and lemon vinaigrette takes the taste over the top.
This is a perfect side dish for chicken wings.
3. Hasselback Baked Potatoes
If you cannot quite decide between a roasted potato side or classic French fries, then Hasselback potatoes are definitely what you should be preparing. It’s a wonderful classic side dish.
Generously brushed with butter and then topped with crispy bacon, cheddar, and sour cream.
This is also a great Mexican side dish.
4. Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing side next to your BBQ chicken, then you cannot do better than these potatoes.
The chives and lemons give this dish some fresh notes that pair perfectly with the garlic.
For the most irresistible taste, use baby potatoes because they taste sweeter and have a much softer texture.
5. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These crunchy sweet potato fries are the perfect companion for your barbecue chicken dinner.
With nothing more than some oil, salt, pepper, and cinnamon, this side has to be one of the easiest and most flavorful chicken additions you’ll ever make.
This is also a great side dish for brisket.
6. Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes
Made with sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar, and butter, and topped off with some crispy bacon pieces and fresh green onions, there is nothing but delight in this side dish.
The skin is a crisp perfection and the melty inside is practically to die for. This is also a great side dish for chili.
7. Grilled Baby Potatoes
How can you not pair these grilled root veggies with some BBQ chicken?
Chopped into 2-inch (3-4 cm) pieces, brushed with olive oil, thread onto skewers, and then grilled until slightly charred, super crispy, and incredibly soft on the inside.
These lovely potato skewers are served with a lemony and herby salsa spooned on top.
8. Apple Sweet Potato Bake
Sweet potato and apple cubes with raisins, walnuts, and dollops of butter on top. Seasoned with real holiday flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, this side is perfect for any feast.
Enjoy this side dish with chuck steak recipes too.
Healthy Sides for BBQ Chicken
If you want to keep your sides on the healthier end of the spectrum, then these nutritious side dishes will be a heavenly match for your smoky chicken dinner.
9. Mexican Bean Salad
When smoky and barbecue meat is on the table, you really cannot go wrong with a Mexican bean salad.
Packed with the most common Mexican veggies and spices, there is nothing but authentic flavors in this salad.
Serve this salad with fresh herbs! You can also serve this with steak.
10. Rainbow Slaw with Lemon Garlic Tahini Dressing
All of the favorite fall veggies shredded together into an incredibly rich and nutrient-packed bowl of comfort. So crunchy, sweet, and super zippy, this cold salad is perfect for your well-seasoned chicken.
With apples but no mayo, this sweeter and healthier coleslaw twist dressed in a lemony tahini dressing will be utterly enjoyed by everyone.
11. Whole30 Pineapple Salsa
So bright, vibrant, and happily colored, there is nothing but good vibes and flavors packed into this sweet salsa bowl.
Made with pineapples, jalapeno, tomatoes, red onions, and bell peppers, there is just the right balance between crunchiness and softness to keep you satisfied.
12. Heirloom Tomato Salad
They’re not only healthier but heirlooms are also packed with way more flavor and less acidity than your conventional tomatoes.
And if you choose to pair them with feta cheese and fresh basil like in this recipe, and then drizzle with Italian dressing on top, there’ll be nothing but empty plates.
.
Low Carb Sides for BBQ Chicken
Whether you’re hosting dinner to some Keto dieters or you find your calorie-laden dishes to be too much for your summer BBQ parties. These low-carb sides will perfectly accompany your chicken.
Enjoy these versatile recipes the next time you have a gathering!
13. Sauteed Onions and Peppers
So soft, naturally sweet, and loaded with spicy flavors, this onion and pepper side will look and taste good next to any grilled piece of meat.
This recipe is also the perfect topping for your sandwiches and salads.
Feel free to also serve this meal with ground lamb recipes.
14. Sugar-Free Low Carb Coleslaw
Sugar-free and tangy, this creamy coleslaw with crunchy sunflower and poppy seeds is a fun and tasty twist to brighten your BBQ dinners.
I’d strongly suggest you add some green onion slices for garnish and a sharp kick to round out the taste.
15. Loaded Mock Keto Potato Salad
Made with cauliflower, eggs, bacon, and cheddar, and tossed with the most finger-licking mayo and sour cream dressing, this creamy bowl is nothing short of scrumptious.
Plus, with only 5.5 grams of net carbs per a very generous serving, this salad will definitely will do a decent job as a side dish.
16. Grilled Broccoli
With a deep umami flavor and charred texture that can be deeply pleasing, this broccoli side is the perfect fit for any BBQ meat.
Feel free to adjust the seasoning or add a spicy kick to the florets.
Grilled broccoli also goes well with griddle meals.
17. Sauteed Mushrooms in Garlic Butter
These garlicky mushroom slices, though, are a match made in heaven for your BBQ chicken dinner.
Sautéed twice for deep-brown perfection, these silky smooth buttery mushrooms are restaurant-grade good.
Make sure to deglaze the pan with some broth to soak all of the flavors that might have stuck to the pan.
18. Mashed Cauliflower
This mashed cauliflower, surpasses any expectations! The secret lies in simmering the florets in a vegetable broth of added flavor.
Make sure to reserve some of the liquid for pureeing, and add a generous amount of spices. I’d also suggest incorporating some more butter or sour cream for a better infusion of tastes.
Easy Sides for BBQ Chicken
Too busy with your BBQ chicken? Who says you have to pass on the side? Here are the easiest and most hands-off side dishes that will be perfect for your smoky and flavorful chicken.
19. Creamy Coleslaw
Crispy and tangy with hints of sweetness and spiciness to wrap up the creaminess, this cabbage and carrot bowl is perfect for any BBQ meal.
With just five minutes of prep time, you can quickly whip this up and focus on your main dish.
20. Classic Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni with ham, cheese, eggs, and tons of veggies, are smothered in a tart and creamy mayo dressing for a smooth and incredibly pleasing mouthfeel.
Although the ingredient combo in this recipe is fantastic, this salad can easily be customized and adjusted according to your taste.
21. Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
The buttery and creamy cheese sauce mainly depends on smoked gouda for taste, which gives this dish a sharper and deeper hint, perfect for your BBQ chicken.
So rich and yummy, this is a mac and cheese recipe you will be always coming back to.
22. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Naturally sweet and loaded with a buttery and frothy creaminess rich in cheese.
This side dish tastes amazing, but if you are hooked on spicy food, you may want to add a mix of seasonings for a flavor boost.
Feel free to also serve these potatoes with leftover griddle recipes.
23. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Cooked until they become charred and take on an almost-caramelized flavor, these grilled ears of corn are perfect with any BBQ meat.
Minced garlic, thyme, and parsley are combined together in a melted butter spread, for the ultimately fragrant taste that’s packed in flavor.
24. BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is real nutrition in a bowl! Packed with broccoli, zucchini, summer squash, corn, and spinach, there are tons of vitamins and minerals to make this pleasure absolutely guilt-free.
Tossed in a creamy ranch dressing and barbecue sauce, this veggie-loaded rotini pasta salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
25. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
So healthy and definitely kid-approved, this cheesy macaroni with squash will make one great side dish the whole family will love.
With cashews for crunch, and tons of spices for flavor and fragrance.
I’d really suggest you top this creamy bowl with a generous amount of shredded Parmesan.
26. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
I
If you don’t like serving Brussels Sprouts, then, chances are, you’ve never tried them with toasted pecans and maple syrup before.
When prepared the right way, Brussels sprouts will take on a smoky, nutty, sweet, and earthy flavor that will go perfectly with your BBQ-seasoned chicken.
27. Easy Cornbread
Your cornbread should feel moist, fluffy, crispy around the edges, but soft on the inside. It should be loaded with butter, but not greasy to the touch. In short, it should be a somewhat sweet pleasure.
And this easy recipe is all of those things. So versatile and delicious.