Wondering What to Serve with BBQ Chicken? Get inspired with this list of the best 21 side dishes to pair with BBQ Chicken. No matter which ones you choose, they will be a total crowd pleaser.
BBQ chicken on the grill is the best in Summertime, but honestly it's fantastic year round. We prep a lot of grilled chicken on the weekends and use it for meals during the beginning of the week, like to top this Mediterranean Chopped Salad, or for this Honey Mustard Chicken Wrap.
If you're looking for bbq chicken recipes, check out this Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken and Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs.
Let's get to the list!
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Classic BBQ Sides
1. Baked Beans
Baked Beans are a great side dish for cookouts and these are Baked Beans with Ground Beef. They're ready in under 30 minutes and full of flavor and extra protein.
2. Coleslaw
This Coleslaw is great paired with chicken, pulled pork, brisket and more! This recipe is fresh, creamy and tangy. It uses a bagged coleslaw mix to save time, but has a homemade sauce.
3. Cornbread
This Cornbread Recipe without Buttermilk is homemade and an easy one bowl recipe. Lather it with butter and honey for the perfect bite!
4. Mac and Cheese
This White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is an easy stovetop recipe and oh so creamy! It's ready in under 30 minutes for a quick side dish. This Pimento Cheese with Jalapeño is another cheesy Southern favorite!
Potato Side Dishes
5. Dill Pickle Potato Salad
This Dill Pickle Potato Salad is one of my most requested recipes every Summer. It's filled with lots of fresh dill flavor and is absolutely delicious. It's a bit of prep work, but worth every minute. An absolute must try side dish.
6. Traeger Smoked Baked Potatoes
Make things easy by prepping these Baked Potatoes in just a few minutes and throwing them onto the Traeger to do the rest of the work. Load these Traeger Baked Potatoes with butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives!
7. Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole
This Simply Potatoes Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole was one of the first recipes I ever learned to make, back in my early teenage years, and it's so tasty. Hashbrowns meet cheesy goodness with a panko topping in this easy potato dish.
8. Mashed Potatoes
These Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes are buttery, creamy and perfect with BBQ Chicken. This recipe uses garlic and green onion for extra flavor. Mashed potatoes are always a great choice!
9. Stewed Potatoes
Stewed Potatoes are a simple one pot recipe, that is a Southern classic. It's a lot like Mashed Potatoes, but with less mashing and less ingredients.
10. Whipped Sweet Potatoes
These Whipped Sweet Potatoes are a great choice if you're looking for a dish with bright color. Plus, it only uses 5 ingredients!
Pasta Salads
11. Spring Roll Salad
This Spring Roll Salad tastes just like a Spring roll, but in salad form, without all the soaking and rolling rice paper. It's full of veggies, tossed in an easy peanut sauce dressing and loaded with flavor.
12. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad combines simple ingredients for the best tangy & creamy salad. It's the best for Spring and Summer holidays and bbq's.
13. Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
This Lemon Orzo with Feta Pasta Salad is served cold, which is so refreshing on a hot day. Tossed in a homemade citrusy lemon greek dressing, this is a must try pasta salad.
Rice Side Dishes
14. Cilantro Lime Rice
This Coconut Jasmine Rice is packed with cilantro lime flavor and so light and fluffy. If you're looking for a lighter side dish, this is a wonderful choice.
15. Mediterranean Yellow Rice
This Yellow Rice Recipe is so colorful from turmeric and paprika. It's topped with sliced almonds and parsley for a beautiful finish.
16. Garlic Parmesan Risotto
If you're looking for a rich and creamy rice, this Garlic Parmesan Risotto is calling your name! It's my most popular recipe on Youtube and for good reason.
If you love rice recipes, try this Blackstone Fried Rice too.
Creative Salad Ideas
17. Cantaloupe Salad
This Cantaloupe Melon Salad is so simple to make! Plus, it's gorgeous from all the colors and so delicious in summer when melon is in season.
18. Crunchy Kale Salad
This Crunchy Kale Salad is loaded with taste from the massaged kale, fresh veggies and coleslaw, to the easy peanut sauce dressing! This combo with bbq chicken is a very successful match up.
19. Peach Burrata Salad
This Peach Burrata Salad looks fancy, but don't worry, it's so easy to make. Sweet peaches, milky burrata, and salty prosciutto top greens tossed in a white wine vinaigrette. It's a total vibe!
Love Salads? Don't sleep on this Southwest Chicken Salad and Grinder Salad Recipe.
Veggie Sides
20. Charred Corn
This Charred Corn in the Skillet cooks to perfection with blackened seasoning, then it's finished off with feta cheese, fresh cilantro and lime. So much flavor in this one!
21. Pesto Vegetables
These Pesto Vegetables are pan seared and roasted in the skillet, then tossed in pesto sauce with lots of nutty parmesan cheese. They're savory and delish!
For more vegetable recipes, try these Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Sautéed Delicate Squash, and Crack Green Beans.
Video
Here's a video with more side dish ideas for Summer cookouts.
Tips and Tricks:
- If you're hosting a bbq, consider making a few side dishes in advance, like Lemon Orzo Pasta (13) or a personal favorite, Dill Pickle Potato Salad (5). This will save you a lot of time and energy on the day of the bbq and these taste great the next day!
- For more meats to serve at a bbq, check out these Blackstone Smash Burgers and Smoked Pork Butt.
- Looking for drink ideas? Try this Mint Iced Tea or Basil Lemonade.
Recipe FAQs:
Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Cornbread, Mac and Cheese and Potato Salad are classic side dishes to serve with bbq chicken, but we've got a big list with more options!
I suggest having 3-4 side dishes for a bbq. Make sure a few of them are vegetarian friendly too. It's great to prep a few the day ahead to save time & stress on the day of the cookout.
These Individual Banana Pudding Cups are always a crowd favorite! These Key Lime Bars and Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust are a few Summer must haves as well.
If you tried any of these BBQ Chicken Side Dish Recipes or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Robert
So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Tara Smithson
Thank you! Hope they were helpful.