Perfect Sides To Serve With Bbq Chicken

what side goes with bbq chicken

BBQ chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes, drinks, and desserts. Here are some ideas for sides to serve with BBQ chicken, ranging from classic options to unique creations:

- Baked beans

- Potato salad

- Coleslaw

- Mac and cheese

- Corn on the cob

- Salads (garden salad, cucumber and tomato salad, Greek salad, etc.)

- Roasted vegetables (bell peppers, squash, zucchini, eggplant)

- Fries (sweet potato, carrot, green bean, truffle)

- Breads (garlic bread, cornbread)

- Rice dishes (Arabic rice, wild rice salad)

- Soups (roasted tomato soup)

Characteristics Values
Starchy Sides Fried Potatoes and Onions, Baked Tortilla Chips, Arabic Rice, Potato Salad, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Cornbread, Grilled Corn with Herb Butter, Parmesan Truffle Fries, Pita Bread, Grandma's Creamy Mac & Cheese, Old Fashioned Baked Beans, Sweet Potato Cornbread, Instant Pot Mac & Cheese, Oven-Baked Fries, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions
Salads Avocado Corn Salad, Grilled Zucchini Salad, Greek Cucumber Salad, Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad, Southwest Chipotle Pasta Salad, Watermelon Basil Salad, Dill Pickle Salad, Roasted Corn Salad with Poblano Peppers, Zesty Italian Pasta Salad, Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad, Chickpea and Kale Salad, Arugula Salad, Red Cabbage Slaw, Couscous Corn Salad, Blistered Shishito Peppers, Tomato Cucumber Salad, Hawaiian Coleslaw, Kale Caesar Salad, Grilled Potato Salad, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, Zucchini Pasta Salad, Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons, Crispy Parmesan Baked Green Bean Fries, Garden Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing, Roasted Vegetable Medley (Ratatouille), Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Burrata Caprese Salad, Apple Cucumber Salad, Roasted Beet Salad, Orange and Fennel Salad, Fresh Tomatoes with Mint, Italian Butter Bean Salad, Texas Potato Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Mediterranean Couscous with Pistachio Nuts, Refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Appetizers Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Stuffed Jalapeños, Deviled Eggs, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Burrata Bruschetta
Drinks Fizzy Drinks, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Beer, Wine, Cocktails
Desserts Pecan Pie, Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Salted Caramel Ice Cream

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Salads

  • Strawberry Spinach Salad: This salad combines sweet strawberries, herby chicken, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans. It is a light and fresh option that is perfect for summer.
  • Greek Salad: A classic Greek salad with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing is always a good choice. It is easy to make and can be served alongside grilled meats or as a standalone dish.
  • Cowboy Pasta Salad: This salad combines ground beef with pasta and is perfect for potlucks and BBQs.
  • Classic Potato Salad: A potato salad is a must-have side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It is creamy and tangy, with a crunchy texture from the onion and pickles.
  • BBQ Chicken Salad: This salad features smoky BBQ chicken, corn, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, and cheese, all tossed in a homemade ranch dressing. It is a refreshing and tasty option for summertime.
  • Tricolore Couscous Salad: This quick and easy salad goes well with chicken and can be a great addition to a barbecue.
  • Charred Corn, Chicken & Tortilla Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing: This vibrant salad can be made with or without chicken. It is packed with flavour and has a creamy chipotle yogurt dressing.

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Starchy sides

Potato Side Dishes

Potatoes are a classic BBQ side, and for good reason. They pair perfectly with the smoky flavours of BBQ chicken. Here are some unique potato side dishes to try:

  • Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions – A simple, one-pan dish that results in crispy, delicious potatoes.
  • Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Baby potatoes transformed into garlicky smashed potatoes using an air fryer.
  • Oven-Baked Fries – Crispy, delicious fries that are perfect for mopping up extra BBQ sauce.
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes – A lower-carb, more nutritious option that still satisfies your starch craving.
  • Potato Salad – A classic BBQ side that can be made in a variety of ways, such as with a tangy mustard dressing or a creamy mayonnaise base.

Other Starchy Sides

In addition to potatoes, there are several other starchy sides that go well with BBQ chicken:

  • Mac & Cheese – A crowd-pleasing classic that can be made in an Instant Pot or smoked for extra flavour.
  • Baked Beans – Another BBQ staple, baked beans can be made from scratch with navy beans, bacon, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Cornbread – Sweet and savoury cornbread is the perfect complement to BBQ chicken, especially when served with warm honey butter or maple butter.
  • Rice – Arabic rice, in particular, is a good option, as it includes vermicelli pasta and butter for a crispy texture that pairs well with BBQ chicken.
  • Pita Bread – Great for soaking up extra BBQ sauce, and can be used to make sandwiches with leftover chicken.

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Baked goods

Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic side dish for barbecue chicken. It is a simple recipe made with flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, and baking powder. You can serve it warm with honey butter, or top it with jams or jellies for a classic Southern touch. If you want to take it up a notch, make a jalapeno cheddar cornbread by adding jalapenos and cheddar cheese to the batter.

Biscuits

Fluffy, homemade biscuits are another excellent addition to your BBQ. They are a classic comfort food that goes well with BBQ chicken, beans, and all the fixings. Just be sure not to overmix the batter so that your biscuits rise nicely. Spread some butter on top, and you've got a delicious side that your guests will love.

Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is a crowd favourite and a must-have at any barbecue. You can make it even more special by adding a kick of spice with jalapeños or mixing in some lobster, pulled pork, bacon, or green chiles. If you want to take it to the next level, smoke your mac and cheese at 225 degrees Fahrenheit to give it a unique flavour.

Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic side dish for a backyard barbecue. While you can use a can of baked beans, making them from scratch is easy and cost-effective. Combine navy beans, bacon, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce. You can cook them on the stovetop or let them simmer in a crockpot.

Breads

There are also several types of bread you can bake and serve as a side with your BBQ chicken. Overnight bread, made with just four ingredients and no kneading required, results in a crispy golden exterior and a fluffy soft interior. You can also try your hand at garlic rolls, a tasty and flavourful side that will be a hit with your guests.

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Vegetables

  • Grilled corn
  • Grilled bell peppers
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Roasted carrots
  • Roasted onions
  • Grilled cherry tomatoes
  • Grilled red potatoes
  • Grilled zucchini
  • Grilled cabbage
  • Grilled broccoli
  • Grilled cauliflower
  • Grilled brussels sprouts
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Grilled beets
  • Grilled squash
  • Grilled parsnips
  • Grilled turnips

You can also get creative and make a vegetable salad to go with your BBQ chicken. Some ideas for vegetable salads include:

  • Tomato cucumber salad
  • Asian cucumber salad
  • Japanese cucumber salad
  • Watermelon feta salad
  • Romaine salad with watermelon, mint, feta, and a champagne vinaigrette
  • Mandarin orange salad
  • Tatsoi Asian salad
  • Zucchini carrot fritters
  • Coleslaw

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to cook your vegetables, you can try roasting them on a sheet pan along with your BBQ chicken. This method is easy to throw together, versatile, and quick to clean up. Just make sure to give the potatoes a head start in the oven since they take longer to cook. You can also add a smoky spice mixture and tangy barbeque sauce to your sheet pan meal for extra flavor.

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Condiments

BBQ chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with many condiments. Here are some ideas to elevate your BBQ chicken experience:

Sumac Onions

If you're feeling adventurous, try pickling your onions with sumac and other spices. The quick pickling process involves swishing the onions in an acidic liquid such as white vinegar or lemon juice, resulting in a burst of tangy flavours that will beautifully balance the savoury notes of the BBQ chicken.

Pickled Red Onions

Another option for a tangy condiment is pickled red onions. This simple recipe requires only four ingredients and can be ready in as little as 30 minutes. It's a great way to add a punch of flavour to your BBQ chicken without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Chimichurri

Chimichurri, a simple combination of herbs and oil, is an underrated condiment that pairs exceptionally well with smoky BBQ chicken. Hailing from Argentina, chimichurri is made with cilantro, parsley, garlic, pepper, and onion. It adds a bright, fresh dimension to your dish.

Traditional BBQ Sauce

Of course, you can't go wrong with a classic BBQ sauce. A good homemade BBQ sauce can elevate your chicken to the next level. Whether you prefer a sweet and sticky sauce or something with a bit more of a kick, there are countless recipes to choose from.

Honey

For a touch of sweetness to complement the smokiness of the BBQ chicken, consider drizzling some honey over your dish. Honey also goes well with cornbread, which is another classic side for BBQ chicken.

Jams or Jellies

If you're feeling creative, why not try serving your BBQ chicken with jams or jellies? These sweet condiments can add a unique twist to your dish and are especially delicious when paired with cornbread or biscuits.

Frequently asked questions

Classic sides to serve with BBQ chicken include mac and cheese, baked beans, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Some unique sides to serve with BBQ chicken are air fryer zucchini fries, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, grilled bell peppers, and carrot fries.

Sides that can be made ahead of time include spicy mac and cheese, overnight bread, and jalapeno cheddar cornbread.

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