The best BBQ chicken side dishes! These summer sides are perfect for grilled chicken breasts, barbecue chicken and pulled chicken sandwiches or sliders.

The best BBQ chicken side dishes! These summer sides are perfect for grilled chicken breasts, barbecue chicken and pulled chicken sandwiches or sliders.

When it comes to summer cookouts, it’s the side dishes that really complete the meal. They’re the best part!

Delicious side dishes can turn simple BBQ chicken, hot dogs, or burgers into a savory feast that everyone will rave about.

What to serve with BBQ chicken?

When it comes to deciding what to eat with barbecue grilled chicken, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or corn on the cob might come immediately to mind.

Those are fantastic options, but here are a ton more tasty recipes that will complete your summer BBQ menu.

So let’s turn your summer barbecue into a big hit!

35 Best Side Dishes That Go With Chicken

1. Potato salad

The creaminess of potato salad pairs so well with the tangy, smoky flavor of barbecue chicken.

And if you don’t want to go with the classic creamy potato salad, you can use an olive oil based recipe, and keep it dairy free.

2. Coleslaw

Believe it or not, coleslaw can be used as a good side dish OR a topping for chicken sandwiches.

Its slightly sweet, crunchy nature complements it so well!

3. Baked beans

Baked beans are one of those super easy side dishes that come together with just a couple simple ingredients.

You can even buy them pre-made in a can, and keep them warm in your slow cooker.

4. Fresh sweet corn

Corn on the cob is a classic summer side that is easy to prepare and always a crowd favorite.

You can even cook it on the grill right alongside the chicken.

5. Macaroni and cheese

The creaminess of mac and cheese makes it the perfect complement to those tangy barbecue flavors.

If you don’t want to heat up your kitchen, you can even make it in your crockpot!

6. Sweet potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes are healthy AND delicious.

You can take them the sweet route with butter and brown sugar, or make them savory with sour cream or blue cheese.

7. Green beans

For a fresh, healthier side dish option, serve green beans at your BBQ.

You can make them more delicious by sauteing them with garlic and onion. Or add bacon to make it everyone’s new favorite side dish.

8. Cornbread

You can make cornbread the easy way with a packet of Jiffy mix, or use your favorite ‘from scratch’ recipe.

Cornbread is a staple on Southern menus, making the ideal BBQ side dish.

9. Fresh salad

Everyone appreciates a cold salad made with mixed greens and your favorite toppings and dressings.

Set out a variety and see what everyone picks!

Or keep it really simple with a bagged salad mix that everything you need.

10. Rice

Rice pilaf makes a surprisingly good summer side dish. It can even be served room temperature, so there’s no need to babysit it.

Broccoli cheese rice would also be a big hit!

11. Fried green tomatoes

Nothing says summer like fried green tomatoes.

They’re made with inexpensive ingredients, and the perfect use-up for those under ripe tomatoes in your garden.

12. Pasta salad

An easy pasta salad is so simple to throw together, and it can even be prepared the night before or morning of your barbeque.

You can toss together cooked pasta with some fresh veggies, Italian dressing, and maybe some feta cheese or olives.

13. Fried okra

Another Southern side dish idea is fried okra.

(It’s actually far more delicious than it sounds!)

Some stores sell them in the freezer section, or you can make them homemade by tossing okra in a cornmeal batter and frying.

14. Potato wedges

Wedge fries are a really easy and cheap side dish.

Slice a Russet potato into wedges, sprinkle on your favorite seasoning, and bake in the air fryer or oven.

15. Corn salad

If you’ve never had corn salad, you’re in for a treat!

It’s the quintessential summer side dish because it uses ingredients that are at their most fresh in the summer, such as fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

16. Vegetable tray

Many people appreciate it when you set out some extra veggies, and a vegetable platter is an easy make ahead option.

You could even a veggie tray pre-made, and set out some ranch for dipping.

And if you want a ‘barbecue twist’ on a veggie tray, roast the vegetables on the grill instead!

17. Corn pudding

Typically made with cornbread mix, corn, and a few other simple ingredients, your BBQ guests will love corn pudding casserole.

You can even make it ahead of time, and serve it at room temperature. Super easy!

18. Biscuits

Biscuits go surprisingly well with BBQ chicken.

You can make them from scratch (or with Bisquick) or buy them pre-made at the store.

They’re a crowd pleaser either way.

Feel free to set out some butter and honey or jam for people who like to top their biscuits.

19. Baked potato

It’s super easy to make baked potatoes in the oven, air fryer, or even your slow cooker.

You can easily make a lot at once, and they’re a really inexpensive side dish.

Sour cream, butter, shredded cheese, or salsa make great toppings!

20. Cucumber salad

Another great make ahead side dish is cucumber salad.

It’s so refreshing to eat on a hot summer day.

The recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients that you might already have on hand.

21. Creamy macaroni salad

Macaroni salad has been served at almost every barbecue and potluck I’ve attended, and it’s a fairly versatile recipe that can include your favorite ingredients.

22. Hush puppies

In case you’re unaware, hush puppies are tender little bite-sized morsels of deliciousness.

They’re basically a fried dough made out of some simple baking ingredients and seasoning.

Some grocery stores sell them pre-made in the freezer section too.

23. Collard greens

Another Southern staple that makes a great side dish for chicken are collard greens.

They’re a type of leafy green vegetable that typically sauteed with oil, butter, or bacon fat.

24. Sweet potato fries

A fun twist on a BBQ side dish are sweet potato fries.

You can make them more savory with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or embrace their sweetness with a cinnamon and sugar coating.

25. Quinoa salad

A fresh side dish idea is a cold quinoa salad.

It usually contains cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, and a few other simple ingredients.

Your health conscious guests will love it!

26. Watermelon

It doesn’t get any simpler than serving sliced watermelon with your grilled chicken dinner.

Some people even like to sprinkle salt on it to complement its sweet flavor.

27. Roasted red potatoes

Red potatoes can be good in a foil packet right on the BBQ grill.

Just coat them with a bit of olive oil and seasoning, and maybe a little onion.

28. Brussels sprouts

If you’re thinking that brussels sprouts are the chewy microwaved nightmare from your childhood…

…embrace roasted brussels sprouts! They take on a whole new smoky flavor when cooked and seasoned properly.

Adding in a little bacon can’t hurt!

29. White bean salad

A cold bean salad is more delicious than you’d think.

You can make it ahead of time, and enjoy a light, refreshing side to offset other heavy foods.

30. French fries

A BBQ pulled chicken sandwich really calls for some french fries.

Make it easy on yourself and buy pre-made frozen fries and bake them up in the air fryer or oven.

31. Corn fritters

Corn kernels and a few other simple household staples come together to make a surprisingly good summer side dish called corn fritters.

You can even use thawed frozen corn if you don’t have fresh corn on hand.

32. Brown rice salad

Another light refreshing summer side dish is brown rice salad.

It often has a light lemon dressing, and includes cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and brown rice.

33. Potato chips and dip

Store french onion dip and potato chips are always a barbecue favorite.

A total no brainer!

34. Elote

Mexican street corn, also known as elote, is a must try.

Fresh corn, paired with lime juice, queso fresco cheese, and chile powder is such a fun twist on traditional corn on the cob.

35. Decadent dessert

To really finish off the meal, consider serving a fantastic dessert.

Some delicious summer dessert ideas include:

Strawberry shortcake
Lemon squares
Ice cream sundae bar
Brownies
Lemon blueberry cake

Toppings for BBQ chicken

Whether you’re serving grilled chicken breasts, thighs, or legs, or making smoky pulled chicken sandwiches, bring it up a notch with some fun toppings!

Try some of these barbecue chicken sandwich toppings:

Fresh tomatoes
Red onions
Pickles
Cheddar cheese
Fried onions
Sliced avocado
Pineapple
Bacon
Extra homemade BBQ sauce
Coleslaw
Fresh herbs

Ready to try some of these side dishes that go with chicken?

I hope these BBQ side dishes have given you lots of ideas of what to serve with BBQ chicken at your next summer party or family gathering.

Maybe some of them will become your new favorite sides!

Summer barbecues are fun in so many ways, and changing up the menu will make them even more memorable!

Best Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken

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