When the weather outside is warm, people start thinking about barbecue. And one of the most popular and well-loved things to BBQ is chicken. But the side dishes are important too! You want a mix of veggie sides and comforting, carby sides. They need to be easy to eat, cook, or transport outside. And most of all, they need to be completely delicious — and taste GREAT with BBQ chicken.
Our 10 Perfect BBQ Chicken Side Dish Recipes
Do you want to know what to bring to your next barbecue? Look no further than the ten BBQ chicken side recipes below. They're mouthwatering, and people will like them so much they might forget about the chicken on the grill! Keep reading to see our list of the 10 best barbecue chicken sides ever.
1. Jamaican Cabbage Cole Slaw
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You always need coleslaw at a BBQ, but give it a kick with this Jamaican coleslaw recipe! You add a jalapeno — or a Scotch bonnet, if you're daring — to a mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Dress the whole thing with a vinaigrette and you'll be on your way to the best coleslaw of the party, hands down. It would likely taste best with a spicy, jerk chicken BBQ recipe!
Find the recipe here!
2. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Lyndsay Burginger
Everyone loves macaroni and cheese. It's a classic for a reason. And you can cut THIS baked macaroni and cheese recipe into squares for even easier eating and portability, making it a great option for a BBQ side, especially if you're cooking up some chicken basted with a sweet barbecue sauce. This mac & cheese can be thrown together easily, baked, then you let it cool, and then you slice it up. Easy peasy!
Find the recipe here!
3. Tomato Cracker Salad
This super unique salad might sound strange, but you know that you're intrigued. It will become a classic barbecue side from the ages, and it's so simple to put together you'll wonder why you didn't make it sooner. All you need are ripe tomatoes, a sleeve of saltine crackers, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. That's it! You can add green onions or other spices if you want, but even without, the recipe tastes amazing. We would pair this one with a vinegary BBQ chicken recipe.
Find the recipe here!
4. Brussels Sprout Skewers
This one is for veggie lovers. Get some Brussels sprouts, season them with olive oil and spices, then grill them on a skewer. Finish with some lemon juice, and you'll have one of the most delicious variations of Brussels sprouts ever. They won't take up too much room on the grill, either. Plus, they're so filling that they might be a great option for vegan guests at the BBQ who can't partake in the grilled chicken.
Find the recipe here!
5. Cornbread Salad
When you bring this bad boy cornbread salad to the barbecue or potluck, you're going to win. Even if there's no contest. Because this is one of the tastiest, zingiest, most delicious recipes out there and people are going to absolutely gobble it up. With cheese, pinto beans, tomatoes, peppers, mayonnaise, sour cream, bacon, and an entire town of cornbread — you really can't go wrong. Imagine how good this would taste with BBQ chicken or any other type of grilled poultry?
Find the recipe here!
6. Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes aren't just for the autumn season. They also taste great from the grill in the summer, too. Just vertically slice up a sweet potato or two, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then grill. You can use the grilled sweet potatoes as vessels for other veggies or toppings — like a gluten-free bruschetta — or eat them plain on their own. They taste so good with a plain grilled chicken recipe, or with a sweet BBQ chicken drumstick.
Find the recipe here!
7. Classic Pea Salad
Don't knock this pea salad until you try it. It's a creamy, delicious, filling recipe that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken. Whether you're bringing it to a BBQ or a potluck, it's sure to make a lot of people happy. If you buy crumbled bacon instead of making it yourself, the recipe can literally be made in 5 minutes, too, so it's great for when you're in a rush.
Find the recipe here!
8. Southern Deviled Eggs
Which came first, the BBQ chicken or the deviled eggs? If someone didn't bring deviled eggs to your summer shindig, you need to find new friends — or just make them yourself, because they're mandatory additions to every barbecue. This recipe is particularly delicious, and they'll probably be all gone before you know it. Don't forget to sprinkle paprika on top!
Find the recipe here!
9. Kool-Aid Pickles
For the truly daring eaters among us, Kool-Aid pickles will serve as a refreshing, delicious, distinctive side dish or appetizer at your summer BBQ. They're sweet, they're sour, and they taste surprisingly good with BBQ chicken. Plus, they're a lot easier to make than you might think. Cherry is the standard flavor, but you can go buck wild and choose any Kool-Aid flavor you like.
Find the recipe here!
10. Grilled Peaches with Mint
Good as a dessert or a side dish, grilled peaches with mint will truly surprise you. You only need four ingredients: sugar, peaches, mint, and a neutral oil. Minty sugar is caramelized on top of oiled sliced peaches, directly on the grill. The sweetness of the peaches will pair well with the sweet flavor of barbecue chicken. You can garnish with extra mint or sugar if you like — or even ice cream.
Find the recipe here!
READ MORE: How Long To Grill Chicken Thighs Depends on One Thing
