Barbecue chicken is a classic favorite for good reason – it’s flavorful, easy to make, and goes great with a variety of side dishes. When planning your next backyard barbecue or summer potluck, you’ll want to think through what pairs best with your barbecue chicken to round out the meal. This guide covers ten tasty options for barbecue chicken pairings that are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Salads as a Pairing for BBQ Chicken
Salads make for a light and refreshing pairing with saucy barbecue chicken. The crisp lettuces and vegetables provide contrast to the tender, juicy chicken. Salads come in endless varieties, so you can get creative and make something new, or go for a familiar favorite like these options:
Classic Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side for barbecue chicken. The crunchy cabbage and carrots paired with a creamy dressing cools the palate after bites of smoky chicken. For barbecue, stick with a vinegar-based coleslaw dressing rather than heavy mayo. Apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard make a tangy dressing. Toss the slaw ahead of time so the flavors meld.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is another traditional pairing with barbecue chicken. Go for a Southern-style version made with a tangy mayo dressing, hardboiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, mustard, and chopped celery. The creamy potato salad with bits of egg and crunch from the celery and onion makes a satisfying counterpoint to hot-off-the-grill chicken.
Broccoli Slaw
For a fiber-packed slaw option, try broccoli slaw mixed with shredded cabbage and carrots. The vibrant green and orange vegetables look colorful on the plate next to chicken. Dress it with a light vinaigrette rather than heavy mayo-based dressing. Broccoli slaw holds up well when made ahead since the vegetables don’t get soggy.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, and feta cheese makes a fresh pairing for barbecue chicken. The salad’s briny olives and tangy feta balance the sweet, smoky flavors of the chicken. Greek dressing brings it all together. Serve the salad chilled for maximum refreshment.
Grilled Vegetables for Added Flavor
Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and corn on the cob are natural pairings with barbecue chicken cooked outdoors. You can grill the veggies right alongside the chicken so everything finishes at the same time. The charred edges of the vegetables add complementary flavor. Try these easy veggie sides:
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn on the cob and barbecue chicken are a classic summer pair. Leave the husks on and grill the corn, turning occasionally, until tender. The smoky char enhances the natural corn sweetness. Slather grilled corn with softened butter and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
Grilled Zucchini
Trim and slice zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch planks. Toss the slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill on both sides until lightly charred and tender. Grilled zucchini makes a lighter pairing next to rich chicken. For extra flavor, add minced garlic to the olive oil.
Grilled Bell Peppers
For a pop of color, slice bell peppers into thick planks and grill until charred and soft. Try a mix of red, yellow and orange peppers. Serve the peppers drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar while warm. The smoky peppers perfectly complement barbecue chicken’s flavors.
Grilled Onions
Onions char up nicely on the grill alongside chicken and provide a savory accent. Use sweet Vidalia onions cut into 1/2-inch slices. Brush with oil and grill until browned and softened. Grilled onions can be served on chicken sandwiches or chopped into salads too.
Pasta and Grain Salads for Heartiness
Pasta salads and grain-based sides provide heartiness to balance out a barbecue chicken meal. The starch plays off the protein rich chicken. Make them ahead for easy transport to picnics and potlucks. Consider these filling salad options:
Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni soaked in a creamy dressing makes for a classic pasta salad pairing. Toss cooked macaroni with a tangy dressing made with mayo, vinegar, mustard, minced celery and onion. For variation, try using similarly-sized pasta shapes like rotini, penne or fusilli. The creamy pasta salad complements barbecue chicken’s usual tomato-based sauce.
Italian Pasta Salad
For an Italian-themed pasta salad, combine farfalle or rotini with chopped bell peppers, olives, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrot and Italian dressing made with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Top with shredded mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese. The medley of garden vegetables makes this pasta salad a colorful accompaniment to chicken.
Couscous Salad
Couscous is actually a tiny pasta, so it functions similarly in salad form. Toss cooked couscous with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, basil, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Chilled couscous salad makes a light pairing for barbecue chicken without weighing down the meal.
Quinoa Tabouli Salad
For a high-protein, gluten-free option, try quinoa tabouli salad. Mix cooked quinoa with loads of fresh parsley, mint, chopped tomatoes, onion and garlic olive oil and lemon juice. Quinoa’s pleasantly fluffy texture complements all the fresh herbs and veggies.
Breads & Rolls for Sandwiches
Barbecued chicken begs to be enjoyed in sandwich form. Having an assortment of bakery-fresh buns, rolls and breads for building sandwiches allows everyone to customize their meal. Offering a combo of white and whole wheat options adds variety.
Brioche Buns
Brioche makes for an indulgent chicken sandwich. The light, eggy, buttery brioche provides a soft contrast to crisp chicken skin. Brioche buns also stand up well when layered with barbecue sauce, pickles and slaw. Split brioche buns ahead of time so they’re ready for sandwich assembly.
Pretzel Rolls
For a fun twist, use soft pretzel rolls for chicken sandwiches. The bit of saltiness from the pretzel complements the chicken. The rolls hold their shape and don’t get soggy under saucy chicken. Offer mustard on the side for topping sandwiches.
Ciabatta Rolls
Ciabatta’s sturdy structure makes it perfect for sandwiches. The bread’s airy crumb soaks up barbecue sauce nicely. Ciabatta rolls also tend to feature crunchy crusts that provide textural contrast to tender shredded chicken. Slice rolls in half horizontally before grilling.
Focaccia
For a fun finger-food option, serve chicken on squares of focaccia. This flatbread makes a sturdy base for holding saucy pulled chicken, tomatoes, onions and lettuce. Offering an array of focaccia sandwich squares lets guests combine their own desired toppings.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread fresh from the grill or oven tops any barbecue meal. Skillet cornbread baked in a cast-iron pan offers irresistible crispy edges. For picnic-friendly slices, bake cornbread in a sheet pan and cut into squares. The slightly sweet, cakey cornbread balances the savory chicken and sauce.
Fruits and Berries for Freshness
Bright, fresh fruits liven up a barbecue chicken spread. Fruit’s natural sweetness provides balance alongside savory chicken. The juice and moisture also help cleanse the palate. Try serving:
Watermelon Slices
Chilled watermelon is perfect for eating by hand outside at barbecues. The sweet juice and flesh feel refreshing, especially with spicy chicken glazed with chili sauce. Seedless watermelon cubes can also be skewered for easy eating.
Fruit Salad
Chopped melons, grapes, berries and citrus come together in colorful fruit salads. The blend of flavors and textures complements barbecue chicken’s char. Serve fruit salad chilled in a bowl for self-serving or skewered for individual portion control.
Grilled Peaches
For a warm fruit accompaniment, grill peach halves cut-side down until softened with nice grill marks. The peach caramelizes a bit while retaining its sweet juiciness. Top grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream as dessert after the chicken.
Berry Skewers
Thread blueberries, blackberries or raspberries onto skewers for easy serving. The skewers allow guests to dip berries into whipped cream or chocolate sauce for a sweet finish to their barbecue meal.
Fun Dips & Sauces
Having a selection of dips and sauces lets guests customize their barbecue chicken experience. Cool, creamy dips balance the chicken’s usual sweet, tomato-based sauce. Set out small bowls for self-serving. Options like these complement chicken:
Blue Cheese Dip
Mix crumbled blue cheese into sour cream or mayo until creamy for an easy dip. The tang pairs nicely with barbecue chicken. Provide celery and carrot sticks or savory crackers for dipping.
Ranch Dip
Another cooling option is homemade ranch dip made from mayo, buttermilk, garlic, dill, parsley, onion powder and other seasonings. Ranch cools spicy chicken and complements crunchy raw vegetables for dipping.
Guacamole
For a fresh, flavorful dip, mash avocados with lime juice, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. Serve the chunky guacamole with tortilla chips. The cool green dip offsets sizzling barbecue chicken.
Hummus
Chickpeas whizzed into smooth hummus provide protein to go with chicken. Serve hummus with warm pita wedges or raw vegetables for scooping. The tahini and olive oil in hummus add complementary nutty richness.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard sauce can be used as a marinade for chicken or offered as a dipping sauce alongside the meal. Mixing mustard, honey, mayo and spices creates a sweet-tangy condiment. Provide squeezable bottles for drizzling.
Easy Desserts to End on a Sweet Note
After a savory barbecue chicken feast, easy desserts keep the relaxed vibe going. Self-serve sweets allow guests to graze at their leisure after the main meal winds down. Consider these minimal-fuss treats:
S’mores Bar
Offering a DIY s’mores bar takes the classic campfire treat to a new level. Provide graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars and skewers so guests can roast their own marshmallows. The chocolatey s’mores make a nostalgic dessert.
Assorted Cookies
A cookie platter requires zero work to throw together but feels special. Include a mix of favorites like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and sugar cookies. Cookies travel well in bulk for potlucks or patios.
Donut Hole Bites
Pick up an assortment of donut holes for effortless snacking. Mini donuts in flavors like cinnamon sugar, chocolate and maple glazed give folks a variety. Donut bite portability also prevents sticky fingers.
Sheet Cake
For easy slicing, pick up a quarter or half sheet cake from the grocery store bakery. Look for crowd-pleasing options like vanilla, chocolate or marble cake. Sheet cakes mean no complex cutting and plating.
Ice Cream Bar
Offering a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar takes dessert to the next level. Provide tubs of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream along with toppings like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, caramel, crushed cookies or candy pieces. The DIY sundaes let everyone construct their perfect parfaits.
Conclusion
When planning the ultimate barbecue chicken meal, choosing the right side dishes and accompaniments makes all the difference. Fresh produce, sandwiches, dips, sweets and more round out the menu. Take advantage of summer’s bounty by pairing chicken with grilled corn, zucchini and peppers. Lean into the fun outdoor vibe with make-your-own s’mores and ice cream sundae bars. With the right balance of flavors, textures and colors, your cookout spreads will keep everyone happy, full and coming back for more.