Barbecue chicken is a classic meal that is delicious and versatile. There are so many tasty sides and flavors that pair wonderfully with juicy, sauced bbq chicken fresh off the grill. When planning your bbq chicken dinner, consider these mouthwatering options for what goes with bbq chicken.
Sides That Go Well With Bbq Chicken
Barbecue chicken begs to be paired with classic summertime favorites. These simple sides are easy to make and complement bbq chicken perfectly.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a quintessential bbq side. The sweet, tangy flavor of the beans balances the savory barbecue sauce on the chicken. Bacon adds a smoky touch while onions and peppers provide a pop of flavor. Bake a batch in the oven or heat up a can for an easy addition to your bbq chicken dinner.
Corn on the Cob
What is more summery than juicy corn on the cob? The natural sweetness of fresh corn is a nice contrast to spicy bbq chicken. Boil or grill the corn and serve with butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The bbq chicken juices will add extra flavor as they drip onto the corn.
Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw pairs perfectly with saucy bbq chicken. The crunchy cabbage and carrots cut through the richness of the chicken. Jazz up store-bought coleslaw with shredded apple, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds or your favorite mix-ins. The options for unique flavored coleslaws are endless.
Macaroni and Cheese
Comforting, cheesy mac and cheese rounds out a bbq chicken dinner splendidly. Make it from scratch on the stovetop or use a store-bought boxed version and dress it up with bacon, jalapenos, or extra cheese. Leftovers also make excellent picnic or potluck offerings alongside bbq chicken.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is another classic bbq side. The cool, creamy potatoes contrast the heat of the chicken. There are countless ways to customize your potato salad with additions like eggs, onion, celery, mustard, pickles, and more. Make a big batch for your bbq or bring a pre-made version from the deli counter.
Bread
Bread is great for slicing up bbq chicken and soaking up extra sauce. Cornbread, biscuits, rolls, Texas toast, and sliced bread are all excellent choices. Brush some olive oil on crusty bread and grill briefly to accompany your meal. Serve bread on the side to soak up all the delicious juices.
Veggie Sides for Bbq Chicken
While traditional barbecue sides are delicious, adding some fresh vegetables balances out the meal. These healthy options pair nicely with saucy bbq chicken off the grill.
Grilled Vegetables
Fire up the grill and make a veggie kabob as the perfect healthy accompaniment to your bbq chicken. Onions, peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and other favorites taste amazing with a slight char. Toss the grilled veggies in balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing while they’re hot off the grill.
Corn and Tomato Salad
For a fresh take on corn, make an easy corn and tomato salad. Cut off the corn kernels, dice up some tomatoes, onion and cucumber, then toss everything with a vinaigrette. Basil, mint, feta, avocado and other ingredients make tasty add-ins. The bright flavors complement rich bbq chicken well.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
A fresh cucumber tomato salad takes just minutes to prepare. Simply slice up cucumbers, grape tomatoes, onions and peppers, then dress with olive oil, balsamic or red wine vinegar and Italian seasoning. For extra flavor, add feta, mozzarella or parmesan cheese. The light salad balances hearty bbq chicken.
Roasted Vegetables
Roast vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash and potatoes while you grill the chicken. Toss the veggies in olive oil and seasoning and cook until tender and slightly charred. Roasted veggies pair perfectly with bbq chicken and provide extra nutrition.
Fruit Salad
Add fresh fruit as a bright, healthy bbq side. Dice up melons, berries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, peaches and plums for a refreshing fruit salad. Toss with a squeeze of citrus juice to prevent browning. The natural sweetness balances the savory chicken and barbecue sauce.
Green Salad
A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cools things down when serving hot bbq chicken. Use a mix of lettuces, shredded cabbage, spinach, or kale for the base. Top with cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots and other fresh veggies. Add cheese, croutons, nuts or fruit for extra flavor and crunch.
Appetizers and Starters for Bbq Chicken
Before serving your bbq chicken, start the meal off right with some appetizing appetizers. These bites will get everyone’s appetite ready for the main bbq chicken event.
Dips and Spreads
Offer a selection of dips and spreads with fresh cut vegetables, pita and baguette slices. Whip up homemade options like spinach artichoke dip, bacon jam, guacamole, hummus, baba ganoush or a cheese ball. Pick up a few store-bought dips like salsa, French onion dip or a flavored cream cheese spread.
Chips and Pretzels
Crunchy chips and pretzels pair well with dips and encourage guests to mingle. Set out classics like tortilla chips, potato chips and pita chips along with pretzel crisps, pretzel twists and pretzel sticks. Bonus – pre-made chips and pretzels mean less prep work before the bbq.
Meat and Cheese Tray
A meat and cheese platter makes an impressive bbq appetizer. Arrange sliced deli meats like salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, turkey and ham around blocks of cheese. Add olives, cornichons, nuts and dried fruit for extras. Serve with crackers and crusty bread.
Shrimp Cocktail
For a classic bbq starter, serve shrimp cocktail in small glasses with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. Peel, devein and boil large shrimp until just pink, then chill until serving. Provide cocktail forks so guests can easily spear the shrimp.
Caprese Skewers
Thread cherry tomatoes, small mozzarella balls and basil leaves onto short skewers for easy one-bite caprese appetizers. The fresh flavors pair deliciously with bbq chicken. Drizzle balsamic reduction over the skewers for extra flair.
Bruschetta
Grill slices of French bread until toasted, then top with fresh bruschetta. Mix chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and basil. Let guests assemble their own bruschetta on the grilled bread for an interactive starter.
Quesadillas
Heat up some tortillas in a pan and load them with shredded cheese, black beans, corn, peppers and other favorite fillings for easy bbq appetizer quesadillas. Cut into wedges and serve with guacamole, salsa and sour cream on the side.
Salads as Bbq Chicken Starters
Before diving into saucy bbq chicken, begin the meal with a light and refreshing salad course. These salad ideas make perfect starters for a backyard bbq feast.
Garden Salad
Assemble a make-your-own garden salad station with mixed greens, chopped veggies, nuts, cheeses and dressing options like ranch, Italian, balsamic or poppyseed. Let guests build their own salad creations to enjoy before your bbq chicken.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad starts the meal off on a delicious Mediterranean note. Toss together romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta and grilled chicken with a red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. Top with peperoncini if you like some heat.
Wedge Salad
For a bbq-style salad, serve individual wedge salads. Cut small heads of lettuce into wedges, top with chunky blue cheese dressing, crumbled bacon and sliced tomatoes, then grill until lightly charred. The smoky flavor complements the upcoming bbq chicken.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Get an early dose of chicken in your bbq feast by serving a classic chicken Caesar salad. Grill chicken breast, slice and toss with romaine, parmesan, croutons and creamy caesar dressing for a filling starter salad.
Spinach Strawberry Salad
For a fruit-filled salad, combine baby spinach with sliced strawberries, red onion, feta and chopped nuts. Add balsamic vinaigrette and black pepper, then let sit a few minutes to allow the spinach to wilt slightly. Sweet and savory flavors to kick off your bbq.
Cobb Salad
Make hearty individual cobb salads for guests by layering lettuce, grilled chicken, tomato, egg, avocado, bacon, onion and blue cheese. Drizzle on your favorite dressing or vinaigrette. The upscale salad makes a nice start to a bbq chicken dinner.
Best Bbq Chicken Sauces and Rubs
The sauce and spices you use can take your grilled bbq chicken to the next level. Consider these mouthwatering flavor combinations.
Classic Barbecue Sauce
A classic sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is always a safe bet for grilled chicken. Use it to baste the chicken while cooking and offer more on the side for dipping. Store-bought or homemade both pair deliciously.
Alabama White Sauce
For a change, try an Alabama white sauce on your bbq chicken. This mayo-based sauce features black pepper, vinegar and lemon juice. The creamy sauce complements the juicy chicken without overpowering it.
Asian Ginger Barbecue Sauce
Give your chicken an Asian twist with a ginger barbecue glaze. Mix hoisin or oyster sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, grated ginger and chili flakes. Grill the sauce-slathered chicken for delicious results.
Jerk Chicken Rub
Jamaican jerk seasoning brings addictive flavor to bbq chicken. Make a dry rub with allspice, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, cayenne and other spices to coat the chicken before grilling. The spicy, herby jerk flavors really satisfy.
Tex Mex Chicken Rub
For a bbq chicken fiesta, rub the bird with bold Tex Mex spices. Combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, garlic powder, cayenne and salt. The spice blend adds big Southwestern flavor to the juicy chicken.
Greek Chicken Marinade
Soak your chicken in a Greek yogurt marinade before grilling for added flavor. Mix Greek yogurt with lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, minced garlic and pepper. Let the chicken marinate for a few hours for the ultimate Mediterranean bbq chicken.
Honey Mustard Chicken
For sweet and tangy chicken, brush on some honey mustard barbecue sauce near the end of grilling. Whisk together mustard, honey, balsamic vinegar and a touch of soy sauce for a glaze that caramelizes nicely to the chicken.
Fun Add-Ins for Bbq Chicken
Once you’ve nailed down your go-to bbq chicken recipe, feel free to get creative with fun additions and toppings. Mix up flavors with unique ingredients like these:
- Diced mango, pineapple or peach salsa
- Crispy bacon crumbles
- Shredded cheddar, pepper jack or queso fresco
- Jalapeno slices
- Guacamole or smashed avocado
- Pico de gallo
- Sliced grilled onions
- Fried onion strings
- Crispy fried shallots
- Bell pepper strips
- Pickled jalapenos
- Spicy pickled okra
- Coconut flakes
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Melted butter with garlic and herb seasoning
- Honey butter
Get adventurous and layer on any combination of these mix-ins on top of piping hot bbq chicken straight from the grill. The possibilities are endless!
Best Bbq Chicken Marinades
Soaking chicken in a flavorful marinade pumps up the juiciness and infuses it with flavor before grilling. Whip up one of these easy bbq chicken marinades.
Lemon Herb Marinade
Blend olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper for a fresh herby marinade. Let the chicken soak for 1-2 hours before grilling.
Italian Dressing Marinade
Use store-bought or homemade Italian dressing seasoned with oregano, thyme, basil, garlic, onion and pepper to marinate bbq chicken. Let it infuse for at least 2 hours.
Yogurt Mint Marinade
For tender Middle Eastern bbq chicken, marinate in a mint yogurt made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic and fresh mint. Marinate overnight for best flavor.
Teriyaki Marinade
A sweet and salty teriyaki marinade adds classic Japanese bbq flavor. Mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger and garlic. Let the chicken marinate for 1-4 hours.
Mojo Criollo
Give your chicken Cuban flair with a mojo criollo marinade of olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, garlic and salt. Let the chicken marinate for at least an hour.
Buttermilk Ranch Marinade
Tenderize and add big flavor with a buttermilk ranch dressing marinade. Use store-bought or mix your own ranch with buttermilk, lemon juice, herbs and garlic. Marinate overnight if possible.
Sauces for Serving with Bbq Chicken
In addition to slathering bbq chicken with sauce while cooking, have extra sauce handy for serving. Offer these flavorful condiments on the side.
- Sweet & smoky barbecue sauce
- Spicy chipotle barbecue sauce
- Creamy ranch dressing
- Cool and tangy blue cheese dressing
- Horseradish sauce with mayo
- Tartar sauce with pickles and capers
- Honey mustard sauce
- Comeback sauce with mayo, chili sauce, cajun seasoning
- Chimichurri green sauce
- Fresh pico de gallo salsa
- Guacamole
- Hummus
- Tzatziki cucumber yogurt sauce
- Buttermilk dressing
- Alabama white barbecue sauce
- Spicy buffalo sauce
Let guests choose their favorite sauces for drizzling, dipping or slathering on top of tender bbq chicken fresh from the grill. Sauces make the meal!
Creative Bbq Chicken Sandwiches
Leftover bbq chicken also shines in fun chicken sandwiches. Load up buns with saucy chicken and toppings.
- Classic – bbq chicken, pickles, melted cheddar on brioche bun
- BLT – chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo on ciabatta
- Avocado – chicken, bacon, guacamole, Swiss, tomato on pretzel bun
- Southwestern – chicken, pepper jack, roasted peppers, guac, chipotle mayo on naan
- Chicken Parm – chicken, marinara, melted mozzarella on garlic bread
- Chicken Caesar Wrap – chicken, romaine, parm, Caesar dressing in spinach wrap
- Crispy Chicken – fried chicken, slaw, pickles, comeback sauce on potato bun
The possibilities are endless for building mouthwatering bbq chicken sandwiches. Load them up with fun flavors and toppings after the bbq.
Best Bbq Chicken Side Dishes
These classic sides deserve another mention for pairing wonderfully with juicy grilled barbecue chicken.
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Cornbread
- Dinner rolls
- Green salad
- Caprese salad
- Greek salad
- Grilled veggies
Round out your next bbq chicken dinner with one or more of these classic sides. Don’t forget drinks like iced tea, lemonade and beer to wash it all down!
Satisfying Bbq Chicken Meals
With so many delicious options for mixing and matching bbq chicken with sides, starters, sauces and other recipes, you could enjoy something new and delicious all summer long. Try out these full bbq chicken dinner menus:
- Bbq chicken, cornbread with honey butter, baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon slices
- Jerk chicken, grilled pineapple salsa, coconut rice, black beans, mango margaritas
- Hawaiian chicken, Hawaiian rolls, pineapple coleslaw, tropical fruit salad, mai tais
- Tex Mex bbq chicken nachos, pico de gallo, queso, guacamole, margaritas
- Bbq chicken sandwiches with slaw and pickles, potato chips, lemonade or iced tea
- Bbq chicken pizza with red onion, cilantro, bbq drizzle
- Bbq chicken chopped salad with corn, bacon, blue cheese, ranch dressing
- Bbq chicken pasta salad with tri-colored rotini, shredded cheddar, red onion, cilantro
- Bbq chicken tacos with guacamole, pickled onions, cotija cheese
- Bbq chicken flatbread pizzas with grilled veggies, feta crumbles
The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavorful and creative meals featuring bbq chicken. Change it up by using different sauces, sides and global inspiration.
Conclusion
Juicy grilled barbecue chicken deserves to be paired with delicious complementary sides and sauces. Baked beans, potato salad, cornbread, coleslaw and mac and cheese are classic choices. For a healthy twist, serve fresh vegetable salads, grilled veggies or fruit salads. Play around with global flavors using jerk, teriyaki, Cuban or Greek style chicken. Mix and match your favorite sauces and seasonings too. Get creative with starters, sandwiches, pizzas and other complete bbq chicken meals. The options for what goes with bbq chicken are limitless. With so many delicious ingredients to choose