Chicken breast cooked on the barbecue and slathered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is a classic summer meal. When prepared correctly, bbq chicken breast is juicy, flavorful and simple to make. While the chicken is undoubtedly the star of the show, putting together the perfect array of side dishes and accompaniments can take this meal from great to incredible.
Having the right sides makes your bbq chicken really sing. Complementary flavors and textures prevent the meal from being one-note. Mixing colors, temperatures and flavors keeps each bite interesting and makes the dish feel complete.
So what should you serve alongside your barbecue chicken breast? With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow down your choices. This guide will walk you through fail-safe pairings and creative recipe ideas to inspire you to take your next bbq chicken dinner to the next level.
Best Classic Side Pairings for BBQ Chicken Breast
Some classic side dishes have stood the test of time because they perfectly complement rich, saucy bbq chicken breast. These sides have familiar flavors and textures that just seem to belong alongside tender grilled poultry coated in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
Baked Beans
Baked beans topped with crispy bacon bits are a beloved barbecue companion. This plant-based option provides protein as well as fiber. The sweetness of the beans balances the savory chicken and barbecue sauce.
Different styles of baked beans pair particularly well with bbq chicken breast. Try spicy Tex-Mex pinto beans, sweet maple baked beans or Southern-style beans simmered with onion and bacon. Garnish with shredded cheddar or barbecue sauce for bonus flavor.
Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw lends necessary crunch to balance tender chicken breast. The vinegary dressing cuts through the richness from the sweet barbecue sauce. Cabbage also adds potassium, vitamin K and vitamin C. Customize a creamy or vinegar-based slaw with carrots, peppers, scallions and fresh herbs.
Corn on the Cob
In season during summer barbecue season, corn on the cob is a perfect complement to simply grilled chicken. The natural sweetness balances the savory sauce, while the burst of juicy kernels and crisp texture offsets creamy coleslaw or cheesy potatoes.
Enjoy corn boiled, grilled or roasted. Amp up the flavor with a sprinkle of chili powder, cotija cheese, lime juice or barbecue spice.
Macaroni and Cheese
A cookout classic, macaroni and cheese is creamy comfort food at its best. The rich, cheesy pasta complements bbq chicken without competing for the starring role. Mix in grilled veggies or kick up the spice with jalapenos or hot sauce.
Creative Ways to Serve BBQ Chicken Breast
Part of the fun of barbecue chicken is taking side dish traditions and turning them on their head. These creative recipes put a twist on expected flavors to keep your meal anything but boring.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
These messy, shareable nachos are sure to be a hit. Layer bbq pulled chicken, beans, corn, tomato and avocado over crisp tortilla chips. Top with melty cheddar cheese for the perfect barbecue-inspired appetizer.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza
Use naan, a tortilla or ready-made flatbread as the base for your bbq chicken pizza. Spread with barbecue sauce and add red onion, cilantro and grilled chicken breast. Finish by topping with melty mozzarella or fontina cheese.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
A quesadilla is an easy way to change up your average barbecue meal. Fill a toasted flour tortilla with Monterey jack cheese, grilled chicken, avocado and tomato. Serve with sour cream, guacamole or extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Turn your grilled chicken breast into a hearty main dish salad. Mix with greens, corn, black beans, roasted peppers and crispy tortilla strips. The barbecue sauce doubles as a tasty salad dressing.
BBQ Chicken & Rice Bowl
Build a rice bowl packed with flavorful fillings like grilled chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, red onion and barbecue sauce. The contrast of temperatures and textures makes this a satisfying one-dish meal.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread Sandwich
Pack sliced chicken, melty provolone cheese, tomato and onion between two pieces of flatbread or ciabatta bread. Warm it up and spread with tangy barbecue sauce for an easy grilled chicken sandwich.
BBQ Chicken Tacos
Street taco-inspired, serve shredded bbq chicken in warmed corn tortillas along with salsa, guacamole, lime wedges and queso fresco. The mini tacos make for fun, hand-held bites.
Best Vegetables and Sides for BBQ Chicken
Don’t let starchy barbecue classics limit your side dish options. Crisp, fresh vegetables add nutrition, color and crunch to balance your plate. Grilled veggies make an especially tasty accompaniment to barbecue chicken breast.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Throw corn right on the grill alongside your chicken for irresistible charred kernels. Brush with a compound butter blended with lime, chili powder and cilantro for extra summer flavor. Grilled corn pairs perfectly with bbq chicken.
Grilled Zucchini
Thick slices of zucchini caramelized on the grill add moisture and nutrition. Toss zucchini with olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning before cooking. Serve zucchini slices topped with feta or cotija cheese.
Grilled Eggplant
Eggplant charred on the grill turns deliciously smoky. Chop eggplant into chunks before cooking until tender. Balsamic reduction adds a tangy sweetness.
Grilled Squash
Grill wedges of acorn squash or thick rings of zucchini and summer squash until lightly charred. Brush with herb-infused olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan or goat cheese.
Grilled Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
This unexpected veggie is right at home on the barbecue. Brussels sprouts halves develop a nice char while retaining their crisp texture. Toss in balsamic vinaigrette while hot for a delicious bite.
Greek Salad
A light Greek salad is the perfect way to balance rich barbecue chicken breast. Toss sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olives and feta cheese in a red wine vinaigrette. The tangy flavors complement the sweet barbecue sauce.
Watermelon Salad
Add juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber and tangy feta cheese to make a refreshing salad with sweet and savory contrasts. Drizzle with olive oil, lime juice and fresh mint.
Sauteed Green Beans
For quicker cooking, saute green beans with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and lemon. The bright, crispy beans pair nicely with tender grilled chicken and sweet barbecue sauce without weighing down the meal.
Roasted Cauliflower
For an easy oven-roasted side, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and roast at 400°F until lightly browned and tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Sauteed Kale
Sauteed kale adds nutrition without the work of grilling. Quickly cook curly kale with olive oil and garlic, then finish with a squirt of lemon juice and pinch of red pepper flakes.
Best Starchy Sides for Barbecuing
If you want more indulgent, filling sides to serve a crowd or soak up barbecue sauce, go for hearty roasted vegetables or classic potato and pasta salads.
Oven-Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are easy to throw together with just olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast halved fingerlings or cubed russets along with sliced bell peppers, onion and garlic.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
For a barbecue-ready spin, loaded baked potato salad combines chopped baked potatoes with smoky bacon, Cheddar cheese, scallions and creamy dressing. The rich flavors complement bbq chicken breast.
Grilled Potato Kebabs
Assemble colorful potato kebabs using cubed potatoes, onion, bell pepper and zucchini. Brush with olive oil and grill until tender. The charred veggies pair perfectly with chicken off the barbecue.
Pasta Salad
Chill bowtie or rotini pasta salad with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. The Mediterranean flavors liven up any barbecue spread.
Cornbread
Buttery cornbread studded with corn kernels and baked in a cast iron skillet has a wonderfully crispy edge. Balance the richness with a pinch of chili powder or dash of hot sauce.
Macaroni and Cheese
For ultimate creaminess and comfort, bake macaroni and cheese with a combination of cheddar, Monterey jack, Gruyere and Parmesan. Top with crispy fried onions or breadcrumbs.
Potato Chips
Crunchy, salty potato chips are the ideal vessel for scooping up leftover barbecue sauce. Offer classic and flavored kettle chips alongside chicken and dipping sauces.
Best Breads for Serving with BBQ Chicken
- Cornbread – Moist, savory cornbread is ideal for soaking up extra sauce. Add creamed corn and jalapenos for extra flavor.
- Rolls – Soft dinner rolls are perfect for chicken sandwich building. Try savory cheddar chive biscuits or sweet Hawaiian rolls.
- Garlic bread – Crispy garlic bread is a satisfying accompaniment for saucy barbecue chicken. Use a baguette sliced lengthwise and topped with garlic butter.
- Flatbread – Grilled flatbread, naan or pita bread gives a base for chicken and sauce to build mini sandwiches.
- Biscuits – Buttermilk or cheddar chive drop biscuits pair nicely with classic barbecue sides like beans and coleslaw.
- Corn tortillas – Warmed corn tortillas make excellent taco shells for filling with grilled chicken, salsa and toppings.
- Potato buns – Spread barbecue sauce on potato rolls packed with chicken breast, pickles and melted cheese for delicious barbecue sandwiches.
- Pretzel buns – Pretzel hamburger buns add a savory, chewy base for your saucy barbecue chicken sandwich.
Sauces and Condiments for Serving
Barbecue sauce is just the beginning when it comes to flavorful sauces for serving with chicken. Rely on these condiments to take your meal over the top.
Extra Barbecue Sauce
Let guests sauce to their heart’s content by offering additional barbecue sauce for dipping, drizzling and dunking. Provide a mix of sauces: traditional, spicy, tangy, Alabama white sauce, etc.
Ranch Dressing
Cool, creamy ranch dressing complements the smoky chicken and balances spicy barbecue sauce. Use it as a dip for veggies or potato chips.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Pair rich blue cheese dressing with crunchy coleslaw or use as a wing sauce for boneless chicken bites. The tangy flavor stands up to sweet barbecue sauce.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard has a pleasing sweet and savory flavor that pairs perfectly with bbq chicken. Use as a sandwich spread or dipping sauce. Add a kick with stone ground or Dijon mustard.
Guacamole
Fresh guacamole adds cool creaminess and plays well with Southwestern style sides like corn, beans and grilled veggies. Offer guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips together.
Tzatziki Sauce
Cucumber yogurt tzatziki sauce cools down spicy food. Use as a sandwich topping or dip for vegetables. Tzatziki is especially refreshing with Mediterranean sides like flatbread and Greek salad.
Buffalo Sauce
For bonus flavor, mix crumbled blue cheese into barbecue sauce or offer Buffalo and barbecue sauce together for dipping chicken strips or fingers.
Aioli
Whip up a chipotle, roasted garlic or lemon aioli to spread on sandwiches instead of traditional mayo. The flavorful aioli also makes a nice dipping sauce.
Chimichurri
Herb-packed chimichurri sauce adds vibrant flavor as a marinade, sandwich sauce or dipping sauce for grilled chicken and veggies. The parsley, cilantro and spice cuts through rich food.
Creative Desserts to End Your Meal
After a filling barbecue dinner, desserts should be simple, refreshing and shareable. Fresh summer fruit, no-bake treats and handheld goodies pair perfectly with the casual vibe of a backyard barbecue.
Strawberry Shortcake Bar
Let guests assemble their own shortcake desserts with biscuits, macerated strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. The fresh berries balance the heavy chicken dinner.
Grilled Peach Sundaes
Simple yet satisfying, place grilled peach halves over vanilla ice cream and drizzle with honey, toasted almonds and mint. Scoop into bowls for individual sundaes.
S’mores Bar
Nothing says summer like gooey chocolate s’mores toasted over the grill once the chicken comes off. Supply graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars and sticks for DIY campfire dessert.
Banana Pudding
Old-fashioned banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers and whipped cream makes a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert. Crush extra wafers on top for added crunch.
Blueberry Cobbler
Bake a fresh blueberry cobbler and top with vanilla ice cream while piping hot out of the oven. The classic fruit dessert feels special but requires minimal effort.
Handheld Almond Cookies
Slice-and-bake almond cookies require no baking once assembled. Sandwich sliced almonds and jam between oatmeal cookie dough then chill, slice and enjoy.
No Bake Cheesecake Bites
Mini cheesecakes are simple to make with graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese, whipped cream and berries. Chill in muffin tins for quick single-serve desserts.
Frozen Yogurt Popsicles
Blend vanilla yogurt with fresh mango, strawberry or peach puree. Add a popsicle stick to the molds, then freeze for a just-sweet-enough chilled treat.
Sample BBQ Chicken Breast Menu Ideas
With so many fantastic sides and desserts to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down options into a cohesive menu. These complete barbecue meal suggestions serve as helpful starting points.
Classic Cookout Menu
- BBQ Chicken Breast
- Baked Beans
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the Cob
- Iced Tea or Lemonade
- Sliced Watermelon
Tex-Mex Fiesta
- BBQ Chicken Breast
- Spicy Baked Beans
- Grilled Corn with Cotija
- Avocado-Tomato Salad
- Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
Mediterranean Feast
- BBQ Chicken Breast
- Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant
- Greek Salad
- Hummus and Flatbread
- Baklava
Southern Spread
- BBQ Chicken Breast
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Collard Greens
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Peach Cobbler
Backyard Luau
- BBQ Chicken Breast
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Grilled Pineapple Salsa
- Coconut Rice
- Sliced Mango with Lime and Chili Salt
Key Takeaways for Serving BBQ Chicken Breast
Barbecue chicken breast accepts a wide range of flavorful sides. When menu planning, keep these tips in mind:
- Balance rich and tangy flavors like baked beans, coleslaw or potato salad
- Add colors and textures with fresh vegetables and fruits like corn, peppers and watermelon
- Mix temperatures by enjoying hot chicken with chilled salads
- Indulge comfort cravings with cheesy, filling sides like mac and cheese or loaded potatoes
- Incorporate ethnic inspiration from Mexican, Mediterranean and Hawaiian cuisine
- Satisfy sweet cravings without heavy desserts by grilling fruit or making no-bake treats
- Offer dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue sauce and guacamole for adding flavor
- Include bread like rolls, biscuits and cornbread to round out the meal
With an array of complementary flavors and textures, you can create an unforgettable barbecue feast featuring juicy grilled bbq chicken breast. The possibilities are endless, so get creative with your sides and sauces! From backyard cookouts to holiday dinners, these full menu ideas will provide barbecue inspiration all summer long.