With its smoky flavor and tangy sauce, BBQ chicken can easily command the spotlight at a summer cookout, but it's the side dishes that elevate any meal. Here are my favorite BBQ chicken sides that will elevate your next cookout from good to unforgettable.
The information provided on this site is based on my personal experience living with alpha-gal syndrome. I consistently cite and link to expert sources, but nothing published on this site should be perceived as medical advice.
Alpha-gal sensitivities vary by person. You should understand your dietary restrictions, making any adjustments needed, and directing any questions to your physician.
While alpha gals can no longer enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, or steaks at backyard gatherings, barbeque chicken is still fair game. And if you’re like me, the sides are just as important as the main dish. In order to complement the smoky flavor and tangy sauce of the chicken, these delicious BBQ sides help create a well-rounded meal.
In This Article
What Sides Go with BBQ Chicken?
Sure, BBQ chicken might be the star of the show at your backyard gatherings. But every star needs a great supporting cast. Enter stage left a chorus of amazing BBQ chicken sides. These dishes not only accompany your barbequed bird but also enhance its smoky and tangy goodness. From classic side dishes to unique salad sensations, this list of BBQ chicken sides has an award-winning supporting actor for every palette.
NOTE: Because the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that most people with alpha-gal can tolerate “moderate, lean dairy,” some of the recipes below may include butter, cheese, or another dairy product. If you are an alpha gal who avoids dairy, please make a dairy-free substitution. From vegan butter to plant milk cheeses, Miyoko’s is one of my favorite brands. And, even if you can tolerate dairy, I recommend that alpha gals stick with vegetarian cheese.
Potato Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken (And Other Starchy Sides)
While baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato fries are classic BBQ chicken sides, here are my top picks for some alternate potato side dishes that pair well with barbeque chicken.
1. Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions
One pan, no fuss – that’s my kind of cooking! Prepare to fall head over heels for these crispy, pan-fried potatoes that star as the perfect side dish for BBQ chicken.
2. Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Turn two pounds of baby potatoes into these delicious garlicky smashed potatoes in a snap using an air fryer.
3. Oven-Baked Fries
Oven-baked fries that turn out crispy and delicious every time are the perfect side for sopping up extra BBQ sauce.
4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
For a lower carb, more nutritious starchy side for your BBQ chicken, try these roasted sweet potatoes.
5. Sweet Potato Cornbread
This delicious sweet potato cornbread is everything you love in a classic BBQ chicken side dish, but with a fun fall twist. Take it to the next level by pouring a little pure maple syrup on top.
6. Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
Not only can you make this excellent side dish in the Instant Pot in only 12 minutes, but it will delight even the pickiest eaters.
Other Vegetable Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken
While just about anyone can open a can of green beans to create a vegetable side, go one step further by adding a splash of color and fantastically fresh flavors to your BBQ chicken feast with these vegetable sides.
7. Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Casserole
Follow this simple recipe that uses frozen corn and a Crockpot to make Mexican street corn as a scrumptious casserole dish.
8. Corn Casserole with Green Chiles
For a creamy, Mexican-inspired corn casserole with a kick, try this flavorful side dish made with roasted Hatch green chiles.
9. Air Fryer Corn Ribs
It only takes six ingredients and a few minutes to make these air fryer corn “ribs” that you might have seen on TikTok.
10. Southern-Style Succotash
This simple Southern succotash recipe is a veggie-filled, mouthwatering side dish for barbeque chicken.
11. Carrot Fries
Crispy panko and parmesan-covered carrot fries are a perfect match for a delicious chicken dinner!
12. Lemon Herb Roasted Asparagus
Requiring only a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to add the fresh flavors of lemon, herbs, and garlic to your plate with this vegetable side dish.
Related Article: How to Cook Asparagus Like a Pro
13. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Sautee frozen corn with butter, honey, cream cheese, and seasonings to make this quick and easy vegetable side dish.
14. Vegan Baked Beans
With the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and salty flavors, these delicious beans are an ideal side dish for a BBQ chicken dinner.
15. Steamed Corn on the Cob
Fresh sweet corn is always a crowd pleaser! This corn on the cob recipe uses the microwave to steam it in the husk for an easy, flavorful BBQ side dish.
16. Pickled Carrots
For a unique cold side dish, try these quick pickled carrots that come together in about 15 minutes.
Related Article: How to Quick Pickle Fruit and Vegetables
17. Easy Oven-Roasted Vegetables
Roast a delicious combination of root vegetables in a maple-mustard sauce to create this tasty BBQ chicken side.
Salad Sides for BBQ Chicken
Go beyond a basic green salad by using these scrumptious cold salads that offer a crisp contrast to your BBQ chicken.
18. Caprese Pasta Salad
Made with juicy tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese and topped with a homemade balsamic vinegar dressing, this Italian-inspired pasta salad is a great salad side for BBQ chicken.
19. Easy Shirazi Salad
A fresh, crunchy, and refreshing salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a tangy dressing is the perfect side for BBQ chicken!
20. Orange and Fennel Salad
This refreshing salad pairs peppery arugula with segmented oranges, slivered almonds, and slices of fennel to create the perfect summer side dish.
21. Fresh Tomatoes with Mint
For a vegan, Whole 30, and paleo-friendly side salad, try this tomato salad with fresh mint.
22. Italian Butter Bean Salad
Whether you call them butter beans or lima beans, the savory flavors of this refreshing Italian-style salad are a delicious accompaniment to BBQ chicken.
Related Article: The Best Beans for Protein
23. Creamy Potato Salad
By making the classic recipe gluten free and dairy free, this fast and easy potato salad is an allergy-friendly BBQ chicken side dish – and it even has a vegan option.
24. Classic Coleslaw
Crisp and crunchy shredded cabbage topped with a creamy coleslaw dressing is a classic BBQ chicken side dish.
25. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Transform your backyard BBQ into a tropical paradise with this Hawaiian-style BBQ chicken side dish.
26. Apple Cucumber Salad
Made in less than five minutes using just a handful of ingredients, this crunchy salad is a delicious accompaniment to BBQ chicken.
27. Beet and Feta Salad
By adding crunchy walnuts and creamy feta cheese to roasted beets, you can create a BBQ chicken side dish that is the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors.
Looking for More Chicken Side Dishes?
Alpha gals tend to eat a lot of chicken. Fortunately, I’ve got you covered with even more delicious side dishes! Be sure to also check out these flavorful options:
Do You Have a Favorite BBQ Chicken Side?
Got a starchy side that gets your heart pounding? A veggie side you can’t resist? Or maybe a salad side dish that makes your BBQ chicken sing? If you have a favorite side dish for BBQ chicken that I’ve missed, I’d love to hear about it. Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
I’ve been thinking about what side dish I should make for our barbecue night, and this post was so helpful. I’m excited to try the creamy potato salad! It is my favorite!
Good choice!
This corn casserole is so creamy and flavorful! I love the addition of the roasted Hatch green chiles.
Hatch green chiles make EVERYTHING better!
As someone who loves going camping and BBQs, this article has helped me a lot specially with the chicken sides. Thank you for sharing!
Sounds like you’re a happy camper!
There are so many great looking sides in this list it’s hard to pick just a few for our Labor Day celebration this coming weekend but I must try those corn ribs!
They are pretty darn amazing!
We had a BBQ last weekend and I made three recipes from this list and all of them were delicious! I made slow cooker Mexican street corn, carrot fries, and pan fried potatoes and onions. Honestly, the other recipes look fantastic and I’m sure I’ll be coming back to try them all. Great list!
That sounds like a tasty BBQ!
I am going to fix the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad and bring the dish to my daughter bbq next week.
It’s sooooo good! Enjoy!