What side dishes are best for grilled chicken? From potatoes to veggies, there are so many choices! Here are 20 recipes you can mix and match for the ultimate dinner.
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What to Serve With Grilled Chicken
From spring to fall, as long as the weather is nice, my grill is a workhorse. One dish that I enjoy all year long is grilled chicken, and all of the delicious sides to pair with it!
One easy way to decide on what sides to make is by cuisine. For example, if you are serving a Mexican chicken dish such as fajitas or cilantro lime chicken, you might want to serve Mexican sides like refried black beans or cilantro lime rice.
The same goes for flavor - if your chicken has been rubbed with lemon pepper seasoning, pick sides that will complement it.
To help you decide, I've broken the side dish recipes into four categories:
grains
vegetables
potatoes
breads
In addition to that, I like to make a sauce to serve, so you'll find a few sauce recipes as well.
Depending on how many people I'm having over, I usually pick one dish from two or three of these categories.
Scroll down for a full list of 20+ side dishes to enjoy with grilled chicken!
Grains
Chicken pairs well with lots of grains and starches. From buttery corn-on-the-cob or Mexican rice to a nice plate of homemade risotto, there are all kinds of grains you can enjoy.
Creamy Parmesan risotto is a fantastic side dish for grilled chicken.
Vegetables
No matter how you prepare them, veggies are great with chicken. I like to grill vegetables alongside the chicken. Other times I will make something in the oven, like roasted broccoli.
Grilled chicken is also a great protein on top of a green salad or you can serve the salad on the side.
Potatoes
Potatoes get a category of their own! Whether they're mashed, fried or roasted, potatoes are a crowd favorite. Potato salad is my favorite for summery get-togethers.
If you're serving a large group, it never hurts to have a basket of bread on the table. Whether it's biscuits, rolls, or focaccia, people will appreciate it.
Set the butter on the table an hour before dinner so it can soften.
Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken
Mix and match these recipes for your next BBQ or gathering! I carefully curated these sides from my own website and others. This way, you have a variety of cuisines and cooking methods to choose from.
1
Easy Pasta Salad without Mayo
Homemade pasta salad is always a hit at summer gatherings. The fresh flavors and Italian dressing is great with balsamic or lemon chicken.
Potato salad is a classic side for a cookout. This recipe uses baby potatoes which makes for a shorter cook time. The honey mustard dressing is delicious with chicken.
Garlic brown butter green beans go with so many entrees, especially chicken. They are easy to make with fresh or frozen green beans. Even your kids will love these flavorful vegetables.
This crispy roasted broccoli is seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder. It pairs great with any flavor of chicken and sauce for an easy to make and versatile side dish!
This simple fruit salad recipe is a classic. It's a vibrant accompaniment for summer parties. Feel free to customize with whatever fruit you have on hand.
Goat cheese and rosemary take your basic drop biscuit recipe to the next level. Serve these buttery, creamy biscuits with chicken and they are sure to be a hit!
Veggie skewers are the perfect addition to grilled chicken. Zucchini, red onion and bell peppers are grilled to perfection, drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce.
Cast iron skillet cornbread is crunchy and buttery on the outside, and perfectly moist on the inside. This quick bread is great with chicken for a comforting Southern inspired meal.
Crispy grilled potatoes with blue cheese grilled in a foil pack make for a handy side for chicken. These baby potatoes are so cheesy and so easy to make!
Fresh sweet summer corn slathered in a garlicky cilantro lime butter is the perfect grilled side dish. It's incredibly easy to make, well-seasoned and always a crowd pleaser!
Sauces are where you can have a lot of fun! Grilled chicken is sort of a blank canvas-it tastes good with a lot of different flavors. These would be perfect for salads, pasta or grain bowls, tacos and wraps.
Ranch dressing is a classic to make salads or for dipping.
Homemade garlic aioli is a great dipper for chicken, veggies and potatoes.
Mix grilled chicken breasts with pasta and homemade basil pesto (or kale pesto) for a tasty Italian dish.
This yum yum sauce is just like a restaurant's and ready in only 3 minutes! It is a perfect side accompaniment.
So, there you have it. With so many side dishes for grilled chicken, this years' grilling season is sure to be the most delicious one yet!
Hey friend, I'm Madison!
I'll teach you how to make simple from-scratch recipes, like seasonings, sauces, dinners and even desserts, that make cooking from home less overwhelming and more enjoyable. My recipes have been featured on publications like South Your Mouth, Fun.com, Her Campus, Mental Floss, and the TastingTable.
