11 Sides for BBQ Chicken: Foods to Serve With BBQ Chicken

Barbecue chicken (or BBQ chicken) refers to grilled or cooked chicken covered in barbecue sauce. In most cooking situations, the word “barbecue” refers to cooking an ingredient (usually meat) over a barbeque grill. However, the sweet and tangy flavors of barbeque sauce have become nearly synonymous with barbecue-style cooking.

The sweet, spicy, and savory flavors of BBQ chicken pair well with an array of side dishes and appetizers. Serve any of the following BBQ side dish recipes alongside barbecue chicken at your next potluck, cookout, or weeknight meal:

1. 1. Baked beans: This sweet and savory side dish is a staple of BBQ joints, picnic potlucks, and summer gatherings. Baked beans is a side dish that involves cooking beans low and slow in a sweet and savory sauce. Depending on the region and personal preference, the sauce is often built from animal fat—usually bacon or salt pork—and a sweetener like maple syrup, brown sugar, or molasses. Modern recipes may incorporate BBQ sauce, ketchup, green bell pepper, dry mustard powder, tangy yellow mustard, funky, umami-packed Worcestershire sauce, or liquid smoke.
2. 2. Baked potatoes: Baked potatoes are the perfect base to sop up all the extra sauce from your BBQ chicken. To make a baked potato, first, pierce the potato with a fork and place it in an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, right on the rack, then bake for almost an hour, or until fork-tender. Cut the potato in half, sprinkle it with salt, and melt a dab of butter on each side. Top the buttery potato with your favorite accompaniments, like sour cream, chives, and bacon bits.
3. 3. Coleslaw: This classic dish of shredded cabbage in mayonnaise-based dressing adds crunch and creaminess to a barbecue chicken plate. Common coleslaw ingredients include shredded carrots, onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. However, you can take liberties with this simple dish by swapping out the vinaigrette or other ingredients. Try an Asian slaw with a sweet, spicy, and even tangy dressing with a rice vinegar base. An apple cider vinegar–based slaw can give your barbeque plate ample tartness.
4. 4. Cornbread: This quick bread contains cornmeal, popular in Southern cooking and enjoyed by many people for its tender, crumbly texture and sweet aroma. Southern cornbread traditionally incorporates little to no sugar and has a high cornmeal-to-flour ratio, while Northern-style cornbread is sweeter and more cake-like. Either version can make a great, toothsome accompaniment to barbecue chicken.
5. 5. Grilled vegetables: If you’re preparing your barbecue chicken on the grill, throw in some vegetables alongside to infuse them with a smoky flavor. Grilled or roasted brussels sprouts, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and red peppers are great options.
6. 6. Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are a classic BBQ side that’s easy to make for a group. Simply boil your choice of potatoes and mash them, adding milk, butter, and salt to make them creamy and savory. Elevate your basic mashed potatoes by making pomme purée, an ultra-creamy French variation on the traditional side dish.
7. 7. Pesto pasta salad: Instead of the typical creamy macaroni salad, try serving an Italian pesto pasta with barbecue chicken. Pesto pasta salad consists of a short-noodle pasta dressed in basil pesto sauce and served cold.
8. 8. Pickled vegetables: Pickled veggies are a great side to serve alongside barbecue chicken: The vinegary notes in the pickle brine balance the sauce’s sweetness perfectly. Try pickled jalapeños for some heat. Sprinkle pickled sweet corn on top of your chicken for some sweet brininess. Pickled green beans are also a hearty and fresh-tasting addition to any barbecue plate.
9. 9. Potato salad: A creamy potato salad recipe makes the perfect side dish for BBQ chicken. To make potato salad, combine cooked potatoes with mayonnaise, mustard, fresh herbs, and crunchy elements like pickles or crisp radishes. There are a few foundational ingredients in a classic recipe, which has its roots in traditional German potato salad: Mayonnaise, mustard, diced red onions, and green onions like scallions or chives. Tangy, dairy-free potato salads come together with a basic vinaigrette, made with dill pickle juice or white vinegar, which chefs typically serve warm.
10. 10. Smacked cucumber salad: Chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s easy cucumber salad recipe involves dressing knife-smacked cucumbers in a mixture of sesame seeds, parsley leaves, garlic, and olive oil. His smacked cucumber salad provides balance to starchier or meat-based dishes like cucumber salad.
11. 11. Watermelon-feta salad: Watermelon feta salad is a twist on fruit salad consisting of fresh watermelon, fresh mint, and savory feta cheese. Refreshing watermelon feta salad is a refreshing addition to any summertime cookout and an ideal side for BBQ chicken.

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