23 Side Dishes For Grilled Chicken (in < 20 Min)

What to expect

Below you will see a variety of well-tested easy side dishes made with fresh produce that pair well with your grilled chicken dinner.

• All can be made in 20 minutes or less except for a few classics which take about 30 minutes.
• All recipes have make-ahead instructions for easier meal prep.

Since grilled chicken comes in infinite forms – saucy, spicy, marinated, smokey, sweet, and tangy – pairing the right sides with the chicken recipes you are making is a good idea. We included suggestions at the end of this article about what to consider when choosing your favorite sides.

And check out our presentation tips to add visual appeal and a bit of flare to your side dish recipes.

Finally, keep in mind that these side dishes are also great with fish, pork, and beef. So feel free to use this guide whenever you are wondering ‘What should I make with__?’.

Grilled Sides

If you have room on your grill for chicken and veggies, grilled sides can be a great option. My favorite grilling tool, used in two of the recipes below, is the grill basket. It makes grilling veggies a breeze without worrying about the vegetables slipping through the grates or flipping the veggies every few minutes. You just need to stir them once or twice. So easy.

Grilled Carrots With Balsamic Glaze

These vibrant, sweet, tender, caramelized grilled carrots with balsamic vinegar glaze add a little drama to the table. A great side dish for BBQs and potlucks.

Time: 20 minutes

Great side dish for: cedar plank chicken

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Fresh Salad and Fruit Sides

These are lighter sides, perfect for spring and summer cookouts. I love fresh fruit with chicken and meat, particularly peaches, mango, pineapple and oranges. If you want more choices, check out our full list of salad recipes (some may take more than 20 minutes).

Best Citrus Salad With Greens

Sweet oranges and tangy grapefruit tossed in vinaigrette over salad greens make this delicious citrus salad a lovely all-season salad. Refreshing and pretty! We use a simple citrus vinaigrette for zip, nuts for crunch and creamy avocado for a contrasting texture. Quick, easy and beautiful. 

Time: 15 minutes

Great with: everything! and definitely crispy hot honey wings

5-Ingredient Sides

Who doesn’t love recipes with just a few ingredients? All of these go great with barbecue chicken. If you’re interested, check out our other 5-ingredient recipes.

Easy Fried Potatoes and Onions (20 Minutes)

Fried potatoes and onions – also known as home fried potatoes – is a quick and easy recipe with a couple of tricks. Crispy golden outsides, creamy insides and a mild onion flavor. Fuss-free and delicious comfort food. 

Time: 20 minutes

Great option for: lemon herb chicken (with an easy cool technique)

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Sauces

I am a huge sauce fan. I like sauce on everything! Here are a few that pair beautifully with certain grilled chicken dishes, particularly plainer recipes that need a flavor boost.

Herb Sauce in 5 Minutes

This 5-minute fresh herb sauce is my go-to super versatile condiment. Herb-y, spicy as you like, zesty and garlic-y. Use it for anything that pairs with fresh herbs.

 

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Classic Sides (With a Twist)

Potato salad, coleslaw and corn are classic sides for grilled chicken which is why I had to add them to complete our best sides list. They do, however, take a tiny bit longer than 20 minutes (but not much). The recipes for these classics are a bit off the beaten path. If you dare to be different, they are delicious!

Herbed Potato Salad (no eggs, no mayo)

Herbed potato salad is a delicious classic side dish that's quick and easy to make and bursting with lemon, garlic and fresh herb flavors.

Time: 30 minutes

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How to choose the right side dishes

Ultimately, choosing the best side dishes for your grilled chicken comes down to personal taste – yours and your guests. There are a few things, however, that are worth considering:

Balance the Flavors: If your chicken is heavily spiced or marinated, choose a lighter side like a fresh salad, fresh fruit or steamed vegetables. Chicken with a tangy BBQ sauce would be great with a creamy coleslaw. If the chicken is fairly plain like a seasoned grilled chicken breast, go for a bold sauce, glaze or spicier side dish. In other words, complement the flavors of the chicken.

Pair a starch and vegetable side: My mother always taught me never to serve two starchy sides at the same time (potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, corn). That lesson stuck and, unbeknownst to me at the time, was good nutritional advice!). I like to serve one starch and 1-2 veggies with grilled chicken or any protein. Choose your starch wisely. For example, a Mediterranean marinated chicken might pair well with couscous, while a BBQ chicken would be better with corn or garlic bread.

Think seasonal: Take advantage of the fresh veggies and fruits that are in season. These will be less expensive, fresh, and in the case of certain produce like tomatoes and peaches, juicier and more flavorful.

Keep it simple: You want your grilled chicken to shine, so keep side dishes in a supporting role and let the main dish take center stage.

Know your guests: Always consider the taste and dietary needs of your guests. If you have vegan or vegetarian guests, ensure that at least one or two side dishes are suitable for them. Likewise, if you have guests who avoid certain allergy-inducing foods like gluten, nuts, dairy, etc., be sure to offer alternatives.

Presentation Tips to Up Your Game

I am a huge believer in ‘we eat with our eyes’ so I always try to present a beautiful plate with visual appeal and flare. I tend to use 3 simple strategies:

1. Color: I LOVE a bold-colored plate with contrasting colors. I choose sides that pop with each other or with the main dish. For example, I might serve a bright yellow corn dish with vibrant green snap peas and deep orange-sauced BBQ chicken.
2. Garnish: My go-to is chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or chives which add a great splash of color with little effort. But don’t stop there. Experiment with other colorful and textured accents like pomegranate arils, citrus zest, diced bell peppers, microgreens, cherry tomatoes, sliced radishes, toasted nuts, and sesame seeds.
3. Drizzles: Of course, the drizzle has to match the sides and main course you are serving – and you have lots of options. One of my favorites (so dramatic!) is a zig-zag drizzle of balsamic reduction/glaze (there are some good ones you can buy). Other good options are a hot honey sauce drizzle, a pesto drizzle, a sriracha-aioli drizzle or a tahini drizzle.