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Side Dishes For Grilled Chicken (Easy Ideas)

ByCheryl AvrichUpdated on May 5, 2026

Looking for side dishes for grilled chicken? This curated list includes easy, well-tested recipes – fresh, flavorful, and mostly ready in 20 minutes, with simple tips for choosing and presentation.

To keep things simple, the sides are grouped into 5 categories so you can mix and match based on your main dish. I typically choose two sides (or 3 if you include a sauce).

grilled side dishes
salad and fruit sides
5-ingredient sides
sauces
classic sides (with a twist)

collage of side dish recipes for grilled chicken

What to expect

This is a collection of easy side dishes built around fresh ingredients that pair well with grilled chicken. Most come together in 10-20 minutes, with a few classics closer to 30 minutes, and many include make-ahead tips to simplify prep.

You’ll find:

Quick descriptions and timing for each recipe
Suggested pairings that match a side to a grilled chicken dish
Simple presentation ideas to elevate your plate

Keep in mind that these sides also work with fish, pork, and beef.

Grilled Sides

If you’ve got space on the grill for chicken and veggies, grilled sides are a perfect match for chicken. Two of the recipes below use my favorite tool – the grill basket – which makes cooking veggies easy and mess-free.

Balsamic Carrots (Grilled & Glazed)

grilled balsamic glazed carrots on plate

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

Easy Sliced Zucchini on the Grill (3 ingredients)

grilled seasoned zucchini slices heaped on white plate.

Fire up the grill for this effortless sliced zucchini made with just three simple ingredients – garden-fresh zucchini, a dry rub, and olive oil.

Time: 15 minutes

Perfect side dish for: grilled or baked sweet Thai chili wings

Grilled Potatoes and Veggies

grilled veggies and potatoes in grill basket

Next time you're grilling chicken or steak, try these super easy grilled potatoes and veggies – a two-in-one side dish. Dinner in a flash with whatever veggies you have lying around.

Time: 15 minutes

Great option for: homemade peri peri chicken (grilled or baked)

Grilled Peaches Recipe

grilled peach halves on plate

This grilled peaches recipe will transform summer peaches into a bit of magic. The true taste of summer! One of my faves that I think goes with every main dish!

Time: 9 minutes

Crowd favorite with: marinated chili lime chicken wings

Grilled Cauliflower: Easy Florets

grilled cauliflower garnished with green onions on plate with lemon wedges.

Transform your cauliflower into something special with a wonderful blend of spices and a bit of char. Grilled cauliflower is an easy healthy side dish for chicken or any meal. The trick to this recipe is using a grill basket.

Time: 15 minutes

Great side dish for: BBQ boneless chicken thighs

Grilled Eggplant (Sweet & Tangy)

grilled sliced eggplant on cutting board.

Eggplant lovers will rave about this grilled sliced eggplant recipe with a sweet and tangy glaze. The beautiful bold colors make this an impressive side dish at any BBQ or picnic.

Time: 18 minutes

Perfect match for: grilled Mediterranean chicken

Easy Hasselback Sweet Potatoes (15 min)

Showcase these unique hasselback sweet potatoes in the star supporting role at your next BBQ or gathering. Choose one of four delicious seasoning combinations to take them to the next level.

Time: 15 minutes

Great side for: smoked chicken thighs (without a smoker)

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.

Simple Thai Mango Salad (10 Min)

Thai mango salad on black plate

Prepare for an explosion of fresh flavors and textures with this simple Thai mango salad. Silky ripe mango, crisp bean sprouts, green onions and peppers in a sweet, spicy, tangy, umami dressing.

Time: 10 minutes

Perfect side dish for: Vietnamese grilled chicken

Arugula Salad With Peaches and Walnut Dressing

arugula peach salad with walnut dressing in bowl.

This beautiful arugula peach salad puts those juicy ripe peaches of summer in the spotlight and is easy to prep ahead. Just add the deliciously rich, nutty walnut dressing before serving.

Time: 20 minutes

Great option for: juicy whole grilled chicken (cedar planked)

Pesto Orzo With Vegetables (20 Minutes)

pesto pasta with veggies in bowl with tomatoes beside it

Pesto orzo with vegetables is a simple pasta salad that can be served as a side or main dish. It's packed with flavor and made with orzo, basil pesto, spinach, green beans and tomatoes.

Time: 20 minutes

Serve with: ground chicken burgers with mango salsa

KFC Coleslaw (No Buttermilk)

KFC cabbage in white bowl.

This KFC coleslaw is an easy copycat version that delivers that classic creamy, slightly sweet-tangy, finely chopped slaw – using simpler ingredients and an easier method.

Time: 10 minutes (+2 hrs chill time)

Great with: sous vide chicken wings (Korean-style)

Peach Compote Recipe (No-Cook, 5 Minute Prep)

peach compote in white bowl.

It's like eating a bit of sunshine. Super easy, no-cook peach compote is a simple and delicious combo of juicy fresh peaches, a touch of brown sugar, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of cinnamon.

Time: 5 minute prep

Perfect with: spicy honey lime chicken

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 in white bowl.

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)

Microwave Green Beans

top view of green beans on white plate with chopped almonds on top

Microwave green beans have to be one of the easiest ways to make green beans. Dress them up the way you like – or don't. They're a popular and simple side that adds adds something healthy and green to the plate.

Time: 8 minutes

Great with: marinated chicken wings with chili-lime-honey glaze.

How To Roast Zucchini

roasted zucchini spears on plate with microgreens

This recipe is my go-to for how to roast zucchini. It's simple. It's light. And it honors this lovely summer squash by transforming it from tasteless to delicious in short order. A great way to use up those summer garden zucchini.

Time: 20 minutes

Great side dish for: chicken bulgogi

Fire Roasted Tomatoes (Grilled or Roasted)

fire roasted tomatoes sitting on wire rack over baking sheet.

With minimal effort, fire-roasted tomatoes on the grill or in the oven will add a rich, smoky flavor with charred bits to recipes you already make or in a simple side dish.

Time: 25 minutes (oops, sorry, this one is more than 20 minutes!)

Great topping for: grilled chicken burgers

Cheesy Garlic Bread on Croissants

Stack of baked garlic bread croissants halves on a plate.

Buttery, crispy, cheesy garlic bread – ready in a snap. Simply smear Parmesan garlic-herb butter on split croissants and bake until golden. Just 5 ingredients.

Time: 12 minutes

Great with: any grilled or BBQ chicken!

Sauces

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

small white dish of herb sauce with spoon

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.

Savory Peach Sauce Recipe

peach sauce on spoon over jar of serving jar of peach sauce

Dijon, lemon, thyme, garlic and chili flakes give this savory peach sauce recipe a great depth of flavor. Delicious paired with chicken, turkey, salmon, and pork.

Honey Hot Sauce Recipe

hot honey sauce being drizzled over grilled chicken.

This easy honey hot sauce is sweet, spicy, and crunchy, made with just honey and chili crisp. Warm it briefly to loosen, then use it as a drizzle, glaze, or dipping sauce.

Cherry Tomato Sauce (spicy Moroccan-style)

cherry tomato sauce in skillet

Sweet cherry tomatoes and Moroccan spices come together in 20 minutes to make a rich, rustic, spicy cherry tomato sauce that you just want to put on everything! No peeling or chopping tomatoes needed.

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. These classics take a little longer than 20 minutes and are a bit off the beaten path – and delicious!

Herbed Potato Salad (no eggs, no mayo)

bowl of herbed potato salad in garden

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

Grilled Purple Cabbage Slaw (Bold & Beautiful)

grilled purple cabbage slaw on white plate.

Purple cabbage slaw is transformed on the grill into our version of a super flavorful, no mayo coleslaw. The vibrant colors of the red cabbage, julienne carrots, green onion and sesame seeds make a stunning vegetarian side dish.

Time: 22 minutes

Charred Corn Salad With Lime and Cilantro

charred corn salad in a white bowl garnished with cilantro.

Grilled fresh corn on the cob – tossed with bell peppers, avocado, lime zest, fresh cilantro, sriracha and green onions – make this bold-flavored charred corn salad a perfect summer side.

Time: 20 minutes (plus a bit of rest time to meld the flavors)

Asian Coleslaw Recipe (5-Min, Spicy & Crunchy)

Asian style coleslaw on a plate with crunchy garnish.

Our simple coleslaw recipe with an Asian twist begins with a packaged coleslaw mix tossed in a spicy Asian-style dressing and finished with plenty of extra crunch from your favorite garnishes.

Time: 5 minutes

How to choose side dishes for grilled chicken

Ultimately, choosing the best side dishes for grilled chicken comes down to to balance, simplicity, and what your guests enjoy. There are a few things worth considering:

Balance the flavors: If your chicken is bold or saucy, go with a lighter side like salad, fruit, or steamed veggies. For plain grilled chicken, add a more flavorful side like slaw, a grain salad, or a herby sauce.
Pair a starch with veggies: Aim for one starch (like couscous, potatoes, or garlic bread) and 1-2 vegetable sides for balance.
Think seasonal: In-season fruits and veggies are fresher, more flavorful, and often more affordable. Think juicy tomatoes, peaches, or sweet corn in summer.
Keep it simple: Let your grilled chicken shine. Sides should complement, not compete.
Know your guests: Offer options for vegan, vegetarian, or allergy-sensitive eaters when needed.

Simple ways to make your plate look great

I’m a big believer in ‘we eat with our eyes first’ – small touches can make a big difference. I use three simple strategies:

Color: Choose sides with contrasting colors that pop with each other or with the main dish. For example, serve a bright yellow corn dish with vibrant green snap peas and deep orange-sauced BBQ chicken.
Garnish: My go-to is chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or chives, which add a great splash of color with little effort. 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.
Drizzles: A simple drizzle adds flavor and visual appeal. One of my favorites (dramatic!) is a zig-zag drizzle of balsamic reduction/glaze. Other good options are a drizzle of hot honey sauce, pesto, sriracha-aioli or a tahini.

Need more ideas? Browse our full collection of side dishes to suit all tastes. Enjoy your feast!

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