Choose delicious side dishes for grilled chicken that will take your BBQ chicken dinner from ordinary to great. All the recipes are simple, unique, vegetarian, colorful, customizable, and made in 20 minutes or less.
We organized the side dishes into 5 categories. I typically choose at least 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)
What to expect
This is a collection of well-tested, easy side dishes that are packed with fresh produce and pair perfectly with grilled chicken. Most recipes take 20 minutes or less, with a few classics around the 30-minute mark, and all include make-ahead tips to simplify prep.
Since grilled chicken can be saucy, spicy, smoky, or sweet, we’ve added pairing suggestions to help you match the right sides to your dish. You’ll also find presentation tips to bring a little extra flare to your table.
Bonus: These sides work just as well with fish, pork, or beef – so bookmark this list for anytime you’re wondering, “What should I serve with ____?”
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. No slipping through the grates, no constant flipping—just stir once or twice and you’re done.
Balsamic Carrots (Grilled & Glazed)
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 minutesGreat side dish for:cedar plank chicken
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 minutesPerfect side dish for: grilled or baked sweet Thai chili wings
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 minutesGreat option for:homemade peri peri chicken (grilled or baked)
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 minutesCrowd favorite with: marinated chili lime chicken wings
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 minutesGreat side dish for: BBQ boneless chicken thighs
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 minutesPerfect match for: grilled Mediterranean chicken
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 minutesGreat side for: smoked chicken thighs (without a smoker)
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).
Simple Thai Mango Salad (10 Min)
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 minutesPerfect side dish for: Vietnamese grilled chicken
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 minutesGreat option for: juicy whole grilled chicken (cedar planked)
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 minutesServe with: ground chicken burgers with mango salsa
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 prepPerfect with:spicy honey lime chicken
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 minutesGreat option for:lemon herb chicken (with an easy cool technique)
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 minutesGreat with:peanut butter chicken I prefer thighs for this recipe, but chicken breasts are fine too.
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 minutesGreat side dish for: chicken bulgogi
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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)
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
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 bold or saucy, go with a lighter side like salad, fruit, or steamed veggies. Plain grilled chicken? Add a punchy side like slaw, a spicy glaze, or herby sauce.
Pair a starch with veggies: My mother always said never serve two starchy sides at the same time. That lesson stuck and, unbeknownst to me at the time, was good nutritional advice!) Aim for one starch (like couscous, potatoes, or garlic bread) and 1–2 veggie sides.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
