Sides for Grilled Chicken – 15 Best Recipes

Wondering what to serve with grilled chicken? When it comes to a backyard barbecue or a weeknight dinner, there’s nothing quite like the smoky flavor of grilled chicken.

If you’re looking for the perfect sides for grilled chicken, I have a list of sides for you with simple ingredients and bold flavor! Whether you’re cooking up BBQ chicken, classic chicken breasts with our favorite chicken marinade, or a flavorful foil pack, the right sides can take your meal to the next level.

With these 15 amazing side options, you’re sure to find the perfect accompaniment for your grilled chicken. From sweet potato fries to tangy coleslaw, these delicious options will elevate your meal and make everyone at your cookout or dinner table happy. 

Have leftovers? Check out our favorite uses for leftover chicken breasts too!

1. Sweet Potato Fries

Swap out regular fries for sweet potato fries for a healthier twist. Tossed in olive oil, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked to golden brown perfection, these sweet potato fries are a sweet and savory delight. Serve with our favorite sweet potato fries dipping sauce or copycat Zax sauce.

2. Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Take green beans to the next level by roasting them with olive oil, garlic powder, and a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese. The result? A crispy, cheesy side that adds a savory kick to your chicken meal.

3. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Cook up a refreshing pasta salad with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and tons of ranch flavor. This zesty dish is a perfect match for grilled chicken and provides a burst of flavor that will leave your taste buds dancing.

4. Crispy Potato Skins

Upgrade classic potato skins by adding cheddar cheese and red onions. While you’re out grilling the chicken these can be oven-baked until crispy and golden, these potato skins are a crowd favorite and a perfect side for any grilled chicken dinner.

5. Cucumber Corn Salad

Cool things down with a corn and cucumber salad featuring a tangy dressing made and sliced red onions. It’s a refreshing and crunchy side that complements the smokiness of the chicken. Best of all you can make it ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge while you are out grilling.

6. Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Take your standard potato salad to the next level by incorporating a touch of deviled eggs and a dash of Old Bay! For a lighter version try our pesto potato salad with green beans.

7. Cucumber, Avocado, and Tomato Salad

Another light and refreshing side is this amazing salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado. The tangy dressing is the perfect complement to the veggies and like the cucumber corn salad above, it is perfect for making ahead of time and storing in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it with your grilled chicken.

8. Creamy Coleslaw

Upgrade classic coleslaw by adding a creamy dressing. This zesty twist brings a burst of freshness to your plate, balancing the smokiness of the chicken.

9. Mexican Street Corn

Capture the flavors of the street with a Mexican street corn featuring lime, cilantro, and crumbled cojita or feta cheese. It’s a delightful side that adds a touch of spice to your grilled chicken meal.

10. Southern-Style Cornbread

Serve up a slice of homemade cornbread for a classic and comforting side. The golden brown crust and moist interior make it a perfect accompaniment to any grilled chicken recipe.

11. Apple Bacon Salad

This stunning salad features chopped apples, crispy bacon, and pecans all tossed with an amazing homemade bacon vinaigrette. This is the perfect side to serve when entertaining as it’s every bit as beautiful to look at as it is tasty to eat!

12. Broccoli Salad

Combine crisp broccoli florets with sunflower seeds and cranberries for a tangy and nutritious side. Drizzle with a creamy mayo-based dressing for an extra layer of flavor that enhances your grilled chicken dinner.

13. Pea Salad

I’m a big fan of chilled, make-ahead sides with grilled chicken so this creamy pea salad fits the bill perfectly. Sweet peas, crunchy diced red onions and bell peppers, and the creamy dill dressing are the perfect balance to grilled chicken.

14. Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic side, but give them a twist by adding barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and our custom spice blend. This sweet and savory combination is the perfect match for BBQ chicken.

15. Grilled Peppers

Enhance the flavor of bell peppers by grilling them and, if you want to take it up a notch, topping them with crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs. The result is a colorful and flavorful side that adds a Mediterranean touch to your grilled chicken dinner.