Ultimate Guide: What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Top 21 Recipes of 2023
Ever been to a BBQ where the chicken’s stealing the show and the sides are just… well, sad lima beans? Yeah, me neither. But let’s not find out what that feels like, shall we?
BBQ chicken is like that rockstar friend everyone wants at their party – bold, flavorful, and leaves a mark. But even rockstars need a solid band to back them up.
Picture this: tender, smoky BBQ chicken complemented by sides that aren’t just backup singers, but full-on duet partners. We’re talking plates where every item is belting out flavor notes that have your taste buds swaying in harmony. Yep, that’s the dream.
Stick with me, folks. In the next few paragraphs, you’ll discover What to Serve with BBQ Chicken and be the envy of every backyard chef this 2023. And hey, if you get a record deal out of this, remember who gave you the golden setlist. 😉
What Are the Best Sides Recipes to Serve with BBQ Chicken?
- Cool Summer Salad: This ain’t your grandma’s wilted iceberg lettuce, my friends. Fresh arugula, juicy cherry tomatoes, roasted corn, and a zingy lemon vinaigrette make this salad a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of BBQ chicken. Why’d we pick it? It’s like having a splash of cold water on a hot day, but, you know, in your mouth and without the wet shirt.
- Smoked Bourbon Baked Beans: Oh boy, when BBQ meets bourbon, you know you’re in for a treat. Slow-cooked beans with a hint of smoky bourbon, molasses, and a touch of brown sugar bring a hearty, flavor-packed side that’s downright comforting. Because if BBQ chicken is the main show, these beans are the encore everyone’s chanting for.
- Vegan Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: Big, beefy (well, not actual beef), and bursting with flavors, these grilled wonders are marinated with garlic, balsamic, and fresh herbs. They offer a meaty texture without the meat and go down a treat with our feathered friend on the grill. Why this vegan marvel? Because every BBQ needs a star that shines bright for all our plant-loving pals. And trust me, even non-vegans will be sneaking a shroom or two. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! 😉
1. Creamy Mac ‘n Cheese
- Ingredients:
- Macaroni pasta
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Steps:
- Cook macaroni as per package instructions.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth.
- Gradually add milk, whisking continuously. Cook until thickened.
- Stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine with drained macaroni and serve hot.
2. Hush Puppies
- Ingredients:
- Cornmeal
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Onion, finely chopped
- Oil, for frying
- Steps:
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, egg, buttermilk, and onion in a bowl.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts
- Ingredients:
- Brussels sprouts, halved
- Bourbon
- Brown sugar
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- Toss Brussels sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast at 400°F until slightly caramelized.
- In a pan, combine bourbon and brown sugar. Reduce to a glaze.
- Toss roasted Brussels sprouts in the bourbon glaze.
4. Fried Green Tomatoes
- Ingredients:
- Green tomatoes, sliced
- Cornmeal
- Egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper
- Oil, for frying
- Steps:
- Dip tomato slices in beaten egg, then coat with cornmeal.
- Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
5. Cool Summer Salad
- Ingredients:
- Fresh arugula
- Cherry tomatoes
- Roasted corn
- Lemon vinaigrette
- Steps:
- Toss arugula, cherry tomatoes, and roasted corn in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and toss again.
- Serve chilled.
6. Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Ingredients:
- Potatoes, peeled and diced
- Butter
- Garlic, minced
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- Boil potatoes until tender.
- Mash with butter, garlic, and milk until creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
7. Southern Collard Greens
- Ingredients:
- Collard greens, chopped
- Bacon, diced
- Onion, finely chopped
- Chicken stock
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Steps:
- In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the bacon grease, sauté onions until translucent.
- Add collard greens, chicken stock, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer until greens are tender. Top with crispy bacon before serving.
8. Creamy Grits
- Ingredients:
- Grits
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- Cook grits in chicken broth as per package instructions.
- Stir in heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Continue cooking until creamy.
9. Biscuits and Gravy
- Ingredients:
- Ready-made biscuits
- Sausage, crumbled
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- Prepare biscuits as per package instructions.
- In a skillet, brown sausage and sprinkle flour over it.
- Add milk gradually, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot gravy over split biscuits.
10. Red Beans and Rice
- Ingredients:
- Red beans, soaked and drained
- White rice
- Sausage, sliced
- Onion, diced
- Bell pepper, diced
- Chicken stock
- Cajun seasoning
- Steps:
- In a pot, sauté sausage, onion, and bell pepper.
- Add red beans, chicken stock, and Cajun seasoning.
- Simmer until beans are tender. Serve over cooked white rice.
11. Vegan Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
- Ingredients:
- Portobello mushrooms
- Garlic, minced
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme)
- Steps:
- Marinate mushrooms with garlic, balsamic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill each side for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
- Serve immediately.
12. Smoked Bourbon Baked Beans
- Ingredients:
- Cooked beans (kidney, navy, or pinto)
- Bourbon
- Molasses
- Brown sugar
- Steps:
- Mix beans with bourbon, molasses, and brown sugar in a pot.
- Cook on low heat, occasionally stirring, until flavors meld and sauce thickens.
- Serve hot.
13. Cornbread with Honey Butter
- Ingredients:
- Cornmeal
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Honey
- Butter
- Steps:
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk in a bowl.
- Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 375°F until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Mix honey with softened butter for a sweet spread.
14. Cheesy Bacon Jalapeño Poppers
- Ingredients:
- Jalapeños, halved and deseeded
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Cooked bacon, crumbled
- Steps:
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon together.
- Stuff jalapeños with the mixture.
- Bake at 400°F until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
15. Sweet Potato Fries with Cajun Aioli
- Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes, cut into fries
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Mayonnaise
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon juice
- Steps:
- Toss sweet potato fries in olive oil and salt. Bake at 425°F until crispy.
- Mix mayonnaise, Cajun seasoning, and lemon juice for the aioli dip.
16. Creamed Spinach
- Ingredients:
- Fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Garlic, minced
- Nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in heavy cream and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until creamy.
17. Bourbon Peach Cobbler
- Ingredients:
- Fresh peaches, sliced
- Bourbon
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Milk
- Steps:
- Mix peaches with bourbon and half the sugar, set aside.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, remaining sugar, and milk.
- Pour batter into a baking dish, then top with peach mixture.
- Bake at 375°F until golden brown.
18. Southern Style Green Beans with Bacon
- Ingredients:
- Fresh green beans, trimmed
- Bacon strips, chopped
- Onion, diced
- Chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- In a pot, cook bacon until slightly crispy.
- Add onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add green beans and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer until beans are tender.
19. Sweet Bourbon Plantains
- Ingredients:
- Ripe plantains, peeled and sliced
- Bourbon
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Steps:
- In a skillet, melt butter, then add the plantains.
- Once plantains start to caramelize, sprinkle them with brown sugar and a splash of bourbon.
- Sauté until they’re golden and coated with the syrupy sauce. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
- Serve warm.
20. Tangy Southern Beet Salad
- Ingredients:
- Fresh beets, boiled and sliced
- Fresh orange segments
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Pecans, toasted
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- Arrange beet slices and orange segments on a plate.
- Sprinkle with crumbled feta and toasted pecans.
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the beet salad before serving.
21. Skillet Corn with Cilantro & Lime
- Ingredients:
- Fresh corn kernels
- Butter
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime, zested and juiced
- Salt and pepper
- Steps:
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté corn until tender.
- Off the heat, mix in cilantro, lime zest, and juice.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
What are side dishes?
Well, let’s dive into the saucy world of side dishes, shall we? At the most basic level, side dishes are the culinary wingmen (or wingwomen) to your main dish. They’re there to complement, to enhance, and sometimes, if they’re really show-stealing good, to outshine the main dish. But remember, behind every great BBQ chicken, there’s an unsung hero like coleslaw or cornbread jamming out in the background.
Side dishes play a pivotal role in balancing out the flavors and textures of a meal. Think of them as the rhythm section in a band. Sure, the lead singer (that’s your main dish) gets a lot of attention, but without the bass and drums (that’s your mac ‘n’ cheese and beans), the song just wouldn’t feel complete. Moreover, they give dinners the freedom to customize their plates, mixing and matching flavors as they see fit. Ever tried piling mashed potatoes onto a piece of brisket and then drowning the combo in gravy? Pure magic!
The variety and creativity in side dishes are vast. From starches to veggies, to salads and even some fruits – there’s a universe of options. Whether they’re borrowed from grandma’s old cookbook or inspired by a trendy new cooking show, side dishes ensure your BBQ is never a one-hit wonder, but rather a chart-topping album of deliciousness. So, next time you’re planning a meal, remember to give a little extra love to those sides; they might just steal the show.
Why Do I Need to Know What to Serve with BBQ Chicken?
Knowing what to serve with BBQ chicken is like knowing the right dance moves to your favorite song—it elevates the experience, adds depth, and makes everything more enjoyable.
- Harmony of Flavors: Chicken, especially when barbecued, has a distinctive smoky and savory flavor. The right side dishes can complement this taste, adding sweetness, tang, or even a bit of spice. It’s all about creating a harmonious plate where each component brings out the best in the others.
- Texture Balance: Let’s face it, no one likes a monotonous meal. Serving diverse sides introduces a range of textures, from the creaminess of mashed potatoes to the crunch of a fresh salad, ensuring every bite is exciting.
- Nutritional Round-Up: BBQ chicken is protein-packed, but what about your vitamins, fibers, and carbs? Side dishes can fill these gaps, creating a more balanced and wholesome meal.
- Feast for the Eyes: A plate with just chicken can look lonely. But throw in some colorful veggies, a mound of coleslaw, and maybe a scoop of beans? Now that’s a feast not just for the stomach but for the eyes too!
- Catering to Varied Palates: Last but not least, variety is the spice of life! While BBQ chicken is universally loved (I mean, who can resist?), sides can cater to the preferences of kids, vegetarians, or that one cousin who swears by kale.
So, in the grand scheme of BBQ festivities, while the chicken might be your headlining act, the sides? They’re the ensemble cast, ensuring your show is a hit from start to finish! 🍗🔥🥗🍽🎉
How Can serving something with chicken help you?
BBQ chicken, in all its smoky, crispy-skinned glory, is an undeniably delicious centerpiece. But, my friends, even the most tender, juicy piece of chicken appreciates a buddy on the plate to bring out its best features. Pairing sides with chicken isn’t just about piling more food on the plate; it’s about creating a symphony of flavors and textures that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Take the humble chicken’s versatility as a selling point. It’s like a blank canvas, eagerly waiting for colorful splashes of complementary tastes. The right side dish can transform your chicken from good to “HOLY SMOKES, what sorcery is this?” By introducing varied flavors – tangy, spicy, sweet, or creamy – you elevate the entire meal experience. It’s like pairing a great bourbon with the right cigar; the combination enhances each element.
Furthermore, serving something alongside chicken provides a balanced meal. Think of it as ensuring you get a mixtape of nutrients. The chicken offers the protein, while the sides can bring in the carbs, fibers, and essential vitamins. It’s not just about satisfying hunger; it’s about nourishing the body and soul. Plus, let’s be real: a plate with multiple colors and textures is Instagram gold. Snap a pic, slap on a filter, and let the world know that you, my friend, are a BBQ maestro!
Wrapping Up
Alright, all you BBQ enthusiasts, coffee connoisseurs, and bourbon aficionados, we’ve taken a deep dive into the realm of BBQ chicken’s best companions. And what a delicious journey it’s been! From zesty salads to hearty, stick-to-your-ribs sides, there’s a world of flavors waiting to join your chicken at the dinner table. Remember, it’s not just about filling the plate; it’s about crafting an unforgettable culinary experience.
Why listen to me? Well, when I’m not sipping on a velvety coffee or a robust bourbon over at jlsurjan.com, I’m diving mouth-first into the world of BBQ. With a love for flavors and a passion for grilling, I’ve tasted, tested, and toasted my way through countless BBQ feasts. Trust in this expertise and let these side dishes elevate your next BBQ chicken cookout. Here’s to good food, great company, and memories that’ll last long after the last bite. Cheers and happy grilling! 🍗🔥🥃🎉🍽
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. How long should I marinate my BBQ chicken?
A: For optimal flavor, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes. If you have the time, letting it sit overnight in the fridge can make it even tastier.
Q2. Can I prepare side dishes ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Many side dishes like coleslaw or potato salad taste even better when they’ve had time to meld flavors. Just refrigerate and reheat if necessary.
Q3. What’s the ideal temperature to BBQ chicken?
A: Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for chicken breasts and 175°F (80°C) for thighs and drumsticks.
Q4. Can BBQ chicken be reheated?
A: Yes, but ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). It’s best reheated in an oven or on a grill to retain its juiciness.
Q5. How can I prevent my BBQ chicken from being too dry?
A: Brining or marinating your chicken can help, as can cooking on indirect heat and monitoring internal temperatures.
Q6. Which type of wood is best for smoking BBQ chicken?
A: Fruit woods like apple or cherry can give your chicken a subtle, sweet smoke flavor.
Q7. How many side dishes should I prepare for a BBQ party?
A: It depends on the number of guests, but 3-5 different sides usually offer a good variety without overwhelming the menu.
Q8. Are there gluten-free side dish options?
A: Yes! Options like the beet salad, grilled vegetables, or mashed potatoes can be made gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels and recipes to be sure.
Q9. How can I make a vegan BBQ chicken?
A: Use tofu, tempeh, or jackfruit as alternatives, and marinate and grill them similar to chicken.
Q10. What drinks pair best with BBQ chicken?
A: Light beers, lemonade, iced tea, or a good bourbon can complement the flavors of BBQ chicken.
Q11. How do I store leftover side dishes?
A: Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Consume them within 3-4 days for the best quality.
Q12. Can I freeze BBQ chicken?
A: Yes, let it cool first, then place it in freezer bags or airtight containers. Consume within 2-3 months.
A13. What’s a good spicy side dish for BBQ chicken?
A: Cajun coleslaw or spicy BBQ beans can add a kick to your meal.
Q14. Can I BBQ chicken indoors?
A: You can use a grill pan or oven-broiling as alternatives to outdoor grilling.
Q15. How do I know when my side dishes are fully cooked?
A: It varies, but most vegetables should be tender-crisp, and starch-based sides like potatoes or beans should be soft and fully cooked.
Q16. What alternatives can I use if I don’t have bourbon for certain side dishes?
A: Depending on the dish, you could use chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, or even apple juice for some sweetness.
Q17. How can I give my BBQ chicken a smoky flavor without a smoker?
A: Liquid smoke, available in most grocery stores, can be added to your marinade or sauce for that smoky essence.
Jl.Surjan
Disclosure: Our blog contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
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