The Ultimate Collection of Delicious Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken is a beloved staple in countless kitchens, cherished for its incredible versatility, healthy attributes, and deeply satisfying flavor. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a casual backyard barbecue, whipping up a quick and wholesome weeknight dinner, or planning an elaborate celebratory feast, perfectly cooked, juicy grilled chicken often takes center stage. But even the most succulent poultry benefits immensely from a thoughtfully chosen supporting cast. Don’t let that delicious grilled chicken sit on a plate all by itself! The right side dish can utterly transform your meal from simple to spectacular, adding layers of complementary flavors, enticing textures, and vibrant visual appeal.
Finding the ideal accompaniment can sometimes feel like a culinary puzzle. You’re looking for something that harmonizes with the smoky, savory notes of the chicken, while also introducing balance and excitement to every bite. This comprehensive guide is designed to be your ultimate resource, diving deep into a mouthwatering roundup of side dishes. We’ve curated a diverse selection of options, offering both modern twists on timeless favorites and introducing new culinary adventures. With choices catering to every palate and preference – from fresh, vibrant salads perfect for the health-conscious to rich, comforting potato dishes and cheesy pasta bakes for those seeking indulgence – there’s truly something for everyone. Get ready to elevate your grilled chicken experience with these irresistible pairings that promise to impress every guest at your table, making your meals not just memorable, but truly extraordinary.
The Best Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken
Warm Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberries and Arugula
This warm goat cheese salad is a burst of freshness and sophisticated flavor, making it an exquisite companion to your grilled chicken. It features tender, peppery arugula, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of ripe strawberries. The star of the show, warm and crispy goat cheese rounds, adds a delightful creamy and tangy element that contrasts beautifully with the smoky notes of grilled poultry. Drizzled with a zesty hot honey balsamic dressing, this salad is not only incredibly fresh and flavorful but also quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes. It’s an irresistible choice for a light lunch or an elegant dinner side, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of grilled meats.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This cucumber tomato salad is a refreshing, vibrant, and utterly reliable summer staple that perfectly complements grilled chicken. Featuring plump, juicy tomatoes, cool, crisp cucumber, delicate slivers of red onion, and an abundance of fresh herbs, it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors. Everything is gently tossed in a simple yet bright lemon vinaigrette that allows the natural deliciousness of each ingredient to shine. It’s a quick and easy side dish that brings a light, zesty contrast to savory grilled chicken, making your meal feel fresh and perfectly balanced.
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
This pesto chicken pasta salad is a delightful blend of fresh, vibrant flavors and satisfying textures, making it an excellent side or a light main course for summer gatherings. It features tender pasta tossed with succulent pieces of juicy chicken (which can easily be your leftover grilled chicken!), creamy mozzarella, sun-kissed tomatoes, and fragrant basil pesto. The herbaceous and slightly garlicky pesto beautifully complements the smoky notes of grilled chicken, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious meal. It’s easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply a flavorful weeknight addition.
Creamy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings with this incredibly easy and decadent Four Cheese Mac and Cheese. This dish features a mouthwatering combination of four distinct cheeses, creating an unparalleled cheesy richness that is simply irresistible. It serves wonderfully as a hearty main dish on a busy weeknight, but truly shines as a classic, comforting side for your next gathering or alongside perfectly grilled chicken. The creamy, savory pasta offers a delightful contrast to the smoky, lean grilled chicken, making for a perfectly balanced and utterly satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad offers the best combination of classic Caesar flavors with the satisfying addition of pasta and protein. It features crisp romaine lettuce, perfectly tender pasta, and juicy chicken, all coated in a tangy homemade dressing. This salad is a true winner for any occasion – whether you’re bringing it to a party, prepping meals for the week, or enjoying it as a complete dinner. When served alongside grilled chicken, it doubles down on deliciousness, creating a harmonious meal with its fresh greens and savory elements. It’s an easy, flavorful dish that adds a delightful zest to your menu.
Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
If you adore crispy potatoes but want an easier method than deep-frying, these oven-fried potatoes and onions are your perfect solution. They deliver all the satisfying crispiness you crave with minimal effort. The addition of sweet, caramelized onions enhances their flavor profile, making them even more irresistible. These potatoes are an ideal simple and tasty side dish that provides a comforting, starchy counterpoint to lean grilled chicken. They’re a fuss-free way to add a hearty and flavorful element to any meal without the need for a fryer, making them a fantastic choice for a balanced grilled dinner.
Tomato Onion Salad
This fresh, tangy tomato onion salad is a quintessential summer side dish, boasting the vibrant flavors of juicy, ripe tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions. Each bite is a refreshing explosion of taste, heightened by a bold olive oil and vinegar dressing that allows the natural sweetness and acidity of the vegetables to shine. It’s an incredibly easy side to prepare, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum flavor. The crispness and tang of this salad provide a wonderful counterpoint to the rich, savory taste of grilled chicken, making it the perfect light and zesty accompaniment for any outdoor meal or weeknight dinner.
Masala Corn Salad
Masala Corn Salad is an effortlessly easy, quick, and incredibly flavorful recipe that stands out as a fantastic side dish to pair with your grilled chicken. Sweet cooked corn kernels are beautifully combined with a luscious stir of butter, aromatic chaat masala, fresh cilantro, bright lemon juice, and an assortment of vibrant vegetables. This creates a lively and spicy salad that not only pairs exceptionally well with chicken but also complements steak, pork, tofu, and seafood. Its unique blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes offers an exciting and unexpected twist to any meal, making your grilled chicken dinner truly memorable.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad is the epitome of a perfect last-minute summer recipe, ideal for any dinner table. The exhilarating combination of sweet, juicy watermelon with creamy, salty feta cheese creates a truly memorable flavor profile that you’ll crave all season long. With a burst of fresh herbs and a simple, light dressing, it’s incredibly straightforward to whip up and consistently proves to be a crowd-pleaser. This salad offers a refreshing, hydrating, and tangy counterpoint to the savory richness of grilled chicken, making it an excellent choice for a vibrant and balanced meal, especially on warmer days.
Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
Crispy smashed fingerling potatoes are an effortlessly easy side dish or an enticing appetizer, perfect for any occasion, especially alongside grilled chicken. The irresistible crispy exterior paired with their wonderfully creamy centers makes this recipe an instant family favorite. Each potato is smashed and then roasted to golden perfection, creating a delightful textural contrast. Topped with a fragrant fresh herb garlic butter, these potatoes are so incredibly flavorful that you and your guests won’t be able to stop eating them! They offer a comforting yet exciting starchy element that perfectly complements the lean protein of grilled chicken.
Smoky Charred Corn
Smoky Charred Corn is a simple yet mouthwatering recipe that is an absolute must-have for BBQ enthusiasts. This quick and easy dish is brimming with intense smoky flavor, thanks to perfectly grilled and slightly blackened corn kernels. The natural sweetness of the corn is beautifully amplified by the char, creating a delightful contrast. This versatile recipe pairs wonderfully with any main dish, but it truly shines when served alongside grilled chicken or anything else fresh off the grill or smoker. It’s an effortless way to add a burst of summery, smoky goodness to your meal, enhancing the entire grilled experience.
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Satisfy your summer cravings with this quick and easy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad recipe! This vibrant and refreshing dish combines perfectly al dente pasta, intensely flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, crisp fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, creating a symphony of tastes and textures. It’s an ideal side for grilled chicken, offering a bright, tangy, and satisfying element that complements the savory poultry beautifully. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a quick, flavorful lunch, this pasta salad is a surefire way to get a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish on the table with minimal fuss, making it a great addition to your summer menu.
Melon Prosciutto Salad
This easy melon prosciutto salad is a refreshing and elegant combination of sweet watermelon, juicy cantaloupe, and delicate honeydew. The addition of savory prosciutto adds a delightful salty contrast, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Dressed with a light honey citrus vinaigrette made with fresh citrus juice and aromatic herbs, you’ll find yourself making this recipe repeatedly. It serves as a fantastic light side dish that beautifully complements grilled chicken, offering a sweet and savory balance. It’s also an excellent poolside snack, proving that simple ingredients can create truly memorable dishes.
Summer Corn Tomato Risotto
Summer Corn Tomato Risotto is a delightful dish brimming with the fresh flavors of freshly grilled vegetables. This creamy and satisfying risotto can be served as a flavorful main course on its own, or it can perfectly complement your favorite protein, especially grilled chicken. The foolproof recipe ensures a rich, creamy texture and a burst of seasonal sweetness from the corn and tomatoes. It offers a wonderfully comforting yet light accompaniment to the lean and smoky notes of grilled chicken, creating a well-rounded meal that highlights the best of summer produce. This risotto is truly a must-make when fresh corn and tomatoes are in season!
Loaded Bacon Potato Skewers
Loaded Bacon Potato Skewers are undoubtedly the ultimate grilled side dish for summer gatherings. Everyone adores a classic baked potato, and this recipe offers an exciting and innovative take on it! Golden potatoes are expertly grilled alongside flavorful Wright® Brand Hickory Bacon, creating a delightful smoky crispness. These skewers are then generously drizzled with a savory roasted garlic aioli, a dollop of cool sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh chives. It’s a perfect, hearty pairing for anything off the grill, especially complementing the lean flavors of grilled chicken or your dad’s favorite steak. They add a fun, interactive, and incredibly delicious element to any BBQ spread.
Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
This simple roasted chili corn salsa is our delectable take on the popular Chipotle corn salsa, offering a burst of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors. It’s the perfect vibrant addition to any party or gathering because it can be made in just a few easy steps, allowing for quick preparation without compromising on taste. The beauty of this salsa is its customizability, letting you adjust the heat and ingredients to your liking. Serving it alongside grilled chicken introduces a refreshing, zesty, and slightly fiery kick that beautifully complements the savory poultry, making every bite an exciting adventure. It’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly adaptable.
Summer Lemon Pasta Salad
Summer Lemon Pasta Salad is consistently a favorite for patio parties and backyard barbecues, and it’s a stellar match for grilled chicken. The refreshing and light lemon dressing, combined with bursting fresh tomatoes and aromatic basil, creates the ultimate summery flavor combination. This pasta salad can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, making it even more delicious as it sits. Its bright, zesty profile provides a wonderful contrast to the smoky richness of grilled chicken, offering a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying meal that tastes like pure sunshine.
Bacon Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn Salad
Bacon Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn Salad might just be the one side dish that outshines any main course this summer! Grilled corn, with its irresistible smoky sweetness, is mixed with savory crispy bacon, subtly spicy grilled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, crumbled queso fresco, and a blend of seasonings for an explosion of summer goodness. This vibrant salad offers a complex profile of flavors and textures that perfectly complements grilled chicken. The smoky corn echoes the grill, while the lime and cilantro add a refreshing zing. It’s a must-make recipe for the summer that will become an instant favorite.
Spicy Avocado Chimichurri Salsa
Spicy Avocado Chimichurri Salsa is a quick and incredibly easy salsa that offers a refreshing departure from the usual red-based salsa routine. This chunky, spicy, and vibrantly herbaceous salsa is packed with fresh flavors that are simply impossible for anyone to resist! The creamy avocado balances the piquant chimichurri, creating a versatile condiment that enhances many dishes. Served alongside grilled chicken, this salsa provides a bright, zesty, and subtly fiery kick that elevates the entire meal. It’s an excellent way to add a fresh, gourmet touch to your grilled poultry, making it more exciting and flavorful.
Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad
Crunchy Thai Pasta Salad is a vibrant and healthy dish, generously loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with the most incredible Thai peanut sauce you’ll ever taste. This recipe is incredibly versatile: you can prepare it as a satisfying side dish for your favorite proteins, including grilled chicken, or make a larger batch for convenient meal prep throughout the week. The creamy, nutty peanut sauce offers a rich, complex flavor that beautifully complements the smoky notes of grilled chicken, while the crunchy vegetables add a delightful textural contrast. It’s a flavorful and wholesome option that brings an exciting Asian-inspired twist to your menu.
Roasted Beet Watermelon Salad
This Roasted Beet Watermelon Salad is a vibrant and unexpected mix that brings incredible flavor and color to your plate. It combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with the refreshing juiciness of watermelon and the peppery bite of fresh arugula. The salad is beautifully finished with creamy goat cheese for tang and crunchy pepitas for texture, all tied together by a delicate honey vinaigrette. This unique salad offers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, making it an adventurous and highly complementary side dish for grilled chicken, adding an element of gourmet sophistication to your outdoor dining.
Avocado Cucumber Quinoa Salad
Ready in just 15 minutes, this Avocado Cucumber Quinoa Salad is a quick, protein-packed, and wonderfully refreshing option for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish. It combines fluffy quinoa with fresh, crisp vegetables like cucumber and creamy avocado, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing. This salad offers a satisfying and light meal that perfectly complements grilled chicken. The citrusy notes and healthy fats from the avocado beautifully cut through the richness of the chicken, providing a balanced and incredibly flavorful dining experience. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a nutritious yet delicious addition to their grilled meals.
Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This rich, incredibly creamy Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, making it an outstanding side dish for grilled chicken. It features a luscious blend of five distinct cheeses and a unique spice blend that elevates its flavor to gourmet levels. This mac and cheese is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient, as it’s make-ahead and freezer-friendly, perfect for busy weeknights or larger gatherings. The hearty, cheesy goodness provides a wonderfully indulgent contrast to the lean, smoky flavors of grilled chicken, creating a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying meal that will delight everyone at the table.
Cucumber Salad
Crisp and wonderfully refreshing, this Cucumber Salad comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal quick side dish. Thinly sliced cucumbers are perfectly tossed in a sweet and zesty Italian dressing, creating a burst of vibrant flavor with every bite. This light and cool salad offers a fantastic counterpoint to the savory and often richer flavors of grilled chicken. Its simplicity allows the fresh taste of cucumber to shine, providing a clean and palate-cleansing element to your meal. It’s a healthy and delicious option that adds a bright, summery feel to any dinner spread.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
A true summer staple, this Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad brilliantly utilizes abundant garden produce to create a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish. Fresh, ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers pair perfectly with the tangy, salty notes of crumbled feta cheese, resulting in a harmonious seasonal delight. This light and refreshing salad provides a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to savory grilled chicken, offering a cool and zesty balance to your meal. It’s a quick and easy option that highlights the best of summer’s bounty, making it an indispensable addition to your outdoor dining or weeknight menu.
Glazed Balsamic Carrots
Glazed Balsamic Carrots are a fantastic and vibrant side dish, featuring tender carrots that are perfectly grilled and caramelized for an incredible depth of flavor. Ready in about 20 minutes, these carrots are coated in a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze that beautifully enhances their natural sweetness. They add not only a pop of color but also a rich, complex flavor to any meal, making them an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken. The slight char and sweet acidity of the carrots offer a delightful contrast to savory poultry, elevating your dinner with ease and elegance.
Roasted Bell Pepper Salad
This Roasted Bell Pepper Salad is a celebration of sweet and smoky flavors. It combines tender, sweet roasted bell peppers and juicy cherry tomatoes with peppery arugula and a medley of fresh herbs. Topped with luxurious creamy burrata and crunchy Zaatar pita chips, the salad is finished with a vibrant, flavorful herby vinaigrette. This impressive side dish offers a symphony of textures and tastes that perfectly complements the savory notes of grilled chicken. The roasted vegetables add depth, while the fresh elements keep it light and refreshing, making it an elegant and exciting addition to any meal.
Loaded Potato Wedges
Loaded Potato Wedges are the ultimate party snack and a superb hearty side for grilled chicken. These perfectly crispy wedges are generously topped with a spicy, incredibly cheesy sauce and a medley of fresh Asian-style toppings, ensuring a flavor-packed bite every single time. The rich, savory, and slightly spicy notes of the wedges provide a fantastic indulgent contrast to the lean, smoky goodness of grilled chicken. They’re a fun, satisfying, and wonderfully comforting addition to any meal, transforming a simple chicken dinner into an exciting culinary experience that’s sure to be a hit.
Carrot Raisin Salad
This classic Carrot Raisin Salad offers a delightful combination of creamy texture and satisfying crunch, evoking nostalgic memories of old-school deli favorites like the Chick-Fil-A version. It’s a subtly sweet side dish, with the option to replace added sugar with grated apple for a more natural sweetness. The bright, earthy flavor of carrots and the chewy sweetness of raisins create a unique profile that pairs surprisingly well with savory grilled chicken. It adds a touch of retro charm and a wholesome, sweet-and-savory balance to your meal, making it a comforting and intriguing choice for your dinner table.
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
Crispy and irresistibly cheesy, Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes make a remarkably quick and delicious side dish that’s perfect for any meal, especially grilled chicken. These potatoes are cooked to golden perfection, offering a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender interior, all infused with savory Parmesan flavor. Their savory and slightly salty profile provides a wonderful contrast to the lean, smoky flavors of grilled chicken, making them a crowd-pleasing addition to your dinner. They are a simple yet incredibly satisfying way to add a hearty potato element to your menu without extensive cooking time.
Patatas Bravas
A popular and exciting Spanish tapas dish, Patatas Bravas are crispy fried potatoes often served with a delectable spicy tomato sauce and sometimes a creamy aioli. These savory, slightly spicy potatoes are incredibly versatile and can effortlessly elevate both dinner and brunch menus. When paired with grilled chicken, Patatas Bravas introduce a bold, zesty, and comforting element that complements the chicken’s lean, smoky flavor. The crispy texture and rich sauces provide a dynamic contrast, making for a more adventurous and satisfying meal. It’s a fantastic way to bring a taste of Spain to your backyard BBQ.
Grilled Fingerling Potatoes
Grilled Fingerling Potatoes are a fantastic choice, offering a wonderfully creamy interior encased in a beautifully lightly grilled, slightly crispy skin. These slender potatoes are simply tossed in good olive oil, bright lemon juice, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, creating a wholesome and incredibly flavorful side. They are an easy and healthy accompaniment that perfectly complements the smoky notes of grilled chicken. The fresh, zesty flavors cut through the richness of the chicken, while the comforting potatoes provide a satisfying starch, making them an ideal and balanced side for any grilled meal.
Thai Carrot Salad
Thai Carrot Salad is an exciting and flavorful side dish that brings an exotic twist to your meal. It features crisp julienned carrots generously coated in a luscious, slightly spicy peanut sauce. This salad can be conveniently prepared using pre-packaged carrot matchsticks or fresh local carrots, making it a quick and effortless addition to any dinner. The vibrant flavors of sweet carrots and rich peanut, with a hint of spice, create a dynamic contrast that beautifully complements the savory notes of grilled chicken. It’s a fresh, crunchy, and unique option that adds an adventurous culinary dimension to your plate.
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad is a truly delightful and refreshing side dish, bursting with fresh lemon flavor, aromatic herbs, sweet roasted red peppers, crisp summer squash, and tangy feta cheese. It’s simple to prepare and consistently a crowd-pleaser at picnics and barbecues, especially when served with grilled chicken. The bright, zesty notes of the lemon and feta beautifully cut through the savory richness of grilled poultry, while the orzo pasta provides a satisfying yet light carbohydrate. This salad offers a vibrant and balanced contrast that enhances the entire dining experience, making it a perfect addition to any warm-weather meal.
Essential Tools for Perfect Grilled Chicken
To truly master the art of grilling and ensure your chicken comes out perfectly juicy and flavorful every time, having the right equipment is absolutely key. Before you even think about firing up the grill, make sure your favorite grill is cleaned, prepped, and ready for action. For instance, our Traeger grill is a top pick, offering the unparalleled versatility of a grill, smoker, and oven all in one. This multi-functionality is fantastic for achieving that deep, smoky flavor in your grilled chicken that a regular grill might not deliver. Don’t forget to use high-quality Traeger grill signature pellets or your preferred flavor of wood pellets to infuse your chicken with delicious, aromatic smoke, making every bite an experience.
Efficiency in grilling is also paramount, especially when you’re entertaining. Grill prep and serve trays are incredibly handy, particularly when you’re managing multiple items on the grill simultaneously. They help keep raw and cooked foods separate, ensuring food safety and making the entire grilling process smoother and more organized. A good pair of sturdy, long-handled grill tongs is indispensable for easily and safely turning your chicken, vegetables, and other sides without losing any precious juices or risking burns.
And let’s not forget about after-grill maintenance. Having a reliable grill brush and a suitable grill cleaner on hand is essential for prolonging the life of your equipment. Regular cleaning not only keeps your grill looking pristine but also prevents flare-ups, ensures even cooking results, and significantly extends the lifespan of your valuable grilling tools. A clean grill truly is a happy grill, always ready for your next culinary adventure.
No grilled chicken meal is truly complete without the perfect dipping sauce or glaze to accompany it. Elevate your grilled chicken with a creamy Thai peanut dressing for an exotic twist that adds rich, nutty flavors, or opt for a decadent roasted garlic aioli for a savory, gourmet touch. These sauces add an extra layer of flavor and moisture that can perfectly complement and enhance your chicken, taking your meal to the next level.
Grilling Favorites
Grill Prep and Serve Trays
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Grill Tongs
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Traeger Grill
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Traeger Grill Signature Pellets
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Grill Basket
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Grill Pan
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Just One More Thing for These Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken…
While these incredible side dishes are sure to make your grilled chicken meal complete, don’t forget about starting your gathering with some delightful appetizers! If you’re looking for some tasty bites to serve before the main event, be sure to check out our in-depth archive of appetizer recipes. Classic and crowd-pleasing options like sweet and savory stuffed bacon-wrapped dates or the fresh and vibrant caprese bruschetta are an easy and delicious way to kick off any gathering you have planned, setting the stage for a truly memorable culinary experience from start to finish.