BBQ chicken is an amazing comfort food that can be enjoyed no matter the season! It’s great the night of, but I love it because it also works well the following day if you pull the leftover chicken off the bone to use in different meals. BBQ chicken is loved the world over with charcoal grilled chicken being a favorite dish in Asia while Portugal uses piri piri peppers to flavor their BBQ chicken meal.
I love how well chicken pairs with such a variety of side dishes. It’s easy to find side dishes that compliment your BBQ chicken and elevate it to a whole new level! I’ve pulled together some of my favorite healthy sides for BBQ and you’re sure to find one that matches the flavor or nutrients you’re looking for.
Nine Healthy Sides For BBQ Chicken
Potato Sides for BBQ Chicken
Oven Baked Fries
Grilled chicken and fries are a match made in heaven, but if you’re trying to eat healthy, they’re often cut from your side dish list. Thankfully, Well Plated has found the secret to making oven-baked fries that are crispy on the inside, but still tender on the outside to allow you to get your fix of potato fries without all the grease. Believe it or not, potatoes are healthy for you when eaten in moderation, especially if you leave on the skin. You’ll get fiber, vitamin C and B6 as well as potassium. There are a few secrets to getting crispy fries. First, use Yukon gold potatoes and second soak them in very hot (unsalted) water to slightly cook the inside. Cook at 450 °F and add your favorite fry spices and you’ve got a tasty solution for when you’re craving starchy sides for BBQ chicken.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients: Yukon gold potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, salt, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Healthy Loaded Baked Potatoes
What’s better than a loaded baked potato? A healthy loaded baked potato with all of the flavor and none of the guilt! The savory flavors of baked potatoes and the smokey flavors of BBQ chicken are a classic flavor combination, and Recipe Runner has come up with some clever swaps to make healthy baked potatoes that you can serve with your grilled chicken. By using low-fat cream cheese instead of sour cream you still get the rich creamy flavor with a lot less fat and plenty of additional protein. One of the best parts of this perfect side dish is that it can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, green onion, red onion, salt and pepper, paprika, and bacon.
Potato and Egg Salad
Potato salad is a great summer side dish to serve at picnics and outdoor BBQs alongside some grilled chicken. Healthy Seasonal Recipes has taken this classic side dish and given it a protein-packed twist with a lot less fat by using fat-free Greek Yogurt in place of a lot of the usual mayonnaise. The addition of egg adds even more protein and gives this potato salad an even creamier feel. Katie recommends using thin-skinned waxy potatoes and staying away from starchy potatoes like russets because they’re a little too dry and crumbly on the inside.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time:30 minutes
Ingredients: Potatoes, Greek yogurt, mayo, celery, relish, Dijon mustard, hard-boiled eggs, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, red onion, and parsley.
Low Carb and Keto Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken
Keto Mac and Cheese
BBQ chicken pairs perfectly with an ooey gooey bowl of warm mac and cheese. If you’re following a Keto diet it can be tough to pass up on this classic noodle side dish. Thankfully, there are creatives out there making dishes like a Keto mac and cheese recipe that’s just as cheesy and delicious as the classic. The secret to making Keto mac and cheese — cauliflower! Using cauliflower in place of the noodles, alongside tons of cheese offers a mac and cheese savory flavor without the carbs.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients: Cauliflower, whole milk, cream cheese, salt and pepper, heavy cream, garlic powder, chili powder, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, bacon, crushed pork rinds, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
Keto Rutabaga Fries
If you’re eliminating starchy sides from your diet but still want to pair your grilled chicken with some fries, why not try making vegetable fries? Wholesome Yum uses rutabaga to make fries that are safe for the Keto diet, and also very tasty. These are one of the best chicken side dishes to cook using an air fryer if you have one because the moving air allows each side of the fry to get super crispy. If you’ve only got 5 minutes to meal prep some sides to go alongside your BBQ chicken meal, you’ve got to try rutabaga fries!
Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutritious vegetable high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C. It’s also very low in carbs which makes Peace, Low & Low-Carb’s cheesy garlic roasted asparagus recipe a great Keto or low-carb side for chicken meals. If you struggle to get your kids to eat this healthy veggie, give this recipe a try. Adding cheese to vegetables can sometimes be the magic trick that encourages kids to take a few more bites.
Prep Time: Roughly 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients: Asparagus spears, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper, smoked white cheese and mozzarella cheese.
Veggie Sides for BBQ Chicken
Greek Side Salad
This Greek side salad by yours truly proves that salads don’t have to be boring bowls of lettuce with a few veggies. This versatile Greek salad pairs well with BBQ chicken and you can customize it with the vegetables that your family likes best. For example, when I know my kids aren’t going to be having a bowl I add some peppercorns to spice it up a little. With just a little chopping and mixing you can have a light and refreshing vegetable side for BBQ chicken ready and on the table in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: None in this recipe
Ingredients: Cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, grape tomatoes, salt and pepper, oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar and garlic powder.
Classic Sides for BBQ Chicken
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a chicken side dish with savory flavors, tangy sauces, and filling protein. I mean, what goes better with BBQ chicken than BBQ beans? This baked beans recipe by Just What We Eat adds bacon into a classic recipe with pinto and navy beans that’s sure to leave you feeling full. Not only is this baked beans recipe simple to make, it’s also dairy-free and gluten-free which means it’s a good choice for picnics and potlucks where you’re not sure about everyone’s allergies.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients: Bacon, onion, navy beans, pinto beans, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, ketchup, water, BBQ sauce, and chilli powder.
Quick and Easy Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are a perfect pairing for BBQ chicken meals. They offer fresh and flavorful veggies, filling noodles, and a delicious sauce. This quick and easy pasta salad from Inspired Taste can be whipped up in under 20 minutes making it a great choice if you’re short on time. One of my favorite things about pasta salads is how versatile they are. If there are veggies your family doesn’t like, leave them out. If they have some favorite veggies, add them in, and if a vinegar and olive oil dressing isn’t your thing, switch it up to one that you enjoy.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients: Short noodled pasta like rotini, bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini, olives, parmesan cheese, mozzarella balls, fresh herbs like parsley or basil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, extra virgin olive oil.
In Conclusion…
BBQ chicken is a versatile meal that works well with a variety of side dishes. Does your family have any must-have side dishes to go along with grilled chicken? Let me know in the comments below!
