27 Amazing Sides For Grilled Chicken Dinner

Grilled chicken is a popular dish to serve at all kinds of occasions – a casual dinner, a dinner party, barbecues, and more.

27 Amazing Sides For Grilled Chicken Dinner

So, you will also need a range of sides to serve alongside it to keep things varied and interesting – but what side dishes go best with grilled chicken?

Check out our favorite 27 sides for a grilled chicken dinner below, pick out a few of your favorites, and give them a try!

1. Garlic Bread

Let’s start off with an easy one – garlic bread.

For every dinner party and meal, you should serve some kind of bread as a side so everyone can have their fair portion of some carbs for energy.

Garlic bread is one of the best bread side dishes because it is packed with flavor and just tastes so good.

So, check out the above recipe to make your very own garlic bread to serve alongside your grilled chicken.

Pair it up with another vegetable side dish (we have plenty of options below) and you will have a perfectly balanced meal.

2. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes (see also ‘29 Of The Best Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes‘) are a go-to side dish for any meal. Light, creamy, and often seasoned with delicious herbs, mashed potatoes are a great source of energy to help make a balanced meal that doesn’t weigh heavily on your stomach.

It’s easy to make and easy to eat, so why not add a serving to your plate?

Make sure that you serve it alongside one of the below vegetable side dishes so all of your guests and family can get the nutrients they need during dinner.

3. Honey Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey glazed spiced carrots (or candied carrots as they are sometimes called) are a great way to serve up a vegetable side dish during dinner that is nutritious and delicious at the same time.

While most kids would turn up their noses to carrots, they will definitely want to tuck into this sweet, crispy side.

The added spice of cayenne also gives the carrots a little kick which won’t burn any tongues but enhance the flavor of the dish – making it the perfect companion to a grilled chicken main.

4. Roasted Potatoes

A classic side dish for any main chicken dish is roasted potatoes, but getting the right texture can be tricky.

Everybody wants that crisp outer shell with the fluffy center, and of course you need to add the right amount of seasoning to help enhance the flavor!

So, check out this recipe for roasted potatoes. It’s one of our favorites as it always leaves us with the right texture and flavor needed for this reliable side dish.

With flavors of rosemary and garlic, these roasted potatoes will be a great addition to any grilled chicken dinner.

5. Caramelized Garlic Broccoli

Another veggie that goes great with grilled chicken is broccoli, but plained old steamed broccoli can be pretty dry and boring to serve.

So, why not try out this recipe for caramelized garlic broccoli instead?

The broccoli still has all of its classic flavors but they are enhanced and enriched with strong notes of garlic and sweet caramel.

With just a hint of seasoning and zest lemon, all of these flavors combine to make an amazing veggie side dish to serve next to grilled chicken.

6. Honey Mustard Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a must-have at any barbecue or summer meal, but why not shake things up with this recipe for a honey mustard coleslaw?

Honey mustard coleslaw is just as creamy and light as regular coleslaw but it has that added kick of heat from the Dijon mustard that is paired so well with sweet honey.

This recipe also only needs a few basic ingredients so it’s an easy side dish to whip up in no time and serve with no cooking necessary.

7. Grilled Mushrooms

While your chicken is grilling, then throw on some portabella mushrooms so you can serve them as a side.

Mushrooms are often overlooked as a side dish but they are packed with flavor and have a unique texture which can totally change a meal and make it far more memorable.

This recipe for grilled mushrooms shows you how to make the perfect marinade from garlic powder, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, helping the mushrooms provide a little extra kick once they are done.

8. Chinese-Styled Fried Rice

Carbs are important to serve for dinner as it’s the biggest provider of energy which helps us going through our day.

So, one of the best carb-based side dishes to go with grilled chicken is some classic fried rice.

Fried rice is easy to make and it can contain mini versions of all your favorite vegetables including peas, carrots, and green onions. So, you can add a dash of veg to your carb-based side.

So, if you want to serve something tasty yet filling with your grilled chicken, then this recipe for some classic Chinese-style fried rice is the perfect one for you to try.

9. Lemon And Herb Roasted Asparagus

Citrus flavors go great with grilled chicken as it helps enhance the flavor.

While you may not be using lemon juice or zest when cooking your grilled chicken, you can use it to make your side dishes – like with roasted asparagus.

Asparagus is a popular side to serve with chicken but this recipe brings additional flavors by using the right ingredients.

Fresh and tangy, this version of roasted asparagus is sure to bring some brightness to your meal.

10. Mini Mac And Cheese Bites

Who doesn’t love a bit of mac and cheese (see also our favorite sides to serve with mac and cheese)?

While it’s tempting to serve some classic mac and cheese and just let everyone portion how much they want straight from the bowl, this recipe for mini mac and cheese bites is a fun, unique way to serve this American favorite.

So, try something new with this recipe!

11. Sweet Potato Fries

Fries are great but you know what’s better? Sweet potato fries!

They have all the crispy goodness of classic fries but with extra flavor and sweetness – and they’re even healthier! Win-win!

This recipe for sweet potato fries will help you make the perfect batch that is super crispy, perfectly seasoned with pepper and paprika, so they serve a perfect salty sweet balanced flavor as your side dish.

12. Bruschetta Pasta Salad

Pasta is a great choice of a side dish to serve with grilled chicken but some sauces and recipes can be heavy and drown out the grilled chicken.

To combat that, this recipe for bruschetta pasta salad is an amazing choice as it’s light and delicious without overpowering your taste buds.

With flavors of mozzarella, basil, onion and tomatoes, this bruschetta pasta salad (see also ‘28 Pasta Side Dishes That Can Pair With Any Dinner!‘) has everything you need for the perfect pasta side dish.

13. Corn On The Cob

Another traditional side dish to serve at barbecues and grillings is corn on the cob.

It’s a classic American favorite side dish that can range from creamy to smoky, with additional flavors of barbecue or parmesan.

The sweetness of classic grilled corn on the cob helps enhance the flavor of the chicken and creates a more balanced meal. So check out this easy recipe to make the perfect grilled corn on the cob.

14. Spinach Salad

For a side dish that is super healthy and summery, this recipe for a great spinach salad is the perfect choice.

It is packed with green and all the delicious flavors you need in a salad, including honey crisp apples, avocado, red onion, and more. It’s easy to make, so give it a try!

15. Stuffed Mini Peppers

Stuffed peppers are stunning but did you know that you can make mini stuffed peppers by using mini sweet peppers?

This recipe here guides through the process of making a perfect batch of mini stuffed peppers, filled with goats cheese, parmesan and jalapenos (see also ‘23 Interesting Jalapeno Recipes‘). This will leave you with a batch of spicy yet deliciously cheesy sides.

Sometimes, you can even serve these as an appetizer but two or three also serve as the perfect side dish with grilled chicken.

16. Corn Salad

Another great type of salad to serve alongside grilled chicken is corn salad.

Corn salad is a perfect mixture of all the summer ingredients that help you stay cool and fresh during hot weather.

With sweet cherry tomatoes, yellow corn, fresh feta cheese and sharp red onion, you can make a bright salad that perfectly complements grilled chicken on a late summer evening.

17. Curried Rice

Curry is a great main dish to serve but it can be overpowering when served with something as plain as grilled chicken.

So, if you want all the flavor of a curry without drowning out your grilled chicken, a great side to serve is curried rice.

This recipe will show you how to make the perfect curried rice (see also ‘23 Super Easy Rice Side Dish Recipes‘) so you can add a punch of flavor to your meal.

Plus, this side will also provide you with plenty of energy and help fill your stomach.

18. Tomato Salad

Want something super bright and juicy? Then this recipe for a classic tomato salad will help you add just that to your grilled chicken meal!

Making a tomato salad is a great way to use up the surplus of tomatoes that crop up during the summer, and it’s a super fresh side to serve during any summer barbecue or meal.

With additional ingredients of sharp red onion, fresh basil, and a thick balsamic vinegar for extra flavor and shine, this salad is definitely one you will want to try out when temperatures begin to rise.

19. Honey Roasted Parsnips

Just like honey roasted carrots, honey roasted parsnips are a great side dish to serve alongside some grilled chicken.

They’re crispy, sweet, and filled with fluffy insides that make them perfect for enjoying with chicken.

Plus, they’re super easy to make and you can even cook them in the same pan as honey roasted carrots – so you can enjoy two delicious sides in one!

Give this recipe a try and check out the recipe for honey roasted carrots further up our list.

20. Potato Salad

One side dish you can guarantee to find in every American barbecue and picnic is potato salad – and for a good reason!

It’s creamy, light, filling and delicious all in one, thus making it an amazing side dish to serve alongside all kinds of meals.

So, it just makes sense to serve some alongside some grilled chicken. Follow this simple recipe to make the perfect traditional potato salad in no time at all!

21. Zucchini Fritters

For something a little bit more ‘out there’, try out this recipe for zucchini fritters!

Zucchini fritters are a very easy side dish to cook up and this recipe only requires five ingredients!

Best served hot and crispy, zucchini fritters can also be served with a dollop of sour cream as a dipping sauce and the strong flavors perfectly complement grilled chicken.

So, give them a try! They’re fun to make and everyone can portion out how many fritters they want to try with ease. Just make sure that you make enough to go around!

22. Curried Cauliflower

Another great vegetable to serve alongside grilled chicken is cauliflower but, like with broccoli, it can be difficult to get kids to eat their veggies.

So, try out this recipe for curried cauliflower to make this vegetable more appealing to all.

Cauliflower on its own can be pretty plain but this recipe helps bring the classic flavors of India to the mix.

The curry flavor is not overpowering and makes for a great accompanying flavor to your grilled chicken, plus it adds flavor to stop the cauliflower from being so plain.

This will help this side dish go down a treat during your next grilled chicken dinner and kids are sure to eat it without fuss.

23. Baked Potatoes

Potatoes are back but this time, in the form of classic baked potatoes.

Baked potatoes are a delicious way to enjoy potatoes during dinner but they can be pretty dry, especially if served with grilled chicken. That’s why this recipe adds a dollop of cashew sour cream to the mix to help solve this issue.

With the additional flavors of chives and bacon bits, your baked potatoes will have plenty of moisture and flavor on their own to perfectly complement your grilled chicken.

So, try out this recipe to make the perfect baked potatoes to suit your grilled chicken dinner!

24. Brussel Sprouts And Croutons

Another recipe that is a little bit ‘out there’ is this recipe for roasted brussel sprouts and croutons.

It’s a great choice if you are after a vegetable side dish that is super crunchy and filled with flavors of garlic, cheese and herbs.

So, if you want a tasty recipe for a vegetable side dish, then this one is definitely a wacky one to try out – and it surprisingly works amazingly well!

25. Sweet Potato Salad

Sweet potatoes are super versatile which means you can add them to your grilled chicken dinner in a lot of different ways.

Other than sweet potato fries, our favorite sweet potato recipe is this one for a sweet potato salad.

It features lots of cool ingredients including baby spinach, red onion, avocado and dried cranberries, to help make a bright, zesty salad that balances sourness with the sweetness of the sweet potato.

So, for something unique, this is a great recipe to try out!

26. Corn Fritters

Corn fritters are a great way to add sweet corn to your grilled chicken dinner. They’re super tasty and a great way to fill up your plate with something fun and unique.

If you want to try making your own corn fritters, then follow this very simple recipe to whip up the perfect batch!

27. Oven Roasted Eggplant

And finally, we have the last side dish on our list – oven roasted eggplant.

Eggplant is a delicious vegetable that is perfect for all kinds of summer meals, so it just makes sense to serve it alongside your grilled chicken.

Each portion is packed with flavor and all you need to add is some simple seasoning in the form of thyme, salt, and vinaigrette for serving.

Serve up half an eggplant with each plate and you will be providing everyone at your table with all the nutrients they need in the form of a super tasty side dish!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Vegetable Is Good With Chicken?

Veggies are a super important part of our diet, so it’s a sensible idea to serve one or two portions alongside your grilled chicken.

A lot of different veggies go great with grilled chicken but some of the most popular ones are broccoli, carrots, asparagus, and sweet potatoes (see also ‘Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes?‘). If you want recipes for these vegetables, then check them out above!

Is It Healthy To Eat Grilled Chicken?

Grilled chicken is an excellent source of protein for those wanting to eat healthy and watch their calorie intake.

This is because chicken itself is low in fat and calories while providing all the nutrients you need for growth, muscle repair, and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

While red meats are also a good source of protein, they can contain saturated fats and increase your risk of heart disease and blood cholesterol whereas chicken does not.

So, grilled chicken is a great healthier alternative to red meats such as beef, lamb, and pork.

Is 2 Chicken Breasts Too Much?

Portioning can be tricky when planning your meals and some people make the mistake of portioning by appearances rather than weight.

The recommended amounts for portions always come in certain weights because no 2 chicken breasts are the same – so sometimes, you can eat 1 larger chicken breast instead of 2 smaller ones and they both could be the right weight for a recommended portion of chicken.

The recommended serving weight for a portion of chicken is 3 to 4 ounces to weigh your chicken out before you start cooking. You should also portion out your sides too before cooking.

Final Thoughts

So, there we have it! Those were our favorite 27 unique sides that all go amazingly well with grilled chicken.

With so many to choose from, you really are spoilt for choice – so take a look over them again, pick out the ones that speak to you the best, and give them a try at your next grilled chicken dinner.

Good luck!

27 Amazing Sides For Grilled Chicken Dinner

27 Amazing Sides For Grilled Chicken Dinner

Recipe by Jenna

Grilled chicken is a super popular main dish, but what sides go best with this classic meal? Find out our favorites right here along with delicious recipes!

Course: Side Dishes
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