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What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Legs: 15 Best Side Dishes

BBQ chicken legs pair wonderfully with a variety of mouthwatering side dishes that balance flavors and textures. Try crunchy coleslaw, rich in Vitamin C and fiber, for a invigorating contrast. Baked beans bring a hearty, sweet-savory delight to the table. Grilled vegetables, like bell peppers and zucchini, offer a healthy, smoky flavor. For a comforting touch, garlic butter rice is a perfect aromatic addition. Quinoa salad, tailored with vibrant veggies and herbs, adds a nutritious punch. Each of these sides complements the smoky profile of BBQ chicken legs, creating an unforgettable meal. There's more to discover that will elevate your BBQ feast!

Coleslaw

tangy cabbage and mayo

Coleslaw, a quintessential accompaniment to BBQ chicken legs, offers an invigorating and crunchy texture that complements the smoky and savory flavors of the main dish.

This classic side dish, made of shredded cabbage and carrots with a tangy mayo or vinegar dressing, balances the meal perfectly.

Rich in Vitamin C and fiber, coleslaw adds both nutrition and delightful flavor to your BBQ spread.

Baked Beans

vintage cookbook recipe favorite

Enhancing your BBQ chicken legs with baked beans introduces a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors that complements the smoky undertones of the main dish.

This side dish recipe, using navy beans, bacon, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and molasses, is unquestionably the best side for gatherings, offering a hearty and filling option that pleases every crowd.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy and flavorful cooking

Grilling vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, and eggplant provides a healthy and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken legs.

The natural flavors of these grilled vegetables are enhanced by a delicious smoky char, creating a colorful and nutrient-rich addition to your meal.

Their versatility allows you to experiment with various flavor profiles, complementing the savory taste of BBQ chicken legs.

Garlic Butter Rice

tasty garlic rice recipe

Complementing the vibrant flavors of grilled vegetables, Garlic Butter Rice introduces a rich and aromatic component to your BBQ chicken legs meal.

This flavorful side dish combines the richness of butter with the savory taste of garlic, creating a comforting and satisfying experience.

Easy to prepare, Garlic Butter Rice enhances the smoky flavors of BBQ chicken legs, adding depth and complexity to your plate.

Quinoa Salad

healthy grain and vegetables

Quinoa salad guarantees a nutritious and protein-rich side dish that pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken legs.

This versatile, gluten-free option can be customized with various vegetables, herbs, and dressings, adding both flavor and color to your meal.

Easy to prepare and ideal for accommodating dietary restrictions, quinoa salad guarantees that everyone at your BBQ enjoys a delicious, healthy addition to their plate.

Caesar Salad

tossed greens with dressing

Adding to the array of nutritious and flavorful side dishes, Caesar salad offers a classic and savory complement to BBQ chicken legs. This side features crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a rich Caesar dressing, topped with savory Parmesan cheese.

The blend of textures and flavors provides a delightful contrast to the smoky, tangy notes of BBQ chicken, enhancing the overall meal experience.

Greek Salad

healthy and refreshing dish

Greek Salad is an invigorating and revitalizing side dish that brings a delightful medley of flavors and textures. It pairs excellently with BBQ chicken legs. This colorful salad recipe features crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Dressed in a tangy mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano, it offers a tasty balance of crunchy vegetables and creamy cheese.

Cornbread

southern comfort food favorite

A staple of Southern cuisine, cornbread offers a perfect blend of sweet and savory notes that enhance the smoky flavors of BBQ chicken legs.

This classic side dish, made with flour, cornmeal, sugar, eggs, milk, and baking powder, can be baked in a skillet or muffin tin.

Its comforting taste makes it a popular choice for BBQ gatherings, adding a delightful touch to the meal.

Potato Salad

potluck picnic with friends

Potato salad, with its creamy and tangy flavor profile, is an invigorating and satisfying side dish that pairs excellently with BBQ chicken legs. Typically made with potatoes, sweet onion, celery, mustard, and vinegar, this side dish is both rejuvenating and filling.

Its starchy texture and varied recipes make it a favorite at picnics and gatherings, complementing the smoky richness of BBQ chicken legs perfectly.

Mac and Cheese

comfort food on couch

Mac and cheese, a quintessential comfort food, pairs exceptionally well with BBQ chicken legs. The rich, cheesy recipe often uses cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda, creating a flavorful sauce that envelops the elbow macaroni.

Baked mac and cheese, especially with a crispy breadcrumb topping, is among the best baked dishes. Its indulgent flavors complement other sides like creamy potato salad or a baked potato perfectly.

Fruit Salad

tropical fruit salad recipe

Incorporating a fruit salad into your BBQ chicken legs meal offers a rejuvenating and colorful side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.

This healthy and invigorating option provides a natural sweetness and variety of textures, balancing the savory flavors of the chicken.

Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fruit salad is a nutritious addition, making your meal both delicious and wholesome.

Deviled Eggs

easter picnic favorite dish

Deviled eggs, with their creamy texture and savory taste, are an ideal accompaniment to BBQ chicken legs. This classic appetizer, made from hard-boiled eggs mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings, provides a delightful contrast to the smoky flavors of the chicken.

Easy to prepare in advance, deviled eggs are a crowd-pleaser, often garnished with paprika, chives, or bacon for added flavor.

Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer side dish

A invigorating cucumber salad offers a light and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements the smoky essence of BBQ chicken legs.

This rejuvenating salad, infused with a tangy tzatziki or yogurt sauce, provides a creamy texture.

Quick to prepare, it features cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes dressed simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

It's the perfect cool, revitalizing balance to hearty BBQ flavors.

Parmesan Fries

crunchy cheesy savory delight

Parmesan fries, with their crispy texture and rich umami flavor, serve as a delectable side dish that perfectly complements BBQ chicken legs.

These fries are easy to make by baking or frying potatoes with Parmesan cheese until golden and crispy.

The savory combination of the cheese and the crunch of the fries elevates the BBQ chicken meal, making it a crowd-pleaser.

Can the Same Side Dishes Be Served with Different Types of Chicken?

Yes, the best lemon herb chicken sides can be served with different types of chicken. Whether it’s grilled, roasted, or fried, side dishes like roasted vegetables, couscous, or a fresh green salad can complement the flavors of the lemon herb chicken perfectly. Variety in chicken doesn’t mean variety in sides.

Corn on the Cob

sweet summer corn harvest

Grilling corn on the cob for about ten minutes enhances its natural sweetness and introduces a delightful charred flavor, making it an ideal side dish for BBQ chicken legs.

This popular choice at summer barbecues complements the smoky flavors of the chicken perfectly.

Shucking the corn beforehand speeds up the process, ensuring you have delicious grilled corn ready in no time.