BBQ chicken thighs pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes that enhance their smoky, savory goodness. Baked beans bring a sweet and savory flavor, while coleslaw adds a invigorating crunch. Corn on the cob, quick to grill and deliciously charred, complements the chicken perfectly. Grilled vegetables, seasoned just right, offer a healthy and flavorful option. Mac and cheese brings comforting creaminess. Consider adding garlic bread, pasta salad, pickled onions, and crispy green bean fries for even more delightful choices. Explore these sides to make your BBQ feast truly memorable!
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a quintessential BBQ side dish made from navy beans, bacon, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce. This classic recipe offers a sweet and savory flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with BBQ chicken thighs.
Easy to make and cost-effective, baked beans are a delicious side dish that enhances the overall BBQ experience, making them a favorite at gatherings.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a staple side dish at BBQ gatherings. It brings an invigorating crunch that perfectly complements the smoky flavors of BBQ chicken thighs. Made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing, coleslaw is easy to make ahead and can be customized with ingredients like apples or jalapeños.
Its rejuvenating crunch and balanced flavors make it an ideal companion for any BBQ feast.
Corn on the Cob
Why not elevate your BBQ chicken thighs with the sweet and charred flavors of corn on the cob, a classic side dish that's both quick and easy to prepare on the grill?
This fresh, summer side takes just 10 minutes to cook, making it perfect for a backyard BBQ. Its delightful flavor pairs wonderfully with BBQ chicken, adding a delicious touch to any meal.
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs exquisitely with BBQ chicken thighs.
Seasoned with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and portobello mushrooms gain a smoky charred taste that enhances their natural flavors.
This method retains nutrients while ensuring that each bite complements the smoky richness of BBQ chicken thighs perfectly.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, is an ideal comfort food to serve alongside BBQ chicken thighs. This creamy and cheesy side dish perfectly complements the smoky taste of BBQ.
Whether baked with a crispy topping or prepared as a creamy pasta dish, this cheese recipe is a crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect BBQ side.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is a quintessential accompaniment to BBQ chicken thighs, offering a delightful contrast with its creamy texture and tangy flavor. This side dish is often made with boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, or vinegar-based dressing and can be easily customized with celery, onions, pickles, or hard-boiled eggs.
Whether creamy or tangy, potato salad perfectly complements the smoky taste of BBQ chicken, making it an ideal choice.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad, with its crisp texture and invigorating dressing, offers a revitalizing complement to the smoky flavors of BBQ chicken thighs.
This easy-to-make side dish combines cucumbers and onions in a rejuvenating mix, creating a perfect balance for your BBQ spread.
Low in calories yet rich in vitamins, it is an ideal choice among the best dishes to serve with BBQ chicken.
Cornbread
While cucumber salad brings a revitalizing touch to your BBQ spread, cornbread offers a hearty and slightly sweet contrast that enhances the savory, smoky essence of BBQ chicken thighs.
This classic Southern side dish, whether moist and cake-like or crumbly and dense, provides the perfect texture. Cornbread, baked in a skillet or muffin tin, complements the meal's flavors beautifully.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs, with their creamy and flavorful filling, serve as a quintessential and nutrient-rich accompaniment to BBQ chicken thighs. This classic side dish is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Deviled eggs can be customized with various toppings like paprika, bacon, or pickles, adding a personal touch. Easy to make ahead, they are both convenient and delicious for any BBQ meal.
Fruit Salad
A vibrant fruit salad serves as an invigorating and colorful side dish that perfectly complements the smoky flavors of BBQ chicken thighs.
Combining fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, grapes, and melon, this salad offers natural sweetness and essential nutrients.
A drizzle of honey, a splash of citrus juice, or a sprinkle of mint can elevate its revitalizing taste, balancing the savory BBQ notes.
Roasted Vegetables
Complementing the invigorating fruit salad, roasted vegetables provide a warm, savory counterpart that enhances the meal's overall nutritional profile and flavor complexity.
This side dish is both healthy and flavorful, as roasting caramelizes the vegetables' natural sugars. Easily customized with seasonings like herbs and spices, common choices include bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and carrots, adding vibrant taste and essential nutrients to your BBQ chicken thighs.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread, with its rich, savory flavor and crispy texture, serves as an excellent side dish for BBQ chicken thighs. This quick and easy option involves spreading garlic butter on bread slices and toasting them to perfection.
The crunchy texture and aromatic garlic aroma not only complement the smokiness of the BBQ chicken but also enhance the overall dining experience.
Pasta Salad
Pasta salad offers a versatile and invigorating accompaniment to BBQ chicken thighs, effortlessly complementing the smoky flavors with its varied textures and dressings.
This side dish recipe is ideal for summer barbecues, providing an invigorating salad that can be made ahead.
With options ranging from a light vinaigrette to a creamy coleslaw-style dressing, it pairs perfectly with vegetable sides and other sides for BBQ.
Pickled Onions
Infusing a tangy and flavorful kick, pickled onions serve as a delightful accompaniment to BBQ chicken thighs. This versatile condiment is made by soaking sliced onions in vinegar, sugar, and spices, creating a side dish that complements the smoky and savory flavors of BBQ chicken thighs.
Stored in the refrigerator, these pickled onions remain fresh for weeks, ready to elevate any meal.
What Side Dishes Can I Serve With BBQ Chicken Thighs That Would Also Work With BBQ Meatballs?
When serving BBQ chicken thighs and BBQ meatballs, the best side dishes for BBQ meatballs are coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and corn on the cob. These sides complement both the chicken and meatballs, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Green Bean Fries
Why not elevate your BBQ chicken thigh meal with the crispy and nutritious addition of green bean fries?
This flavorful side dish is made by coating fresh green beans in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and baking or frying until golden brown.
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, green bean fries offer a healthy, crispy alternative to traditional fries, perfectly complementing your BBQ chicken.