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These side dishes for BBQ chicken give you plenty of fresh, crunchy, savory, and filling ways to round out the meal. You’ll find chilled salads and slaws, warm vegetables, rice and noodles, potato and corn sides, and crispy bites that work with sweet, smoky chicken.

This list is useful for more than backyard grilling. Choose a few for an easy family dinner, a summer cookout, or a potluck. Many can be made ahead, while others cook quickly on the stovetop, in the air fryer, or in the oven.

When I build a BBQ chicken plate, I usually choose one cool side, one warm vegetable, and one filling option if I’m feeding a crowd. These recipes also pair well with grilled chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and skewers.

Nine plates of colorful Asian-inspired dishes, perfect as side dishes for grilled chicken, including vegetables, noodles, cucumber salads, fried appetizers, and vibrant garnishes, are arranged in a three-by-three grid on a table.

My top sides for BBQ chicken

Not sure where to start? These six cover a good mix of cool, warm, filling, and crispy choices.

  • Best cool and crunchy side: Asian cucumber salad — crisp cucumbers and a tangy sesame dressing balance sweet, sticky BBQ sauce.
  • Best make-ahead side: Korean carrot salad — crunchy, garlicky, and even better after the flavors have time to mingle.
  • Best warm vegetable: Chinese garlic green beans — savory, blistered green beans are quick to cook and easy to pair with any style of BBQ chicken.
  • Best filling side: Japanese potato salad — creamy, lightly tangy, and sturdy enough for family dinners, cookouts, or potlucks.
  • Best corn side: Taiwanese street corn — juicy corn brushed with savory shacha sauce adds a bold Taiwanese twist to the meal.
  • Best crispy party bite: Rice paper shrimp chips — light, crisp, and topped with real shrimp, these are a fun bite to serve while the chicken finishes cooking.

Table of Contents

How to choose sides for BBQ chicken

For a weeknight meal, one or two sides are usually enough. For a cookout or potluck, choose three or four with a mix of fresh, filling, and make-ahead options.

  • Start with something cool and crunchy. Cucumber salads, slaws, and chilled vegetables help balance sweet, sticky BBQ sauce.
  • Add one warm vegetable. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or cabbage round out the plate without making the meal too rich.
  • Include a filling side when needed. Rice, noodles, potatoes, or corn make the meal more complete, especially when feeding a crowd.
  • Choose at least one make-ahead dish. Cold salads, slaws, and potato salad keep last-minute cooking to a minimum.

Fresh salads, slaws, and chilled side dishes

These crisp, refreshing sides are especially good with sweet or smoky BBQ chicken. Several can be prepped ahead, making them easy choices for weeknight dinners, cookouts, and potlucks.

Diced cucumbers tossed in chili honey sauce in a white bowl

1

Asian cucumber salad

5 from 24 votes
Crunchy cucumbers are tossed in a garlicky honey-chili vinaigrette that’s tangy, lightly sweet, and as spicy as you like. This refreshing salad balances sticky BBQ sauce and takes only 15 minutes to make.
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Recipe image shows napa cabbage slaw with other thinly shredded vegetables and crunchy toppings served in a wood plate with dressing on top.

2

Napa Cabbage Slaw

5 from 8 votes
Tender Napa cabbage, crisp snow peas, and radicchio are tossed with a creamy miso ginger dressing and crunchy almonds. Prep the vegetables and dressing ahead, then combine them just before serving to keep the slaw crisp.
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Paleo Whole30 Keto Asian Coleslaw Recipe

3

Asian Coleslaw

5 from 9 votes
Cabbage, baby bok choy, carrots, and snow peas give this colorful slaw plenty of crunch, while roasted sesame dressing adds a creamy, nutty finish. Keep the dressing separate and the vegetables stay fresh for days.
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A bowl of Korean carrot salad topped with sliced green onions and black sesame seeds, placed on a wooden surface with chopsticks and small dishes of condiments nearby.

4

Korean Carrot Salad

5 from 2 votes
Thin carrot strands are crunchy, garlicky, lightly spicy, and brightened with fresh lemon. The salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, making it one of the easiest sides to prepare before a cookout.
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A patterned blue and white bowl filled with daikon ribbons, prosciutto, green leafy sprouts, black sesame seeds, and a bed of shaved daikon salad. Lemon wedges and chopsticks sit beside the bowl, with a blue napkin and small dish nearby.

5

Shaved Daikon Salad

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Thin daikon ribbons are crisp and juicy with a bright lemon-dashi dressing, salty prosciutto, and roasted black sesame seeds. It takes 15 minutes and adds a fresh, savory contrast to sweet BBQ chicken.
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Korean bean sprout salad recipe served in a yellow color bowl

6

Mung Bean Sprouts Salad

5 from 13 votes
Crisp mung bean sprouts are quickly blanched, chilled, and tossed with a garlicky sesame dressing. This mild, refreshing Korean side takes about 11 minutes and adds crunch without competing with the flavor of the chicken.
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Warm vegetable sides

These warm vegetable sides add color, texture, and savory flavor to the meal. Most cook quickly, making them easy to prepare while the BBQ chicken finishes or rests.

A plate of Chinese garlic green beans topped with sesame seeds and small bits of garlic, served in a blue and white patterned bowl, with chopsticks picking up some beans.

7

Chinese garlic green beans

5 from 13 votes
Crisp, blistered green beans are packed with garlic flavor without deep-frying or excess oil. They take about 25 minutes and add a savory, lightly charred contrast to sweet BBQ chicken.
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Recipe image shows broccoli with garlic sauce Chinese takeout style served in a blue white color plate.

8

Broccoli with Garlic sauce

5 from 6 votes
These broccoli florets have crisp stems, tender leaves, and a slightly bitter flavor balanced by a light garlic-soy sauce. This 20-minute stir-fry adds a fresh green vegetable without competing with smoky chicken.
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Easy Sauteed Asparagus with miso butter sauce served in a white plate

9

Sautéed asparagus with miso butter

5 from 7 votes
Crisp-tender asparagus is coated in a smooth, savory miso-butter sauce with garlic. It takes about 20 minutes and brings a rich umami finish that works especially well with simply seasoned or smoky BBQ chicken.
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A feature image shows Asian roasted brussels sprouts served over a big white plate

10

Asian Brussels sprouts

5 from 2 votes
These Brussels sprouts turn crisp outside and tender inside, then get tossed with a sweet-tangy maple soy glaze. Use the air fryer for a quick side or roast them in the oven for a larger batch.
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A close shot shows air fryer zucchini squash slices served on a white plate with napkin on the side

11

Air fryer zucchini and squash

5 from 8 votes
Zucchini and yellow squash cook until lightly browned outside and tender inside, with garlic, basil, and Parmesan for flavor. This no-breading side takes about 20 minutes and is especially useful during summer squash season.
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A black wok filled with Taiwanese Cabbage and slices of crispy garlic cjo[s, stir-fried to a light, glossy sheen—a dish reminiscent of Din Tai Fung’s signature style.

12

Din Tai Fung Taiwanese cabbage with garlic

5 from 2 votes
Crisp, juicy Taiwanese cabbage is stir-fried in fragrant garlic oil and topped with golden garlic chips. This light, clean vegetable side takes about 25 minutes and balances richer, sauce-coated BBQ chicken.
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Rice, noodles, potatoes, and corn

These more filling sides help turn BBQ chicken into a complete meal. Choose rice or noodles for an easy family dinner, or bring potato salad and corn to a cookout or potluck.

Recipe for fried rice made in air fryer inside of a cake pan

13

Air fryer fried rice

5 from 1 vote
Fluffy rice with vegetables and lightly crisp edges makes a savory side for saucy BBQ chicken. It uses cold leftover rice and cooks with minimal effort in the air fryer—no wok or constant tossing required.
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Grilled Taiwanese street corn on the cob topped with a spicy seasoning and garnished with fresh cilantro, served on a decorative oval plate with a yellow patterned border.

14

Taiwanese street corn

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Sweet, juicy corn is coated in deeply savory shacha sauce, then air-fried until lightly crisp outside. This Taiwanese night-market favorite adds bold BBQ flavor and can be made with homemade or store-bought shacha.
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A close shot shows the finishing dish of the peanut noodles, served with extra chili garlic sauce on the side in a white color plate.

15

Spicy peanut noodles

5 from 8 votes
Chewy noodles are coated in a rich, creamy peanut sauce with garlic chili heat. Ready in 15 minutes, this filling side is especially good with smoky grilled chicken and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
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A side close shot shows a plate of noodles with broccoli tossed in a creamy ginger dressing to make a salad bowl.

16

Broccolini noodle salad

5 from 12 votes
Tender-crisp broccolini and rice noodles are tossed in a creamy ginger dressing for a side that feels filling but still fresh. It takes about 25 minutes with minimal cooking—perfect for warmer days and summer gatherings.
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Recipe image shows miso butter mashed sweet potatoes served in a bowl.

17

Baked sweet potatoes with miso butter

5 from 2 votes
Naturally sweet, creamy potatoes get a savory boost from smooth white miso butter. Serve them whole or mashed alongside BBQ chicken, and use the oven or air fryer depending on what works best for your meal.
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Potato Salad Recipe Japanese I Heart Umami

18

Japanese potato salad

5 from 14 votes
Creamy potatoes, crunchy cucumbers and vegetables, jammy eggs, and bits of ham make this Japanese potato salad a cookout favorite. Prepare it up to two days ahead—the flavor gets even better after chilling for a few hours.
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Photo shows corn ribs made in air fryer served on a plate

19

Air fryer corn ribs

5 from 13 votes
These buttery corn ribs have lightly crisp edges and a creamy street-corn-style finish. Their smaller, curved shape makes them fun to pick up and share, especially for casual BBQ dinners and summer parties.
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Crispy sides and shareable bites

These crisp, savory bites are fun for casual dinners, cookouts, and sharing. Serve one while the chicken rests, or add it to a larger spread when you want more texture on the table.

Photo shows pan fried rice wrapper made dumplings with dipping sauce on the side in a light purple plate

20

Rice paper dumplings

4.99 from 51 votes
These rice paper dumplings have crisp, chewy wrappers and a savory vegetable filling. They add a satisfying crunch beside juicy BBQ chicken and can be pan-fried or air-fried for an easy shareable side.
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Photo shows 6 pan fried zucchini fritters served on a plate with sour cream and scallions on the side

21

Zucchini carrot fritters

5 from 18 votes
Crisp-edged zucchini carrot fritters are tender inside with plenty of fresh vegetable flavor. They pair well with smoky chicken and can be shaped ahead, then pan-fried shortly before serving.
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Photo shows 3 rice paper made Vietnamese Pizza on a cooling wire rack

22

Vietnamese Pizza Recipe (bánh tráng nướng)

4.92 from 12 votes
Vietnamese pizza turns a sheet of rice paper into a thin, crispy base with savory toppings. Cut it into wedges for sharing while the BBQ chicken finishes cooking or rests before serving.
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A wooden plate filled with crispy rice paper shrimp chips, topped with green chili slices. The golden-brown fritters are arranged in a slightly overlapping pattern and paired perfectly with crunchy shrimp chips.

23

Rice paper shrimp chips

5 from 1 vote
These light, crispy rice paper chips are topped with real shrimp, ginger, and scallions, then shallow-fried until golden. Serve them with nuoc cham for a bright, crunchy contrast to sweet BBQ chicken.
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Photo shows fried oyster mushrooms on a blue white color plate with sauce on the side

24

Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Fried Chicken Karaage)

4.95 from 17 votes
Oyster mushrooms turn crisp around the edges while staying juicy and tender inside. The air fryer makes them easy to prepare with less oil, and their savory flavor works especially well beside smoky BBQ chicken.
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Need the BBQ chicken too?

  • Vietnamese grilled chicken drumsticks: Juicy drumsticks coated in a sweet, tangy Vietnamese chili glaze with smoky, caramelized edges.
  • Honey sriracha chicken thighs: Crispy chicken thighs with a sticky sweet-spicy sauce and options for grilling, air frying, or baking.
  • Negima yakitori chicken skewers: Tender chicken thighs and scallions brushed with glossy Japanese tare sauce and lightly charred.
  • Taiwanese shacha BBQ chicken: This savory Taiwanese-style BBQ chicken is seasoned with garlicky shacha sauce for deep umami flavor. Use the marinade with wings, thighs, drumsticks, or leg quarters, then grill, air fry, or bake.

Frequently asked questions

Which BBQ chicken sides can be made ahead?

Japanese potato salad, Korean carrot salad, chilled zucchini, and mung bean sprout salad can all be prepared ahead and refrigerated. For Asian coleslaw and Napa cabbage slaw, prep the vegetables and dressing separately, then toss them together shortly before serving so they stay crisp.

What sides are good for a BBQ potluck?

Choose sides that travel well and can be served chilled or at room temperature. Slaws, noodle salads, Japanese potato salad, Korean carrot salad, corn, and zucchini carrot fritters are all practical choices for a potluck table.

Do these sides also work with grilled chicken?

Yes. These sides pair just as well with grilled chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and skewers. The fresh salads and slaws are especially good with richly seasoned chicken, while rice, noodles, potatoes, and corn help turn simply grilled chicken into a complete meal.

Made a dish and loved it? Please rate the recipe and leave a comment in the section below! It helps my blog grow organically, allowing me to continue sharing free and awesome content with you. Thank you!

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6 Comments

  1. Megan says:

    5 stars
    Love the air fryer oyster mushrooms and sauteed asparagus!! All so finger licking delicious! Thanks for these.

  2. Charlotte says:

    5 stars
    We love the Asian cucumber salad! We make it alll the time – it’s super refreshing for hot summer!

  3. nancy says:

    5 stars
    great ideas to serve with chicken or really at any bbq party! all great inspo

  4. Shelby says:

    5 stars
    Love all the inspiration and new ideas! I now NEED herb stuffed mushrooms lol

    1. ChihYu says:

      love that one for sure!

  5. Janessa says:

    5 stars
    Yum, so many great ideas for sides to barbecue chicken! I’ll definitely be making more than one of these this summer. Thanks for sharing.