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What to Serve with Pulled Chicken: 15 Delicious Side Dish Ideas

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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 chicken and you’re sure to find one that matches the flavor or nutrients you’re looking for.

Pulled chicken can be used in a lot of different foods, like pizza, tacos, salads, and sandwiches. The chicken is tasty and filling on its own, but the right side dishes can make your pulled chicken meal truly spectacular. What are some of the best sides to go with pulled chicken? Here are 15 tasty recipes to get you started.

Starches and Grains

Carbs pair deliciously with pulled chicken to make a hearty and comforting meal. Try these starchy sides.

1. Cornbread

A warm wedge of cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of pulled chicken. The crumbs mix into the sauce and juices to soak up all that delicious flavor Bake an 8×8 pan of cornbread from a boxed mix or use this simple Skillet Cornbread recipe for a quick and easy side. The addition of corn kernels, cheese, and jalapenos can dress up classic cornbread

2. Mac and Cheese

For ultimate comfort food, creamy and cheesy macaroni and cheese can’t be beat. The classic version with elbow noodles is a crowd-pleaser, but small pasta shapes like shells or bowties hold the sauce especially well. To lighten it up, try swapping some of the full-fat cheese for low-fat shredded cheese. Or take it over the top by mixing in pulled chicken and sauce right into the finished mac and cheese.

3. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a pulled chicken essential. The best way to serve pulled chicken is on fluffy potatoes soaked in butter and cream. Add cheese, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, or garlic to make it taste better. Yukon gold potatoes are more nutritious when you mash them with the skins still on.

4. Rice

Rice is a versatile base for pulled chicken. Steamed white or brown rice gives you a blank canvas, while flavored rice blends like lime cilantro add big flavor. For a fun twist, cook rice inside stuffed bell peppers or tomatoes as a side. The possibilities are endless when pairing rice with pulled chicken.

5. Baked Potato

A classic baked potato still can’t be beat. Let diners top their potato as desired with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and of course – pulled chicken. Large russet potatoes are ideal candidates for baking until tender all the way through. For a fun twist, twice baked potatoes allow you to mash the insides and mix them with cheese, garlic, and other flavors before restuffing the potato skins.

Veggies and Salads

Fresh vegetables balance out pulled chicken’s richness, These veggie-based sides are full of nutrients

6. Coleslaw

Cold, creamy coleslaw goes well with pulled chicken sandwiches. You can use pre-made coleslaw mixes to save time, or you can make your own with shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and a tangy dressing like Greek yogurt, mayo, or vinegar-based options. Cranberries, apples, or other mix-ins can be added to make it crunchier and taste better.

7. Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus caramelize beautifully in the oven. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 425°F until browned and tender. Their mild flavor soaks up the seasoning of the pulled chicken.

8. Greek Salad

A fresh Greek salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and onions goes well with pulled chicken and makes it taste better. Seasoning on the chicken goes well with the sharp tastes of the feta and olives. Dress it with a red wine vinaigrette or Greek dressing.

9. Wedge Salad

Iceberg lettuce wedges drizzled with a creamy blue cheese dressing are indulgent but delicious alongside pulled chicken. Garnish with crumbled bacon, diced tomato, and sliced red onion for the ultimate flavors. Croutons or pulled chicken topping the salad completes this classic pairing.

10. Caprese Salad

For Italian flair, a Caprese salad with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze is simple but impressive. The tomatoes pair nicely with zesty pulled chicken dishes like buffalo or jerk chicken.

Potluck and Party Favorites

For more substantial or shareable sides, these flavorful recipes please a crowd with pulled chicken.

11. Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic for potlucks and barbecues. Traditional baked beans simmered with molasses are familiar, but experiment with bean varieties like kidney, cannellini, or pinto. Mix in onions, garlic, mustard, or bacon for next-level flavor. The sauce mingles deliciously with juicy pulled chicken.

12. Potato Salad

A hearty potato salad is easy to transport to parties and picnics. Potatoes hold their shape and soak up the flavor of the dressing. A mayo-based dressing is traditional, but substitute plain Greek yogurt for a healthier spin. Mix in hard boiled eggs, vegetables like celery or onion, and seasonings like mustard, dill, or paprika.

13. Pasta Salad

Fun shaped pasta tossed with a vinaigrette makes a bright, portable salad for pulled chicken meals. Rotini or wagon wheel pasta holds the dressing nicely. Add whatever chopped vegetables you enjoy – common choices are bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, shredded carrots, broccoli, and red onion. Toss with Italian dressing or a homemade mix of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs.

14. Baked Beans

No-fuss green bean casseroles made with canned soup are a potluck staple for good reason – they transport well and everyone loves them! To upgrade boxed green bean casserole, use fresh green beans, slice the onions thinly, and toss on fried onions. The creamy mushroom sauce complements pulled chicken’s seasoning.

15. Corn Casserole

A cheesy and comforting corn casserole is a welcome addition to any potluck. The sweet corn flavor accentuates the seasoning on the pulled chicken. Use fresh or frozen corn and mix in diced peppers for color. Top with crushed crackers or cornbread crumbs before baking until golden on top.

Sauces and Condiments

Don’t overlook savory sauces and condiments to serve on the side with pulled chicken.

  • BBQ sauce
  • Ranch dressing
  • Honey mustard
  • Ketchup
  • Hot sauce
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Chimichurri
  • Mango chutney
  • Pico de gallo
  • Guacamole

Wrap Up

With so many diverse sides to choose from, it’s easy to find an excellent pairing for pulled chicken. Round out the meal with a starch like cornbread or rice, add nutrition with fresh vegetables, or bring a crowd-pleasing salad or casserole to a get-together. With all of these delicious options, from classics like mashed potatoes to fun new ideas like a Caprese salad, your next pulled chicken meal is sure to satisfy.

what to serve with pulled chicken

Nine Healthy Sides For BBQ Chicken

what to serve with pulled chicken

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.

what to serve with pulled chicken

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

Sharp cheddar cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, green onion, red onion, salt, pepper, paprika, and bacon are what you need to make this dish.

what to serve with pulled chicken

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

Greek yogurt, celery, relish, Dijon mustard, hard-boiled eggs, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, red onion, and parsley are some of the things that go into this dish.

Low Carb and Keto Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken

what to serve with pulled chicken

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.

what to serve with pulled chicken

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!

what to serve with pulled chicken

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.

Try These Sauces to Serve with Shredded Chicken!

FAQ

What side goes with pulled chicken?

Pulled chicken, especially when served in sandwiches or sliders, pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Common choices include coleslaw (creamy or vinegar-based), potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese.

What to have pulled chicken with?

Place the pulled chicken and beans on a plate and top with tacos or rice and lime wedges to squeeze over.

What to serve with pulled meat?

20 Sides for Pulled Pork Sandwiches That Go Way Beyond Coleslaw01 of 21. Homemade Crispy Seasoned French Fries. 02 of 21. Easy Coleslaw Dressing. 03 of 21. Baked Beans. 04 of 21. Basic Corn Muffins. 05 of 21. Old-Fashioned Potato Salad. 06 of 21. Simple Macaroni and Cheese. 07 of 21. Awesome Pasta Salad. 08 of 21.

What goes best with barbecue pulled chicken?

Healthy Sides for BBQ Chicken to Impress Your GuestsGrilled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter. Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Black Beans. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Sea Salt. Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Feta and Red Onion. Coleslaw with Greek Yogurt Dressing. Grilled Vegetable Skewers.

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