Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Smoked Chicken

Smoked chicken is one of the most common forms of smoked chicken.

The process is simple.

You marinate some chicken in a rub or brine overnight and then smoke it.

The main flavor you’ll get from smoked chicken is the smokiness itself.

Depending on your tastes, it will have a strong smoky taste, either pleasant or unpleasant.

When people talk about smoked meat, they’re usually talking about either beef brisket or smoked chicken.

If you don’t have access to an actual smoker, you can still make a pretty tasty smoked chicken in your oven.

Smoked chicken is very versatile – it can be served as a full meal or used for sandwiches and salads.

In this article, we’ll list eight great side dishes to serve with smoked chicken.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Smoked Chicken?

Smoked chicken is a great dish by itself, but it can be made into an even better meal when paired with the right side dishes.

The foundation for tasty smoked chicken starts with choosing the right ingredients and smoking them to perfection.

However, if you are looking for ways to enhance your next barbecue menu, consider using a few simple side dishes to make your smoked chicken even more special.

While serving a variety of side dishes may seem like a lot of effort, you do not need to go out and buy an expensive assortment of pre-made side dishes from the store.

Instead, think about what you already have in your kitchen that can be made into a tasty side dish.

This could be as simple as using leftovers from earlier meals or turning a few vegetables into a delicious side salad.

The great thing about using the ingredients you have on hand is that it will save money, making an even bigger meal.

Another reason why adding side dishes is good is because smoked foods tend to be on the drier side.

This means it may be best to pair them with something that has a moist texture, like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

If you do not like traditional side dishes, consider experimenting with some other options.

What to Serve with Smoked Chicken? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So without further ado, here are eight amazing side dishes that will compliment your next barbecue menu.

1 – Herbed Mac and Cheese

Macaroni Side Dishes are another traditional side dish that makes the perfect pairing with smoked chicken.

Use some elbow macaroni pasta or any of your favorite smaller-shaped pasta, like shells.

Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the box (usually boil for around 10 minutes) and cook until tender.

Drain them, add them to a bowl with some butter, and sit for a few minutes.

Add in your choice of cheeses:

• Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, or any other favorite flavor combinations will pair well with smoked chicken.
• Once the pasta is ready, mix in the cheese until it melts into the macaroni. If the mixture appears too dry, add in some milk or cream to make it moister.
• Once combined, serve hot with your smoked chicken.

2 – Tomato Salad

This healthy salad will cut the richness of smoked chicken and works as a great side dish for any barbecue.

Start by dicing up some tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and bell peppers into small cubes.

Then mix a tasty dressing that pairs well with smoked chicken, such as balsamic vinegar or olive oil.

Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle a bit of cheese or fresh herbs on top.

For an extra special touch, add in some grilled shrimp on top for added flavor.

3 – Apple Coleslaw

Coleslaw makes a great side dish because it already contains the right ingredients to cut out some of the richness from your smoked chicken.

A great way to make coleslaw is by combining cabbage, carrots, apples, and some mayonnaise.

Prepare the vegetables by dicing up the cabbage and carrots into small cubes.

Add in some dried cranberries or raisins for added sweetness (optional).

Shred some fresh apple with a cheese grater (this adds a great texture).

Toss in the onion or apple juice for added flavor.

Add some mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to taste.

4 – Barbecue Potato Salad

Barbecue potato salad is a popular barbecue side dish that is easy to make at home with little effort.

Start by boiling your potatoes until tender (15 minutes or so), then drain.

Cut them into cubes and place them into a large bowl with some onions (diced) and celery (diced).

Add in your choice of mayonnaise, salsa, pickles, mustard, or any other special flavors you want to experiment with.

Mix all the ingredients well until combined, then allow it to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Once you’re ready to eat, bring it out of the fridge and serve with your smoked chicken.

5 – Baked Parmesan Zucchini

Zucchini Side Dishes are a great way to add flavor to your plate without adding too many calories.

Start by cutting the ends of the zucchini and slicing them into circles that are roughly a quarter-inch thick.

Then brush some olive oil on top of each slice and season with salt and pepper.

Top with parmesan cheese and some Italian seasoning.

Once the oven is preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, place the zucchini slices on a baking sheet and bake for around 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

Once they are done cooking, remove them from the oven and serve with your smoked chicken (or anything else of your choice).

6 – Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salads are delicious because they are crunchy, healthy, and make a great side dish for any barbecue.

Start by chopping up the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces.

Then mix in some chopped onion, green bell pepper, fresh jalapeno (optional), crushed pineapple chunks, almonds or cashews, raisins, and some oil and vinegar for taste.

Add salt to taste.

This salad requires very little preparation – this is a great option if you are short on time or don’t have kitchen appliances available to cook with at the barbecue location.

To serve, place it in a large bowl and top with some fresh cilantro or parsley.

7 – Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled corn salad is great for making because it combines the flavors of summer, like corn and avocado, with some savory ingredients that pair well with smoked chicken.

Start by husking the corn and slicing off the kernels with a sharp knife.

Slice up one ripe avocado into cubes (or chunks) along with some red onion (diced).

Toss in chopped cilantro, salt, pepper, crushed red peppers (optional), and lime juice.

Make sure to squeeze the limes yourself to get the most flavor out of them.

Stir everything together well until combined.

When serving this dish, make sure you place it on top of a bed of greens.

This helps add bulk to your meal without adding too many calories.

8 – Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cheesy potato casserole is a classic barbecue side dish that usually gets served alongside grilled chicken or ribs.

The great thing about cheesy potato casserole is that you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand to create the perfect combination of flavors that your whole family will love.

Start by cubing up some potatoes, then boiling them until they are tender all the way through (about 10 minutes).

Then drain them and mix in butter, milk, cream of chicken soup, green onion (diced), and some salt & pepper to taste.

Top with shredded cheddar cheese and place it back in the oven and bake until the cheese is all bubbly and gooey (about 10 minutes).

Remove from the oven, top with fresh parsley, and serve with your favorite barbecue meal.

Conclusion

Smoked chicken is a great option for dinner on the Fourth of July because it’s delicious and easy to make.

Pair it with any one of these side dishes for a complete meal that is sure to please.

Remember that all of these side dishes can be served with any meal – use this list as a guide to get you started, then experiment with your variations.

You can even try making up new meals or desserts with these ingredients – that’s how you learn about cooking.

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