If you are not sure what to serve with Beer Can Chicken, I have some great suggestions for you! I have compiled a roundup of sides ideal for serving with beer can chicken. I have everything from potatoes to salads to vegetables and several grilled recipes to cook alongside your beer butt chicken. I have also included many healthy sides for beer can chicken, not to mention WW friendly recipes!
These sides are especially popular during the summer and pair perfectly with my own Healthy Beer Can Chicken recipe. If you are looking for the best side dishes to go with BBQ Beer Can Chicken, you'll love these!
Beer Can Chicken (also known as Beer Butt Chicken) is really the best way to do a whole chicken in the summer, right on the grill, using indirect heat.
You simply place chicken upright, on a can of your favorite beer, and put it on the gas grill (see my post for detailed instructions). The result is a next-level juicy and flavorful chicken dinner!
Sides for Beer Can Chicken
Salads
Salads are ideal for serving alongside beer can chicken because they offer freshness and lightness, texture variety, and temperature contrast (hot chicken and cold salad).
Grilled Sides
Grilled sides are a fantastic complement to beer can chicken for many of the same reasons that vegetables in general are, but with the added benefits that grilling imparts a desirable smoky (and even charred) notes from the grill, making the elements of the meal feel connected. It's also very convenient and very efficient (if you're already firing up the grill for the chicken)to cook your sides right alongside it. This means less cleanup and a more streamlined cooking process.
Vegetable Sides
Vegetable sides make a great pairing for beer can chicken for many of the same reasons that salads make great sides, such as texture, color, and visual appeal, but also nutrition. Adding vegetables makes the meal more well-rounded, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that a plate of just chicken would lack.
Some Popular Vegetable Choices to complement beer butt chicken:
- Root Vegetables: Potatoes (russets, reds, Yukon golds), carrots, onions, garlic cloves.
- Cruciferous: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts (halved).
- Softer Vegetables: Bell peppers (various colors), zucchini, yellow squash, corn on the cob (cut into smaller pieces), asparagus.
- Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes can roast and burst, adding sweetness and acidity.
Other Sides
So if you're looking for delicious side dishes to go with your Beer Can Chicken, give some of these a try!
***Which of these sides for beer can chicken are you excited to try first? Let me know in the comments!***
❓FAQs
This post highlights several healthy options:
Healthy Potato Salad: Made with light mayonnaise, potatoes, eggs, and vegetables, offering a lighter take on the classic dish.
Easy Vegan Bean Salad: A quick 5-minute salad using canned beans, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and red wine vinegar; it's vegan, gluten-free, and Weight Watchers friendly.
Shredded Zucchini and Feta Sauté: A low-carb, gluten-free side dish combining zucchini, garlic, dill, and light feta cheese.
Yes, I recommend:
Corn Stuffed Grilled Peppers: Bell peppers filled with corn, cheese, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs; they're meatless, gluten-free, and can be prepped in advance.
Onion Soup Mix Baked Potatoes: Potatoes are sliced and infused with an onion/butter mixture, then grilled in foil.
Healthy Grilled Mexican Street Corn. This recipe is a healthier and lighter version of the classic Grilled Mexican Street Corn.
Many of these sides are WW friendly, including (but not limited to):
Healthy Potato Salad: Uses low-fat mayonnaise to reduce calories.
Easy Vegan Bean Salad: Approximately 4 WW points per ½ cup serving.
Shredded Zucchini and Feta Sauté: Low in carbs and calories, making it suitable for WW.
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