Smoked chicken is one of my all-time favorite, once-in-a-while dishes. While it's an absolute crowd-pleaser that I’m always convincing my friends to try and whip themselves up, I know that some people struggle to figure out what to serve with it!

The great thing about smoked chicken is its versatility. You can make it into a real comfort meal with some smoked Gouda mac and cheese, or you can show off your culinary skills by serving it with some garlic and Parmesan roasted potatoes.

Whatever your aim, I’ll show you 17 of my favorite dishes to serve smoked chicken with to take your meal to the next level!

Salads

1. Fresh Grilled Corn Salad

If your family is anything like mine and loves the sweetness of corn on a summer's day, you’ll find this recipe a real hit. Think char-grilled sweet corn, fresh carrots, and crunchy cucumber; this colorful side salad will bring life to your plate!

I whipped this salad up when the extended family came to visit for Christmas, and I was surprised by how quickly this salad came together.

It's also a great salad to make the day before and makes preparing it on the big day an absolute breeze.

You can char the corn quickly right on your gas stove or a grill, taking just about 5 minutes! Once you've got that golden goodness, the rest is a breeze. Toss in your veggies, dress it all with a bright combination of red wine vinegar and a fruity extra virgin olive oil, and done.

The lightness and bright notes of the salad cut through the richness of the smoked meat, offering a refreshing balance with each bite.

2.Creamy Coleslaw

Really, where would we be without coleslaw? This staple goes with just about anything!

It's cheap, easy – and let's face it, who doesn’t love coleslaw?

Coleslaw cuts through the richness of any meal and perfectly balances out smoked chicken without taking away from the star’s flavors.

With the right fresh cabbage and crispy carrots, coleslaw is a staple that will never let you down. It takes me a maximum of 5 minutes to whip up a good coleslaw, and I know the kids will also love it!

3.Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

This recipe really is as fresh and fragrant as it sounds!

This modern twist on the classic Caprese salad is made using the freshest mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil.

The recipe adds a simple, yet effective twist with the balsamic glaze that perfectly ties into the smokiness of the chicken.

I personally love this recipe, as it is not only delicious and fresh but makes you feel so good after eating it!

You’ll get all the flavor with none of the guilt. Plus, it’s an absolute hit at BBQs, picnics, and even at those dinners where you just have to impress.

4.Tabbouleh Salad

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Mediterranean diet which is not only excellent for your health but is also colorful, fragrant, and consists of high-quality, fresh ingredients. This salad is no exception!

The Lebanese salad is made with fresh parsley and bulgur, and topped with a lemon mint dressing.

It’s the perfect side to smoked chicken in the summer months, and the lemony dressing adds a great tangy lightness to the meal.

If you’re catering for a large group, you can also add shredded lettuce to this recipe which adds bulk to the salad without compromising the taste!

5.Fried Potatoes and Onions

Ah, the joys of comfort food. I treat my kids to this side on a Friday night, and my hubby often craves this side.

Luckily for me, it’s a real bang-for-the-buck recipe! It only takes 4 ingredients plus salt and pepper – and you’re off! It's the kind of side that goes with almost anything (especially smoked chicken).

The potatoes and onions are pan sautéed with butter and have that crispiness that is what we love about skillfully cooked potatoes. It's one of my go-to carb options when I need something that is all about taste.

6.Dijon & Herb Potato Salad

Why not mix it up and try a fresh take on the humble potato salad? This potato salad is entirely vegan, which is great for those who just don’t love mayo.

It also means that it's lighter, fresher, and doesn’t take away from the star of the meal.

Made with red potatoes, it adds color to your plate that traditional potato salad just doesn't quite manage.

It'll take you half an hour to whip up from start to finish, and what I love best about it is that you spend half that time ignoring the potatoes as they cook – easy!

7. Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint

The perfect partner in crime for pita bread and smoked chicken. This refreshing salad is the perfect side for summer and adds a lightness to any meal!

It's made with a delicious plain yogurt and mint dressing, which adds a nice tang to the cucumber.

It is super easy to whip up – think ten minutes, tops – and is worth every minute.

Peel your cucumber into stripes, slice as you like, toss in some finely cut red onions for an extra zing, and add a generous dollop of plain whole milk yogurt.

A sprinkle of dried mint, a dash of garlic powder, and a pinch of salt – stir it up, and you're done! (If you're using Greek yogurt, just thin it with a touch of milk.)

Hearty Side Dishes

1.Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon

What better way to marry together the smokiness of the chicken with some equally rich, smoking baked beans and bacon?

This Southern-style recipe is a dangerous blend of naughty and mouth-watering!

There are some easy variations to this recipe, which can be used to adapt to any taste and preference.

For example, turkey bacon can be used to cut out some of the fat – and if you’re like me and crave a spicy kick, why not add in some jalapeños?

This recipe is a great way to try something new with your smoker and make it do all the work for you.

2.Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

I’m not sure that you can love mac and cheese in the same way I do.

What can I say? It's my downfall; my Achilles heel; the one thing that will always make me come back for more.

I love it all, especially when it's made with smoked Gouda!

The smoky take on the classic mac and cheese takes it to another level. It transports it from my favorite comfort meal to something that tastes like it could be served at your favorite upmarket recipe.

And here's the kicker – it's not just for the flavor that this smoked Gouda mac and cheese makes a great side to smoked chicken. It's the balance. The creamy texture and rich taste offer a counterpoint to the smokiness and tenderness of the chicken.

This recipe is so simple; after all, it is mac and cheese – a recipe loved by college students all around. This means you can make it too, no questions asked!

3.Wild Rice Pilaf

Hear me out: if you’re thinking of having smoked chicken with rice, you need to try this recipe!

It's healthy, packed with an explosion of flavors, and tastes like you spent all day on it (when you really didn’t).

Most of the time making this recipe is simply taken up by waiting for the rice to cook.

It's also one of those recipes that you can make the night before and heat up when you need it.

This makes it ideal for when you’re hosting and worried about whipping up all the moving parts at once.

Vegetable Sides

1.Roasted Spicy Potatoes

Spicy Lebanese potatoes are a real crowd-pleaser and are almost entirely foolproof!

These potatoes are twice cooked, which makes them crispy and taste like they’ve been crafted in heaven.

These potatoes are infused with olive oil, cilantro, parsley, and both garlic and lemon to create a beautifully balanced side dish.

Preparing these beauties is a breeze. Crank your oven to 425 degrees F and give those spuds a good 45 minutes in there, mixing them around halfway through to ensure an even crispiness.

Once that chicken comes out of the smoker all tender and juicy, hit it with a side of these hot, crispy potatoes drizzled in that herby, spicy oil, and you’ve got yourself a meal that sings with Mediterranean flavors.

It works like a charm, cutting through the rich smokiness of the chicken with its fresh, zesty personality.

And here's the best part: the dish is gluten-free and dairy-free, so everyone can dive in without a fuss. Whether you serve them hot, right out of the oven, or cool them down for a potato salad twist, you can’t go wrong.

2.Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

This is the perfect recipe for when you want to try something a little different without taking any unnecessary risks!

This side is not only a breeze to whip up – with a prep time of virtually nil – but it'll also leave you with minimal cleanup. Everything's tossed together on an aluminum-foil-lined baking sheet, which means no extra dishes cluttering your sink. A true win-win!

You simply add some garlicky, cheesy goodness to the asparagus, pop it into the oven for 8 minutes – and then you’re good to go.

The rich, deep flavor of the smoked chicken is perfectly offset by the light, aromatic crispness of the asparagus.

It’s a side that makes any meal look a bit fancier and is a great way to get the kids to try a new veggie.

3.Grilled Vegetable Platter

This is a recipe that’ll really make you feel like you have your life together and leave you and your guests feeling amazing!

This platter is loaded with asparagus, bell peppers, broccolini, sweet potato, tomatoes, and zucchini to create an explosion of both flavor and color.

Grilling these vegetables is quick and straightforward—with 10 minutes of prep and just about 25 minutes of cook time, you'll have a gorgeous platter ready to serve 6 to 8 people.

The light and fresh grilled vegetables cut through the richness of the chicken, while the chimichurri ties it all together with its herby, tangy profile.

It's a beautiful, easy-to-share platter that's sure to dazzle at your table, appealing to everyone—even the hardcore carnivores at your party.

4.Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds

This 20-minute recipe will make it look like you really know what you’re doing in the kitchen!

Green beans pack a punch with fiber, protein, and a bunch of vitamins. But more than that, the bright, crisp texture and the nutty, garlicky flavor of this dish cut through the rich smokiness of the chicken, balancing each bite perfectly.

It's one of my personal favorites as it adds that crunch that vegetables can sometimes lack when cooked.

Begin by preparing your green beans, chopping off the ends (snap them with your fingers to save on washing up), and giving them a good rinse.

Once those beans hit the pan, a brief sauté with fragrant garlic, salt, pepper, and a hint of brown sugar is all it takes to deliver a side dish that's both quick and impressive.

If you’re looking to take a modern approach, I would recommend adding sesame oil for extra flavor.

5.Maple Glazed Carrots

Maple glazed carrots are a classic that are just as yummy as they are easy to make!

If you have kids, they are sure to love them just as much as mine do even if they are normally hesitant about vegetables.

This recipe calls for staples you probably already have: maple syrup, butter, and shallots (carrots too, of course!).

Serve these carrots alongside your smoked chicken to add a special touch to your meal.

The sweetness of the maple complements the smoky flavor of the chicken in the most heavenly way. And since they're not your average boiled or steamed carrots, this dish adds a gourmet twist to your spread with its rich glaze and subtle cinnamon notes.

Breads & Dips

1.Pita Bread

Pita bread is surprisingly easy to make at home – just trust me on this one!

Best of all, you can freeze this recipe – which makes it great for when you have leftovers you don’t know what to do with.

What really sets this side apart is its authenticity—Lebanese pita is known for being perfectly soft with just the right amount of thickness to create those coveted pockets, perfect for filling them with smoky chicken shreds or a slather of creamy hummus

All you’ll need to make this pita bread is all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, water, sugar, and milk. Basically – all the things you already have at home!

2Trader Joe's Copycat Cornbread

I was a bit skeptical when I tried this recipe, but I am so glad I did! This homemade cornbread is so good, you might just forget about the chicken for a minute!

It's a perfect blend of sweet and savory, with a texture that's just the right amount of crumbly without falling apart. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is the MVP when time is ticking and stomachs are rumbling.

What seals the deal is the option to bake it in a cast iron skillet. Doing so amps up the rustic feel and ensures that every bite has that perfect, crunchy edge to it, making it a fantastic companion to the smoky, savory flavors of your chicken.

It's like they were meant to be together – the smoke-kissed chicken and the soul-warming cornbread sidekick.

📖 Recipe