What to serve with BBQ chicken

When you’re planning a BBQ chicken dinner in Munster, Cedar Lake, Merrillville or anywhere in Northwest Indiana, the sides matter just as much as the main dish. Whether you’re grilling in your backyard or hosting a family cookout at a local Northwest Indiana park such as Centennial Park, the right sides turn a simple meal into something memorable. You want options that balance smoky, sweet, tangy and savory flavors. You also want choices that are easy to prepare and fit your crowd and your style of cooking. Shop at Strack & Van Til, your local Northwest Indiana grocery store, in Valparaiso, Hammond, Portage and the rest of the 22 locations across Northwest Indiana for all the best sides to serve with BBQ chicken.

BBQ chicken is one of the most versatile proteins you can serve. It pairs well with creamy comfort foods, crisp salads, grilled vegetables and fresh produce from the Strack & Van Til Produce Department. And when you want convenience, the Deli Department and Meat & Seafood Department offer ready‑to‑serve sides, grilling tins and Heat and Serve options that make cookouts easy for any Northwest Indiana gathering.

Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions people in Northwest Indiana ask when planning a BBQ chicken meal — plus a full list of sides available at your local Strack & Van Til.

What goes well with BBQ chicken?

BBQ chicken pairs best with sides that offer contrast. Creamy dishes balance smoky sauce. Fresh salads add crunch. Grilled vegetables echo the flavor of the grill. Starches such as potatoes, rice or cornbread help round out the plate.

Some of the best BBQ chicken sides include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and cornbread. You can pick up ready‑to‑serve versions of these classics at Strack & Van Til locations across Northwest Indiana.

What sides should you make for a BBQ chicken cookout?

For local cookouts — whether you’re grilling at Wicker Park, Lemon Lake, Deep River Park or your own backyard — choose sides that travel well and stay fresh in warm weather.

Great options include:

• Pasta salads
• Potato salads
• Grilled vegetables
• Fruit salads

The Strack & Van Til deli near you offers ready‑to‑serve favorites including Caprese pasta salad, Cowboy Caviar and Our Own Potato Salad, perfect for Northwest Indiana summer gatherings.

If you want warm sides, the Hot & Ready case has macaroni and cheese, potato wedges and twice baked potatoes that pair naturally with BBQ chicken.

What vegetables pair with BBQ chicken?

Vegetables that can handle heat or acidity are ideal with BBQ chicken. Grilled vegetables including zucchini, asparagus or corn echo the charred flavor of the grill. Fresh salads with cucumbers, tomatoes or leafy greens bring brightness to the plate.

For effortless prep, the Meat & Seafood Department offers grilling tins including:

• Bacon wrapped asparagus
• Italian sausage stuffed mushrooms
• Seasoned red‑skinned potatoes
• Cajun Campfire potatoes

These go straight from the fridge to the grill — perfect for busy Northwest Indiana families.

What’s the easiest side dish to make for BBQ chicken?

The easiest side dish is something you can prep in minutes with minimal cooking. For zero prep, pick up ready‑made sides from the deli like:

• Summer coleslaw
• Rotini pasta salad
• Hawaiian salad
• Cowboy Caviar

These are ideal for quick weeknight meals or last‑minute gatherings.

How many sides should you serve with BBQ chicken?

For a family dinner, two sides are usually enough. For a cookout or party, plan on three to five sides depending on the size of your group and whether you’re serving appetizers or dessert.

If you’re ordering catering trays from any Strack & Van Til location, the deli team can help you estimate quantities based on your guest count — especially helpful for larger Northwest Indiana events.

The Best BBQ chicken side dishes (available at Strack & Van Til)

Below you’ll find a wide range of sides organized by category. Each one pairs naturally with BBQ chicken and can be found in the Strack & Van Til Deli or Meat & Seafood Department near you.

Strack & Van Til grilling tins (Meat & Seafood Department)

“These grilling tins take the guesswork out of cookouts. You set them on the grill next to your chicken and everything finishes at the same time,” says Meat & Seafood Department Director Gary Teachman.

• Seasoned red-skinned potatoes Tender potatoes seasoned and ready for the grill. They cook in the same amount of time as BBQ chicken and pick up great flavor.
  
  
• Cajun campfire potatoes Spicy, smoky potatoes with bold Cajun seasoning. A great match for sweet or tangy BBQ sauce.
  
  
• Italian sausage stuffed mushrooms Savory mushrooms filled with seasoned sausage. A hearty side that grills beautifully and adds depth to your plate.
  
  
• Jalapeño popper potato skins Creamy, cheesy potato skins with mild heat. A fun cookout side that doubles as an appetizer.
  
  
• Cheddar bacon stuffed mushrooms Mushrooms filled with melty cheese and smoky bacon. Rich, satisfying and easy to grill.
  
  
• Portobello stuffed mushrooms Large portobellos filled with savory stuffing. A great option if you want a more substantial vegetable side.
  
  
• Bacon‑wrapped asparagus Crisp asparagus wrapped in smoky bacon. Grills quickly and pairs well with BBQ chicken.
  
  
• Firecracker corn Sweet corn with a kick of heat. A bold side that pairs well with BBQ chicken and adds color to your table.

Deli salads (Deli Department)

• Baked beans or Texas BBQ baked beans Sweet, smoky beans with deep flavor. A classic BBQ pairing that works for any crowd.
  
  
• Caprese pasta salad with fresh mozzarella Pasta tossed with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. Light and refreshing.
  
  
• Cowboy Caviar A mix of beans, corn and veggies in vinaigrette. Bright, crunchy and perfect with chips or on its own.
  
  
• Our Own Potato Salad varieties Choose from classic, mustard, premium, golden BBQ, steakhouse or deviled egg potato salads.
  
  
• Macaroni salad Creamy and cool with tender pasta. A dependable staple that pairs well with smoky chicken.
  
  
• Rotini pasta salad In creamy dressing with broccoli or oil and vinegar with veggies. Great for warm weather.
  
  
• Spinach pasta salad Fresh spinach, pine nuts and parmesan tossed with pasta. A delicious twist on traditional pasta salad.
  
  
• Summer coleslaw or sweet pepper slaw Crisp with bright flavor that balances rich BBQ chicken.
  
  
• Creamy coleslaw or vinegar and oil slaw Choose creamy or tangy depending on your preference. Both pair well with grilled chicken.
  
  
• Our Own Cheesecake Delight A sweet, creamy side that doubles as a dip for fresh fruit.
  
  
• Hawaiian salad A sweet, tropical‑inspired salad that adds a fun twist to your BBQ spread.

Hot and Ready or Heat and Serve (Deli Department)

• Potato wedges Crispy, seasoned and kid‑friendly. Works with any BBQ flavor.
  
  
• Macaroni and cheese Creamy and comforting. A warm side that everyone loves that pairs beautifully with smoky chicken.
  
  
• Twice baked potatoes Fluffy potatoes with cheese and seasoning. Easy to heat and serve for a hearty addition to your meal.

How to build a balanced BBQ chicken plate

A great BBQ chicken meal has a mix of textures and flavors. Use this simple formula:

• One creamy side
• One fresh or crunchy side
• One warm or grilled side

For example:

• Pair macaroni and cheese with Cowboy Caviar and bacon‑wrapped asparagus.
  
  
• Our Own Potato Salad with Caprese pasta salad and seasoned red skinned potatoes.

If you’re serving a crowd, offer at least one option from each category so guests can build their own combinations.

Feeding a crowd: Catering and party trays

“When you’re hosting a group, you want sides that hold up well and taste great from the first plate to the last. Our catering trays make that easy,” says Deli Department Director Kristin Snow.

When you’re the host, convenience matters. The Strack & Van Til deli near you offers prepared sides, salads and party trays that make it easy to feed groups of any size. You can order classics such as potato salad, coleslaw or pasta salads, along with fruit trays and veggie trays.

Strack & Van Til’s deli offers prepared sides, salads and party trays perfect for occasions including:

• Graduation parties
• Family reunions
• Picnics
• Block parties
• Park gatherings across Northwest Indiana

If you’re planning a larger cookout, consider pairing BBQ chicken with:

• A fresh fruit tray
• A vegetable tray with dip
• A pan of macaroni and cheese
• A dessert tray

These options save time and ensure you have enough food for everyone. You can explore more options on the Catering page.

Regional twists on BBQ chicken sides

Different regions have their own take on BBQ sides. You can borrow ideas to give your meal a theme.

• Southern‑style sides Collard greens, cornbread, mac and cheese and sweet tea.
  
  
• Midwestern cookout sides Potato salad, pasta salad and fresh produce such as sweet corn or watermelon.
  
  
• Hawaiian‑inspired sides Hawaiian salad, grilled pineapple and rice.
  
  
• Southwestern sides Firecracker corn, Jalapeño popper potato skins and Texas BBQ baked beans.

Simple weeknight BBQ chicken sides

When you’re short on time, choose sides that require little prep.

• Summer coleslaw
• Rotini pasta salad
• Potato wedges
• Twice baked potatoes
• Caprese pasta salad

You can also pick up a rotisserie chicken from the deli and pair it with a few ready‑made sides for a complete dinner in minutes.

Final thoughts

BBQ chicken is one of the easiest meals to build around because it pairs well with so many sides. Whether you want comfort food, fresh salads, grilled vegetables or easy weeknight options, you have plenty of choices at the Strack & Van Til grocery store near you. They make it simple to round out your meal with fresh produce, grilling tins and deli sides that fit any occasion — all available at your local Northwest Indiana grocery store.

Strack & Van Til … serving Northwest Indiana communities like the one near you, for over 96 years. Find your nearest Strack & Van Til grocery store with the Store Finder.

If you’re planning a bigger cookout, explore What to Grill or Best Cuts of Steak for Grilling for more inspiration.