15 Must-Have Side Dishes to Pair with BBQ Chicken

This recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare collard greens using a pressure cooker. The greens are cooked with smoked turkey necks, butter, onion, garlic, and a blend of spices, including red pepper flakes and apple cider vinegar. The use of a pressure cooker significantly reduces the cooking time, making this a convenient method for preparing a traditional Southern side dish. The result is a savory and tender collard greens dish, perfect for any meal.

This recipe captures the essence of Southern cooking. It involves fresh okra slices breaded in a mixture of all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, and seasoned breadcrumbs, spiced with paprika and cayenne for extra flavor. The okra is then fried to a golden brown, creating a crunchy texture. Perfect as a side dish, it showcases the versatility of okra and is a staple in Southern and soul food cuisine.

This recipe is a creamy and savory side dish, easily made with sweet potatoes, butter, and cream. It offers a simple preparation method and can be served plain or enhanced with optional sweet or savory additions. The recipe emphasizes the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, making it a healthy and versatile choice for pairing with a variety of main dishes.

This recipe is a classic American favorite, known for its soft, buttery texture with numerous flaky layers. The recipe uses just six simple ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cold butter, cold buttermilk, and honey. The key to achieving the perfect texture is using very cold butter and buttermilk, and gently folding the dough to create layers. These biscuits can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings or as a side to any meal.

This recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic mac and cheese, replacing traditional pasta with cauliflower. The dish includes ingredients like cauliflower, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, and a mix of shredded cheeses such as smoked Gouda, cheddar, and Gruyere. The cauliflower is roasted before being combined with the creamy cheese sauce, and the dish is topped with a unique breadcrumb topping made from pork rinds, butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley.

This recipe is a fresh take on a classic pea salad, combining green peas, crispy bacon, diced red onion, and cubes of cheddar cheese. The ingredients are bound together in a creamy dressing made from sour cream, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper. This versatile dish is perfect for any time of the year, pairing well with many main dishes. It's simple to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient choice for gatherings.

This recipe for ultra-crispy baked potato wedges is a healthier alternative to traditional French fries. Russet potatoes are cut into wedges, soaked in hot water to remove starch, and then seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. They are baked until golden and crisp. These wedges can be enjoyed as a snack with dips like ketchup or aioli or as a side dish with burgers, chili, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

This recipe for ultra-crispy baked potato wedges is a healthier alternative to traditional French fries. Russet potatoes are cut into wedges, soaked in hot water to remove starch, and then seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. They are baked until golden and crisp. These wedges can be enjoyed as a snack with dips like ketchup or aioli or as a side dish with burgers, chili, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

This recipe combines the flavors of ranch, cheese, and bacon in a potato-based side dish. It involves baking potatoes with cubed butter and bacon bits, then topping them with ranch dressing and shredded cheese for a final bake. The dish is known for its ease of preparation and delightful mix of flavors, making it a perfect side dish for various meals.

This recipe is a quick and flavorsome dish, perfect as a soul food side. It involves cooking cabbage in bacon fat along with onions, garlic, and a mix of seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. The dish is finished with the addition of crispy bacon, adding a smoky flavor. It's a convenient recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a great accompaniment for a variety of Southern entrées.

This recipe features a crispy cornbread coating on tart green tomatoes. The tomatoes are sliced, salted to draw out moisture, and then breaded with a mixture of flour, milk, eggs, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and seasonings including Creole seasoning and cayenne pepper. They are fried until golden brown and can be served with various sauces. This Southern classic is quick, easy, affordable, and tasty, making it a great choice for appetizers or snacks.

This recipe is a vibrant and refreshing dish, ideal for potlucks and summer gatherings. The recipe features bowtie pasta, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell pepper, Kalamata olives, red onion, feta cheese, and fresh parsley. It's dressed in a homemade Greek vinaigrette, combining olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs. The salad is a harmonious blend of crunchy veggies, al dente pasta, and savory feta, making it a delightful summer salad.

This recipe features a cheesy corn side dish that is simple and flavorful. It involves grilling corn, removing the kernels, and then mixing them with butter, lime juice, chopped parsley, and feta cheese. The dish is seasoned with salt and pepper and serves as a bright, tangy accompaniment to various main courses. It can be prepared with either fresh or frozen corn, making it versatile for different seasons.

This salad is a quick and flavorful dish, perfect for potlucks or summer parties. It combines coleslaw mix, crumbled ramen noodles, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, and green onions. The salad is tossed in a homemade Asian dressing made from vegetable oil, white sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and garlic powder. It's a mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures, ideal for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish.

This recipe is a classic, creamy dish with a twist of zesty flavors. Key ingredients include Yukon Gold or red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, and pickle relish. Seasonings like celery salt, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper add depth to the flavor. The potatoes are boiled, and then mixed with a rich, creamy dressing. The recipe allows for customization with additions like bacon, cheese, or fresh herbs.