Looking for the best sides for jerk chicken? This recipe collection includes hot and cold options ranging from Jamaican to Southern and African. You’ll find traditional side dishes like Jamaican rice and golden brown plantains, but also lighter options like salads. Use this list to find what to serve with jerk chicken to make a delicious meal.
Why Share?
Jerk chicken is a classic Jamaican dish that is the perfect combo of spicy, smoky, and savory flavors.
It gets its distinctive taste from Jamaican jerk sauce (jerk marinade), which is a mixture of onions, scotch bonnet peppers (or habanero pepper), garlic, lime juice, vinegar, fresh thyme, and other herbs.
Even though spicy jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican dish, many cultures have adopted it. So, it’s common to see this main course served with everything from baked macaroni and cheese and collard greens to Spanish rice.
This collection brings the best sides for jerk chicken to one place.
More Chicken Side Dish Recipes:
After using these sides to make a Jamaican jerk chicken meal, change up your menu with these recipe collections:
- Side Dishes for Fried Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Sides
What to Serve with Jerk Chicken:
Use the recipes below to get ideas of what goes with jerk chicken to make a meal.
Best Side Dishes For Jerk Chicken
Find the best side dishes for jerk chicken using these jerk chicken sides recipes. Includes traditional Jamaican side dishes, Southern classics, and lighter options. Perfect for those who want to now what to serve with jerk chicken to make the best meal.
Vegetable Side Dishes for Jerk Chicken
Wondering what vegetables go with jerk chicken? Here are some healthy and tasty vegetables that make a great side dish for next jerk chicken meal:
Sauteed Yellow Squash
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Squash is simple, versatile, and vibrant in color and taste. This dish requires 6 simple ingredients and will be ready in a few minutes.
Cabbage and Sausage
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Cabbage and sausage is a classic Southern side that never disappoints. It’s easy to make, timeless, and tasty.
Crockpot Fresh Green Beans with Bacon
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
Make a delicious vegetable side with minimal effort. The recipe is mostly hands-off, and the results are super delicious.
Corn Maque Choux
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
If you need easy, adventurous sides with jerk chicken, try corn Maque Choux for a creamy, sweet, and tangy flavor combo.
Toppings and Sauces For Jerk Chicken
These topping and dipping sauce option highlight the spicy flavor of jerk chicken and/or balance it out. So, if you’re not sure what to serve with jerk chicken, below are some ideas:
Jamaica Jerk Sauce-Homemade and Easy
Photo Credit:jessicainthekitchen.com
Here's a Jamaican sauce to serve with Jamaican jerk chicken–it's simply a match made in heaven!
Jerk BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.myforkinglife.com
Nothing refreshes the soul like a piece of jerk chicken dipped in this BBQ sauce. You'll need just 4 ingredients to make the sauce.
Scotch Bonnet Pepper Hot Sauce (With Roasted Garlic and Carrots)
Photo Credit:jessicainthekitchen.com
Not sure what goes with jerk chicken? This hot sauce is a good place to start. It's easy to make and packed with bold flavors.
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Photo Credit:simpleseafoodrecipes.com
Made with 5 main ingredients, this pineapple-mango salsa has a flavor combination that's to die for–sweet, tangy, and simply sensational!
Easy Pineapple Salsa
Photo Credit:jessicainthekitchen.com
This quick-fix pineapple salsa is the perfect crowd pleaser requiring only 7 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time. The bright flavors of the pineapple pairs well with spicy chicken.
Rice Dishes for Jerk Chicken
What rice dishes go with jerk chicken? Rice is one of the best sides for jerk chicken, especially when you have gravy or extra sauce. Here are some simply recipes with plenty of flavor to add to your jerk chicken dinner:
Jollof Rice
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Jollof Rice is a West African dish that boasts various bold flavors. It's spicy and ultimately comforting.
Coconut Rice
Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com
After tasting this coconut rice, you'll definitely know what to eat with jerk chicken. The distinctive coconut flavor is unbeatable.
Caribbean Rice and Beans
Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com
This Caribbean rice and beans dish is the way to go whenever you feel food-adventurous. It’s perfectly seasoned and infused with herb flavors.
One Pot Brown Lentil Rice
Photo Credit:healthiersteps.com
This one-pot brown lentil rice is the queen of simple, healthy, and delicious rice side dishes for jerk chicken. Plus, it uses a handful of simple ingredients.
Southern Sides For Jerk Chicken
If you’re from the South, having these classic sides alongside your jerk chicken makes you feel more at home. Have fun with the smoked mac and cheese and other traditional dishes.
Mustard Greens
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Nutrient-packed and full of flavor, mustard greens with smoked meat is an irresistibly delicious dish that goes well with jerk chicken.
Turnip Greens
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Turnip greens are easy to cook, highly nutritious, and tasty when properly seasoned. This recipe requires simple pantry ingredients.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit:www.staysnatched.com
Regular mac and cheese is great, but this smoked version takes the game to the next level. Enjoy it with jerk chicken for a memorable dinner.
Dirty Rice
Photo Credit:grandbaby-cakes.com
As the name suggests, this rice looks dirty, thanks to all the meat, vegetables, and spices, but the taste is heavenly.
Potato Side Dishes For Jerk Chicken
Potatoes are versatile, so you can eat them in various shapes and forms. From mashed potatoes to Southern potato salad, browse various potato sides to have with jerk chicken:
Mashed Potatoes with Cheese
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
This is a delicious comfort food, easy to make, and the perfect crowd-pleaser. It uses various cheeses to deliver extra yumminess.
Jamaican Potato Salad
Photo Credit:thatgirlcookshealthy.com
What’s a better side dish for jerk chicken than this Jamaican potato salad? It’s creamy, dairy-free, and super delicious.
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
If you enjoy a subtle blend of sweet and savory, these candied sweet potatoes will amuse your taste buds. You’ll need about 6 ingredients to make these.
Mashed Potatoes with Red Skin
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Make this holiday-worthy side dish with less than 10 ingredients for the whole family. These will be on your plate in 30 minutes.
Southern Potato Salad
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Creamy, rich, and tasty, Southern potato salad is a simple dish that even the pickiest eater cannot resist. Plus, it requires just 4 main ingredients.
Yellow Yam Fries
Photo Credit:healthiersteps.com
Did you know you could make yam fries? This recipe is a creative way to make tastier Jamaican yam for dinner.
Low Carb Sides For Jerk Chicken
Are you on a low-carb diet and wondering what to serve with jerk chicken without overdoing the carbs? Below is a list of low-carb, tasty sides you can try:
Air Fryer Green Beans
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
Green beans are naturally low in carbs, and this air fryer recipe delivers them crispy and tasty. They’ll be ready in under 10 minutes.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Asparagus
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
You need only 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to whip up this low-carb side for your jerk chicken.
Instant Pot Cabbage
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
Cabbage is one of the few low-carb dishes that are naturally tasty. This Southern-style cabbage dish is delicious and easy to make.
Buttery Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
One-pot dishes like this are heaven-sent—simple and require less cleaning afterward. This rice is delicious and uses 5 ingredients.
Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
Make this to satisfy your mashed potato cravings minus the extra carbs. It’s creamy, delicious, and uses simple ingredients.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Photo Credit:drdavinahseats.com
Here’s a low-carb variation of the Mexican takeout. This recipe includes all your favorite cilantro lime rice flavors while keeping the carbs low.
Jamaican Side Dishes For Jerk Chicken
If you want to go all the way with Jamaican cuisine, these Jamaican sides will make the perfect pairing. Here are some classic side ideas like Jamaican lemonade and rice that will blow your taste buds away!
Jamaican Gungo Peas and Rice
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Packed with Carribean flavors, this rice and peas combo is one to die for. It requires a handful of basic ingredients, including coconut milk.
Jamaican Callaloo and Saltfish
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
This simple, healthy, and delicious Jamaican dish is made with vegetables and saltfish. Serve it with jerk chicken for a complete Jamaican dinner.
Jamaican Corned Beef and Cabbage
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
Surprise your taste buds with this one-pot classic Caribbean decadent. It uses a couple of simple ingredients, mainly beef and cabbage.
Classic Jamaican Lemonade
Photo Credit:blackpeoplesrecipes.com
A glass of Jamaican lemonade is all you need to cool things down on a hot summer day. This recipe substitutes limes for lemons, and the results are tantalizing.
Jamaican Stew Peas
Photo Credit:www.myforkinglife.com
Not sure what to eat with jerk chicken for a full Jamaican experience? Try this Jamaican stew peas recipe.
Jamaican Beef Patty
Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com
These flavor-packed beef bites are easy to make, delicious, and comforting. They require common ingredients and are fun to eat.
Jamaican Cabbage
Photo Credit:www.myforkinglife.com
Cabbage can be made in many ways, and the Jamaican style is one of the best. This delicacy comes together in 15 minutes.
Baked Plantains
Photo Credit:healthiersteps.com
These baked plantains are irresistibly tasty, require just 2 ingredients, and will be on your plate in under 30 minutes.
Jamaican Ginger Beer
Photo Credit:thatgirlcookshealthy.com
Anytime you feel festive, this unfermented ginger beer will perfectly accompany your jerk chicken without messing with your dopamine.
Jamaican Coco Bread
Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com
Think of this as the Caribbean version of a dinner roll. It's make with simple ingredients like flour and coconut milk.
FAQs
What vegetables go with jerk chicken?
This collection includes several options like air fried broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes, plantain, corn, cauliflower, green beans, and more.
Is jerk chicken a healthy meal?
This depends on how the jerk chicken is prepared as well as the side dishes that you pair with your jerk chicken. As mentioned above, traditional jerk chicken includes spices, garlic, and vinegar. The meat is also typically grilled or baked. You can ensure that it stays a healthier option by pairing it with roasted or sautéed vegetables included above and serving it over options like brown rice or cauliflower rice.
