10 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Jerk Chicken

You’re in the mood to prepare Jerk Chicken, but you’re not sure what to serve it with. Stop the time because we have a plethora of side dishes to inspire you.

Jerk Chicken is a flavor-packed Jamaican favorite. The chicken is marinated in a spice combination before being cooked over an open fire.

As a consequence, this meal has a unique smoky taste as well as some spicy heat from the spices. The marinade gives the chicken a sticky, juicy texture and adds sweetness.

Jerk Chicken, which is sweet and spicy, is a staple of Caribbean family gatherings. However, it has also become a popular addition to the American barbecue menu.

What to Serve with Jerk Chicken

This tangy chicken dish is often paired with rice, beans, or hard dough bread. In fact, many folks serve these grilled treats with a side of dinner rolls and create Jerk Chicken sandwiches.

However, you may serve it with a variety of different delectable side dishes. Here are some of our favorite sides to go with Jerk Chicken:

1. Deep-Fried Plantains

Plantains are a starchy fruit that may be found in a variety of Caribbean cuisines. They are similar to bananas, although they are typically consumed when ripe. And they’re usually cooked.

In Jamaica, deep-fried plantains are a popular side dish. And they’re the ideal complement when deciding what to serve with Jerk Chicken. The plantains’ sweetness complements the spice of the chicken. When cooked, they have a delightful crunch.

It is recommended to chop your plantains into thin slices and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove any extra oil with paper towels before serving.

2. Maque Choux

Maque Choux is a typical Louisiana cuisine that consists of maize, peppers, and onions. It goes nicely with Jerk Chicken since the tastes complement each other. The richness of the Jerk Chicken marinade is mirrored in the corn and peppers. And the onions add that moreish savory umami for which they are famous.

Sauté onions, peppers, and corn for Maque Choux. Bring to a boil with the chicken broth. Reduce the heat to low, simmer for ten minutes, and season to taste.

3. Coconut Rice and Beans

Coconut rice and beans are typical Caribbean tastes that go well with Jerk Chicken. This meal combines white rice, black beans, and coconut milk.

Coconut rice and beans provide a tropical flavor to the classic rice and bean meal served with Jerk Chicken. Rice and chicken are like Sonny and Cher. And the coconut offers an intriguing, somewhat sweet flavor that complements the spicy chicken well.

Simply combine the cooked long-grain rice with the black beans and coconut milk. After five minutes, season with salt and pepper.

4. Yuca Fries

Bring those South American tastes into the mix, along with some yuca fries. Yuca is a root vegetable that tastes and feels similar to potatoes. And they may be cooked in the same manner as potatoes are.

When deciding what to serve with Jerk Chicken, Yuca fries are great. The starchy yuca complements the sticky chicken beautifully. And the potatoes have a fantastic crunchy texture that complements the Jerk Chicken.

Peel and thinly slice your yuca into strips. Then, in a pan of oil, sauté the yuca strips for three to five minutes each side.

5. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes scream “United States of America.” Their brilliant hue, on the other hand, is suggestive of Caribbean living. Sweet potatoes, milk, butter, and sugar are used to make them. And they have a lovely sweetness that goes well with Jerk Chicken.

The sweetness counteracts the spice of the chicken. The silky smoothness of the potatoes complements the sticky chicken.

Simply cook the sweet potatoes until they are tender. Mash them, then add the milk, butter, and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Mango Salsa

Mango salsa, a wonderful, sweet, and tangy side dish, is precisely what you need to balance off the spice of the Jerk Chicken. Mangoes, avocado, onions, peppers, and cilantro are used to make it. As a dressing, it’s drizzled with lime juice.

The mango salsa adds a wonderful richness to the sweet and spicy tastes of the chicken. The acidity of the lime juice counteracts the sweetness. The onions and peppers lend a delicious crunch. And the cilantro adds a lovely flash of green against the mango’s vivid yellow.

7. Potato Salad

The classic American BBQ side dish is potato salad. And it’s a great option for what to serve with Jerk Chicken. The main components in this popular side dish are potatoes and mayonnaise. However, many people prefer it with eggs, celery, onions, and dill.

This is the ideal creamy and refreshing accompaniment to your spicy and sweet Jerk Chicken. The potatoes and eggs provide a delightful starchy foundation. And the mayonnaise adds a delicious richness. For a flavorful crunch, combine the celery, onions, and dill.

8. Collard Greens

If you’re searching for a traditional Southern side dish, collard greens are the way to go. Collard greens, like kale, are a kind of leafy green vegetable. However, this recipe contains more than simply collard greens. Bacon, onions, and vinegar are also included.

When considering what to serve with Jerk Chicken, collard greens are an excellent option. They have a nice smokiness that balances off the spice of the chicken. This smoky taste is balanced by the onions’ welcoming sweetness. And collard greens are little bitter but very healthy.

9. Grilled Pineapple

Anyone who says grilled pineapple isn’t a side hasn’t tasted it with Jerk Chicken. In fact, this delectable, sweet, and tangy side dish pairs well with Jerk Chicken. It has pineapple, brown sugar, and lime juice in it. And it’ll have you clamoring for seconds and thirds.

The richness of the jerk marinade is balanced by the sweetness of the grilled pineapple. However, it also helps to balance out the spiciness of the chicken. Grilled pineapple is as simple as cutting your pineapple into rings and grilling them over a fire. Before grilling, just marinate them in lime juice and sprinkle with sugar.

10. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a classic BBQ side dish in the United States. It’s created using cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar, and sometimes sugar. Because it’s creamy and tangy, this family favorite goes well with Jerk Chicken.

The cabbage and carrots provide a satisfying crunch. And the mayonnaise and vinegar provide a wonderful richness. When sugar is added, it adds a lovely touch of sweetness. Allow the coleslaw to settle for approximately an hour before serving cold.

Conclusion

These are just a handful of the numerous side dishes that complement Jerk Chicken. So, the next time you’re stuck for what to serve with Jerk Chicken, consider one of the delectable alternatives on our list. You’ll undoubtedly be the talk of the new family cookout.