What To Serve With Jerk Chicken: 15 Tasty Side Dishes

Jerk chicken is a popular and flavorful Jamaican dish known for its spicy and smoky taste, created by marinating chicken in a mix of spices, including allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers, and then grilling or roasting it.

While jerk chicken is delicious on its own, it's even better when served with the right side dishes.

Here are 15 great ideas for sides that pair perfectly with jerk chicken.

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The best side dishes to serve with jerk chicken are coconut rice, fried plantains, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, rice and peas, pineapple salsa, Jamaican coleslaw, grilled vegetables, cornbread, callaloo, mango chutney, and cucumber salad.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Coconut Rice

This creamy and slightly sweet rice, cooked with coconut milk, is a perfect companion to the bold flavors of jerk chicken. It helps balance the spiciness and adds a tropical touch to your meal.

2. Fried Plantains

These sweet and slightly caramelized fried plantains provide a delicious contrast to the spicy jerk chicken. Their natural sweetness and tender texture make them a great side dish.

3. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Creamy and slightly sweet mashed sweet potatoes provide a comforting and delicious side dish for jerk chicken. Their natural sweetness helps to balance the spiciness of the chicken, creating a harmonious combination of flavors.

4. Green Beans

Sautéed or steamed green beans with a touch of garlic and lemon add a healthy and nutritious side dish to your jerk chicken meal. Their vibrant color and tender-crisp texture offer a pleasing contrast to the bold flavors of the chicken.

5. Lentils And Rice

A hearty and satisfying combination of lentils and rice, seasoned with Caribbean spices, complements the jerk chicken's flavors and adds a filling element to your meal.

6. Caribbean Potato Salad

A Caribbean-inspired potato salad with a mix of potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy dressing adds a cool and refreshing touch to your jerk chicken dinner, balancing out the heat from the spices.

7. Rice And Peas

A classic Jamaican side dish, rice and peas are made with rice, kidney beans or pigeon peas, and flavored with coconut milk and spices. This comforting and filling side complements the flavors of jerk chicken beautifully.

8. Avocado And Tomato Salad

A simple avocado and tomato salad with a light lime dressing provides a fresh and creamy side dish that pairs well with the spicy jerk chicken. The salad's coolness and bright flavors help to counterbalance the heat of the main dish.

9. Pineapple Salsa

A refreshing and fruity pineapple salsa adds a sweet and tangy contrast to the spicy jerk chicken. The combination of flavors creates a delightful tropical experience.

10. Jamaican Coleslaw

A tangy and slightly spicy coleslaw with a hint of pineapple or mango adds a refreshing crunch to your jerk chicken meal, balancing out the heat and bold flavors.

11. Grilled vegetables

Grilled vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn, bring a smoky and charred flavor that complements the jerk chicken's spices while adding a nutritious element to your meal.

12. Cornbread

A slightly sweet and moist cornbread is a delicious side dish that pairs well with jerk chicken, providing a comforting and satisfying addition to your meal.

13. Callaloo

This traditional Caribbean dish made from leafy greens, like amaranth or taro leaves, and flavored with onion, garlic, and Scotch bonnet pepper, adds a nutritious and flavorful touch to your jerk chicken dinner.

14. Mango Chutney

A sweet and tangy mango chutney is a great accompaniment for jerk chicken, as it provides a contrast to the heat and adds a fruity flavor to the overall meal.

15. Cucumber Salad

A light and refreshing cucumber salad with a tangy dressing offers a cool and crisp contrast to the spicy and bold flavors of jerk chicken.

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