What to Serve with Jerk Chicken - 20 Best Ideas

If you've been searching for ideas for what to serve with jerk chicken, stop searching now! Here are 20 ideas for sides, appetizers, desserts and even drinks that pair well with jerk flavours! All are gluten-free!

Why you'll love Jerk Chicken recipes

You've decided to make jerk chicken for dinner. Great choice!

Jerk seasonings are sweet, spicy and smoky--definite palate pleasers! With the exciting flavours of the Caribbean islands, fiery hot jerk chicken makes a popular main dish for a fun dinner party wtith friends or a quiet Friday night at home.

These Caribbean Jerk Chicken Breasts, marinated in a fiery jerk sauce, let you savour the flavours of the Caribbean Islands! Cook them in an Instant pot, on your grill, or in the oven with this simple recipe.

If you're looking for a more casual meal, you'll love these hot and spicy Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings.

Or if you're looking for something a little lighter with the same delicious flavours, this Caribbean Shredded Jerk Chicken Salad is for you!

20 ideas for what to eat with jerk chicken dishes

And now you're wondering what to serve with jerk chicken! What salads and sides go best with Jamaican jerk flavours?

Not all vegetable sides pair well with these flavours, so I've done the work and rounded up a selection of ideas for you!

Whether you're serving jerk chicken breasts, jerk wings, jerk chicken tacos or wraps, here's a collection of recipe ideas that I know go well with those flavours.

But first, what is jerk chicken?

Best salads to serve with jerk chicken

Those spicy, smoky jerk flavours need cool, refreshing sides for balance! Choose salads with fresh fruit for the perfect complement. Here are a few favourites!

Mango Black Bean Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette

Mango Black Bean Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette

This Mango Black Bean Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette makes a satisfying side salad or a filling lunch. Combine black beans, sweet mango and crunchy bell peppers and season with green onions, jalapeño and fresh cilantro for a tasty plant-based salad.

Mango Black Bean Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette

Caribbean Cauliflower Couscous Salad

Caribbean Cauliflower Couscous Salad

Bring the exotic flavours of the Caribbean islands to your table with this healthy Cauliflower Couscous Salad. Made with gluten-free cauliflower couscous, this refreshing Jamaican couscous salad features mango, black beans, and colourful bell peppers.

Caribbean Cauliflower Couscous Salad

Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Peaches

Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Peaches

A quinoa black bean salad with a difference! Sweet, juicy peaches with crunchy red pepper, nutty quinoa and creamy mild black beans makes this quinoa salad one you'll want to make on repeat! Add smoked paprika pumpkin seeds and toss with a sweet peach vinaigrette for extra layers of flavour!

Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Peaches

Strawberry Mango Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

Strawberry-Mango Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

This Strawberry-Mango Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese combines fresh sweet strawberries, mango, spicy arugula, creamy avocado and goat cheese and is drizzled with a flavourful honey-citrus vinaigrette.

Strawberry-Mango Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

Perfect side dishes for jerk chicken

Rice or potatoes are always a classic choice and sweet potatoes are too. Looking for a rice dish for jerk chicken? Try this one!

Never-fail coconut rice

Recipe: Thai Coconut Rice

An easy make-ahead rice dish that won't let you down. Cooked in coconut milk, it has a very subtle coconut flavor that goes well with Asian or Thai dishes.

Recipe: Thai Coconut Rice

Rosemary Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Rosemary Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Rosemary Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes are roasted with garlic-herb butter and topped with Parmesan. An ideal side for winter, Thanksgiving or holiday meals.

Rosemary Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Crispy Lemon Oven Roasted Potatoes

Crispy Lemon Oven-Roasted Potatoes

These Lemon Oven-Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and have the bright flavour of fresh lemons.

Crispy Lemon Oven-Roasted Potatoes

Smoky Sweet Potato Wedges

Smoky Sweet Potato Wedges

Use this method to make Smoky Sweet Potato Wedges (or fries) that won't stick to the pan! Serve with creamy dairy-free Avocado Aioli.

Smoky Sweet Potato Wedges

Cauliflower Rice

3 Easy Steps to Make Cauliflower Rice

Make this healthy, low-carb alternative to rice by following these 3 easy steps to make cauliflower rice.

3 Easy Steps to Make Cauliflower Rice

Appetizers and starters to serve with jerk chicken

Set the tone for a fun dinner party with one of these refreshing starters!

Seared Scallops with Mango Salad

Seared Scallops with Mango Salad

Here are three simple steps to create perfectly seared scallops, and serve them on a colourful salad made with thinly sliced mango, red pepper, cucumber and red onion.

Seared Scallops with Mango Salad

Strawberry Mango Salsa

Fresh Strawberry Mango Salsa

This fresh fruit salsa made with strawberries and mango is naturally sweet and spicy! Serves with tortilla chips, in tacos, or with grilled chicken or fish.

Fresh Strawberry Mango Salsa

Avocado Green Goddess Dip

Mayo-Free Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Use this versatile Mayo-Free Avocado Green Goddess Dressing and Dip for salads or goddess bowls, as a dip for veggies, a topping for tacos, or a marinade for shrimp or chicken. It's also delicious on pasta or potato salad. Best on sturdier greens like romaine or kale.

Mayo-Free Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Dessert ideas to finish your meal

Carry on your Caribbean theme well into the night! After a delicious feast of jerk chicken breasts or wings, serve one of these dessert ideas that go well with Jamaican jerk flavours!

Caribbean Rum Bananas Flambé with Amaretto

Caribbean Bananas Flambé with Amaretto

A simple but spectacular flaming dessert, Caribbean Rum Bananas Flambé with Amaretto is easy to make. Follow these tips to serve it safely with style!

Caribbean Bananas Flambé with Amaretto

Grilled Peaches with Honey-Lemon Drizzle

Grilled Peaches with Honey-Lemon Drizzle

Grilled peaches make a decadent and delicious dessert. Flavoured with honey, lemon, vanilla and a hint of cinnamon, they're quick and easy to make. Serve with coconut whip, whipped cream or ice cream for a summertime dessert.

Grilled Peaches with Honey-Lemon Drizzle

Showstopper Tropical Fruit Nut and Cheese Platter

Showstopper Tropical Fruit, Nut and Cheese Platter

This Tropical Fruit, Nut and Cheese Platter of exotic fruits, assorted cheeses and mixed nuts makes a showstopper appetizer and it's naturally gluten free.

Showstopper Tropical Fruit, Nut and Cheese Platter

Espresso Chocolate Ganache Tart

Gluten-free Espresso Chocolate Ganache Tart with Hazelnut Crust

This easy but elegant espresso chocolate ganache tart with a press-in hazelnut crust makes a spectacular dessert! With a rich, silky smooth mocha filling, this gluten-free chocolate tart recipe is quick to make!

Gluten-free Espresso Chocolate Ganache Tart with Hazelnut Crust

Affogato Coffee Dessert

How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert

Drown a scoop or two of very cold vanilla gelato or ice cream in a shot of hot espresso, watch the swirls as it melts, and enjoy every spoonful! 

How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert

Or keep your dessert very simple and serve sweet grilled pineapple or fresh ripe mango slices.

Don't forget drinks for your jerk chicken meal!

Ginger beer is always a good fit with jerk chicken or try one of these refreshing, palate-cooling drinks!

Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Sangria

Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Sangria

Try this white wine Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Sangria at your next outdoor party! Grilling the pineapple brings out its natural sweetness and adds flavour to this fruity, bubbly Sangria.

Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Sangria

Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca

Sugar-Free PIneapple-Ginger Agua Fresca

Pineapple-Ginger Agua Fresca is the most refreshing drink for summertime sipping! Made with juicy, golden fresh or frozen pineapple and fresh ginger root, this Mexican mocktail is a great way to hydrate!

Sugar-Free PIneapple-Ginger Agua Fresca

Whichever recipes you choose to round out your jerk chicken meal, you're guaranteed a seriously delicious dinner! Let me know in the comments section below which ones are your favourites.

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