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If you’re wondering what to serve with your jerk chicken, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for jerk chicken.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with jerk chicken are sweet potato fries, Jamaican coco bread, fried plantains, and coconut rice. You can also serve a side of avocado peach salsa, Greek yogurt coleslaw, or grilled fruit kabobs. For a salad, try a bell pepper salad.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Coconut rice

Coconut rice is one of my favorite rice dishes to serve with Jamaican jerk chicken.

The sweet creaminess of the coconut will contrast with the savory jerk seasoning wonderfully and help mellow out any spiciness.

And this recipe uses a mixture of coconut milk and coconut water to get maximum flavor without too much richness.

Why we love this recipe: you only need 3 ingredients.

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Coconut rice
Go low-carb
Cauliflower rice
Make it simple
Brown rice pilaf

Greek yogurt coleslaw

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175921929187839622/

Greek yogurt coleslaw is a solid alternative if you like creamy coleslaw but aren’t fond of too much mayonnaise.

Greek yogurt is a healthier option but still has that cold tang that everyone loves.

Psst… this coleslaw is best when it’s been chilling in the fridge for a few hours.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a nice make-ahead dish.

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Greek yogurt coleslaw
Go traditional
Classic coleslaw
Make it not creamy
Vinegar coleslaw

Spanish rice and beans

Coconut rice doesn’t float your boat?

Try something more classic with rice and beans.

But this isn’t your traditional Caribbean rice and beans, it has a Spanish twist.

The bold tomato flavors are rounded out with spices like chili, cumin, and paprika.

Why we love this recipe: it’s super easy to make in bulk, and it’s budget-friendly.

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Spanish rice and beans
Go traditional
Jamaican rice and peas
Add more veggies
Veggie rice and beans

Grilled fruit kabobs

Add some sweetness to your jerk chicken meal with grilled fruit kabobs.

The colorful fruits are coated in a sweet and sour glaze and then grilled until they are just starting to char.

It’s a great side for a summer party.

Why we love this recipe: you can grill a variety of sturdy fruits like pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, and peaches.

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Grilled fruit kabobs
Use vegetables
Grilled vegetable kabobs
Make it creamy
Fruit salad

Jamaican coco bread

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/615867317808830255/

Stick with the Jamaican theme and serve some and warm coco bread with your jerk chicken,.

This buttery and soft side is shaped with a pocket for fillings, so you can stuff some jerk chicken inside and make a (delicious) sandwich.

Psst… a spoonful of coleslaw would finish the sandwich off nicely.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a detailed recipe to beginners can follow it with ease.

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Jamaican coco bread
Make it crunchy
Italian crusty bread
Make it easy
Garlic bread

Corn tortillas

Shred your jerk chicken and turn them into tacos for a fun meal.

And why not try your hand at making your own tortillas?

You only need three simple ingredients.

And don’t forget to add your favorite salsa for a nice pop of color and texture.

Why we love this recipe: you can customize the tortillas’ color!

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Homemade corn tortillas
Make it crunchy
Baked tortilla chips
Make it gluten-free
Oat tortillas

Spicy collard greens

Spice up your dinner with a side of spicy collard greens.

The greens are cooked in a bacon-flavored broth to infuse them with umami flavor, and then a sprinkle of hot sauce and red pepper flakes brings the heat.

The final touch is to add some texture with crunchy bacon bits.

Why we love this recipe: you can easily skip the spice if you want something milder.

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Spicy collard greens
Make it unique
Collard green veggie rolls
Make it refreshing
Chopped collard green salad

Avocado peach salsa

Add some tropical brightness to your jerk chicken with a refreshing salsa.

Made with sweet corn, juicy peaches, and creamy avocados, this colorful side will transport you straight to the beach.

Psst… this would go great in tacos.

Why we love this recipe: you can experiment with lots of different flavor combos.

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Avocado peach salsa
Swap the fruit
Pineapple and black bean salsa
Skip the fruit
Pico de Gallo

Sweet potato fries

Keep things simple with a side of fries.

I like sweet potato fries best with jerk chicken because of their subtle sweetness.

And these crispy goodies are tossed in a mix of fresh oregano, butter, and garlic then drizzled with some parmesan and manchego cheese – yum!

Why we love this recipe: it comes with a spicy aioli dip.

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Sweet potato fries
Make a mash
Chipotle sweet potato mash
Make it crunchy
Smoked paprika potato chips

Grilled asparagus

Another simple side option is this grilled asparagus.

Grilling the spears gives them a beautiful smoky flavor and this recipe takes things even further by adding roasted red peppers, feta, and kalamata olives.

It might sound strange – but trust me, it’s super tasty.

Why we love this recipe: you can chop the asparagus up and serve it as a salad too.

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Grilled asparagus with marinated roasted peppers
Make it simple
Steamed green beans
Make it different
Maple dijon roasted carrots

Bell pepper salad

Colorful and crunchy, this salad will cleanse your palate and add a cooling contrast to your jerk chicken,

Feel free to make this salad ahead of time, but don’t add the dressing until just before serving.

Why we love this recipe: it has plenty of variations – you can add cheese, make it spicy, or serve it with quinoa for something more hearty.

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Bell pepper salad
Make it simple
Arugula salad
Swap the veggie
Green bean salad

Cuban black beans

Cuban black beans might look boring, but they’re actually packed with flavor.

The thick, savory sauce is slightly spicy from the jalapenos, slightly smokey from the paprika and cumin, and then chopped cilantro brings some freshness.

It’s perfect for spooning over your jerk chicken!

Why we love this recipe: you can make it in less than 30 minutes.

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Cuban black beans
Make a salad
Black bean salad
Go Mexican
Refried black beans

Fried plantains

Another traditional side that will add some sweetness to your meal is this quick and light fried plantains.

Pro-tip cut the plantain at an angle so there’s more surface area to get all caramelized and yummy.

These would work as a quick dessert too!

Why we love this recipe: it uses coconut oil for that subtle coconut flavor.

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Fried plantains
Make it with rice
Spicy plantain burrito bowl
Make it spicy
Kelewele (spicy plantain)

What sauces go well with jerk chicken?

To keep things traditional, serve a Jamaican jerk sauce with your jerk chicken. Other great options are a refreshing chimichurri sauce or a herby salsa verde. For something more creamy, try a aioli or a cilamtro lime yogurt.

The best sauces to serve with jerk chicken: