Side dishes are the key to any great meal, here are six ideas to use when you are grilling, smoking, or heading to a picnic this summer.
Grilling and smoking season is back and in full force at our house! We love taking advantage of the “outside kitchen” and this is evident by the grills my husband loves :). Smoked chicken makes for the easiest meal prep in the history of meal prep and I have several meal prep ideas with the chicken for you below!
This post contains affilate links, as an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you are interested in a new grill to help you prepare the best smoked chicken you have ever made these are the ones we currently own and you can grab them from Amazon using the links provided! Grilling helps with healthy meal prep because there is often little added fat to the recipes, but a lot of extra flavor making you want to make it again and again.
CharBroiler Akorn – charcoal grill, great for all types of grilling
RecTeq Bullseye – small pellet grill (great for small outdoor area), perfect for smoking small batches quickly
Z Grilz – pellet grill/smoker perfect if you only want one grill/smoker on the patio (unlike us hahaha), this makes great food no matter what it is and is the perfect size for small or larger batches.
PitBoss – vertical pellet smoker, great for larger batches and big cuts of meat and the boys love ribs on here.
All of these grills/smokers are amazing and they make the food taste amazing every time, even if it is always the same protein like chicken. Easy ways to change the flavors are to change the pellets for different smokes or use easy marinades.
Using these grills/smokers help keep the mess out of the kitchen and it also makes meal prep so easy! For example, we can throw on enough chicken breasts for our supper as well as a few extra for meal prep.
This means our proteins are taken care of, but what else is there to put with it to make a delicious meal you are oging to look forward to for the week?
Here are six ideas for side dishes that are meal prep friendly:
- Crispy or Grilled Chicken Salad – Makes a fresh and crunchy way to enjoy smoked chicken all week! I love adding a mix of greens, veggies, and a simple homemade or store bought dressing.
- BBQ Quinoa Salad – The smoky flavor of the chicken pairs perfectly with this slightly sweet and tangy quinoa salad. Plus, it holds up well for meal prep!
- Homemade French Fries – These homemade french fries are quick and easy to parepare, you know everyone in the family will love them. Plus, for meal prep they make it so easy to make it a chicken bowl!
- Pasta Salad with a Twist – The flavors of cilantro and lime make for a perfect summery feel to this meal prep when you pair it with the smoked chicken.
- Veggie Tray with Cottage Cheese Ranch – Pairing this with the grilled/smoked chicken makes for a delicious and low carb high protein meal any day of the week.
- Italian Pasta Salad – This pasta salad gets even better as it sits! Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days, but keep the dressing separate until ready to eat.
Make a Simple and Easy Meal Prep Each Week
Smoking chicken is a great way to meal prep to keep meals low carb and high protein. Grilling season also moves the mess from your kitchen to outside, making clean up a breeze! With these six side dish ideas your meals and meal preps will be anything but boring this summer.
Which of these ideas are you most excited to try? If you make smoked chicken make sure to tag me on Instagram or TikTok @plannedthenprepped so I can see your creations!
If you liked these ideas make sure to sign up for the email list to be notified of future blog posts and get any monthly newsletters with tips and tricks for meal planning and prepping! Don’t forget to snag the meal planning guide as a FREEBIE while you are there!