what to serve with grilled chicken?

[Anonymous]

We are having friends over for dinner this weekend and we plan to grill chicken. We rarely have friends over and I get very stressed about what to serve, how to time the meal, etc. Can you please suggest what you'd serve for a casual grilled dinner - appetizer thru dessert, plus drink offerings. If I can prepare ahead of time, it is less overwhelming. I don't know why I have this anxiety - my friends are all nice people who don't judge me over a burnt piece of chicken! But I set unrealistic goals for myself and always feel I fall short (hence why I rarely entertain). Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Grilled corn, watermelon, buttermilk biscuits. Beer, wine and iced tea.

[Anonymous]

Appetizer: Bruschetta

Sides:

1) I really like this bulger wheat tabouli when I have chicken. I don't add the cumin because I just don't like it. Very easy to make and you can do it ahead of time. served cold. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cilantro-tabouli/
2) grilled corn
3) good bread (finish up the loaf used for the bruschetta)

Dessert:
berry salad

The only prep you you have to do when they are there is the grilled chicken and corn.

Beer wine iced tea (I'm not a huge fan of it, but know I am in the minority)

[Anonymous]

Couscous with diced cucumbers and tomatoes
Steamed asparagus

[Anonymous]

Asparagus!

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/253104.page#2665740

[Anonymous]

Serve chimichurri sauce with your chicken. It really brightens up the flavor. Just whiz up olive oil, garlic vinegar and fresh herbs with a blender.

Crusty bread and nice butter, plus some nice cheeses (maybe soft goat, cheddar and a blue).

Simple green salad. The bagged and washed kind that you just need to put in a bowl.

My go to dessert for summer entertaining is Eton Mess (berries, whipped cream and broken up meringue). I usually make my own meringue but you can do this with store bought. It's really easy to make and tastes great.

[Anonymous]

grilled sweet potatoes...easy and delicious. Also, I love love love this salad:
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cherry_tomato_cucumber_feta_salad/

I just use regular cherry tomatoes.

She also has this dessert that is yummy for a BBQ:

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/blueberry_cake/

so so so easy!

[Anonymous]

Appetizer: Chips and guacamole. Drink: Margaritas.

Dinner: Grilled chicken served with salsa, grilled corn on the cob and a big ol' salad. Wine with dinner, probably Pinot Grigio or Torrontes.

Dessert: Lemon sorbet and fresh blackberries.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do corn, watermelon etc because they aren't in season yet. I saw asparagus last weekend, so why not a shaved asparagus salad? Also since you're firing up the grill, you could do a grilled ratatouille. Those are also summer vegetables not quite in season yet, but the ones from Mexico are okay and the grilling will amp up the flavor.
Definitely like the suggestion for chimichurri or another bright sauce like Peruvian aji sauce.
For dessert, brownies can be made ahead and you can have vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce etc on hand in case people want sundaes.

[Anonymous]

You guys must be continually sauced or looking to get that way! How about some booze with your wine!

[Anonymous]

I like to do grilled chicken with a bean/corn/ tomato/feta salad- it has a cumin/lime dressing and is delish, make some grilled veggies ( squash, portobellos, peppers, onions) and brownies for dessert. Wine, beer, lemonade or iced tea. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appetizer: Chips and guacamole. Drink: Margaritas.

Dinner: Grilled chicken served with salsa, grilled corn on the cob and a big ol' salad. Wine with dinner, probably Pinot Grigio or Torrontes.

Dessert: Lemon sorbet and fresh blackberries.

This is my favorite suggestion so far, even if you skip the margaritas.

[Anonymous]

Avocado and tomato salad, grilled sweet corn and fruit.

[Anonymous]

All you grilled corn folks--it's not in season! If you know of someplace nearby to get corn on the cob without paying $2/ear at Balducci's to have it flown in from the opposite side of the Earth, I'd love to know about it.

How about a potato salad? Maybe with baby spring potatoes? I've seen a lot of purple ones in the stores lately.
Or a black bean/corn/green onion salad? That one you can do with frozen corn.
Or cole slaw -- super easy. Shred cabbage, shred carrots, add dressing, mix. You can get coleslaw dressing in a jar in the produce section, or make your own--start with mayonnaise, and add vinegar (either red wine or cider) and a little bit of honey to taste.

[Anonymous]

For beverages, I'd have a beer assortment, iced tea, and lemonade. If you want to do wine, Riesling goes well with grilled chicken and spring weather. Hogue and Chateau St. Michelle both make nice ones for about $10. (You can spend a lot more and get a lot nicer ones, but those two are very good for a casual cookout.)