Chicken is a go-to protein for many home cooks. It’s easy to prepare and works well in lots of dishes.
But plain chicken can get boring fast. That’s where sauces come in handy.
Adding a tasty sauce to your chicken can take it from bland to exciting. There are many options to choose from, ranging from creamy to tangy to spicy.
With the right sauce, you can transform a basic chicken meal into something special. Let’s look at some great sauce ideas to liven up your next chicken dinner.
1. Hollandaise Sauce
Hollandaise sauce is a classic French sauce that pairs perfectly with chicken. It’s rich, creamy, and has a tangy flavor that complements poultry well.
To make hollandaise, you’ll need egg yolks, melted butter, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Whisk the ingredients together gently over low heat until the sauce thickens.
You can drizzle hollandaise over grilled or poached chicken breasts for an elegant meal. It’s also great on chicken Oscar, which tops chicken with crab meat and asparagus before adding the sauce.
While hollandaise takes some practice to master, it’s worth the effort. The silky texture and buttery taste will elevate your chicken dishes to restaurant quality.
2. Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Lemon garlic butter sauce is a tasty choice for your chicken dishes. You can make it with just a few simple ingredients.
Start by melting butter in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook until it smells good.
Next, pour in some lemon juice and chicken stock. Stir well and let it cook for a couple of minutes. The sauce will get a bit thicker as it cooks.
This sauce adds a bright, tangy flavor to your chicken. It’s creamy and rich from the butter. The garlic gives it a nice kick.
You can pour it over cooked chicken or use it as a dipping sauce.
3. Honey Mustard Sauce
Honey mustard sauce is a tasty blend of sweet and tangy flavors. You can make it easily at home with just a few ingredients.
Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise in a bowl. Add a splash of lemon juice for extra zing. Stir until smooth.
This versatile sauce goes great with many chicken dishes. Use it as a dip for chicken tenders or nuggets. Spread it on sandwiches or wraps.
You can also use honey mustard as a marinade. Coat chicken pieces before cooking for added flavor. It works well for grilled, baked, or pan-fried chicken.
Try mixing in some herbs like dill or parsley to change things up. Garlic powder or a dash of hot sauce can add more kick too.
4. Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo sauce is a classic chicken wing topping. You can make it at home with just a few ingredients. The main components are hot sauce and butter.
To create buffalo sauce, mix hot sauce with melted butter. Add vinegar for tanginess and cayenne pepper for extra heat. Some recipes include Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder for depth.
You can adjust the spiciness by changing the hot sauce to butter ratio. More butter makes it milder, while more hot sauce increases the heat.
This versatile sauce works great on wings and other chicken dishes.
5. Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy mushroom sauce is a delicious topping for chicken. It’s rich, savory, and easy to make in just 15 minutes.
You’ll need mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and cream. Sauté the mushrooms and garlic first. Then add broth, cream, and seasonings.
The sauce clings well to chicken dusted with flour. Try adding parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
This versatile sauce works great with pasta too. Serve it over egg noodles or fettuccine for a comforting meal.
For best results, cook cream sauces on low heat. Use a thermometer to keep the temperature under 175°F.
6. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory blend that pairs perfectly with chicken. You can easily make it at home with common pantry ingredients.
The main components are soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (sweet rice wine). Some recipes add ginger, garlic, or honey for extra flavor.
To use teriyaki sauce, marinate your chicken for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
You can also brush it on during grilling or use it as a glaze for baked chicken.
For a quick meal, stir-fry chicken pieces and vegetables, then add teriyaki sauce at the end. Serve over rice for a tasty, easy dinner.
7. Soy Ginger Sauce
Soy ginger sauce is a tasty option for your chicken dishes. It blends salty soy sauce with zesty ginger for a flavorful kick.
To make this sauce, you’ll need soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, and a touch of sugar. Mix these ingredients in a small bowl.
You can add sesame oil for extra depth. Some recipes include scallions or a splash of rice vinegar too.
This versatile sauce works great as a marinade or a dipping sauce. It pairs well with grilled, roasted, or stir-fried chicken.
Try brushing it on your chicken during cooking for a glossy, flavorful finish. You can also serve it on the side for dipping.
8. Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is a versatile sauce that pairs well with chicken. You can use it as a dip, marinade, or coating for your chicken dishes.
To make a simple ranch chicken, coat your chicken pieces in ranch dressing before baking. This keeps the meat juicy and adds flavor.
For grilled chicken, try using ranch as a marinade. Mix it with some lemon juice and garlic for extra zip. Let the chicken sit in this mixture for a few hours before grilling.
Ranch dressing also works great as a dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders or wings. It adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the crunchy exterior.
9. Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is a classic choice for chicken. It adds a sweet and tangy flavor that many people love. You can find many types of barbecue sauce in stores.
Some popular styles include Kansas City, Memphis, and Carolina. Each has its own unique taste. You can also make your own barbecue sauce at home.
Most barbecue sauces have a base of tomato or vinegar. They often include sugar, spices, and sometimes smoke flavoring.
You can brush the sauce on chicken while cooking or use it as a dip.
10. Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri sauce is a zesty, herb-based condiment that pairs wonderfully with chicken. You can make it easily at home with fresh ingredients.
Mix chopped parsley, cilantro, garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, and olive oil in a bowl. Add salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to taste.
You can use chimichurri as a marinade or a sauce for your chicken. To marinate, coat the chicken with half the sauce and refrigerate for 15 minutes or overnight.
For grilled chicken, brush the sauce on during cooking. With baked chicken, spread it on before putting it in the oven. You can also serve chimichurri as a dipping sauce on the side.
11. Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki sauce is a cool and creamy Greek condiment that pairs perfectly with chicken. You can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Start with Greek yogurt as the base. Add grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Mix it all together for a tangy, refreshing sauce.
Tzatziki works great as a dip for grilled chicken skewers. You can also use it as a spread on chicken sandwiches or wraps. For a light meal, try serving it alongside baked chicken breasts.
This versatile sauce adds a Mediterranean flair to any chicken dish. It’s healthy too, since it’s made with yogurt instead of mayonnaise or cream.
12. Pesto Sauce
Pesto sauce can liven up your chicken dishes with its bold flavor. This green sauce is made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
You can use pesto in many ways with chicken. Try spreading it on chicken breasts before baking or grilling. You can also mix it into shredded chicken for a quick sandwich filling.
For a creamy pesto sauce, blend some heavy cream or Greek yogurt with the pesto. This makes a great pasta sauce for chicken. You can even use pesto as a marinade to infuse chicken with its zesty taste before cooking.
13. Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce adds a creamy, nutty flavor to chicken dishes. It’s popular in Southeast Asian cuisine, especially Thai food.
You can make peanut sauce by mixing peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and spices. Some recipes include coconut milk for extra richness.
This versatile sauce works well as a marinade or dipping sauce for grilled chicken. You can also use it to coat stir-fried chicken and vegetables.
Peanut sauce brings a nice balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. The natural oils in the peanuts help keep chicken moist during cooking.
14. Marsala Sauce
Marsala sauce is a rich, flavorful addition to chicken dishes. You can make it with Marsala wine, chicken broth, and mushrooms.
To prepare the sauce, reduce Marsala wine and broth in a pan. Cook mushrooms and shallots separately. Combine them for a tasty blend.
For a creamier version, add some heavy cream to the sauce. This mellows the wine flavor. You can also include minced garlic or fresh thyme for extra depth.
Serve your Marsala sauce over pan-cooked chicken breasts. It pairs well with mashed potatoes or pasta. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
15. Sesame-Sriracha Sauce
Sesame-Sriracha sauce mixes spicy and nutty flavors for a tasty chicken topping. You can make it by blending Sriracha, sesame oil, and honey.
This sauce adds heat and a touch of sweetness to your chicken dishes. It works well with grilled, baked, or fried chicken.
For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or ginger to the mix. You can also sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for more crunch.
Adjust the honey to balance out the spiciness of the Sriracha. This versatile sauce pairs nicely with rice or vegetables too.
Understanding Sauce Pairing with Chicken
Picking the right sauce can turn a plain chicken dish into a tasty meal. The key is to match flavors and textures that complement the chicken without overpowering it.
Balancing Flavors
When pairing sauces with chicken, think about balancing different tastes. Sweet sauces like honey mustard go well with grilled or fried chicken. Tangy sauces such as lemon-herb brighten up roasted chicken. Creamy sauces like garlic butter add richness to plain chicken breasts.
Try spicy sauces like buffalo or sriracha for wings. For a savory kick, use barbecue or teriyaki sauce on grilled chicken. Light sauces work best with delicate chicken dishes. Bolder sauces match up nicely with stronger-flavored cuts.
Remember to taste as you go. You can always add more sauce, but you can’t take it away once it’s mixed in.
Considerations for Different Cuts
White meat and dark meat chicken need different sauce pairings.
Chicken breasts are lean and mild, so they work well with lighter sauces. Try a white wine sauce or a yogurt-based dressing on breast meat.
Thighs and legs have more fat and flavor. They can stand up to richer, more intense sauces. A creamy mushroom sauce or spicy curry complements dark meat nicely.
For whole roasted chicken, use herbs and citrus to enhance its natural flavors. A simple pan gravy made from the drippings is always a good choice.
Wings are perfect for sticky, bold sauces. BBQ, teriyaki, or spicy buffalo sauce are classic options for chicken wings.
Traditional Sauce Options
Classic chicken sauces offer timeless flavors that have stood the test of time. These sauces come from different regions and cooking methods, giving you many tasty options.
Regional Variations
French cuisine brings you béarnaise sauce, a rich blend of butter, egg yolks, and herbs. It’s perfect for grilled or roasted chicken.
Italian cooking offers piccata sauce, mixing lemon, capers, and white wine for a bright, tangy flavor.
In the American South, you’ll find gravy made from pan drippings. This sauce is great on fried chicken or mashed potatoes.
Asian cuisines have their own takes too. Try teriyaki sauce from Japan or sweet and sour sauce from China for a different twist.
Greek avgolemono sauce combines egg, lemon, and broth for a creamy, zesty option. Each region’s sauce reflects local tastes and ingredients.
Influence of Cooking Techniques
Grilling chicken? BBQ sauce is a must-try. Its sweet and smoky flavor comes from slow cooking tomatoes, vinegar, and spices.
For pan-fried chicken, make a quick pan sauce with the leftover bits in the skillet.
Roasting? Try a classic jus, made by reducing chicken stock. It’s simple but full of flavor.
Braising chicken leads to rich, flavorful sauces right in the pot.
Slow cooking creates tender meat and sauces that are packed with taste. Think of coq au vin, where red wine turns into a deep, savory sauce.
Frying chicken? Serve it with honey mustard or ranch for dipping. These cool, creamy sauces balance the crispy coating nicely.