Chicken is a versatile meat that can be enjoyed in many ways. But sometimes, plain chicken can get boring.

That’s where sauces come in. They add flavor, moisture, and excitement to your chicken dishes.

Sauces can transform your chicken from basic to amazing. You can choose from creamy, tangy, spicy, or sweet options.

With the right sauce, you can make your chicken taste different every time you cook it. This article will show you 15 tasty sauces to try with your next chicken meal.

1. Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a classic choice for chicken. It brings a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors to your dish.

You can buy ready-made sauce or easily make it at home. A basic recipe includes ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices.

For a quick homemade version, mix mustard, honey, barbecue sauce, and mayo. This creates a tasty sauce with pantry staples.

BBQ sauce works great on grilled chicken, pulled chicken sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce. You can also use it on chicken pizza for a fun twist.

2. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory Japanese-inspired condiment that pairs perfectly with chicken. You can easily make it at home with just a few ingredients.

Mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves.

For a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry.

You can use teriyaki sauce as a glaze or marinade for your chicken. Brush it on during cooking or marinate your chicken for at least 15 minutes before grilling or pan-frying.

For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or grated ginger to your sauce. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top for a nice crunch.

3. Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is a tasty and versatile sauce for chicken. You can make it easily at home with just a few ingredients.

Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and whole-grain mustard in a bowl. Add some vinegar and garlic for extra flavor.

You can use this sauce to marinate chicken before cooking. Or brush it on during grilling for a sweet and tangy glaze.

For a quick meal, pan-fry chicken pieces and then simmer them in the honey mustard sauce. This creates a delicious coating on the meat.

Honey mustard works well with baked, grilled, or pan-fried chicken. It adds moisture and flavor to any chicken dish.

4. Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce is a spicy, tangy coating perfect for chicken wings. You can make it at home with just a few ingredients. Start with melted butter and hot sauce as the base.

Add vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices like cayenne and garlic powder. Whisk everything together in a saucepan over low heat. Don’t let it boil.

The sauce will coat about 18 chicken wings. You can adjust the spiciness by changing the hot sauce amount. For extra kick, try adding minced jalapeño or crushed red pepper flakes.

Store leftover sauce in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Use it on wings or as a dip for other foods.

5. Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a tasty sauce that goes great with chicken. You can use it as a dip or spread it on your chicken before cooking.

To make a ranch chicken dish, mix ranch dressing with butter and garlic. This creates a rich, flavorful sauce. Pour it over chicken thighs or breasts before baking.

You can also use ranch seasoning to add flavor. Mix it into breadcrumbs and coat your chicken before frying. This gives a crispy, tangy crust.

For a creamy version, combine ranch mix with sour cream and chicken stock. Cook this sauce in a pan and add your cooked chicken to it. The result is a comforting, zesty meal.

6. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

This sauce brings rich, creamy flavors to your chicken dishes. You can make it easily with a few simple ingredients.

Start by melting butter in a pan and cooking minced garlic until fragrant. Add cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice for extra flavor.

The sauce thickens as it cooks. It’s perfect for pouring over chicken breasts or thighs. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders.

For extra flavor, try adding herbs like thyme or basil. This versatile sauce works well with pasta dishes too.

7. Lemon Butter Sauce

Lemon butter sauce adds a bright, tangy flavor to chicken dishes. To make it, melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant.

Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer and reduce by half. This concentrates the flavors.

Remove the pan from heat and whisk in cold butter cubes. This creates a smooth, creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon the sauce over cooked chicken breasts or use it as a dipping sauce. The zesty lemon complements the rich butter perfectly, enhancing your chicken’s taste.

8. Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce adds a burst of flavor to your chicken dishes. This zesty Argentine condiment combines fresh herbs, garlic, and vinegar.

You can easily make chimichurri at home. Mix chopped parsley, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and vinegar.

Use chimichurri as a marinade or a topping for grilled chicken. It works great with chicken thighs or breasts.

For best results, let the sauce sit for a few hours before using. This allows the flavors to blend together.

Chimichurri pairs well with other grilled meats and vegetables too. Try it on steak or roasted potatoes for a tasty twist.

9. Sesame Ginger Sauce

Sesame ginger sauce adds a tasty twist to chicken dishes. You can make it easily at home with a few key ingredients.

Start by mixing soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey. Add minced garlic and grated fresh ginger for flavor. A dash of chili flakes gives it some heat.

Pour the sauce over cooked chicken and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. It works great with pan-seared or grilled chicken breasts. You can also use it as a marinade before cooking.

This sauce brings an Asian-inspired flavor to your meals. It’s tangy, sweet, and savory all at once.

10. Mango Habanero Sauce

Mango habanero sauce brings a sweet and spicy kick to your chicken dishes. This vibrant sauce combines juicy mangoes with fiery habanero peppers.

To make it, blend mango, garlic, habanero peppers, and honey until smooth. Add vinegar and lime juice for tanginess. Simmer the mixture in a saucepan until it thickens.

You can adjust the heat level by adding more or fewer habanero peppers. The sauce pairs well with grilled or fried chicken wings. It also makes a tasty dip for chicken tenders.

Store your homemade mango habanero sauce in the fridge for up to two weeks. Use it to spice up your next chicken meal!

11. Béarnaise Sauce

Béarnaise sauce adds a touch of elegance to your chicken dishes. This creamy, buttery sauce is a French classic that pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted chicken.

You’ll find it has a rich flavor profile with hints of tarragon and shallots. The sauce is made by combining egg yolks, butter, and white wine vinegar.

While it may seem fancy, you can easily make Béarnaise sauce at home. Use a blender or food processor for a quick and foolproof method. Drizzle it over your chicken for a restaurant-quality meal.

Try Béarnaise sauce with chicken breasts, thighs, or even as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders. It’s a versatile option that will impress your dinner guests.

12. Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is a creamy, rich topping that pairs wonderfully with chicken. You can make it at home with just a few ingredients.

To prepare Alfredo sauce, you’ll need butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Melt the butter in a pan, add the cream, and simmer. Then mix in grated Parmesan until smooth.

Pour this velvety sauce over grilled or pan-seared chicken breasts. It also works great with pasta and chicken dishes like fettuccine Alfredo.

For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or a pinch of nutmeg to your homemade Alfredo sauce. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders.

13. Chipotle Lime Sauce

Chipotle lime sauce adds a zesty kick to your chicken dishes. You can make this sauce easily at home with a few simple ingredients.

Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add honey for a touch of sweetness if desired.

This versatile sauce works great as a marinade or a dip. Brush it on grilled chicken for extra flavor. You can also use it as a topping for tacos or sandwiches.

For best results, chill the sauce in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend together.

14. Pesto Sauce

Pesto sauce brings a burst of flavor to your chicken dishes. This vibrant green sauce is made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

To use pesto with chicken, spread it on top before baking. You can also mix it into pasta with cooked chicken for a quick meal.

For a creamier version, blend pesto with heavy cream and chicken broth. This makes a delicious sauce to pour over pan-seared chicken breasts.

Pesto pairs well with many chicken preparations. Try it with grilled, roasted, or even shredded chicken for sandwiches.

15. Sriracha Mayo

Sriracha mayo is a spicy, creamy sauce that adds a kick to your chicken dishes. You can easily make it at home by mixing mayonnaise with sriracha sauce.

To prepare, combine 1/2 cup of mayo with 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha, depending on how spicy you like it. Add a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.

This sauce works great as a dip for chicken tenders or as a spread on sandwiches. You can also use it to marinate chicken before cooking.

For a healthier version, try using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. This will give you a tangy, protein-packed sauce with less fat.

Perfecting Sauce Consistency

Getting the right consistency for your chicken sauces is key to a great meal. A well-balanced sauce coats the chicken evenly and enhances its flavor.

Balancing Thickness and Flavor

Start with a thin sauce and thicken it gradually. Add cornstarch mixed with cold water, about 1 teaspoon at a time. Simmer and stir until you reach the desired thickness.

For cream-based sauces, use heavy cream or reduce the sauce by simmering. This concentrates flavors and thickens naturally.

To thin a sauce, add small amounts of water, broth, or milk. Adjust seasonings after thinning to maintain flavor balance.

Using Emulsifiers for Stability

Emulsifiers help mix oil and water-based ingredients, creating smooth sauces. Common emulsifiers include egg yolks, mustard, and honey.

For vinaigrettes, add mustard to help oil and vinegar blend. In cream sauces, egg yolks create a silky texture.

Slowly add oil to your emulsifier while whisking. This forms a stable emulsion that won’t separate.

For BBQ sauces, honey acts as both a sweetener and an emulsifier. It helps blend vinegar with other ingredients for a smooth texture.

Pairing Chicken with the Right Sauce

Choosing the perfect sauce for your chicken dish can make a big difference. The right pairing brings out the best flavors and textures in both the chicken and sauce.

Matching Sauces with Cooking Methods

For grilled chicken, try tangy barbecue sauce or zesty lemon garlic sauce. These bold flavors complement the smoky taste from the grill.

Roasted chicken pairs well with herb-based sauces like rosemary or thyme. The herbs enhance the chicken’s rich, roasted flavor.

Fried chicken needs a creamy sauce to balance its crispy texture. Ranch dressing or honey mustard work great here.

For poached chicken, go light with a white wine or lemon butter sauce. These won’t overpower the chicken’s delicate taste.

Stir-fried chicken matches well with Asian-inspired sauces like teriyaki or sweet and sour. These sauces coat the chicken pieces evenly.

Balancing Flavors and Textures

Think about how the sauce’s flavor will mix with the chicken.

Spicy buffalo sauce goes well with mild, plain chicken.

For seasoned chicken, pick a sauce that won’t clash.

A Greek-seasoned chicken breast pairs nicely with tzatziki sauce.

Consider texture too.

Thick, creamy sauces like alfredo work best with chunky chicken pieces.

Thin sauces like vinaigrettes are good for sliced or shredded chicken.

They spread easily and don’t overwhelm the meat.

Sweet sauces like honey garlic balance out savory chicken dishes.

Tart cranberry sauce cuts through rich, fatty dark meat.