Chicken, the most famous meat choice allures people of all ages and can be enjoyed as a meal, and snack. It can be a perfect food to cherish on any occasion. You can enjoy chicken in its various recipes and the best way to enjoy it can be pairing it with sauces.
If you're looking for sauces that pair well with your chicken, this is the right place for you. Here are some popular chicken sauces which can enhance the flavor as well as impress your guests. Find 20 best sauces for chicken to make the perfect pairing below:
1. Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Mushroom Sauce can be a perfect pairing to your chicken dish. This sauce is made with mushrooms, cream, and garlic, the combination of which makes for a perfect addition to a comforting chicken dish. The thick and creamy texture of this sauce happens to be the delicious option that you love to repeat each time.
If you try this once, you will surely repeat the pairing to enjoy your chicken dish. Not just for chicken, this sauce can be a perfect pairing for other dishes too. The goodness of mushroom and cream along with the soft and buttery flavor of garlic is enough to enhance the enjoyment of chicken bliss.
2. Garlic Butter Sauce
If you want to pair your boring chicken dish with some healthy and tasty options, then garlic butter sauce can be the best one. It is a delicious sauce that is often rich and creamy and is made with butter, garlic, and herbs. This goes perfect for grilled or baked chicken which you can enjoy anytime.
Interestingly, the antioxidant properties in garlic help cells from oxidative damage, and provide support for cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure and it may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. So, this sauce can be the perfect addition to your chicken dish considering both taste and health factors.
Honey Mustard Sauce, doesn't this sound pleasing to our ears? It is a sweet and tangy sauce combining honey and mustard. It is perfect for dipping or drizzling over-baked chicken. You can enjoy this on normal days as well as on special occasions with your guests. Its sweet and tangy flavor can impress anyone.
Besides its amazing taste, this sauce made with honey and mustard, literally makes you avoid all the unhealthy fats, preservatives, and artificial ingredients commonly found in the store-bought versions. Also, the recipe is quite simple which you can make with wholesome ingredients, and is a perfectly healthy addition to any diet.
4. BBQ Sauce
Have you ever tried chicken with BBQ Sauce? If not then you might be missing a heavenly bliss that goes perfectly with chicken dishes. Actually, this sauce is often considered a classic choice with its sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.
The base ingredients of barbecue sauce normally include tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, and sweeteners, such as molasses or brown sugar. Other common ingredients for this sauce include Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion powder, and various spices, which can include paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
The taste of this sauce is an ideal choice for grilling or roasting, especially for chicken.
5. Teriyaki Sauce
Get ready for another delicious sauce option for your chicken dish. It is a Japanese cuisine called Teriyaki Sauce. This Japanese-inspired sauce is a blend of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, giving a sweet and savory flavor. It is great for stir-fries or grilled chicken. Besides chicken, you can also pair this sauce with other veggies and side dishes.
Interestingly, about 100 grams of this sauce offers 89 calories contributing a good amount of calorie requirement in our body. Not just that, it is a perfect dip for enhancing taste as well as energy in our body.
Likewise, the distinctively sharp taste, with Westernized versions incorporating honey, garlic, and ginger makes you repeat this sauce.
6. Lemon Herb Sauce
Lemon herb sauce is a fresh and zesty sauce that is made with lemon juice, herbs, and olive oil. It is great for grilled or baked chicken adding tremendous flavour to your boring chicken dishes. It makes your love for chicken more relishing and fresh with the goodness of herbs.
Do you know that this sauce is considered more for its health value than taste? Though it offers a brilliant taste it is more beneficial for reducing stress and refreshing the mood thanks to its herbal goodness. Just try this sauce with your chicken dish and enjoy the refreshing flavor along with the delicious taste.
You may have enjoyed alfredo sauce with many other dishes but its pairing with chicken makes perfect sense. This creamy sauce is made with Parmesan cheese, butter, and cream which is an ideal choice for pasta dishes with chicken. You need not consume your pasta and chicken dinner with boring plating. Just pour alfredo sauce and make your meal interesting.
This sauce is often made by melting butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese together. Unlike other pasta sauces that use tomatoes as a base, this sauce omits vegetables altogether and uses dairy products to offer its mouth-watering flavor. You will surely enjoy this.
8. Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo Sauce is another brilliant choice for your chicken bliss. It is a spicy and tangy sauce that is often made with hot sauce and butter and remains perfect for wings or crispy chicken. Most people assume it very hot and spicy sauce, however, it is medium hot and is rarely the hottest.
You can always transform it into a spicier one by adding more cayenne or other chiles. Besides that many people consider it a non-veg item, but it is actually a butter bliss so can be made vegetarian. Kindly add this sauce to your chicken meal and see the magic, you will crave more.
9. Peanut Sauce
You can pair your chicken dish with tasty peanut sauce to enhance flavor as well as to get the maximum health benefits. Yes, this creamy and nutty sauce is made with peanuts, soy sauce, and lime juice, which appears great for satays or stir-fries. It is mostly consumed by dipping spring rolls and summer rolls however pairing it with chicken is just another level of fun.
This sauce is full of protein so can be a healthy addition to your chicken bliss. Interestingly, making this sauce at home allows you to have control over ingredients so you can add ingredients that are healthy as well as go perfectly with chicken dishes.
10. Pesto Sauce
Have you ever tried pesto sauce with chicken? It is made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, which is not just tasty but also offers good nutritional content. Many people think that this sauce is for pasta, but you can enjoy this with your chicken dishes that just give a perfect taste.
Though this sauce is excellent for pasta dishes or as a marinade, you can dip your boring plain chicken with this sauce and make it full of joy. Interestingly, pairing this sauce with chicken can be a beneficial option for your heart as it has unsaturated fats.
You should pair the chicken dish with flavourful orange glaze, you will just go crazy with its sweet and tangy glaze made with orange juice and zest. This sauce is great for glazing baked or grilled chicken. Trying this sauce with your chicken meal adds extra flavor and enjoyment that anybody will love.
Besides the amazing taste, this sauce offers many health benefits with the goodness of fresh oranges. Reports suggest that this sauce is helpful for hydration, and digestion as well as to boost our immunity.
12. Sriracha Mayo
Sriracha Mayo is a popular hot sauce that you can pair perfectly with your chicken meal. This is a spicy and creamy sauce made with Sriracha and mayonnaise. Also, this sauce is also perfect for dipping or spreading on sandwiches that contain a brilliant taste.
Make this sauce and enjoy it with chicken to enhance the flavor. Also, it is a hot sauce that is quick and easy to make at home and only requires a few ingredients making it the perfect choice for quick snacks too. Just try this chili peppers, garlic, sugar, and vinegar blend that can raise the standard of your plain chicken.
13. Mango Salsa
Mango lovers will delight in the bliss of mango salsa. This is a fresh and fruity salsa made with mango, red onion, and lime juice and is perfect for grilled chicken. Besides chicken, you can also enjoy this sauce with nachos, salad, and other side dishes. You will be thrilled by the amazing taste of this sauce.
Interestingly, the chicken dish with mango salsa is the easiest way to set dinner on the table. Actually, the juicy tender chicken breast topped with a freshly made mango salsa can make anyone's day. You will surely love this pairing and prefer to repeat this each time.
Szechuan sauce just goes well with chicken dishes that you can enjoy anytime. Actually, it is a spicy and savory Chinese sauce that is made with chili peppers, garlic, and soy sauce. You can have this with stir-fried chicken for the best results.
This can be the perfect pairing if you love spicy chicken. You will be thrilled by the sweet, sour, numbing-spicy (like in Sichuan pepper), spicy, bitter, fragrant/aromatic, and salty taste of this sauce with your chicken bliss. Just try this to make your meal special.
15. Coconut Curry Sauce
Coconut curry sauce is a rich and creamy sauce with coconut milk and curry spices. It is an ideal choice for a flavorful chicken curry. Whether you are having chicken curry with rice, bread, or pasta, you can incorporate the creamy coconut curry sauce in it to enhance the flavor.
This can be a tasty as well as healthy pairing that will improve the mood also by offering many health benefits with the goodness of coconut. You should give it a try once, you will love to repeat it.
16. Marsala Sauce
Marsala sauce is a rich sauce that is often made with Marsala wine and mushrooms. You can also add onions and garlic as per your taste preferences. Interestingly, this sauce offers flavors of dried apricot, honey, nuts, tobacco, brown sugar, vanilla, and tamarind.
It is perfect for chicken Marsala which can be a brilliant option for special occasions. Its creamy taste will definitely impress your guests. Also, people belive that this sauce can be a perfect partner for steak and chicken to enjoy anytime.
17. Sweet and Sour Sauce
Another sauce that pairs best with chicken is sweet and sour sauce. This is a Chinese sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Actually, this sauce is made by mixing sugar, vinegar, and spices with the addition of fruit juice. Most commonly pineapple and ketchup are added to give the sauce both its red hue and uniquely Western flavor.
This sauce is perfect for fried or baked chicken. The sweet and sour flavor will delight you when chicken is dipped in it. Also, you can enjoy it with rice, meatballs, and spring rolls.
Cilantro lime sauce is a fresh and zesty sauce made with cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. To make this sauce, you need to take a food processor, then kindly place the cilantro, garlic, lime juice, maple syrup, coriander, and salt and pulse to combine. With the blade running, you need to pour in the olive oil and process until smooth.
The sauce made following steps will make you crazy with its dark texture and unique flavor. It is a great for tacos or grilled chicken. Pairing this sauce with chicken dishes will add extra flavors and fun to your chicken meals.
19. Harissa Sauce
If you want spicy and tangy flavor in your chicken dish then you can add harissa sauce to it. This sauce is a spicy North African food that is normally made with chili peppers, garlic, and spices.
It is a rich in very peppery, and smoky flavor that is just perfect for adding heat to grilled chicken. Also, this sauce has a strong garlicky flavor which is often brightened up with a kick of citrus. You should pair this sauce with your chicken dish to enhance the taste and flavor.
20. Teriyaki Pineapple Sauce
Lastly, the best sauce you can pair with your chicken dish is teriyaki pineapple sauce. It is a sweet and tangy sauce often made with pineapple juice and teriyaki flavors. This is a great option for glazing chicken that you can make easily at home.
Amazingly, this sauce has a sharp taste, with Westernized versions incorporating honey, garlic, and ginger for added edge. You can dip chicken in this sauce to enhance the flavor as well as to have many health benefits offered by the pineapple.
Author
Editor
Uttam Thapaliya
Uttam Thapaliya is an accomplished Sous Chef at Hilton Hotel Kathmandu, bringing extensive culinary expertise from his diverse experience in prestigious international hotels. Prior to his current role, Uttam served as Sous Chef at Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu and held the position of Junior Sous Chef at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. His earlier career also includes working as Chef de Partie at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, where he honed his skills and contributed to world-class dining experiences.
With a passion for culinary excellence and a strong foundation in high-end hospitality, Uttam continues to make a significant impact in the culinary world. His dedication to the craft and attention to detail have made him a respected leader in the kitchen.
