21+ BEST Sauces for Chicken

Think beyond the ketchup bottle. From dipping sauces to marinades and everything in between, this BEST Sauces for Chicken are perfect for any occasion!

collage of sauces for chicken

Chicken recipes are one of the most versatile out there. There are so many options when it comes to chicken: chicken thighs, skinless chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken fingers and even chicken nuggets.

So what better to pair with your favorite chicken dish than the best dipping sauce? Good sauces are the best way to take your boring chicken dinner and add a little bit of extra flavor. Make sure to check out our post on the best cooking chicken temp before getting started!

They are a great way to elevate your favorite finger foods at a dinner party, or even just a means to get your picky kids to eat their dinner. Different sauces have different uses, and you’re sure to find one you love in this collection of sauces for chicken.

Some of the best sauces are made with the most simple ingredients. While all of these recipes vary, here are some common ingredients that you might find helpful to keep as pantry staples when making a flavorful sauce.

  • Soy sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Sour cream
  • Chicken stock
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Dijon mustard
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce

For full ingredients lists for each recipe, check them out below.

straight on shot of jar of beer bbq sauce

Beer BBQ Sauce Recipe

Looking for an EASY Beer BBQ Sauce to pair with your favorite brews at your next cookout? Look no further than this delicious sauce recipe!
Check Out This Recipe!
chicken dipping into chilis honey mustard sauce

Chili’s Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe

If you're looking to recreate Chilis honey mustard sauce then this is the recipe for you. This honey mustard sauce will be your new favorite!
Check Out This Recipe!
egg roll dipped into sweet and sour sauce

Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

Sweet and Sour Sauce is an amazing dipping sauce. This EASY recipe will make you think it came from your local Chinese takeout!
Check Out This Recipe!
hot dogs sauce on a wooden spoon

Hot Dog Sauce

This hot dog sauce is a Coney-style topping for hot dogs — use it on starches and nachos, too. Why not change it up from your typical chili?
Check Out This Recipe!
spoon dipping into jar of peri peri sauce

Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Get ready to be wowed by this chile-based Peri Peri Sauce recipe that can elevate nearly anything that's savory on your plate!
Check Out This Recipe!
overhead shot of creamy sauce in jar

Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

Silky smooth and perfect for noodles, meats, veggies, or even taking breakfast to the next level, you will love this Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce!
Check Out This Recipe!
overhead shot of bowl of lemon caper sauce

Lemon Caper Sauce Recipe

With briny capers, bright lemon, and rich butter, this EASY Lemon Caper Sauce is a winner on seafood, chicken, pasta, and veggies!
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overhead shot of spoon in bowl of white garlic sauce

White Garlic Sauce

This creamy White Garlic Sauce Recipe is packed with fresh garlic that's beautifully balanced by parmesan or pecorino cheese!
Check Out This Recipe!
overhead shot of chick-fil-sauce in a bowl with nuggets and fries

Copycat Chick-fil-a Sauce

This copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce recipe combines 3 basic ingredients for a sauce that tastes just like original! For dipping & slathering!
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straight on shot of bbq sauce with jack daniels

Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

This EASY Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce is a heady sauce that is more tangy than it is spicy. The sugars and fruit make it sticky and sweet!
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hand spooning sauce onto chicken

Jerk Sauce

A warm, spicy and flavorful sauce, this EASY Jamaican Jerk Sauce recipe is the perfect accompaniment for pork, chicken, beef and veggies!
Check Out This Recipe!
honey garlic sauce on a spoon

Honey Garlic Sauce

If you want a sweet and savory sauce for your proteins and vegetables, this EASY Honey Garlic Sauce recipe is the sauce for you!
Check Out This Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of chicken nugget dipping sauce on platter with chicken nuggets

Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce

This sweet and savory Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce is perfect for dipping for chicken, but it's also a good sandwich spread!
Check Out This Recipe!
overhead shot of jar of teriyaki sauce

Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Whether used as a marinade, dipping sauce or even a glaze, this homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe is full of flavor and perfectly sweet!
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jar of spicy bbq sauce

Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Perfectly sweet and spicy, this homemade Spicy BBQ Sauce recipe is perfect for slathering on a sandwich or coating a rack of ribs!
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brush dipping into whiskey glaze jar

TGI Friday’s Whiskey Glaze

Formerly known as TGI Fridays Jack Daniel's Sauce, this Whiskey Glaze is perfect for serving with meats, sandwiches or for dipping!
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wooden spoon with creamy basil pesto sauce

Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe

If you're looking for a simple sauce with herbs look no further than this creamy basil pesto sauce that will add flavor to pasta and proteins!
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wooden spoon in jar of basil pesto sauce

Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe

If you're looking for a versatile sauce to use for pasta, meats, and vegetables this EASY homemade Basil Pesto Sauce is for you!
Check Out This Recipe!

Harissa Sauce

Never heard of harissa sauce… maybe you’ve heard of harissa paste? Well, if you enjoy spicy food, meet your new best friend! 
Check Out This Recipe!

Chipotle Honey BBQ Sauce

Spicy and sweet, Chipotle Honey BBQ Sauce is the perfect addition to grilled chicken, pulled pork or chicken n’ waffles! And what makes it extra special, it’s homemade!
Check Out This Recipe!

Cola BBQ Sauce

Looking for a new homemade BBQ sauce? Try making it with your favorite cola with Cola BBQ Sauce!
Check Out This Recipe!

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

Homemade Buffalo sauce recipes are all too often more complicated than they need to be. There are only a couple of ingredients needed for classic buffalo sauce.
Check Out This Recipe!

Chicken Gravy

Easy Chicken Gravy made with chicken drippings is the best homemade chicken gravy recipe! It takes 10 minutes and ingredients you already have in your pantry. 
Check Out This Recipe!

Green Curry Sauce

With fresh ingredients like ginger, lime juice and cilantro, you are well on your way to making this easy Green Curry Sauce!
Check Out This Recipe!

Hot Honey

There is a new condiment in town and it goes by the name of Hot Honey. Not heated honey- spicy honey- and it is divine. I’m obsessed. The best flavor combination of hot and sweet.
Check Out This Recipe!

Nashville Hot Sauce

Recently made famous by KFC Nashville Hot Chicken, Nashville Hot Sauce is the sauce used on the regional dish that has been around way longer than KFC has been selling it!
Check Out This Recipe!
angled shot of cilantro sauce in a bowl

Cilantro Sauce Recipe

Cilantro sauce is a quick and easy recipe that will brighten tacos and fajitas as well as any protein you're serving. Use it as a dip, too!
Check Out This Recipe!

Storage and Freezing

Most, if not all of these chicken sauce recipes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Extra sauce should last up to a week if stored properly.

Most can also be frozen, so feel free to make a big batch and store in the freezer!

More Homemade Sauces

Jessica Formicola of My sauce Recipes
Meet the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica is a cookbook author and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School certified recipe developer. See her work in Parade Magazine, Better Homes & GardensMashed, AllRecipes AllStars and The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

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