I love sauces of all kinds, mainly dipping sauces you need to survive. Think about it; there has always been this one condiment or dipping sauce that rules you. You always reach for it at home when putting down that pile of fries, onion rings, or potato chips. I’m always on a neverending search to discover sauces that are eye-opening, great, or super addictive.
Some of the most popular finger foods are chicken tenders and wings. But finding the right dipping sauce for that crispy, juicy chicken is what takes these appetizers to the next level. There are a lot of different kinds of sauces that can be used to dip chicken, but some stand out as personal favorites.
Based on taste tests, polls, and customer feedback, this is the definitive guide to the best dipping sauces for chicken. You’re sure to find a new favorite chicken sauce, whether you like sour, creamy, or spicy tastes.
Ranch Dressing – The Crowd Pleaser
Let’s start with ranch dressing, which is a classic that everyone loves. This creamy, herbaceous sauce goes well with hot, crispy fried chicken, making ranch the clear winner when it comes to chicken dippers.
In poll after poll, ranch dressing tops the list for the most popular dipping sauce for chicken fingers, wings, and tenders. The creamy base blended with seasonings like garlic, dill, parsley, and chives creates an irresistible pairing that doesn’t overpower the chicken. Ranch offers a refreshing contrast to the crispy exterior of chicken fingers or the spicy kick of buffalo wings. It’s the crowd-pleasing dipping sauce you can always rely on.
Honey Mustard – A Sweet and Tangy Delight
Honey mustard sauce is a close second to ranch. There is something irresistible about this sweet and sour sauce that chicken loves: the mild sweetness of honey and the tangy zing of mustard.
Smooth Dijon mustard and a sticky drizzle of honey meld together into a sauce that clings nicely to chicken strips for optimal dipping. The tanginess cuts through the richness of the chicken while the honey provides addictive pockets of sweetness. This bright yellow sauce is especially popular for dipping chicken tenders or nuggets. Keep some honey mustard on hand for whenever that crispy chicken craving hits.
Barbecue Sauce – A Classic Pairing
What pairs better with chicken than the quintessential barbecue sauce? The smoky, tangy tomato-based sauce is a natural fit for chicken in all forms. Barbecue sauce features that signature sweet and tangy flavor profile along with robust spices like garlic, onion, chili powder, and cayenne for a warmth that builds.
Slathering crispy fried chicken tenders in barbecue sauce adds both flavor and moisture. And for grilled chicken, barbecue sauce infuses smoky charred notes while also providing a shiny glaze. Barbecue chicken and barbecue sauce go hand in hand, making this thick and sticky condiment one of the most popular choices for dipping chicken.
Buffalo Sauce – For Spice Lovers
Some like it hot, and buffalo sauce delivers the quintessential fiery flavor that so many crave. Made with hot sauce and butter, buffalo sauce carries a potent punch of heat balanced by the creaminess of the melted butter. It’s a beloved dipping sauce for spicy chicken wings and also shines when tossed with crunchy chicken tenders or strips.
The vinegary notes of hot sauce pair exceptionally well with the juicy meat of chicken. Buffalo sauce adds plenty of excitement through slow-simmering heat and zesty zip. The bright reddish-orange color is hard to resist, beckoning chicken lovers who want some serious spice with their dipping.
Blue Cheese Dressing – Cool and Creamy
For those who want to balance the heat of buffalo chicken, blue cheese dressing is the perfect accompanying dipping sauce. The cool and creamy nature of this dressing provides relief from spicy buffalo flavors. Blue cheese crumbles add bursts of tangy funk that cut through the richness of the chicken skin.
Many restaurants serve blue cheese dressing alongside hot wings for good reason – the pairing is heavenly. The cool, thick texture and pungent blue cheese notes stand up to intensely flavored sauces and chicken. Whether you make it from scratch or use a store-bought dressing, blue cheese is a MVP when paired with spicy buffalo chicken.
The Takeaway
Part of the fun of chicken fingers, wings, and tenders is trying out new and exciting sauces. But based on popularity and taste, it’s clear that certain dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, barbecue, buffalo, and blue cheese rank at the top for chicken. Their flavors complement crisp and juicy chicken perfectly.
Of course, personal preferences will vary, and exploring more unique sauces for chicken can lead to exciting discoveries. But you really can’t go wrong pairing your chicken with any of these crowd-favorite dipping sauces. So grab your favorite chicken pieces and get ready to dip into flavor paradise!
The Sauces You Need In Your Life
Here are 10 of my favorite specialty sauces for your dunking pleasure. Unfortunately, some of these aren’t available locally but can be found online.
If you eat at Chick-fil-A, you’re familiar with their delicious Chick-fil-A Sauce. ’nuff said.
Frisch’s Big Boy Tartar Sauce
I’m not a fan of tartar sauce, but I am a fan of Frisch’s Tartar Sauce. How did that happen? A visit to Frisch’s Big Boy in Cincinnati changed my mind. Once that scrumdiddlyumptious Big Boy Double Deck Cheeseburger with its tartar sauce met my mouth, I saw a vision. In this vision, tartar sauce was on burgers all across the land. In short, I love it.
I love creepy Kewpie dolls and Kewpee Hamburgers, so it makes sense that I love Kewpie Mayo. Kewpie Mayo is a Japanese mayo that uses the egg yolk instead of the entire egg in the recipe. I’ve been a Hellmann’s mayo guy my whole life. So I don’t subscribe to the hipster doofus commentary from snobby chefs raving about Duke’s. You will find Hellmann’s and Kewpie Mayo in my fridge, which is 100% true. I might slightly nod to the Kewpie when using it for honey mustard.
If you had asked me what’s the one hot sauce you always have at home, the answer would have been Frank’s Red Hot. Recently, on a whim, I bought the Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce, and I haven’t looked back. It goes perfectly on Jamaican patties, croquetas, and empanadas…in other words, all the good stuff.
Raising Canes Secret Sauce Recipe
FAQ
What is the most popular sauce for chicken?
Best Sauces to Pair With ChickenTeriyaki. Tzatziki. Sweet Thai Chili. Carolina Mustard. Sriracha Ranch. Guacamole Salsa. Add to your grilled chicken wrap for a creamy smooth and tangy sauce with a little less kick. Parmesan Cream Sauce. Butter, heavy cream, and cheese? . Hot Sauce. Turn it up a notch with hot sauce.
What is the most used dipping sauce?
Tomato ketchup, the world’s most popular dipping sauce, is used everywhere—from German hamburgers to Japanese omurice, and it’s my go-to for chips, chicken …Jan 9, 2025.
What do people dip their chicken in?
Try adding a little BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, or honey mustard, to change up the flavor. To add some heat try adding Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, spicy ketchup, or your favorite hot sauce.
What sauce tastes best with fried chicken?
Best sauces for chickenSweet & Spicy. It is perfect as a dipping sauce to accompany fried chicken in its various presentations. Ranch. This sauce is perhaps one of the most popular on our list. Chicken sauces: Honey Mustard. Garlic Soya. Gravy. Chicken sauces: Spicy Mayo. Louisiana. Barbecue.