10 Chicken Dipping Sauces for Legs, Wings & Tenders

Looking for chicken dipping sauces that make dinner instantly more exciting? This guide shares 10 chicken dipping sauces you can whip up at home—perfect for chicken legs, wings, tenders, or nuggets. I grouped them by difficulty (⭐ to ⭐⭐⭐) so you can pick the easiest option on busy nights or make something extra when you have time.

10 Chicken Dipping Sauces (Easy → Extra Special)

⭐ Easy (Mix & Serve)

These are the fastest chicken dipping sauces—no stove, just stir and serve.

1. Honey Mustard Sauce ⭐

⭐ Easy • 2 minutes • Makes ~1/2 cup

• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard (or Dijon)
• 2 tbsp mayo (optional, for creaminess)
• Pinch of salt

1. Whisk everything until smooth.
2. Taste and adjust: more honey for sweeter, more mustard for tang.

Best with: chicken legs, tenders, nuggets. Store: 3–4 days chilled.

2. Classic Ranch Dip ⭐

⭐ Easy • 3 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt & black pepper

1. Stir until creamy.
2. Rest 10 minutes (optional) to deepen flavor.

Best with: wings, drumsticks, tenders. Store: 4–5 days chilled.

3. Spicy Mayo ⭐

⭐ Easy • 2 minutes • Makes ~1/2 cup

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1–2 tbsp sriracha (or hot sauce)
• 1 tsp lime juice (or rice vinegar)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1. Mix until smooth.
2. Add more sriracha if you want it hotter.

Best with: crispy chicken legs, tenders. Store: 5 days chilled.

4. Creamy Garlic Dip ⭐

⭐ Easy • 3 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• 2 tbsp mayo (optional)
• 1–2 cloves garlic, finely grated
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt & pepper

1. Stir all ingredients.
2. Let sit 10 minutes for best garlic flavor.

Best with: baked chicken legs. Store: 3–4 days chilled.

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⭐⭐ Medium (Quick Cook or Warm)

These chicken dipping sauces take a few minutes on the stove (or warming), but they’re still very weeknight-friendly.

5. Buffalo Wing Sauce ⭐⭐

⭐⭐ Medium • 5 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank’s-style works great)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Pinch of garlic powder

1. Melt butter in a small saucepan.
2. Whisk in hot sauce and seasonings; warm 1–2 minutes.

Best with: wings, drumsticks. Store: 1 week chilled.

6. Quick BBQ Honey Dip ⭐⭐

⭐⭐ Medium • 5 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1. Warm everything in a saucepan (or microwave) until smooth.
2. Cool slightly before serving for best dipping texture.

Best with: baked chicken legs, grilled chicken. Store: 1 week chilled.

7. Sweet Chili Lime Sauce ⭐⭐

⭐⭐ Medium • 6 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)

1. Warm 2–3 minutes, just until slightly thinner and glossy.
2. Cool and serve as a dipping sauce for chicken.

Best with: crispy legs, wings, tenders. Store: 1 week chilled.

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⭐⭐⭐ Extra Special (A Little More Effort)

These are still simple, but they feel “restaurant-level” and are perfect for weekends or entertaining.

8. Garlic Parmesan Sauce ⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐ Extra Special • 10 minutes • Makes ~1 cup

• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• Salt & pepper

1. Melt butter; sauté garlic 30 seconds.
2. Add cream; simmer 2–3 minutes.
3. Whisk in parmesan until smooth and thickened.

Best with: chicken legs, wings. Store: 3 days chilled.

9. Teriyaki Dipping Sauce ⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐ Extra Special • 12 minutes • Makes ~1 cup

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (or honey)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

1. Simmer soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic for 5 minutes.
2. Whisk in cornstarch slurry; cook 1–2 minutes until glossy.

Best with: baked or grilled chicken. Store: 1 week chilled.

10. Lemon Herb Butter Sauce ⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐ Extra Special • 8 minutes • Makes ~3/4 cup

• 4 tbsp butter
• Zest + juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Pinch of garlic powder
• Salt & pepper

1. Melt butter and whisk in lemon, Dijon, and seasonings.
2. Stir in parsley at the end.

Best with: roasted chicken legs. Store: best fresh; rewarm gently.

Chicken Dipping Sauces vs. Seasonings

Seasonings (dry rubs and spice blends) go on chicken before cooking. Chicken dipping sauces are served after cooking for dipping, drizzling, or serving on the side.

If you’re seasoning chicken legs tonight, you may also like our guide to chicken leg seasonings.

FAQ

What are the most popular chicken dipping sauces in the U.S.?

Honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, buffalo, and spicy mayo are among the most searched and most loved chicken dipping sauces.

Can I make these sauces ahead of time?

Yes. Most sauces can be made 2–5 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and stir before serving.

What’s a good dipping sauce for baked chicken legs?

Try honey mustard, creamy garlic, BBQ honey, or lemon herb butter sauce for a flavorful pairing.