22 Flavor-Packed Sauces for Fried Chicken

From ranch dressing to fermented hot sauces and even Shake Shack's secretive Shack Sauce, these are the best sauces to serve alongside that crispy chicken.

Who doesn't love fried chicken? (We don't actually want to know the answer to that.) Whether you make it home (good luck choosing from one of our many recipes!) or head to Popeyes to grab a box for the family, biting into the crispy, craggy crust of a fried chicken leg is an experience unlike any other. But sometimes all that chicken could use something a bit more—especially when piled high on a sandwich—which is when we love to turn to sauces for a boost of flavor. From ranch dressing to fermented hot sauces and even a replica of Shake Shack's secretive Shack Sauce, these are the best sauces to serve alongside whatever kind of fried chicken you're having.

Sweet Soy Sauce

This soy-based sauce is delightfully sweet and garlicky.

List Link:Sweet Soy Sauce For Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce

Korean fried chicken gets its kick from fiery gochujang.

List Link:Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce

White Gravy

This simple white gravy takes fried chicken to a whole new level of indulgence.

List Link:White Gravy

Ranch Dressing

Here, creamy, rich buttermilk melds with the subtleties of fresh parsley, chives, and dill.

List Link:Ranch Dressing

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Homemade sweet and sour sauce is quick, easy, and the perfect condiment for your own fried chicken.

List Link:Sweet and Sour Sauce

Fermented Hot Sauce With Fresno Chiles, Garlic, and Tamari

Charred Fresno chiles add complex flavor and heat, tamari supplies savory backbone, while garlic oil blends in for an emulsified sauce that's creamy and rich.

List Link:Fermented Hot Sauce With Fresno Chiles, Garlic, and Tamari

Chipotle Fermented Hot Sauce With Garlic, and Cumin

Loosely inspired by Mexico's Cholula brand of hot sauces, this spicy homemade condiment is packed with the smoky flavors of chipotle and the bold funk of cumin and garlic.

List Link:Chipotle Fermented Hot Sauce With Garlic, and Cumin

Thai Dried Chili–Vinegar Dipping Sauce

With plenty of heat and a kick of vinegar, this Thai-inspired dipping sauce is a perfect match for fried chicken.

List Link:Thai Dried Chili–Vinegar Dipping Sauce

XO Sauce

This luxurious flavor-bomb condiment is rich with dried seafood and cured ham.

List Link:XO Sauce

Shack Sauce

Shake Shack's secretive Shack Sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment for Shack Burgers —and fried chicken, of course.

List Link:Shack Sauce

Spicy 'Nduja Mayonnaise

For the best spicy mayonnaise, stir in some funky, salty 'nduja.

List Link:Spicy 'Nduja Mayonnaise

Curry Leaf and Mustard Oil Mayonnaise

The peppery heat of mustard oil and aromatic curry leaves give this luxurious and rich mayo incredible depth of flavor.

List Link:Curry Leaf and Mustard Oil Mayonnaise

Chipotle Mayonnaise

With just a few ingredients, you can create a complex mixture of spicy, cool, earthy, and smoky that becomes an excellent spread for fried chicken sandwiches.

List Link:Chipotle Mayonnaise

Nuoc Cham

At its simplest, nuoc cham is a mixture of water, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce, creating the base that's a staple of Vietnamese flavor.

List Link:Nuoc Cham

South Carolina Mustard Sauce

This simple sauce starts with a mustard base, mixes some sweetness in with sugar, the vinegar gives it a barbecue tang, and just enough spices create a uniqueness between one sauce and another.

List Link:South Carolina Mustard Sauce

Ponzu Sauce (Japanese Citrus Dipping Sauce)

Sweet mirin, refreshing citrus, and smoky, savory bonito flakes and kombu join forces for one flavorful powerhouse.

List Link:Ponzu Sauce (Japanese Citrus Dipping Sauce)

Harissa Aioli

Creamy aioli gets a flavor upgrade with spicy harissa.

List Link:Harissa Aioli

New Orleans Remoulade Sauce

Mayonnaise is the base for this remoulade brimming with fresh herbs and spices.

List Link:New Orleans Remoulade Sauce

Ponzu-Ginger Dipping Sauce

This no-cook dipping sauce features ponzu, the citrus- and soy-spiked Japanese sauce, that's enlivened with ginger, scallions, and sesame oil.

List Link:Ponzu-Ginger Dipping Sauce

Thai-Style Dipping Sauce

To make this amazing sauce, we start with the classic combination of Asian fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, then punch it up with raw garlic, fresh cilantro, and hot chile flakes.

List Link:Thai-Style Dipping Sauce

Kimchi and Honey Dipping Sauce

To turn kimchi paste into a dipping sauce we temper it with honey, sesame seeds, and melted butter to create a smooth condiment that's intensely sweet, spicy, buttery, and just a little nutty all at once.

List Link:Kimchi and Honey Dipping Sauce

Memphis-Style Barbecue Sauce

Memphis-style barbecue sauce takes the aspects of sweet tomato-based sauces and dials back the sugar while amping up the vinegar.

List Link:Memphis-Style Barbecue Sauce