Three Chicken Dipping Sauces (That Aren’t Ketchup)

It’s getting to be that season again – the school buses are making the rounds again, the leaves are turning colors, and there is a chill in the air. Yep – it’s football season!! (What – you thought I was going to say fall? Yes – it’s that season too).

We love football here in Wisconsin and life pretty much revolves around game time. We love having friends over to watch the games with us (and yell at the TV a bit when things aren’t going our way). And what goes well with a football game and friends? Food, of course! Foods that are easy to pick up and eat with your fingers are great.

If you want to get a little fancy, consider presentation. Something as simple as using upscale cutting boards adds a touch of class without feeling out of place.

 

While I was shopping for nuggets, I also picked up the ingredients to make some fun dipping sauces. While ketchup and ranch are certainly staples for dipping chicken in, I wanted to branch out a bit and get a little fancier. And by “fancier” I mean something that tasted different but wasn’t very hard to make! I searched and found a few dipping sauces that I thought sounded interesting and changed them up a little to suit my family’s tastes. I’m excited to share them with you today!

A+ Sauce

This is a completely unique sauce – I’m not sure how to even describe it. It goes really well on chicken and also works on other meats, vegetables, or anything else really.

• 
  
  
  
  • 1 c. mayonnaise
  
  
  • 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
  
  
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  
  
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  
  
  • 1/4 tsp seasoned salt
  
  
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  
  
  • ¼ c. butter, melted and cooled
  
  
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  
  
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
  
  
  
  

  Combine mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, and paprika with a whisk until well blended. Add melted butter and garlic and stir until combined. Cover and put in fridge for at least an hour. Garnish with chives before serving.

Nutty BBQ Sauce

This is a sweet and nutty take on a barbeque sauce. It’s delicious on all kinds of chicken!

• 1/3 c. of your favorite barbecue sauce
• 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 c. orange juice
• 2 Tbsp chopped green onions
• Combine all ingredients and allow to sit for an hour before serving. Sprinkle a few more green onions on top for garnish.

Honey Sesame Sauce

This sauce is sassy with a soy base and a ginger kick. It works well on grilled veggies too.

 

• 
  
  
  
  • 1/2 c. honey
  
  
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  
  
  • 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
  
  
  • 1/4 c. soy sauce
  
  
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger
  
  
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  
  
  
  

  Mix together the honey, sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce with a whisk. Add ginger and allow to sit for at least an hour (overnight is preferred).

  
  

  Add toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Now, with these three amazing dipping sauces, you probably won’t have any leftovers. But, on the off chance that you do, what can you do with them? Here’s a few recipe hack ideas:

• Wrap them in soft tortillas with lettuce, cut tomatoes, shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Instant tacos!!
• Place them at the bottom of a greased glass dish. Cover with your favorite pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is warm and bubbly.
• Grill up some eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes or whatever your favorite veggies are. Put veggies and nuggets on skewers and serve over some fancy rice.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your Tyson nuggets and/or tenders?