10 Mouthwatering Sauces That Will Transform Your Rice and Chicken Dish

I cook chicken and rice at least twice a week as my go-to lazy dinner, so I’ve tried a lot of different sauces to make this simple meal more interesting. Have you ever looked at a plate of chicken and rice and thought, “This needs something?”

A plain chicken and rice meal can become something you look forward to eating with the right sauce. Today I’m going to talk about my favorite sauces that go well with rice and chicken. These are the sauces I’ve found through years of cooking and studying food.

Why Sauce Matters for Chicken and Rice

Before diving into specific sauces, let’s talk about why sauce is so important. Chicken and rice on their own can be… well, kinda bland. Both are relatively neutral in flavor, which makes them perfect canvases for sauces to shine!

A good sauce adds:

• Moisture (nobody likes dry chicken!)
• Flavor complexity
• Richness or tanginess depending on what you’re craving
• Visual appeal to your plate

Top Sauces for Chicken and Rice

1. Soy-Based Sauces

A lot of people use soy sauce, and there’s a good reason for that: the umami flavor in soy sauce goes great with both rice and chicken.

Try these variations

• Classic soy sauce – Simple but effective
• Teriyaki sauce – Sweeter and thicker than regular soy sauce
• Ponzu sauce – Citrusy soy sauce that adds brightness

I personally love mixing soy sauce with a bit of honey, ginger, and garlic for a quick homemade teriyaki-style sauce. Takes literally 3 minutes but tastes like you spent ages on it!

2. Coconut-Based Curries

Coconut milk is a very creamy base for sauces that go well with both chicken and rice.

• Thai green curry – Herbal, spicy, and slightly sweet
• Coconut korma – Milder but rich with spices
• Mango coconut sauce – Sweet, tropical flavor that kids love too

We make coconut curry at least once a month in our house. Pro tip: If you’re short on time, you can buy pre-made curry pastes and just add coconut milk!

3. Tomato-Based Sauces

Don’t limit tomato sauces to just pasta! They work surprisingly well with chicken and rice too.

• Marinara – Italian flavors work great with chicken
• Salsa – For a Mexican-inspired meal
• Tikka masala – Creamy tomato sauce with Indian spices

My hubby was skeptical about putting marinara on rice until he tried it – now he requests it regularly!

4. Herb-Based Sauces

Fresh herbs make bright, vibrant sauces that wake up plain chicken and rice.

• Chimichurri – Parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil
• Pesto – Not just for pasta!
• Herb yogurt sauce – Mix fresh herbs into Greek yogurt

Chimichurri is my personal fave – I make a big batch on Sundays and use it all week long.

5. Cream-Based Sauces

For those times when you need something rich and indulgent:

• Mushroom cream sauce – Earthy and luxurious
• Garlic parmesan sauce – Like alfredo but even better
• Lemon cream sauce – The acidity cuts through the richness

These are definitely weekend treats at our house – not everyday sauces unless you want to buy bigger pants lol.

6. Asian-Inspired Sauces

Beyond the soy-based options, there are many other Asian sauces that work beautifully:

• Sweet and sour sauce – Tangy and vibrant
• Hoisin sauce – Sweet, salty, and slightly spicy
• Kung pao sauce – For spice lovers!

I keep bottles of these in my fridge for quick dinners. They last forever and make even the most basic chicken taste fancy.

7. Hot Sauces

For heat lovers, a good hot sauce can transform your meal:

• Sriracha – Garlicky heat that’s not too overwhelming
• Buffalo sauce – Not just for wings!
• Gochujang-based sauce – Korean chili paste with depth

My partner puts sriracha on literally EVERYTHING, but I prefer the complexity of a gochujang-based sauce when I want some heat.

8. Mediterranean Sauces

These sauces bring bright flavors from the Mediterranean:

• Tzatziki – Cooling yogurt and cucumber
• Hummus sauce – Thin out hummus with olive oil and lemon
• Lemon-tahini sauce – Nutty and tangy

We discovered the magic of tzatziki with chicken and rice during a Greek food phase, and it’s now a regular in our rotation.

9. Homemade Gravy

Don’t overlook a simple gravy! If you’ve roasted your chicken, use the drippings to make a quick gravy that will soak into the rice beautifully.

• Classic chicken gravy – Comforting and homey
• Mushroom gravy – Adds earthiness
• Onion gravy – Sweet and savory

My grandma taught me to make gravy, and it’s still one of my comfort foods with rice and chicken.

10. Fusion Sauces

Get creative and mix cuisines for unique flavor combinations:

• Honey-sriracha – Sweet and spicy
• Miso-butter sauce – Rich umami bomb
• Curry ketchup – Popular in Europe and surprisingly good!

These fusion sauces are where you can really get creative in the kitchen!

How to Choose the Right Sauce

When deciding which sauce to use, consider:

1. What type of chicken are you serving? Grilled, roasted, and poached chicken each pair differently with sauces.
2. What’s the occasion? Quick weeknight dinner or impressive meal for guests?
3. What other sides are you serving? The sauce should complement everything on the plate.
4. How much time do you have? Some sauces are quick store-bought options, while others benefit from simmering time.

Making Your Own Sauce vs. Store-Bought

While there are excellent store-bought options (I’m not above using them!), making your own sauce has advantages:

• You control the ingredients (less sugar, sodium, preservatives)
• You can adjust flavors to your preference
• Often cheaper in the long run
• You feel like a kitchen wizard

That said, I keep several bottled sauces in my pantry for those nights when I just can’t even.

Quick Recipe: My Go-To Garlic Butter Sauce

Here’s a super simple sauce I make ALL the time that takes basic chicken and rice to the next level:

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs if you have them (parsley, thyme, whatever)

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute (don’t let it brown!)
3. Add lemon juice and chicken broth, simmer for 2-3 minutes
4. Season with salt and pepper
5. Pour over your chicken and rice
6. Sprinkle with herbs if using

Takes 5 minutes and tastes like something from a restaurant!

Sauce Pairings Based on Rice Type

Different types of rice work better with different sauces:

• White rice – Most versatile, works with all sauces
• Brown rice – Earthier flavor, pairs well with mushroom sauces and herb-based options
• Jasmine rice – Floral aroma, excellent with Thai and other Southeast Asian sauces
• Basmati rice – Pairs beautifully with Indian curries and Middle Eastern sauces

Final Thoughts

Don’t let boring chicken and rice get you down! With these sauce ideas, you can transform this simple dish into something you’ll actually look forward to eating. The best part is that most of these sauces can be made in advance or kept on hand for those busy weeknights.

Remember, cooking should be fun and flexible. Don’t be afraid to mix and match or create your own signature sauce. Some of my favorite kitchen discoveries have happened by accident when I was just throwing things together!

What’s your favorite sauce for chicken and rice? I’m always looking for new ideas to try in my kitchen adventures!

P.S. If you’re still stuck with plain chicken and rice, just know that even a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil is better than nothing. Sometimes the simplest “sauces” are just what you need!