Inspired by classic NYC street food, this easy chicken over rice recipe piles seared chicken breasts over yellow rice. It’s dressed in a simple white sauce and makes the best dinner ever.
My family loves it when I make the NYC Halal cart-style chicken. It was probably one of our favorite meals in New York (and also one that we were most skeptical of making). On top of yellow rice and the tastiest sauce ever are chicken strips that are crispy and juicy.
My family loves to dig into this satisfying meal for weeknight dinners, but it’s also perfect for meal prep!Table of Contents.
Let’s be real – chicken and rice can get boring. Like, really boring. I’ve been there, staring down at that plain plate wondering how something so simple became my dinner rotation staple. But here’s the thing – the right sauce can take this basic meal from “meh” to “OMG I need seconds!”
We at Sauce believe in one simple thing: delicious food at a reasonable price. And nothing transforms a basic meal faster than the perfect sauce companion! So I’m gonna share my absolute favorite sauces that’ll make your chicken and rice sing with flavor.
Why Sauce Matters for Chicken and Rice
Before diving into the specific sauces, let’s talk about why this combo needs sauce in the first place:
- Chicken and rice are mild-flavored foods that absorb other flavors well
- The right sauce adds moisture to what can sometimes be a dry dish
- Sauces introduce different texture elements to the meal
- You can completely change the cuisine style with just the sauce swap
When we make our signature dishes at Sauce Pizza & Wine, we always focus on high-quality ingredients made fresh daily This same principle applies to making great sauces at home!
My Top 10 Sauces for Chicken and Rice
1. Garlic Butter Sauce
This is literally my go-to when I’m feeling lazy but want maximum flavor It’s ridiculously simple but packs so much punch.
What you’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make it:
- Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn it!)
- Stir in parsley, salt and pepper
- Drizzle over your chicken and rice
The melted butter soaks into the rice while the garlic gives it that irresistible aroma So good!
2. Lemon Herb Sauce
When you want something lighter but still packed with flavor, this bright and zesty sauce is perfect.
What you’ll need:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon mixed herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make it:
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl
- Drizzle over warm chicken and rice
- Toss gently to coat
The acid in the lemon cuts through any chicken dish that is too rich and instantly makes plain rice taste better.
3. Teriyaki Sauce
Want an Asian-inspired twist? Teriyaki sauce brings that perfect balance of sweet and savory.
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
How to make it:
- Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger and garlic in a small saucepan
- Bring to a simmer
- Add cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened
- Pour over chicken and rice
This sauce transforms your meal into a Japanese-inspired dish in seconds!
4. Creamy Mushroom Sauce
For those days when you’re craving something rich and comforting, this sauce hits all the right notes.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make it:
- Sauté mushrooms in butter and olive oil until golden
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth
- Simmer until slightly thickened
- Season with salt and pepper
The earthy mushrooms and creamy texture make this feel like a restaurant-quality meal!
5. Spicy Peanut Sauce
This sauce adds a Thai-inspired twist and packs some heat too!
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (creamy works best)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons water to thin
How to make it:
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth
- Add water gradually to reach desired consistency
- Drizzle over chicken and rice
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro if you’re feeling fancy
The nutty, spicy, sweet combo is absolutely addictive!
6. Classic Tomato Sauce
Sometimes the simplest things are the best. A good tomato sauce works wonders with chicken and rice.
What you’ll need:
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make it:
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan
- Sauté onion until translucent
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and herbs
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened
At Sauce Pizza & Wine, we believe in using farm-fresh ingredients, and this principle applies perfectly to homemade tomato sauce!
7. Curry Sauce
Want to make things more interesting? A simple curry sauce can take your chicken and rice all the way to India in one bite.
What you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
How to make it:
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion until soft
- Add garlic and spices, cooking until fragrant
- Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes
- Season with salt
The aromatic spices and creamy coconut milk make this sauce absolutely irresistible!
8. Honey Mustard Sauce
This sweet and tangy sauce is surprisingly amazing with chicken and rice.
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon mayo
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
How to make it:
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl
- Drizzle over chicken and rice
- Enjoy!
The sweet-tangy balance is perfect with the mild flavor of chicken and rice.
9. Chimichurri Sauce
This fresh, herbaceous sauce from Argentina adds brightness to your meal.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make it:
- Finely chop herbs and garlic (or pulse in food processor)
- Mix with remaining ingredients
- Let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving
- Spoon over chicken and rice
The fresh herbs and garlic give this sauce an amazing punch of flavor!
10. Ginger Scallion Sauce
This Chinese-inspired sauce is incredibly simple but absolutely transformative.
What you’ll need:
- 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1/3 cup neutral oil (like vegetable or canola)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Pinch of salt
How to make it:
- Place scallions and ginger in a heat-proof bowl
- Heat oil until very hot but not smoking
- Pour hot oil over scallions and ginger (it will sizzle!)
- Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, and salt
- Let cool slightly before serving over chicken and rice
Trust me when I say this sauce changes everything about chicken and rice.
Tips for Pairing Sauces with Your Chicken and Rice
Not all chicken and rice dishes are created equal! Here’s how to choose the best sauce:
- For grilled chicken: Lighter sauces like lemon herb or chimichurri work best
- For fried chicken: Try something with acidity like tomato sauce to cut through the richness
- For poached chicken: Richer sauces like the creamy mushroom complement the mild flavor
- For pilaf-style rice: Choose a sauce that won’t overwhelm the flavors already in the rice
- For plain white rice: Any sauce works great as it will absorb all those delicious flavors!
Make Your Sauce in Advance!
One thing we’ve learned at Sauce Pizza & Wine is that good things take time. Many of these sauces actually taste better after sitting for a day, allowing the flavors to meld together. So make a big batch and store in the fridge for quick and easy meal transformations all week!
Just like we believe in making food from scratch daily at our restaurants, these homemade sauces will elevate your home cooking to new heights.
Chicken and rice doesn’t have to be boring! With these 10 amazing sauces in your repertoire, you can transform this simple meal into something new and exciting every night of the week.
At Sauce, we believe that high-quality ingredients and fresh preparation make all the difference – whether you’re enjoying our gourmet pizzas or making a simple chicken and rice dinner at home.
What’s your favorite sauce to pair with chicken and rice? I’d love to hear about your go-to combinations in the comments below!
Now go sauce it up and enjoy!
How to make chicken over rice
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post to print out the full recipe instructions and amounts of the ingredients.
Step 1 – Marinate the chicken. Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl and add the chicken breasts. Set them aside to marinate.
Step 2 – Pan-sear. Sear the marinated chicken breasts in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides. Set them aside to rest before slicing them into strips or bites.
Step 3 – Make the sauce. Whisk the sauce ingredients in a bowl.
Step 4 – Cook the rice. Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat, then add the coriander and cumin. Toast the rice in the pot before pouring in the chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Bring it up to a boil, then cover and cook until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 5 – Serve. Add a scoop of rice to each plate, then top with the chicken and sauce. Serve with fresh chopped tomatoes, spicy mayo, fresh parsley, and pita bread or lettuce, then enjoy!.
- Butterfly the chicken. Not only will cutting each chicken breast in half give you enough to feed everyone, but they will also cook much faster.
- Marinate for longer. Putting the chicken in water for at least 10 minutes will give it tasty flavors, but for the best results, marinate the breasts for an hour or two.
To store: I recommend storing the chicken, rice, and sauce separately in airtight containers. Keep them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze: The cooked rice and chicken can be frozen for up to three months in bags or containers that don’t let air in. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat: Reheat everything together in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat.
If all you want is an aromatic side dish, omit the chicken and enjoy the rice as-is with fragrant and flavorful dishes like beef kabobs, lamb vindaloo, chicken saag.
Why I love this recipe
- Simple and budget-friendly. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, so I used common dried spices, a simple chicken marinade, chicken breasts, and white rice to make this chicken recipe.
- A marriage of flavor. Like my curry fried rice, I gave this dish’s yellow rice warm flavors that go well with the tangy white sauce and savory, smoky chicken breasts that were marinated.
- Quick and easy. This dish is easy to make and only takes less than 30 minutes, so it’s great for a quick dinner during the week.
- All in one bowl. Like my Mediterranean bowl or salmon bowl, it’s an easy one-dish dinner that tastes great.
- Lemon juice. For the sauce and the marinade, you need lemon juice that has just been squeezed.
- Herbs and spices. The marinade tastes warm and rich thanks to the dried oregano, paprika, ground coriander, and cumin.
- Garlic cloves. Infuses a nice savoriness into the chicken marinade.
- Olive oil. To sear the chicken.
- Chicken breasts. I made this recipe with four butterflied boneless chicken breasts. This dish is full of protein from the pan-seared chicken pieces that are about the size of a grain. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead, but they will need to be seared for a little longer.
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. The base of the creamy white sauce.
- Sugar. To keep the rich and sour tastes in check, I only added one tablespoon of white sugar to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar. To help the sauce thin out and make it tangy
- Basmati rice. Long-grain rice, like basmati or jasmine, is what I think you should use for this dish.
- Butter. Adding melted butter to rice makes it taste and feel rich and delicious.
- Curry powder and cumin. In order to season the rice and turn it a bright golden color
- Chicken stock. If you cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water, it tastes better. Low-sodium broth helps me keep the salt level in check.
- Salt and black pepper. To season the chicken, sauce, and rice.
How to make ANY pan sauce you can think of
FAQ
What sauces go well with chicken and rice?
Many sauces can enhance the flavor of chicken and rice, depending on your preference. Classic options include soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce for a savory and umami profile. For a spicy kick, consider Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a homemade chili sauce with garlic and ginger.
What is a good sauce to put on rice?
A variety of sauces can be delicious with rice, depending on your flavor preferences. Some popular options include tomato sauce, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, and honey sriracha sauce. For a savory option, consider gravy, oyster sauce, or hoisin sauce. If you enjoy a bit of heat, buffalo sauce or gochujang sauce might be a good choice.
What sauces go with chicken?
Many sauces pair well with chicken, offering a wide range of flavors and textures. Popular choices include BBQ sauce, honey mustard, teriyaki, buffalo sauce, and creamy mushroom sauce. For dipping, ranch dressing, chipotle crema, and even a simple ketchup or mustard mix can be great options.
What tastes good with chicken and rice?
I believe roasted broccoli is the best side dish because the roasted flavor goes well with the comforting chicken and rice, and the simple flavor doesn’t take away from the chicken and rice’s shine. You could also do some steamed green beans, sautéed zucchini, or a simple side salad.