What sauce goes with chicken and pasta?
That’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point.
Sometimes, it feels like there are so many sauces to choose from, and it can be hard to decide which one will really make your dish sing.
There are many sauces that go well with chicken and pasta. If you want a light sauce, you can try a white wine sauce, lemon sauce, or garlic sauce. If you prefer a heavier sauce, you can try a tomato-based sauce, Alfredo sauce, or pesto sauce.
Luckily, we’re here to help!
We’ve compiled a list of 16 sauces that go well with chicken and pasta, so you can be sure that your next meal will be delicious, whether you’re cooking for yourself or for someone else.
Why Consider Serving A Sauce With Chicken and Pasta?
One of the reasons you might want to consider serving a sauce with chicken and pasta is because it can help to moisten the dish and make it more flavorful.
Chicken is a lean protein, so it can often be quite dry when cooked.
Adding a sauce can help to keep the chicken moist and prevent it from drying out.
Another reason for serving a sauce with chicken and pasta is that it can help to bind the ingredients together.
This is especially important if you are using a dry pasta, as the sauce can help to coat the pasta and prevent it from sticking together.
Finally, a sauce can also help to add an extra layer of flavor to your dish.
If you are using a simple pasta, adding a flavorful sauce can really elevate the dish and make it more interesting.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to sauces, so you can really get creative and experiment with different flavors.
What Sauce Goes with Chicken and Pasta?
Some common sauces that go well with chicken and pasta include Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, tomato sauce, and cream sauce. You can also try a simple olive oil and garlic sauce, or a wine-based sauce.
For more ideas, keep scrolling!
1. Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is a classic, and for good reason!
It’s rich and creamy, but not too heavy.
It also has a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken and pasta.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing in some spinach or mushrooms for an extra-green meal.
2. Pesto Sauce
Pesto is another classic sauce—but it’s also one of the most versatile!
You can use it on pasta like we recommend above, but you can also spread it on sandwiches or use it as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, or even veggies.
Just add some roasted chicken breast (See Also: What Sauce Goes with Chicken Breast) to turn your pesto into a full meal!
3. Tomato Sauce
This sauce is easy to prepare, but it still manages to taste amazing.
Just sauté some onions and garlic in olive oil, add some canned tomatoes (or fresh ones if you’re feeling ambitious), and simmer for about an hour.
You can then use this sauce as a topping for your pasta or as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders or other grilled meats.
4. Garlic Sauce
If you’re not into tomato sauce but still want some kick in your dinner, this garlic sauce will do the trick.
Just combine minced garlic with butter, salt and pepper and add a little cream or milk if you feel like it needs it (we don’t recommend adding too much).
Then heat it up until bubbling hot and pour over your chicken tenders or grilled chicken breast before serving with pasta or rice!
5. Red Wine Sauce
Red Wine Sauce is a great option if you’re looking for something rich and bold.
This sauce uses red wine as its base, which gives it a delicious flavor that pairs well with chicken or steak, but is also complex enough to stand alone as a main course.
6. White Wine Sauce
White Wine Sauce is another of our favorite sauces to serve with pasta, especially when we’re serving chicken.
This one gets its name from the white wine in the recipe, which adds a light sweetness and acidity that brightens up all of the flavors around it.
It’s perfect for chicken breast or thigh because it can add some brightness without overpowering any other flavors in your dish!
7. Lemon Butter Sauce
This sauce is a classic, but it’s also the perfect base for any number of other sauces.
It’s easy to make and can be used as a base for butter sauces, cream sauces, or even cheese sauces.
The best part?
All you need is a few simple ingredients!
8. Curry Sauce
Curry sauce is one of our favorite chicken pasta recipes because it has just enough heat to tickle your tongue without overpowering the flavor of the chicken or pasta.
This sauce works well with any type of pasta and can also be used as a base for other curry pastes.
9. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is one of the most versatile sauces out there.
It can be used to add flavor to chicken, beef, and pork dishes.
You can also use it to marinate meat before cooking it, or add some extra flavor to stir-fries and other Asian-inspired meals.
10. Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
There’s nothing like a good honey garlic butter sauce.
It’s sweet and savory at the same time, which makes it great for finishing off chicken dishes like grilled chicken breast or baked chicken thighs.
The sauce has a bit of sweetness from honey and garlic, but not too much—just enough to give it some balance without making your food taste like candy!
11. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is perfect for chicken and pasta because it adds a kick of flavor that will make you feel like you’re eating a gourmet meal.
Just be sure to use a mild version of hot sauce if you’re serving kids.
12. BBQ Sauce
If you like BBQ sauce as much as we do (and let’s face it—who doesn’t?), then this is another essential component of any meal involving chicken and pasta.
We’ve tried a LOT of different kinds of BBQ sauces, but our top pick has got to be Sweet Baby Ray’s original version.
It has just enough sweetness that it doesn’t overpower the rest of your dish while also giving off just enough smokey flavor that you know it came from somewhere other than your kitchen!
13. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is a great choice for chicken and pasta because it’s got a nice sweet flavor that works well with both the savory pasta and the slightly salty chicken.
You can make it at home by mixing soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, and ginger root in a saucepan over medium heat until the ingredients are combined.
14. Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese sauce is a classic Italian dish that’s made with ground beef and tomato puree, and it pairs perfectly with chicken and pasta.
It’s also easy to make: just brown some ground beef, then add some tomatoes, garlic and onion, and simmer until thickened.
You can even make it ahead of time so it’s ready to go when you are.
15. Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce
This is another classic Italian sauce that works great with chicken and pasta.
It’s also super simple to make: saute onions in butter until softened, then add tomatoes and basil leaves, stir in heavy cream and seasonings (like salt and pepper), let simmer until thickened—and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal!
16. Sauce Velouté
Velouté is a classic French sauce that has been around for centuries. It’s made by thickening stock with a little butter and flour, then adding your favorite ingredients.
You can make it as simple or complex as you like—we recommend going with a classic version, which is just cream and chicken broth thickened with flour and butter.
This is a great option if you’re serving chicken and pasta because the velouté can be used to make any sauce you want: white sauce, béchamel, or even hollandaise!
All you have to do is add some spices and ingredients to taste.
What Sauce Goes with Chicken and Pasta? (16 Sauces)
Ingredients
- Alfredo Sauce
- Pesto Sauce
- Tomato Sauce
- Garlic Sauce
- Red Wine Sauce
- White Wine Sauce
- Lemon Butter Sauce
- Curry Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- BBQ Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Bolognese Sauce
- Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce
- Sauce Velouté
Instructions
- Pick your favorite sauce from this list to serve with your pasta dish.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy your meal in no time!