What Sauce Goes with Chicken Drumsticks? (13 Best Sauces)

If you’ve been wondering what sauce goes with chicken drumsticks, you’re in luck.

This list of 13 sauces is sure to have something that will pair perfectly with your next batch of chicken drumsticks.

From classics like barbecue sauce and buffalo sauce to more unique options like honey mustard and Thai chili sauce, there’s sure to be a new favorite here for everyone.

So the next time you’re making chicken drumsticks for dinner, don’t forget to try one (or all) of these delicious sauces!

What Sauce Goes with Chicken Drumsticks?

The best sauce for chicken drumsticks is a simple mixture of soy sauce, honey, and garlic. This sweet and savory sauce is easy to make and really brings out the flavor of the chicken. You can also add a little bit of Sriracha to give it some heat.

But with so many options out there, it can be tough to choose just one.

Here are 13 delicious sauces that go great with chicken drumsticks:

1. Honey Garlic Sauce

Honey garlic sauce only requires a couple of ingredients and can easily be made in your own kitchen, which is why it’s a great option for those busy weeknights.

Plus, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought sauces that are often loaded with sugar and preservatives.

The sweetness of the honey pairs well with the savory flavors of the garlic and chicken, and the sauce can be made as thick or thin as you like by adjusting the amount of honey used.

Pro Tip: If you find that your sauce is too sweet, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to balance it out.

2. Teriyaki Sauce

This sauce is sticky, sweet, and salty all at once, which makes it the perfect partner for chicken drumsticks.

The sauce clings to the skin and infuses the meat with its flavor as it cooks.

Chicken drumsticks are also a great cut of chicken to use for this dish because they have a lot of surface area for the sauce to cling to.

And, since they’re cooked on the bone, they stay moist and juicy.

Pro Tip: If you want extra crispy skin on your chicken, remove the skin before cooking and then brush the sauce on top of the meat.

3. Sweet and Sour Sauce

This sauce can be whipped up in about 5 minutes, but best of all, it is super versatile and can be used in so many different ways.

I like to use it as a dipping sauce for chicken drumsticks, as a stir-fry sauce, or even as a dressing for a simple salad.

The acidity from the vinegar helps to balance out the sweetness from the sugar, and the result is a delicious sauce that is perfect for just about anything!

Pro Tip: If you find that your sweet and sour sauce is too sweet for your liking, simply add more vinegar until it reaches the desired level of sweetness/sourness.

4. Hoisin Sauce

This sauce is vegan, gluten-free, sweet, sour, and simply just delicious, making it a perfect match for chicken drumsticks.

The sauce is also very easy to make at home with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Hoisin sauce is traditionally made with soybeans, vinegar, sugar, and spices, and has a thick consistency that clings well to chicken.

It’s often used as a dipping sauce or marinade, and can also be used to add flavor to stir-fries or noodle dishes.

5. BBQ Sauce

I bet you already have all the ingredients you need to make a delicious BBQ sauce at home.

And once you try making your own, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

Plus, it’s so easy and quick to make, you can easily whip some up the day of your cookout.

The best part about making your own BBQ sauce is that you can tailor it to your liking.

• If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar.
• Spicier? Throw in some extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
• And if you want a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika or liquid smoke.

Pro Tip: Chicken drumsticks are the perfect vessel for homemade BBQ sauce because they have a lot of surface area for the sauce to cling to and they’re easy to eat with your hands.

6. Honey Mustard Sauce

You can’t really go wrong with this classic flavor combination.

The sweetness of the honey pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the mustard, and they both complement the chicken nicely.

Plus, the sauce is easy to make and can be used as a marinade or a dipping sauce.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy skin, coat the chicken in a mixture of honey and mustard before baking.

7. Ranch Dressing

Ranch isn’t just for making your salads more interesting.

It can actually be used as a marinade or coating for chicken drumsticks.

Ranch dressing has a few key ingredients that make it perfect for this application.

• First, the buttermilk tenderizes the meat and helps to keep it moist during cooking.
• Second, the herbs add flavor and help to keep the chicken from drying out.
• Third, the oil in the dressing helps to create a crispy exterior when the chicken is cooked.

Pro Tip: If you want extra crispy chicken, let the drumsticks sit in the ranch dressing for at least an hour before cooking.

8. Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce packs some heat, but it also has a vinegar tang that helps to cut through the richness of chicken.

The sauce clings well to chicken, making it the perfect coating for drumsticks.

Chicken drumsticks are also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great option when you’re feeding a crowd.

Pro Tip: If you want to make your own buffalo sauce, start with a base of hot sauce and add in some butter, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to taste.

9. Sriracha Hot Sauce

This sauce can be made with fresh or fermented peppers, and often includes sugar, vinegar, and garlic.

The combination of these ingredients makes it the perfect addition to chicken drumsticks.

The sweetness from the sugar helps to balance out the heat from the peppers, while the vinegar and garlic add depth of flavor.

This sauce is also relatively thin, which means it can easily coat chicken without weighing it down.

Pro Tip: If you want a little extra crunch on your chicken, try coating it in cornstarch before frying. This will create a crispy outer layer that pairs perfectly with the Sriracha sauce.

10. Ketchup

Whether you simply buy the ketchup or make a homemade version, the acidity in ketchup helps to cut through the richness of chicken.

A glaze made with ketchup can also help to keep the chicken moist as it bakes.

The sweetness in ketchup can also balance out any savory spices you add to the dish.

Pro Tip: If you want a bit more flavor in your ketchup glaze, try adding in some Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or even honey.

11. Homemade Yellow Mustard

This sauce can be made from mustard powder, vinegar, and a couple of other basic pantry staples, and it’s so much better than anything you’ll find in a store-bought bottle.

The homemade version is also incredibly versatile, working well as a dipping sauce, marinade, or even a salad dressing.

Plus, it’s easy to adjust the flavor to your liking by adding more or less vinegar, honey, or spices.

One great way to use this mustard is as a dipping sauce for chicken drumsticks.

The acidity in the mustard helps to cut through the richness of the chicken, and the flavors go really well together.

Plus, it’s an easy way to add some extra flavor to your drumsticks without having to do much work.

Pro Tip: If you want a creamier mustard, you can add some mayonnaise or sour cream to the mixture.

12. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise needs no introduction. It’s a staple in most kitchens, and for good reason – it’s delicious!

But did you know that mayonnaise is also great for cooking?

It adds creaminess and body to dishes, and can be used as a binding agent.

Plus, it helps food to brown evenly when used as a coating.

This is why it’s often used in recipes for fried chicken or baked chicken drumsticks.

The next time you’re looking for a new way to cook chicken, give mayonnaise a try – you won’t be disappointed!

13. Garlic Aioli

This authentic garlic aioli recipe blends together garlic, lemon juice, and egg yolks to create a delicious sauce that is perfect for dipping chicken drumsticks into.

The acidity of the lemon juice helps to balance out the richness of the egg yolks and garlic, and the result is a flavorful and addictive sauce.

Pro Tip: If you want a thinner consistency, add in some olive oil drop by drop until you reach the desired consistency.