What Sauce Goes with Tandoori Chicken? (12 Best Sauces)

If you’re currently asking yourself the question ‘what sauce do you serve with tandoori chicken?’ then you are in the right place.

I’ve rounded up 12 of the best sauces to serve with tandoori chicken.

Whether you are looking for a creamy sauce, a spicy sauce, or a yogurt-based sauce, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these sauces a try the next time you make tandoori chicken!

What Sauce Goes with Tandoori Chicken?

The best sauces for tandoori chicken are cooling and yogurt-based, like raita or cucumber-yogurt. They help to balance the heat of the spices in the chicken. You could also try a mint chutney or a tamarind sauce.

But there are so many more sauces you can try!

So with that said, here are 12 sauces that go well with tandoori chicken:

Creamy Cucumber Raita

This cooling Indian condiment is the perfect foil for fiery tandoori chicken.

You can find cucumber raita premade in the refrigerated section of Indian markets, but it’s easy to make at home, too.

Simply combine 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1/2 cup of grated cucumber, 1/4 teaspoon of cumin powder, a pinch of salt, and a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh cilantro.

If you want a thinner consistency, add water a few tablespoons at a time until desired thickness is reached.

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside your tandoori chicken.

Greek Tzatziki – Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Why not combine the flavors of India with Greece by serving tzatziki sauce with your tandoori chicken?

Tzatziki is a cucumber yogurt sauce that is cooling and refreshing, yet has a bit of a tang to it.

You can adjust the taste by adding more or less lemon juice, and the texture by grating the cucumber more or less finely.

I like to serve tzatziki with warm pita bread and use it as a dip for my chicken, but it would also be delicious served on top of the chicken as well.

Mint Cilantro Chutney (Indian Green Chutney)

This beautiful green chutney is perfect for tandoori chicken!

It has a nice balance of mint and cilantro, with a bit of heat from the green chilies.

You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less green chilies, to taste.

This chutney also has a bit of sweetness from the sugar (which you can also adjust to taste).

The end result is a bright and flavorful sauce that goes perfectly with tandoori chicken. And it’s so easy to make!

Easy Tamarind Sweet Chutney

This tangy, sweet dipping sauce is the perfect finishing touch for your tandoori chicken!

Tamarind chutney is easy to find in most supermarkets, or you can make your own at home with tamarind paste, sugar, and spices.

The chutney can be adjusted to taste – add more sugar for a sweeter chutney, or more tamarind paste for a tangier sauce.

You can also add fresh ginger, cayenne pepper, or chopped green onions for extra flavor.

Serve the chutney on the side as a dipping sauce, or drizzle it over the chicken before serving.

Thai Peanut Sauce

I love Thai sweet chili sauce with my tandoori chicken!

You can find this at most Asian markets, or online.

It’s a perfect balance of sweet and heat, and pairs well with the spices in tandoori chicken.

If you want a thinner sauce, you can add water or coconut milk to thin it out.

If you want it spicier, add more chili flakes or use a hotter chili pepper.

And if you want it sweeter, add more sugar or honey.

Garlic Butter Sauce

Garlicky, buttery, and slightly spicy, this garlic butter sauce is the perfect complement to tandoori chicken.

1. To make the sauce, simply melt butter in a pan and then add in garlic, ginger, chili pepper, and cumin.
2. Cook for a minute or two until fragrant and then add in some heavy cream.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then let it cook until it has thickened.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

You can add more chili pepper if you want it to be spicier or add a bit of sugar if you want it to be sweeter.

This sauce is best served warm.

Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce

This zingy cilantro sauce is SO easy to make and really takes tandoori chicken to the next level!

I like to use Greek yogurt because it’s nice and thick, but you can use regular yogurt if that’s what you have on hand.

To adjust the thickness of the sauce, simply add more or less yogurt until you reach your desired consistency.

As for the taste, I like mine pretty tangy with a good kick of heat.

If you want yours to be more mild, simply reduce the amount of lime juice and chili pepper flakes.

Roasted Tomato Sauce

It’s like tomato sauce goes with anything – think about it, there’s marinara, arrabbiata, puttanesca… the list goes on.

So of course, a classic roasted tomato sauce would go great with tandoori chicken!

This particular sauce is super easy to make.

All you need are some tomatoes (duh), garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roast everything in the oven until the tomatoes are blistered and soft, then give it a whirl in the blender or food processor.

Add a little more salt and pepper to taste.

If you want a thinner sauce, add in some chicken broth or water when blending everything together.

If you like your sauces on the spicier side, throw in a pinch (or two) of red pepper flakes.

And if you really want to get fancy, garnish with some chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.

5-Minute Coconut Curry Sauce

If time is of the essence, then this 5-minute coconut curry sauce is perfect for you!

It’s easy to make and can be served with tandoori chicken or any other Indian-inspired dish.

To adjust the taste, simply add more or less curry powder to suit your preference.

If you want a thicker sauce, then add some cornstarch or arrowroot flour to thicken it up.

For a thinner sauce, add more water or chicken broth.

And lastly, if you like your sauces on the spicier side, then add in some chili peppers or red pepper flakes.

Green Chutney for Tandoori Chicken

This chutney is usually served in restaurants along with tandoori, kebabs, and other Indian appetizers.

It is also a great side with tandoori chicken.

The chutney can be made in different ways, but the most common way is to blend mint, cilantro, ginger, onion, and green chili peppers in a food processor or blender.

The chutney can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

When you are ready to serve it, simply take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

You can adjust the taste by adding more or less mint, cilantro, ginger, onion, or green chili peppers.

You can also adjust the texture by adding more or less water until you reach the desired consistency.

San Marzano Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of San Marzano tomatoes, some garlic, and a little bit of time, you can make an incredible tomato sauce to serve with your tandoori chicken.

This particular sauce is going to be on the thinner side, but it will have a really intense flavor.

The acidity from the tomatoes will help to cut through the richness of the tandoori chicken and it will also complement all of the spices in the dish.

If you want to adjust the texture of the sauce, you can add in a little bit of cream or some chopped-up vegetables like carrots or celery.

Horseradish Sauce

This incredibly creamy and slightly spicy horseradish sauce is the perfect accompaniment to tandoori chicken!

The best part about this sauce is that it can be easily adjusted to taste.

If you want it spicier, simply add more horseradish.

If you want it creamier, add more yogurt or cream.

And if you want it tangier, add a splash of lemon juice.

This sauce also works well as a dipping sauce for other Indian dishes such as samosas or pakoras.

So if you have any leftover sauce, don’t hesitate to give it a try with other dishes!