Chicken Finger Sauce

My family loves chicken fingers, and every now and then I pick up a bag of frozen ones from the store for an easy meal. They are quick, simple, and always a hit. But if you really want to make them extra delicious, it is absolutely worth taking an extra 5 minutes to whip up a homemade chicken finger sauce for dipping.

This sauce is meant to be a copycat version of the dipping sauces served at places like Guthrie’s, Zaxby’s, and Raising Cane’s. At the time I first made it, we only had a Zaxby’s where I lived, and I had never actually eaten there, so I could not compare it to the real thing. What I did know was that my family loved it with our chicken fingers. Since then, a Raising Cane’s has opened near our home, and after finally trying their sauce, I can honestly say this homemade version tastes just like it.

Every good chicken finger needs a good dipping sauce, and this one is a fun change from the usual BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard. If you have had fry sauce before, I would say this is somewhat similar, but with a bigger flavor punch. It is creamy, tangy, savory, and just a little peppery, which makes it perfect for dipping those crispy chicken fingers.

If you are already making chicken fingers for dinner, this delicious sauce is such an easy way to take them up a notch. It uses simple ingredients, comes together quickly, and really makes even store-bought chicken fingers feel a little more special.

Ingredients for Chicken Finger Sauce Recipe

• MAYONNAISE – Mayonnaise is the creamy base of the sauce. It gives the dipping sauce its smooth texture and rich flavor.
• KETCHUP – Ketchup adds sweetness, tang, and that classic pinkish color. It helps balance the richness of the mayonnaise.
• WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE – Worcestershire sauce adds deep savory flavor with a little tang. It is one of the ingredients that gives this sauce more flavor than a basic dipping sauce.
• HOT SAUCE – Hot sauce adds a little zip and helps brighten the flavor of the sauce. It usually does not make it super spicy, but it does add a nice kick.
• GARLIC POWDER – Garlic powder adds a savory boost and deeper flavor to the sauce. It helps make the sauce taste bold and well-seasoned.
• SEASONED SALT – Seasoned salt adds extra flavor along with the saltiness the sauce needs. It helps give the dipping sauce that signature seasoned taste.
• BLACK PEPPER – Black pepper adds a little bite and rounds out the flavor. It gives the sauce a slightly peppery finish.
• CAYENNE PEPPER – Cayenne pepper adds a touch of heat and extra flavor. A little goes a long way, so it helps give the sauce a subtle spicy kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this sauce taste like?
It is similar to fry sauce, but with more of a flavor punch. It is creamy, tangy, savory, and a little peppery.

Do I need to chill the sauce before serving?
Yes. Refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before using. That gives the flavors time to blend together.

How much sauce does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 2 cups of sauce.

Is this sauce spicy?
It has a little kick from the hot sauce and cayenne pepper, but it is not meant to be overly spicy. The mayonnaise and ketchup help keep the flavor balanced.

What can I serve this sauce with?
It is perfect for chicken fingers, but it would also work well with French fries or other crispy chicken recipes.

Can I use this instead of BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard?
Yes. This sauce is a tasty alternative to the usual BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping chicken fingers.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Since the sauce needs at least an hour in the refrigerator anyway, it works well as a make-ahead recipe.

Tips and Tricks

• Let it chill before serving. The recipe says to refrigerate the sauce for at least 1 hour before using. That extra time helps the flavors blend together and makes the sauce taste even better.
• Whisk until completely smooth. Since this recipe is so simple, taking a minute to whisk everything together really well helps distribute the seasonings evenly and gives the sauce the best texture.
• Use it as a change from the usual dips. This is a tasty alternative to BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard. It is a nice way to make even frozen chicken fingers feel more special.
• Start with a small amount of heat and taste if needed. This sauce gets its kick from hot sauce and cayenne pepper, but it is not meant to be overly spicy. If you want to keep it family-friendly, those amounts give it flavor without overpowering the sauce.
• Make it ahead. Because this recipe takes only 5 minutes to mix and then needs chill time, it is perfect to make earlier in the day. That way it is ready to go when the chicken fingers are hot and ready to serve.

For more recipes like this, try:

• Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing
• Piña Colada Dipping Sauce
• Sriracha Chip Dip
• Onion Vegetable Dip

This recipe is adapted from Plain Chicken.