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homemade dipping sauces for chicken tenders recipe card
Lena Joy

10 Kid-Approved Dipping Sauces for Chicken Tenders

Quick, healthy, and delicious sauces that turn chicken tenders into a fun meal. All 10 sauces take 5 minutes or less!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 10 sauces (2 tbsp each)
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

=== Sweet & Sour Sauce ===
  • - ¼ cup ketchup
  • - 2 tbsp pineapple juice
  • - 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • - 1 tbsp honey
  • - Pinch cornstarch optional, for thicker sauce
=== Restaurant Ranch ===
  • - ½ cup Greek yogurt full fat
  • - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • - 1 tsp dried dill
  • - 1 tsp garlic powder
  • - 1 tsp onion powder
  • - 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • - 2-3 tbsp milk to thin
=== Creamy Honey Mustard ===
  • - ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • - 1½ tbsp honey
  • - Squeeze of lemon optional
=== Bang Bang Sauce ===
  • - ½ cup mayonnaise
  • - 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • - 1 tsp sriracha optional, omit for milder version
=== Alabama White BBQ ===
  • - ½ cup mayonnaise
  • - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • - 1 tsp horseradish optional for kids
  • - ½ tsp paprika
  • - Salt and pepper to taste
=== Spicy Honey Chipotle ===
  • - ¼ cup BBQ sauce
  • - 2 tbsp honey
  • - ¼-1 tsp chipotle powder start with ¼ tsp for kids
=== Teriyaki Dip ===
  • - 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • - 2 tbsp honey
  • - 1 tbsp water
  • - 1 garlic clove minced
  • - Pinch ginger optional
=== Greek Yogurt Ranch - No Mayo ===
  • – ½ cup Greek yogurt full fat
  • – 1 tsp dried dill
  • – ½ tsp garlic powder
  • – ½ tsp onion powder
  • – 1 tsp lemon juice
  • – Pinch salt
  • – 1-2 tbsp milk to thin
=== 2-Ingredient Honey Mustard ===
  • – 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • – 1 tbsp honey
=== Pink Beet Ketchup - Hidden Veggie ===
  • – ¼ cup ketchup
  • – 1 tbsp cooked beet puree

Equipment

  • 10 small mixing bowls (one for each sauce)
  • Measuring spoons (¼ tsp to 1 tbsp set)
  • Measuring cups (¼ cup, ½ cup)
  • Whisk or fork for mixing
  • Rubber spatula (to scrape every last drop!)
  • Small microwave-safe bowl (if thickening sweet & sour)

Method
 

=== Sweet & Sour Sauce ===
  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. For thicker sauce: add cornstarch and microwave for 20 seconds, then stir.
  3. Let sit 5 minutes for flavors to meld before serving.
=== Restaurant Ranch ===
  1. Whisk all ingredients except milk until smooth.
  2. Add milk slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired dipping consistency.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes if possible - flavors get better!
=== Creamy Honey Mustard ===
  1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
  2. Taste and adjust honey for desired sweetness.
  3. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
=== Bang Bang Sauce ===
  1. Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Adjust sriracha to your kid's spice preference.
  3. Great on chicken, tacos, or fries!
=== Alabama White BBQ ===
  1. Whisk all ingredients vigorously until well combined.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
  3. Stir before serving as ingredients may separate.
=== Spicy Honey Chipotle ===
  1. Mix all ingredients well.
  2. Start with ¼ tsp chipotle powder, taste, and add more if desired.
  3. Let sit 10 minutes for flavors to develop.
=== Teriyaki Dip ===
  1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Let sit for 5-10 minutes for garlic to infuse.
  3. Stir before serving.
=== Greek Yogurt Ranch - No Mayo ===
  1. Whisk Greek yogurt, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice and salt. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until dipping consistency. Refrigerate 10 minutes before serving.
=== 2-Ingredient Honey Mustard ===
  1. Mix mustard and honey until smooth. For picky eaters: start with 2:1 honey to mustard ratio, reduce honey weekly.
=== Pink Beet Ketchup - Hidden Veggie ===
  1. Blend ketchup and beet puree until smooth pink color. Store in fridge up to 5 days. Call it "Unicorn Ketchup" for kids.

Notes

 KID-FRIENDLY VARIATIONS:
- Mild Bang Bang: skip sriracha completely
- Toddler Ranch: use all yogurt, no mayo
- No-spice Honey Chipotle: use only ⅛ tsp chipotle or skip
- Hidden Veggie Ranch: blend in 2 tbsp cooked carrots
 DIETARY ADAPTATIONS:
- Dairy-free: Use vegan yogurt and vegan mayo
- Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce
- Lower sugar: Reduce honey, use sugar-free ketchup/BBQ
- Egg-free: Most mayo is egg-based - use vegan mayo
- Nut-free: All recipes are naturally nut-free
 
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING - 2 tbsp):
 25-160 KCAL (varies by sauce)
Sweet & Sour: 45 kcal
Restaurant Ranch: 60 kcal
Honey Mustard: 55 kcal
Bang Bang: 160 kcal
Alabama White BBQ: 85 kcal
Spicy Honey Chipotle: 70 kcal
Teriyaki Dip: 40 kcal
Greek Yogurt Ranch - No Mayo: 35kcal
2-Ingredient Honey Mustard: 50kcal
Pink Beet Ketchup - Hidden Veggie: 25kcal
 
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.