These Easy-To-Make Sauces Will Turn Your Chicken Dinner Into A Feast

When you think of the stereotypical American dinner, steak and potatoes probably comes to mind, but that was the past. Today, Americans eat more chicken than beef. Health conscious citizens are turning to the leaner white meat to improve their diets in the wake of decades-long research showing the damage that ailments like heart disease and diabetes can have on your quality of life.

Unfortunately for chicken, all the research in the world won't make chicken any less the victim of negative language that calls the popular white meat dry, rubbery, and tasteless.

This negative impression of chicken can be cleared up with a few kitchen tricks that will improve the flavor and texture of your chicken dinner. For instance, start with a brine or marinade that will infuse flavor into your chicken, and keep your chicken moist while cooking. Also, don't be afraid to leave the skin on the chicken. In fact, some research shows chicken skin may be better for you than was originally thought. Finally, the right sauce can do a lot of the heavy lifting in the kitchen, turning your chicken dinners from monotonous to delicious in no time.

Check out some of our picks for easy-to-make sauces you can whip up in no time to add a little personality and excitement to your everyday chicken dinner.

Add this mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce at the end of cooking to prevent it from breaking down. This simple mix of creamy mayonnaise, bright lemon juice, and spicy cayenne is a kick of flavor that will make your chicken taste anything but dull.

For the Alabama White Barbecue Sauce recipe, click here.

Cook your chicken in this spicy marinara-style sauce to keep your meat juicy. The olives and anchovies give the sauce a nice briny quality.

For the Bold and Spicy Tomato Sauce recipe, click here.

This thin, soy-based sauce is the perfect dipping sauce to serve alongside stir-fried chicken or drizzled on top of chicken and rice.

For the Garlic Chili Sauce recipe, click here.

This pan sauce is often served with dishes like Beef Wellington and rack of lamb, but we think this rich Madeira-spiked sauce is the perfect "gravy" for a simple roasted chicken.

For the Madeira Sauce recipe, click here.

This sauce packs a punch. If you are looking for a spicy sidekick to your everyday chicken dinner, then add a dollop of this Portuguese-style hot sauce.

For the Peri-Peri Portuguese Hot Sauce recipe, click here.

Angela Carlos is the Cook Editor at The Daily Meal. Find her on Twitter and tweet @angelaccarlos.