6 Simple Sauces for Chicken (Cooking Light)

Tangy Mustard Sauce

Dijon mustard and maple syrup combine in a sweet-savory pan sauce that adds a velvety richness to chicken, and would also taste fantastic on a pork tenderloin. This pan sauce reduces in about 5 minutes, so you can make it while your protein cooks.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, divided
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup vinegar

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup half-and-half into a small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly. Combine next 5 ingredients with remaining half-and-half, mixing well; gradually add to heated half-and-half, mix well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth.
2. Remove sauce from heat, and gradually stir in vinegar. Serve hot.

White Wine Sauce

Ingredients

• Cooking spray 
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 
• 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup dry white wine 
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives 

Preparation

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add finely chopped onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in chicken broth, white wine, and white wine vinegar; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in butter and fresh chives 

Classic Vinaigrette 

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine vinegar, shallots, salt, Dijon mustard, and pepper. Gradually add olive oil, stirring until incorporated.

Spicy Orange Sauce

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2/3 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon sambal oelek, or other hot chile sauce

Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; coat with cooking spray. Add grated ginger; sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in chicken broth, orange marmalade, and soy sauce; bring to a boil. Cook until mixture is slightly thick. Stir in fresh lemon juice and sambal oelek. 

Parsley Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth.