Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Tenders Sauce (Print Version)
A bold, creamy dipping sauce blending ranch tang with sweet heat, ideal for crispy chicken tenders or sandwiches.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
02 - 1/4 cup sour cream
→ Flavorings
03 - 2 tablespoons hot honey (or regular honey + 1 teaspoon hot sauce)
04 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth and fully incorporated.
02 - Add hot honey, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until completely blended and creamy.
03 - Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning or heat level as desired, adding more hot honey or hot sauce for additional spice.
04 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve as a dip with crispy chicken tenders or drizzle over sandwiches and salads.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The honey tempers the ranchs tang just enough while adding this gentle heat that sneaks up on you
- It comes together in five minutes flat but tastes like something from a restaurant that takes itself seriously
02 -
- The sauce thickens up in the fridge, so make it slightly thinner than you think you want
- Hot honey varies wildly by brand, so start with less and add more until the heat level feels right to you
03 -
- Whisk everything in a wide bowl rather than a deep one, you get better incorporation
- Grate a little fresh garlic into the sauce right before serving for an extra punch