Sauces from around the world that enhance chicken

Teriyaki takes its name from teri (gloss) and yaki (grilled). The basic recipe: soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, reduced together to a slightly thick syrup.

The chicken is basted several times during cooking, creating a shiny caramelized glaze. The flavor is sweet and savory with a unique umami depth. Tip: Add a dash of fresh ginger juice and a drop of sesame oil for an even more fragrant homemade version.

Originating in Mozambique and popularized by Portuguese colonists, piri-piri sauce is an essential accompaniment to grilled chicken throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Its base ingredients are African bird's eye chilies, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and herbs. These are blended together and used as a marinade and accompanying sauce.

The level of spiciness can be adjusted: replace some of the chili peppers with red bell peppers for a milder version.

In yassa sauce, it's the caramelized onions that do all the work. They are sliced and slowly browned until they melt, then deglazed with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and chili pepper.

The result is a remarkably complex sauce: both tart and sweet, with a slight bitterness from the onions. Tip: prepare it the day before. Like many simmered dishes, yassa tastes even better when reheated.

Invented in 1964 in Buffalo, New York, buffalo sauce is one of the most popular sauces in North America.

Classic recipe: 2 parts hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot to 1 part melted butter. The magic lies in the balance between the acidity of the vinegar-based chili sauce and the richness of the butter. Served on the famous buffalo wings with ranch dressing, the contrast between hot and cold, spicy and creamy, is irresistible.

Peanut-based satay sauce is a staple of Thai and Indonesian cuisine. Simplified version: peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, sambal oelek. Blend and adjust the consistency with hot water. The richness of the peanuts and the aroma of the coconut milk transform any grilled chicken into a journey to Southeast Asia. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro.