Chicken is a versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways From fried chicken to chicken marsala, the possibilities are endless While chicken may seem simple, finding the right wine pairing can be tricky. The good news is that chicken pairs nicely with a variety of wines – as long as you follow a few basic guidelines.
White Wine Pairings
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most popular pairings with creamy chicken dishes. The velvety texture and buttery notes of oaked Chardonnay complement rich sauces perfectly. Wines from warm climate regions like California Australia and Argentina work well. Try Chardonnay with chicken pot pie, chicken alfredo, or chicken tetrazzini.
Sauvignon Blanc
The citrus flavors of Sauvignon Blanc make it a natural partner for chicken dishes prepared with bright, acidic ingredients like lemon, garlic, and herbs. Sauvignon Blanc has enough body to stand up to the chicken but won’t overpower more delicate preparations. Look for bottles from New Zealand, France’s Loire Valley, or coastal regions of the U.S.
Riesling
Off-dry Riesling with just a hint of sweetness helps cool the palate and balances spicy dishes like buffalo wings, Thai chicken curry, or extra-spicy chicken tacos. Riesling also pairs nicely with the sweetness of teriyaki or other Asian-inspired chicken recipes. German Rieslings are a sure bet.
Rosé
Don’t overlook rosé! Many styles work beautifully with chicken. Dry rosés match lighter preparations and refresh the palate. Fruitier rosés complement spicier chicken dishes where you want a touch of sweetness to tame the heat.
Red Wine Pairings
Pinot Noir
With its tart cherry flavors, earthiness, and gentle tannins, Pinot Noir is a great option for chicken cacciatore, chicken parmesan, or any chicken dish with tomatoes. The acidity of the tomato sauce is nicely echoed in lighter-bodied Pinot Noir. Look for bottles from Oregon, California, or France’s Burgundy region.
Grenache
Grenache-based wines like many Côtes du Rhône offer a fruit-forward profile that works well with boldly flavored preparations like chicken paprikash or chicken tikka masala. Their medium body and juicy acidity refresh the palate. Spain’s Grenache-dominant Priorat wines are another good choice.
Zinfandel
Chicken with savory barbecue sauce is a perfect match for jammy, fruit-forward Zinfandel. Zinfandel’s higher alcohol and spice help cut through the sweet, tomato-ey flavors. For authentic American-style barbecued chicken, look for Zinfandel from California producers like Ridge or Rafanelli.
Merlot
Chicken coq au vin is traditionally made with red Burgundy wine, but Merlot makes an excellent substitute pairing. The soft, plummy fruitiness of Merlot complements the chicken nicely without accentuating the bitterness of the vegetables. Merlot from Napa Valley Sonoma and Washington offer great options.
Sparkling Wine and Rosé Pairings
Sparkling Wine
The high acidity and bubbles of sparkling wine are fantastic palate cleansers and pair beautifully with fried chicken or nuggets. The wine’s effervescence provides contrast to the crispy, salty coating. Opt for a dry style like brut Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, or Italian Franciacorta.
Dry Rosé
Dry rosé works nicely with simple preparations using minimal spices or herbs. Its bright palate-cleansing acidity highlights the delicate flavors of the chicken. Look for rosés from Provence, Southern France, Italy, or high-quality domestic producers.
Off-Dry Rosé
Fruit-forward off-dry rosé helps tame spicier chicken recipes and works well with Asian-style dishes that combine sweet and salty flavors. The rosé’s touch of sweetness balances out chili spice, garlic, ginger and soy. California producers like Bonny Doon or Charles & Charles make great examples.
Key Tips for Pairing Wine with Chicken
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Match the weight of the wine to the richness of the preparation – delicate chicken goes with lighter wines
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Consider how sauces and spices impact the flavor – they can shift you towards red or white
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Don’t be afraid of red with white meat, especially if using red wine-based sauces
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Acidity is key – pick wines with lively acidity to cut through richer dishes
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Off-dry whites/rosés work well with spicy or Asian-style chicken recipes
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Bubbly wine and rosé can refresh the palate, especially with fried chicken
With so many options, pairing wine with chicken offers lots of opportunities to experiment. Keep these guidelines in mind, and you’re sure to find a match made in heaven. Happy sipping!
Sauces and Seasonings Paired with Wine
Since many Asian and Indian dishes play with spice and sweetness, make your wine choice a sweet and fruity white or red wine served chilled. Pick rosé or red wines with darker soy-sauce based dishes.
What would you pair with Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Remember, this is a sweet dish with pineapple acids, fried chicken, and some green vegetable characteristics. All of these elements should be taken into account when picking a wine.
ANSWER: Riesling or another medium-sweet white wine with high acidity.
Specifically, I’d pick a German Spatlese Riesling for this dish and serve it quite cold so that it could also act as a palate cleanser. I think it’d be perfect with this dish because it would match the pineapple flavors. The onion and bell pepper in the dish would let the wine taste fruitier, like apricots, and bring out the complex beeswax-like nuances many German Rieslings have.
Sweet and sour is a complicated sauce to pair with most dry wines because the sweetness and acidity in the sauce makes most dry wines taste flat and tart. I bet this dish would be kickass with Moscato d’Asti.
Live the wine lifestyle. Use this chart to make amazing food and wine pairings.
Pairing Wine with Chicken and Poultry
While the sauce will greatly affect the flavor of the meat, here are some great wines to try with lighter and more delicately flavored poultry. Did you know that chicken can pair well with both red and white wines?
Try to match the intensity of the dish with the intensity of the wine.
Because of its medium body, rosé wine is sometimes an even better option than white or red. For the most part, look for dry rosé wines unless the sauce is inherently sweet. Find out more about rosé wine.
Select light aromatic red wines to medium-bodied red wines with lighter tannin structure. The richer the preparation of the meat, the more color, richness, and tannin you can have in your wine.
What Wine Goes With Chicken? – Beverage Buff
FAQ
Which wine pairs best with chicken?
Dark Meat – As a general rule, white meat such as chicken or turkey breast pairs well with white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, while dark meat like duck and other game go well with medium-bodied red wines such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. What wine goes with chicken seems like a straightforward question.
What to drink with chicken breast?
- White Wine- The Perfect Pairing for Roasted Chicken. …
- Beer- A Versatile Pairing for Grilled, Fried, or Roasted Chicken. …
- Iced Tea- A Refreshing Pairing for Spicy or Savory Chicken Dishes. …
- Lemonade- A Tangy and Sweet Pairing for Grilled or Baked Chicken.
Can you eat red wine with chicken?
Red wine is often the first choice for pairing with poultry, however, some white wines are a match made in heaven when it comes to certain fowl, especially depending on how they are cooked.