Chicken and pasta make for a delicious and comforting meal. With so many ways to prepare chicken pasta recipes, from creamy Alfredo to spicy chicken pomodoro, it can be tricky to know what wine will complement the dish best. This comprehensive pairing guide covers the most popular chicken and pasta pairings so you can elevate your dinner with the perfect wine match every time.
Factors to Consider When Pairing Wine with Chicken Pasta
When pairing wine with chicken pasta there are a few key factors to take into account
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The sauce – Creamy sauces call for different wines than tomato-based, olive oil or pesto sauces The sauce imparts much of the dish’s flavor profile
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Spices and herbs – Recipes seasoned with lots of garlic, chili flakes or basil need wines that won’t overpower those notes.
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Weight of the dish – Heavy, rich dishes pair better with bolder wines than light pastas.
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Preparation method – Grilled or roasted chicken contrasts better with wine than if it is fried
Considering these elements will help narrow down your options. Below are specific recommendations for popular chicken and pasta combinations.
Best Wines for Creamy Chicken Pasta
Rich, creamy chicken pastas like fettuccine alfredo pair wonderfully with white wines that mirror their soft texture. The key is picking a wine with enough acidity to cut through the cream. Great options include:
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Unoaked Chardonnay – With notes of apple, citrus and melon, the acidity and subtle flavor of unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for creamy pastas.
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Pinot Grigio – Bright flavors of pear, honeydew and lemon complement, not overpower, cream sauces. Pinot Grigio has medium body and acidity.
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Sauvignon Blanc – Passion fruit, grapefruit and herb notes as well as brisk acidity make Sauvignon Blanc an ideal foil for decadent cream-based sauces.
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Champagne – Bubbles and bracing acidity refresh the palate. Opt for brut styles with a citrus backbone.
Best Wines for Chicken Pasta in Tomato Sauce
Fresh tomato sauces call for fruity wines with enough acidity to match the tomatoes’ natural tartness. Recommended pairings:
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Chianti – The classic Italian red boasts cherry, herbs and iron notes along with medium body and acidity, making it versatile with both red and white sauces.
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Barbera – With flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry and spice, Barbera has gentle tannins that suit tomato-based pastas nicely.
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Valpolicella – Made from grapes also used in Amarone, Valpolicella shows red and black fruits, especially cherries, pairing beautifully with tomato’s sweetness.
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Rosé – Dry rosés exhibit flavors of strawberry, peach, citrus and herbs that align with tomatoes’ flavor profile.
Best Wines for Chicken Pasta in Olive Oil Sauce
For chicken pasta tossed in fragrant olive oil, herbs and garlic, choose wines with similarly aromatic qualities. Consider:
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Vermentino – This Italian white grape shines with citrus, pear, peach and floral aromatics that complement olive oil’s fruity flavor.
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Greco di Tufo – Lemon, apple, peach and almond flavors with minerality suit the bright herbal qualities of an olive oil sauce.
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Pinot Grigio – Its mild pear and citrus notes won’t overshadow an olive oil pasta’s flavors.
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Sangiovese – The principal grape of Chianti has an herbal, fruity edge and medium body tailor-made for simple olive oil-prepared pastas.
Best Wine for Chicken Pasta with Pesto
The basil and garlic in pesto sauces calls for white wines with a bit of grassy, herbal flavor. Consider:
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Sauvignon Blanc – The lively acidity and signature herbs and grassiness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc enhance pesto’s fresh qualities.
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Pinot Grigio – Subtle citrus and floral notes align with pesto’s bright flavor profile.
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Verdicchio – Lemon and herb flavors are a natural complement to pesto’s basil and garlic. High acidity balances richness.
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Vermentino – This white grape also shows grassy, herbal notes harmonizing beautifully with pesto seasoning.
Best Wines for Spicy Chicken Pasta
Fiery chicken pomodoro, arrabiata or chili pastas require wines with a touch of sweetness to temper the heat. Riesling and Gewurztraminer make good pairings, as do off-dry Rosé and Lambrusco.
For less spicy dishes, opt for fruity, medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Grenache to stand up to spices without overwhelming them. In general, avoid heavy tannic reds with hot and spicy pastas.
Best Wines for Chicken Pastas with Veggies or Mushrooms
Pastas with vegetables or mushrooms tend to be earthy. Pick wines that complement those deeper flavors. Consider:
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Pinot Noir – The light red cherry flavors and silky tannins of Pinot Noir suit veggie-heavy pastas perfectly.
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Syrah – Notes of blackberry, pepper and smoke in Syrah align with mushrooms and caramelized veggies.
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Merlot – The plush, fruity nature of Merlot balances earthy veggie flavors nicely.
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Rosé – Dry, serious rosés with berry flavors pair well with earthy ingredients.
Best Wine for Lighter Chicken & Pasta Salads
For chilly chicken pasta salads, crisp, high-acid whites refresh the palate. Recommended wines include:
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Sauvignon Blanc – The citrus and herbs make this white ideal for salads with vinaigrettes.
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Pinot Grigio – Its bright pear and lemon notes complement mayonnaise-dressed salads.
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Vermentino – Stone fruit flavors and zippy acidity cut through heavy pasta salads.
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Gruner Veltliner – The white pepper and citrus notes of this Austrian grape add interest to chicken pasta salads.
Key Takeaways for Pairing Wine with Chicken & Pasta
The basic guidelines for pairing wine with chicken and pasta are:
- Creamy sauces = medium-bodied whites with good acidity
- Tomato-based = fruit-forward reds with medium acidity
- Olive oil/herb sauces = aromatic whites or mediums reds
- Pesto = herbal or grassy whites
- Spicy = slightly sweet and fruity wines
- Lighter salads = high-acid whites
Following these pairings, you’re sure to find a wine match that enhances any chicken and pasta dinner. With a bit of knowledge and experimentation, you can discover your own favorite combinations that keep your meals exciting.
The key is choosing wines that complement, not compete, with your chicken pasta’s predominant flavors. With so many possibilities, there are delicious wine pairings for every palate and recipe. What will you try first?
How To Make Chicken Pasta With White Wine Recipe?
The key to making creamy chicken pasta is all in the technique and making it easier than you think. Once you learn how to make a white wine sauce the correct way, youll be able to use it for a variety of dishes.
Italian Seasoning Mix: To make the Italian seasoning combine Italian seasoning, black pepper, red chili flakes, onion and garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Set a couple of teaspoons for the sauce. Season, the chicken.
White Wine Chicken Pasta: Add olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes. Let them cool, then chop the chicken into medium-sized pieces.
Next, cook the onion and shallots with the seasoning you set aside in the same skillet. Stir in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook until fragrant. Pick the skillet up and keep stirring if the garlic is browning too fast.
Add chicken and white wine once the wine begins to simmer (small bubbles). Add heavy cream and half of the Parmesan cheese, and cook until the white wine sauce is slightly thickened. Toss pasta in the sauce until it is coated evenly with sauce. Serve immediately and garnish with olive oil, chopped parsley, and more parmesan cheese.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few things to keep in mind while you whip up this creamy chicken pasta.
- Use a skillet or pot large enough to hold all the ingredients.
- Feel free to swap the thighs for boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Make sure to use room-temperature chicken breast. The chicken will cook faster and better.
- If you use chicken breasts, cover them with plastic wrap, then pound them out to help them cook faster and evenly.
- If you dont have a meat mallet, use a large skillet with a heavy bottom to pound the chicken breasts out.
- Use 1 roma tomato instead of sun-dried tomatoes.
- You can use Fettuccine, Linguine, Penne, Ziti, or Angel hair instead of Bucatini pasta.
- Cook your pasta al dente or until its cooked but still firm. This will ensure that it doesnt turn into mush when cooked in the sauce. 6 minutes should do.
- Never add oil to your pasta water, only salt. Oil and water do not mix.
- Whole foods have a great-tasting wine thats inexpensive called Three Wishes.
- Use chicken broth or lemon juice instead of white wine if you dont consume alcohol.
- Stir cooked pasta with 2-3 tablespoons to avoid sticking.
- I am rather particular about the parmesan cheese I use, but you can use whatever type is available. It should be shredded, grated, or shaved for the recipe.
- If you want your parmesan to melt and blend quickly, go for the grated variation–just know that it will have a slightly more grainy texture.
- Fresh garlic cloves taste the best; dont use chopped garlic from a jar.
- Parmigiana Reggiano is the best parmesan cheese on the market.
- Try using a Pecorino Romano or an Italian cheese blend instead of Parmesan.
Here are the top questions readers have about making chicken pasta with white wine.
The best wine to pair with chicken pasta is a dry white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.
The Chefs rule of thumb for cooking with wine is to use a white wine you enjoy drinking. If you enjoy drinking it, you will love the flavor it brings to your pasta. It doesnt matter if its a White Wine Blend, Pino Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay.
As a general guideline, use red wines for heartier pasta dishes with beef. In contrast, white wines work best for lighter pasta, including chicken or fish-based pasta dishes.
Adding white wine to pasta adds a bright, refreshing wine flavor similar to what lemon juice would do, and it adds flavor and moisture to the dish to help create a tasty sauce.
Chicken pasta is best eaten immediately, but it will remain fresh in an airtight container for 3 days in the fridge. Reheat pasta over medium heat in a skillet with ¼ cup of low-sodium chicken stock per serving until hot.
If you love pasta as much as I do, then I know youll love these recipes too!
Before starting, I use the steps to stay organized and move faster when I cook.
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Get the ingredients for the chicken pasta on the counter.
Step 2: Be sure to measure everything before you begin.
Step 3: Follow this recipe and get ready to enjoy the best chicken pasta with the0 creamy white wine sauce youve ever had.
This creamy chicken white wine pasta recipe is a great way to add some variety to your weeknight dinner routine and impress your guests at the same time. I hope youll give it a try! Please leave me a comment below, letting me know how it turns out for you, and dont forget to rate the recipe once youve tried it. Thanks for reading, friends!
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Sommelier Pairs Wine With 5 Classic Pasta Dishes | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit
FAQ
What type of wine goes with chicken and pasta?
The best wine to pair with chicken pasta is a dry white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.
Do you serve red or white wine with chicken?
Pairing wine is mostly simple. Generally white wine is paired with light colored meats such as fish and chicken, whereas reds are paired with dark colored meats such as beef. Pork can be paired with white or red depending on the preparation. Here are some other pairing examples:
What wine compliments pasta?
Generally, white wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling pair well with lighter pasta dishes, while red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot are great for richer and bolder pasta sauces.Jul 16, 2023
What is a good wine to drink with Chicken Alfredo?
Instructions. Key pairing considerations for Chicken Alfredo include balancing the dish’s creamy richness with wines that offer complementary or contrasting flavors. Recommended wines include Napa Valley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Chablis, and Orvieto Classico.