Lucas Delgado
Chicken is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of wines. The type of wine that goes well with chicken depends on the way the chicken is cooked and seasoned, as well as the sauce that accompanies it. For example, fried chicken pairs well with sparkling wines like Cava or Champagne, while chicken with lemon, garlic, or herbs is best enjoyed with a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay, with its buttery-smooth taste, is a classic pairing for roast chicken. If you're looking for a red wine to pair with chicken, lighter options like Pinot Noir or a fruity Zinfandel are great choices. Ultimately, the key is to avoid overpowering the dish with too much tannin and to match the intensity of the wine to the intensity of the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | Red wine, White wine, Rosé, Sparkling wine |
| Wine Variety | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Garnacha, Moscato, Brachetto d'Aqui, Zinfandel, Australian Grenache, Gewürztraminer, Furmint, Kerner, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Vermentino, Barbera, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Primitivo, Grenache, Viognier, Gavi, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Australian Semillon |
| Chicken Dish | Roasted chicken, Spicy chicken, Fried chicken, Chicken curry, Chicken risotto, Chicken stir-fry, Chicken pie, Chicken salad, Chicken casserole, Chicken tagine, Chicken liver pâté |
| Other Factors | Sauce, Seasoning, Country of origin, Cooking method |
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What You'll Learn
Wine and chicken: an overview
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be paired with many different wines. The wine you choose will depend on how you cook the chicken, the seasonings and sauces used, and the type of dish. Here is an overview of some of the best wine and chicken pairings to try.
For a simple roast chicken, a full-flavoured red, a rosé, or a dry white wine can all work well. A Chardonnay is a classic choice, especially when paired with roasted chicken seasoned with herbs, garlic, lemon, and butter or olive oil. An oaked Chardonnay, with its melon and herb flavours and buttery finish, is a particularly good match for a roast chicken basted with lemon and thyme butter. A New World Chardonnay with a riper fruit profile is another excellent option.
If you're looking for something sparkling, a vintage blanc de blancs Champagne is a great choice, especially if you're serving fried chicken with Creole spices. English sparkling wine or Tasmanian fizz are other good options for fried chicken.
When it comes to chicken casseroles or pies, a red wine with good acidity, such as a Pinot Noir, Gamay, or Garnacha, can be a great match. These wines can even be enjoyed chilled. For a chicken pie with a creamy filling, an Australian Semillon is another good choice, as it has a creamy texture with enough acidity to cut through the richness of the pastry.
Spicy chicken dishes pair well with aromatic white wines like medium-dry Riesling and Pinot Gris, as well as fruity rosés. If you're serving an Indian or Asian chicken dish with a dark soy-based sauce, a rosé or red wine is a good option. Sweet and fruity white or red wines served chilled are also a great match for these types of dishes.
Chicken curry, especially a Thai green curry, calls for a Viognier, which has a slight touch of sugar to temper the heat of the curry. A Gavi, on the other hand, pairs well with a chicken and mushroom risotto, offering flavours of pear, almond, and stone fruit.
Finally, for a chicken stir-fry, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice, with its bright, punchy flavours of green pepper, pink grapefruit, and tropical fruit.
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Spicy chicken and wine
On the other hand, if you prefer to tame the heat of the dish, off-dry aromatic white wines are a safer option. Varietals such as Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Riesling are excellent choices. These wines have a slight sweetness that helps reduce the heat of the spice while complementing the flavours of the dish. Alsace is a renowned region for finding these aromatic white wines, but they are also produced in other parts of the world, including Argentina, which is known for its aromatic Torrontés grape with peachy fruit notes.
Additionally, the country of origin of the dish can be a helpful guide when pairing wine with spicy chicken. For instance, if you're enjoying an Italian chicken dish with vibrant basil flavours, a citrusy Vermentino would be an ideal match. Similarly, Spanish chicken dishes prepared with paprika or bravas sauce pair well with Spain's Garnacha wines.
When it comes to specific spicy chicken dishes, there are some recommended pairings to consider:
- Spicy Mexican and Southwestern chicken dishes often feature lime and cilantro, which pair beautifully with the herbaceous character of Sauvignon Blanc.
- Thai green chicken curries and Indian gravies are enhanced by the slightly sweet and fresh notes of Pinot Gris. Its fruity, acidic, and spicy flavours create a delightful combination with the warm, spicy, and saucy flavours of these Asian cuisines.
- For a sweet and sour chicken dish, Riesling is the perfect choice. The bell peppers and onions in the dish accentuate the fruitiness of the wine.
- Spicy chicken wings and barbecued chicken can be paired with off-dry white wines, as their slight sweetness and low alcohol content help to reduce the heat of the dish.
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Chicken and soy sauce: wine pairings
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be paired with many different wines. The wine you choose will depend on the preparation and flavour profile of the dish. When it comes to chicken and soy sauce, several options are available.
Firstly, consider the type of dish you are preparing. If it is a stir-fry, a fruity red or white wine is a good choice. For white wines, try a Pinot Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay. For reds, opt for low-tannin wines like a Beaujolais from France or a California Pinot Noir. If your dish is spicy, a sweet wine will help to quell the heat, so consider an off-dry German Riesling or a Brachetto d'Acqui, a sweet, lightly sparkling red from Italy. If your dish contains coconut, an aromatic white wine like Gewürztraminer, Furmint, or Kerner is a good choice.
If you are looking for a wine to pair with chicken marinated in soy sauce, a medium-bodied red wine with vibrant acidity will complement the savoury and slightly sweet flavours. A Ripasso della Valpolicella or an Amarone from Veneto with its cherry and raisin tones is an excellent choice. You could also try a German Pinot Noir, which has red fruity aromas with a light but balanced body and bright acidity.
For a more indulgent option, consider champagne. While it may seem unexpected, the acidity and effervescence of champagne can cut through the richness of fried chicken. A vintage blanc de blancs champagne has a slightly lean texture but enormous complexity and a hint of creaminess that can complement the flavours of chicken.
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Chicken and coconut: wine pairings
Chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of wines, including reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines. The type of wine that pairs best with chicken depends on the preparation and seasoning of the dish, as well as the sauce used.
When it comes to chicken and coconut-based dishes, the key is to balance the rich coconut milk and spices with wines that offer complementary flavours and acidity. Here are some specific wine pairings to consider for chicken and coconut dishes:
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer, especially from Alsace, is an excellent choice for chicken and coconut dishes. It has bold aromas of lychee, mango, and rose petals, which complement the exotic spices and creamy coconut in the dish. The slight sweetness of Gewürztraminer also helps to balance the heat from the curry, creating a pleasant harmony.
Riesling
Off-dry German Riesling offers balanced acidity and unique aromas that enhance the complexity of chicken and coconut dishes. The slight sweetness of the Riesling also cuts through the richness of the coconut milk, enhancing the dish's overall flavour. Look for lightly sweet kabinett or spätlese styles from Germany or off-dry Rieslings from Oregon or Australia.
White Rioja
White Rioja, whether young and fruity or mature and nutty, provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of chicken and coconut dishes. A young, fresh white Rioja offers citrus and tropical fruit flavours that complement the coconut and spices. For added depth, consider an oak-aged white Rioja with nutty, honey tones.
White Saint-Joseph
White Saint-Joseph is a less typical but excellent choice for chicken and coconut pairings. Made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, this wine offers fresh lemon, peach, and apricot flavours with a rich, floral, honeyed texture. The fruity and floral notes enhance the curry's spices, while the refreshing quality of the wine helps to balance the richness of the dish.
Chardonnay
For chicken and coconut dishes with a creamy texture, consider a fruity, unoaked, or lightly oaked Chardonnay from Australia or cooler parts of California. Chardonnay has a buttery-smooth taste with a rich citrus tone, making it a good match for richer chicken dishes.
In summary, when pairing wine with chicken and coconut dishes, look for wines that balance the richness of coconut milk and complement the exotic spices. The above-mentioned wine varieties provide a range of options to highlight the diverse flavours and aromas of chicken and coconut-based cuisine.
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Classic wine and chicken combinations
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be paired with many different wines. The wine you choose will depend on the type of chicken dish you are eating. Here are some classic wine and chicken combinations:
Chardonnay and Roast Chicken
Chardonnay is a classic match for roast chicken. An oaked Chardonnay, with its melon and herb flavours and buttery finish, pairs well with a lemon and thyme butter-basted roast chicken.
Pinot Noir and Chicken Casserole
Chicken casseroles are rich dishes that go well with a fruity red wine that has good acidity, such as a Pinot Noir. Burgundy is the most classic choice for this combination.
Viognier and Chicken Curry
Viognier is a slightly off-dry wine with a tiny amount of sugar that tempers the heat of a spicy Thai curry. It is recommended to serve Viognier with a Thai green chicken curry.
Sparkling Wine and Fried Chicken
Fried chicken pairs well with sparkling wines, such as a vintage blanc de blancs Champagne or an English sparkling wine. The acidity and effervescence of the Champagne cut through the richness of the fried coating.
Rosé and Chicken Dishes
Rosé wines are a winning partner for chicken dishes. Darker pink rosés, which have more tannin and structure, are better for food pairing. Rosé can also be a good choice for darker soy-based chicken dishes.
Gavi and Chicken Risotto
Gavi, a wine from Piedmont, Italy, pairs well with a lighter chicken risotto. Gavi has flavours of pear, almond, and stone fruit that complement the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Sparkling wine with some acidity is a good choice for chicken tenders, especially if they're dipped in spicy buffalo sauce. A Kabinett Riesling or a sparkling Riesling would be a good option.
Fried chicken is a fatty dish, so you'll want a wine with enough acidity to cut through the fat. Sparkling wines are a good option, such as Spain's Cava or South Africa's Cap Classique. Many people also enjoy champagne with their fried chicken.
A Viognier or an Australian Semillon are good options for chicken curry. Viognier is slightly off-dry, which helps to temper the heat of a curry. Australian Semillon has a creamy texture with enough acidity to stand up to the fat in the dish.
A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice for a chicken stir-fry, as it has flavours of green pepper, pink grapefruit and tropical fruit that complement the bright green flavours of the dish.
Chardonnay is a classic pairing for roast chicken, especially an oaked Chardonnay, which has more weight on the palate. You could also try a Pinot Noir, with Burgundy being the most classic choice.
