If you are a wine enthusiast, it might be difficult to choose which wine goes best with chicken since the two flavors are so different. Even while the topic of which kinds of wine go best with chicken would seem to be an easy one to answer on the surface, you could find that you need some assistance from an expert.
However, there is no simple answer to this question since chicken has such a wide range of preparations and flavors, depending on which part of the bird you are eating and how it is being served. Because roasted chicken will have somewhat varied pairings, the wine that you serve with chicken will depend on the cut of the meat, the cooking manner, the seasoning, and the marinades or sauces that you use.
Which kind of wine are best to pair with chicken? Beaujolais, mature Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Merlot, Oregon or other New World Pinot Noir are all excellent wine pairings with chicken. Riesling is a delicious complement to chicken and works especially well in lighter chicken recipes.
White wine and light flesh fowl, such as chicken or turkey, pair well with white wine, while red wine and dark meat poultry, such as duck or geese, go nicely with red wine.
We are going to go into the world of chicken and wine pairings here in this essay. The following are some of the most often asked questions concerning drinking wine with chicken that has been prepared in a variety of ways, including baking, frying, grilling, herbing, jerking, roasting, and more.
Let’s read on to learn more about the wines that are a good match with chicken, shall we?
Contents
Why is white wine served with chicken?
The majority of people choose to drink white wine with their chicken since it is a more versatile option that also has more acidity than red wine does. It enhances the flavor of the chicken and adds a freshness to the dish, much as a few drops of lemon juice would.
On the other hand, red wine has a high concentration of tannins, which makes it the ideal beverage to pair with the heaviness and richness of dark or red meats.
The purpose of serving wine with a meal is to create a contrast between the various tastes, weights, and textures of the meat in the meal. Whether you are having white meat or dark meat will often determine the wine you choose to pair with your meal. Therefore, a bottle of dry white wine is the ideal accompaniment to chicken in this scenario.
Does Pinot Grigio go with chicken?
Indeed, Pinot Grigio is the ideal wine to have with chicken. In point of fact, this wine goes particularly well with tastes that are light and fresh; nevertheless, you should stay away from heavy and cream sauces since the flavors are quickly overpowered by them.
In addition, it goes very well with fried chicken, chicken enchiladas, and other meals prepared in the Mexican manner. The wine is not only aromatic, but it also has some acidity, which helps to maintain the wine’s freshness and cleanliness.
This white wine has a dryness and a refreshing quality, and it comes from well-known types that are farmed in the United States, France, and Italy.
Is red wine ok with chicken?
There are several red wines that go very well with chicken. On the other hand, when chicken is paired with earthy components like root vegetables, tomato sauce, or mushrooms, a red wine is a more perfect complement than a white wine would be.
You should steer clear of selecting dark and black red wines since they will compete with the flavor of the chicken. Because it imparts a sour taste on the chicken, pinot noir is the finest choice when looking for a red wine to drink with chicken.
In addition, the manner in which the chicken is cooked might have an effect on the flavor when combined with red wine. A Pinot Noir, a Rosé with a medium amount of body, or a full-flavored red wine are all excellent choices to pair with roasted chicken.
Best wine to pair with chicken
How the chicken is cooked is the single most important factor to consider when choosing the right wine to drink with it. There are many different methods to prepare and consume chicken, including frying, grilling, roasting, baking, and braising.
The following chicken-friendly wine pairings are highly recommended by our chefs:
- Baked: full-bodied Chardonnay, Barbera
- Barbecued: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, German Riesling, Syrah, Zinfandel
- Fried: Champagne, Chardonnay, light-bodied Chianti, dry rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wine
- Grilled: Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz or Syrah, Zinfandel
- Poached: white Burgundy, Russian River Pinot Noir, Riesling
- Roasted: Barbera, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, red or white Burgundy, Chianto, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rioja
- Sautéed: Chianti, Montepulciano
- Stewed: white wine, full-bodied
- Stir-fried: Gewürztraminer, Riesling
In addition, the dishes and sauces that are served with the chicken might also have an effect on the wine that is chosen to pair with it.
- Cream sauce: no or light oak Chardonnay, Viognier
- Curry sauce: Champagne, Chardonnay
- With garlic: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
- Herbed: Bandol, Beaujolais, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc
- With lemon or lime: Champagne, California or unbaked Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- With tomato sauce: Chianti, Montepulciano
- Sweet and sour: off-dry Riesling
- With tarragon: white Bordeaux or Burgundy
FAQs
Does red wine work with chicken?
Choose red wines with a mild to medium amount of body to go with the chicken. The more complex and decadent the food, the more color, complexity, and tannin you should look for in the wine. The most well-known and widely planted type of red wine grapes in the world, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs very well with chicken. It has a dry mouthfeel, a full-bodied profile, and an abundance of taste.
Does Cabernet Sauvignon go with chicken?
We suggest going with a red wine if you are serving chicken that has been cooked with a sauce that is based on tomatoes or peppers. If you prefer Cabernet Sauvignon, though, by all means go with that instead of a decent Merlot, which would work well in this situation. In addition, if you’re roasting a chicken, you may try serving it with a red wine like a Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the flavor of the bird.
What color wine goes with roast chicken?
Both white and red wine are delicious when paired with roasted chicken. A chardonnay that has been lightly toasted in wood and a pinot with a fruity flavor both contribute to the success of a marriage.
What red wine goes best with chicken wings?
In addition, a red Zinfandel or Malbec may work well with the smokey notes and darker meat, as can Tempranillo, which is a wine that is well-suited to play well with those similar qualities. Because barbecue sauce can be used in such a wide variety of ways, you can probably have a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in addition to those chicken wings without feeling cheated.
Is white or red wine better with chicken?
Dark Meat White meat, such as chicken or turkey breast, goes well with white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, while dark meat, such as duck and other game, goes well with medium-bodied red wines such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. This is a general rule, but there are exceptions to every rule.
What drink is best with chicken?
White wine is the classic beverage to use with almost any dish that features chicken. White meat, such as chicken breasts or tenders, are recommended for pairing with wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, since this is a solid rule of thumb to follow. The darker parts of the chicken, such as the legs, thighs, and wings, are delicious when paired with red wines with a medium body, such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
Conclusion
No matter how the chicken is cooked, the ideal beverage to serve with chicken is a bottle of wine that pairs well with the dish. When chicken and wine are combined, they create a balance that is harmonic and improves the taste of both the dish and the drink.
When deciding what kind of wine to serve with chicken, it is important to take into account the method of cooking the chicken as well as any other components or seasonings that are included in the meal. As a consequence of this, it is essential to complement the overall taste of the meal with the flavor of the wine.
As a matter of thumb, white meat should be paired with white wine, while red meat should be paired with red wine. As a consequence of this, white wine, with its subdued and invigorating flavor, is often a good match for chicken breast, but chicken legs or thighs are more suited to the robust flavor of red wine.
In addition, the manner in which they are cooked may completely alter the wine that goes with them. A glass or two of red wine may be a delicious complement to chicken, particularly when the chicken is grilled or when it is served with root vegetables, tomato sauce, or mushrooms.
In general, Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are all excellent wine choices to pair with chicken. However, the method of preparation and the overall taste of the dish play significant roles in deciding the best wine to pair with the meal.
If chicken is on the menu for supper tonight, consider the many wine options in light of the various ways in which the chicken might be served so that you can match it with the appropriate varietal. The primary component that will be used with the chicken is often a factor that contributes to the success of the final option.