Matching wine with chicken isn’t just about picking a white wine for white meat. How the chicken is cooked and what flavors go with it matter too. Lightly cooked chicken goes well with light, dry white wines. Heavier dishes like French coq au vin need stronger wines. Italian chicken works great with Italian wines, and sparkling wines can cut through the greasiness of fried chicken. Let’s review our top 12 wines to pair with chicken.
1. Chardonnay
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Creamy, with notes of apple, pear, and vanilla
Best Paired With: Roast chicken, creamy chicken pasta, chicken alfredo
Description: An oaked Chardonnay from California’s Napa Valley region is your go-to for a luxurious, versatile pairing. Its buttery undertones and vanilla accents harmonize with creamy Italian chicken dishes like chicken alfredo, making it an exquisite choice.
2. Riesling
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Sweet, fruity, with a hint of acidity
Best Paired With: Spicy chicken curry, grilled chicken with tropical salsa, orange chicken
Description: A dry Riesling offers a refreshing twist, pairing brilliantly with spicy chicken dishes or tropical Asian chicken dishes. The wine’s natural acidity and fruitiness balance the spice, making it an unexpectedly well-matched choice.
3. Rosé
Type: Rosé
Flavor Profile: Fruity, floral, with a touch of citrus
Best Paired With: Chicken salad, grilled chicken breast with herbs, Thai chicken and fruit salsa
Description: Rosé offers the best of both white and red wines. Its fruity and floral notes match lighter chicken dishes, especially those featuring Thai seasonings and red fruit elements like salsa.
4. Pinot Noir
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Light, with notes of red fruit like cherry and strawberry, and earthy undertones
Best Paired With: Chicken Marsala, coq au vin, smoked chicken
Description: This light red wine pairs well with hearty chicken dishes, bringing out the earthy flavors in Italian recipes like chicken Marsala. Its red fruit notes and low tannins complement the smokiness of smoked chicken without overpowering it. For the classic coq au vin, a dish that originated in Burgundy, France, it makes sense that a Pinot Noir from the same region would be the perfect chicken pairing choice.
5. Sauvignon Blanc
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Crisp, acidic, with notes of green apple and lime
Best Paired With: Lemon garlic chicken, chicken piccata, grilled chicken
Description: Known for its crispness and high acidity, Sauvignon Blanc thrives in various wine regions around the world, including the Loire Valley in France, Marlborough in New Zealand, and parts of California and Chile. This versatile white wine is an excellent pairing for lemony or garlicky chicken dishes, offering a refreshingly balanced complement to each bite.
6. Zinfandel
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Spicy, fruity, with a hint of black pepper
Best Paired With: Barbecue chicken, jerk chicken, chicken with spicy tomato sauce
Description: For spicier, barbecue-style chicken dishes, Zinfandel offers a unique blend of peppery and fruity notes that balances out the heat, adding complexity to every bite.
7. Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Full-bodied, with notes of black currant, plum, and tobacco
Best Paired With: Chicken in red wine sauce, roasted chicken with root vegetables, chicken with mushroom sauce
Description: Cabernet Sauvignon is great for hearty chicken dishes, its full-bodied nature and tannins providing a counterbalance to the rich flavors of dishes that feature blends of complex sauces, such as those from the Rhone region.
8. Pinot Gris
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Light, with flavors of green apple, pear, and a hint of spice
Best Paired With: Chicken stir-fry, Italian grilled chicken with light sauces, poached chicken
Description: Pinot Gris pairs excellently with light and flavorful chicken dishes, especially Italian recipes that feature light sauces. Its delicate fruit notes lift the flavors without overwhelming the dish.
9. Chenin Blanc
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Versatile, can be sweet or dry, with flavors of apple, quince, and honey
Best Paired With: Chicken curry, crispy fried chicken, honey-glazed chicken
Description: Chenin Blanc’s versatility shines when paired with diverse dishes from crispy fried chicken to sweet, honey-glazed recipes. Its sweet or dry profile makes it highly adaptable.
10. Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wine
Flavor Profile: Bubbly, with notes of apple, pear, and citrus
Best Paired With: Crispy fried chicken, chicken canapés, rotisserie chicken
Description: With its effervescent qualities, Champagne is a unique yet superb choice for pairing with crispy chicken dishes. It adds a touch of elegance while its bubbles cleanse the palate.
11. Gewürztraminer
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Floral, spicy, and tropical
Best Paired With: Spiced chicken dishes, Asian chicken with fruit sauces, teriyaki chicken
Description: This exotic, aromatic white wine pairs wonderfully with Asian spiced or tropical chicken dishes. Its floral and spicy aroma adds a layer of depth, enhancing the flavors.
12. Tempranillo
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Earthy, with notes of cherry and leather
Best Paired With: Chicken casseroles, Spanish-style chicken, chicken with heavy sauces
Description: Tempranillo, a Spanish red, brings earthy flavors that enrich heavier chicken dishes, particularly those in the style of Spanish or other Mediterranean cuisines. It stands up to heavier sauces without overwhelming the chicken’s natural flavors.
These wine options offer diverse pairing possibilities, making your chicken dishes truly sing, whether featuring Asian, Italian, or other types of seasonings and preparations.
