Wondering what the best wine with chicken is? Whether you’re ordering out at a restaurant or cooking at home, these are the best chicken wine pairings.
I’m all about a great chicken dinner – Creamy Mushroom Chicken, Chicken Risotto, Chicken Piccata, all pair amazingly well with wine.
But, are you wondering what kind of wine goes well with chicken? I’ve got you covered!
First thing’s first…
Is red or white wine better with chicken?
The short answer is – both! It depends on what type of wine you like, and the cooking method in which your chicken is prepared.
For example, Miso Chicken pairs really well with a Pinot Noir, or other low-tannin red wine. Whereas a creamy Spinach & Artichoke Chicken pairs best with a bright, acidic wine like a Sauvignon Blanc. Chicken breasts served with a buttery sauce, like this lemon butter sauce, pair best with a rich Chardonnay. And Chicken Marsala? It pairs amazingly well with Merlot!
8 favorite chicken wine pairings
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Rosé Wine
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
- Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Sparkling Wines
- Dry Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
A bright, crisp, green Sauvignon Blanc is delicious paired with chicken. Especially when it is prepared with fresh herbs. Try it paired with this Peruvian Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce.
Dry Rosé
Rosé is a fun, flirty wine, perfect for sipping on the patio. With aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus, fruity rosé has a good amount of acidity to it that stands up to grilled foods. Try it out with this Grilled Mango Chicken.
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is always a great poultry pairing. But, it’s especially delicious alongside citrus sauces. Try this glass of wine paired with a chicken breast with lemon butter sauce.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines out there. Its flavors are delicate enough to not overpower the food that you’re eating it with and it makes a great match for chicken. It is particularly tasty paired with grilled chicken with BBQ sauce since Pinot Noir has an earthy, smoky quality to it. Or, try it paired with this Creamy Mushroom Chicken.
Chardonnay
If the chicken you’re serving has a butter or cream sauce, like beurre blanc, it is best to pair it with a full-bodied, oak aged Chardonnay that will complement the rich flavors of the dish. Try it paired with this Creamy Chicken Marsala.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are especially delicious with chicken. Look for affordable bottles like cava or prosecco. They’re fun wines that bring a feeling of fancy to an otherwise casual get together. Try pairing a glass with this Chicken Risotto.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc has citrus notes and is particularly delicious with Asian-style chicken dishes. Try a glass out with this Chicken Larb Gai.
Dry Riesling
Rieslings help tame down the heat of spicy dishes. Try a glass out with this Mongolian Chicken or Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
FAQ
What kind of wine goes with grilled chicken?
Pinot Noir and BBQ chicken are a match made in heaven. Pinot Noir has an earthy, spicy quality to it, and a bright acidity which is delicious with grilled poultry.
What red wine goes with chicken?
You’ll want a lighter-bodied red wine to pair with chicken. That’s why Pinot Noir is a great pairing. Oregon Pinot Noir in particular has a spicy characteristic that is especially delicious with grilled chicken that’s been slathered in BBQ sauce. Or, try it with this mushroom chicken. Other red wines that pair well with salmon are Beaujolais and Gamay.
What wine goes with chicken with cream sauce?
An oaky, full-bodied Chardonnay is a great choice if your chicken has a creamy sauce. The rich flavors of the wine really compliment cream-based or buttery sauces.
What is traditionally served with chicken?
- I tend to serve chicken with some asparagus, an arugula salad, or a fennel & celery salad on the side. Here are 50+ more amazing side dishes for chicken.
- But, the most important accompaniment (as always) is the wine!
Please feel free to take these wine pairings suggestions with a grain of salt. There is no “right wine”. Enjoy what you like best! You can pair your chicken dinner with a Cabernet Sauvignon if that’s what you enjoy. The only way to find out the very best pairing for yourself is to taste different wines, and experiment.
Did you try any of these chicken wine pairings?
If you tried any of these chicken pairing suggestions, I would love your feedback! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your pairing and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
For more great Platings and Pairings recipes and wine pairings, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.
More Wine Pairings Advice:
- Wine Pairings for Pasta
- Wine Pairings for Steak
- Wine Pairings for Salmon
- Wine Pairings for Pork
- Wine Pairings for BBQ
- Wine Pairings for Sushi
Be sure to check out all my yummy chicken recipes. And don’t forget about these 25+ tasty sauces for chicken, and the best chicken side dishes.
8 BEST Chicken Wine Pairings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut half horizontally and pounded to 1/4 inch thick)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- ⅔ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the flour and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl and whisk to combine. Then, dredge the chicken in it. Shake off the excess.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 TBSP of the olive oil. Place 2 pieces of chicken in the pan and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Transfer to a platter and keep warm under a tent of foil. Warm the remaining 1 TBSP oil in the pan and repeat to brown the remaining chicken. Place that chicken under your foil tent as well.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt 1 TBSP of the butter in the pan. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add the wine and broth, increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the remaining 2 TBSP butter to the pan, and continue simmering for another 2 minutes.
- Add the cream and return the chicken to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Sprinkle in parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Equipment
Nutrition
