Are you staring at your chicken dinner wondering which wine to uncork? Trust me, you’re not alone! As a total wine enthusiast (and chicken lover), I’ve spent years figuring out the perfect pairings that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Chicken is crazy versatile – from crispy fried to elegant roasted, spicy curries to creamy alfredo. And guess what? Your wine choices can be just as flexible! The right pairing can elevate a simple chicken dinner into something magical, while the wrong one… well, let’s just say it can make everything taste a bit off.
I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the wonderful world of chicken and wine pairings. Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or just enjoying a quiet weeknight meal, I’ve got you covered!
White Wine Pairings with Chicken
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is basically chicken’s BFF when it comes to creamy dishes The buttery, velvety texture of oaked Chardonnay is like a match made in heaven with rich, creamy chicken recipes.
Perfect pairings include:
- Chicken pot pie
- Chicken alfredo
- Chicken tetrazzini
For best results, look for Chardonnays from warm climate regions like California, Australia, or Argentina These tend to have those luscious buttery notes that complement creamy sauces perfectly
Some great options to try
- Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley
- Martinelli ‘Bella Vigna’ Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
- Hoopes Vineyard Chardonnay Napa Valley
Sauvignon Blanc
If your chicken dish features bright, acidic ingredients like lemon, garlic, or herbs, Sauvignon Blanc is your go-to wine. Its citrusy flavor profile mirrors these ingredients while having enough body to stand up to chicken without overwhelming more delicate preparations.
Best with:
- Lemon garlic chicken
- Herb-roasted chicken
- Chicken with light, citrusy marinades
Look for bottles from New Zealand, the Loire Valley in France, or coastal regions of the United States for the most vibrant expressions of this wine.
Great picks include:
- Ehret Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley
- Paul Lato Sauvignon Blanc ‘Le Nouveau Jardin’ Santa Ynez Valley
- Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
For spicy chicken dishes, off-dry Riesling is a game-changer! That hint of sweetness helps cool your palate between bites of spicy food, creating a perfect balance.
Fantastic with:
- Buffalo wings
- Thai chicken curry
- Spicy chicken tacos
- Teriyaki chicken
German Rieslings are a sure bet for this purpose, offering that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that works magic with spicy or Asian-inspired chicken dishes.
Grüner Veltliner & Albariño
These crisp white wines are secret weapons when pairing with notoriously difficult ingredients often found in chicken dishes, like artichokes and asparagus.
About 60% of people experience a phenomenon where artichokes make wine taste oddly sweet due to a compound called cynarin. Similarly, asparagus can make wines taste metallic. High-acid, dry whites like Grüner Veltliner and Albariño help counteract these effects.
Try:
- Weingut Leth Grüner Veltliner Steinagrund Wagram Austria
- Albamar Ancestral (Espumoso) Albariño Rias Baixas
Red Wine Pairings with Chicken
Yes, red wine can go beautifully with chicken! Here’s when to reach for the reds:
Pinot Noir
With its bright cherry flavors, earthiness, and gentle tannins, Pinot Noir is perfect for tomato-based chicken dishes.
Ideal pairings:
- Chicken cacciatore
- Chicken parmesan
- Any chicken dish with tomato sauce
The acidity in the tomato sauce mirrors the natural acidity in Pinot Noir, creating a harmonious pairing. Look for bottles from Oregon, California, or France’s Burgundy region.
Great options:
- Vaughn Duffy Marshall Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
- Furthermore ‘Nevina’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
- Walter Hansel Pinot Noir ‘Cahill Lane’ RRV
Grenache & Côtes du Rhône
Grenache-based wines offer a fruit-forward profile that works wonderfully with boldly flavored chicken preparations.
Perfect with:
- Chicken paprikash
- Chicken tikka masala
Their medium body and juicy acidity refresh the palate between bites. Spain’s Grenache-dominant Priorat wines and French Côtes du Rhône blends are excellent choices.
Try Paul Autard Cotes du Rhone Rhone Blend for a delicious pairing.
Zinfandel
For barbecue chicken, jammy, fruit-forward Zinfandel is your best bet! The higher alcohol content and spice notes in Zinfandel help cut through sweet, tomato-based barbecue sauces.
Great with:
- BBQ chicken
- Chicken with sweet and spicy glazes
For authentic American-style barbecued chicken, look for Zinfandel from California producers like Ridge, Rafanelli, or Gamba Zinfandel Estate Vyd ‘MCM’ RRV.
Merlot
Merlot is the perfect companion for chicken coq au vin. While this dish is traditionally made with red Burgundy wine, Merlot makes an excellent pairing alternative.
The soft, plummy fruitiness of Merlot complements the chicken nicely without accentuating any bitterness from the vegetables in the dish. Try Merlot from Napa Valley, Sonoma, or Washington for the best experience.
Recommendations:
- Truchard Vineyards Merlot Carneros Napa Valley
- Ehret Knights Valley Merlot
Sparkling Wine and Rosé Pairings
Sparkling Wine
I absolutely LOVE pairing sparkling wine with fried chicken! The high acidity and bubbles act as fantastic palate cleansers that cut through the richness of the crispy, salty coating.
Perfect with:
- Fried chicken
- Chicken nuggets
- Crispy chicken sandwiches
Opt for a dry style like brut Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, or Italian Franciacorta. The contrast between the effervescence of the wine and the crunchy texture of the chicken is absolutely divine!
Some excellent choices:
- Jean Vesselle Brut Reserve Champagne NV
- Petit & Bajan ‘Obsidienne’ Grand Cru Avize Champagne NV
- Clotilde Blanc de Blancs’ Grand Cru Les Mesnil Sur Oger Brut Champagne
Rosé
Don’t underestimate rosé when it comes to chicken pairings! Many styles work beautifully with various chicken preparations.
Dry rosé pairs well with:
- Simply prepared chicken
- Lighter chicken dishes
- Chicken salads
Off-dry rosé works well with:
- Spicier chicken recipes
- Asian-style chicken dishes
The touch of sweetness in off-dry rosé helps balance out chili spice, garlic, ginger, and soy flavors. California producers like Bonny Doon or Charles & Charles make great examples.
Try Belden Barns Estate Sonoma Mountain Rosé or Etrusca ‘Natalia’ Russian River Valley Rosé for versatile chicken pairings.
Special Pairing: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and sour chicken deserves special mention because it’s tricky to pair with wine. The combination of sweet elements, pineapple acidity, fried chicken, and vegetable components creates a complex flavor profile.
Best pairing: Riesling or another medium-sweet white wine with high acidity.
Spätlese Riesling from Germany is ideal, served very cold to cleanse the palate. The wine’s sweetness matches the pineapple flavors, while the onion and bell pepper in the dish enhance the wine’s fruity apricot notes and bring out the beeswax-like characteristics found in many German Rieslings.
Most dry wines taste flat and tart against sweet and sour sauce, but Moscato d’Asti is another excellent alternative that works surprisingly well!
Key Tips for Pairing Wine with Chicken
To make your chicken and wine pairing journey easier, keep these principles in mind:
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Match weight with weight – Light chicken preparations go with lighter wines, while richer dishes need fuller-bodied wines.
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Consider the sauce – Often, it’s the sauce or seasoning that determines the best pairing, not the chicken itself.
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Red wines can work with white meat – Don’t be afraid to pair red wine with chicken, especially when using red wine-based sauces or earthy ingredients.
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Acidity is your friend – Wines with lively acidity cut through rich chicken dishes beautifully.
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Sweet balances heat – Off-dry whites and rosés work wonders with spicy chicken recipes.
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Bubbles refresh – Sparkling wine cleanses the palate, especially with fried chicken.
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Dark meat can handle more robust wines – While chicken breast pairs well with white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, dark meat can stand up to medium-bodied reds like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
The Simplest Guide for Beginners
If you’re just starting out and all this info feels overwhelming, here’s my super simple cheat sheet:
- Roasted chicken → Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or medium-bodied rosé
- Fried chicken → Champagne or other sparkling wine
- Creamy chicken dishes → Buttery Chardonnay
- Lemon/herb chicken → Sauvignon Blanc
- Spicy chicken → Off-dry Riesling
- BBQ chicken → Zinfandel
- Tomato-based chicken dishes → Pinot Noir
- Chicken with mushrooms/earthy flavors → Light to medium-bodied red
Final Thoughts
The best part about pairing wine with chicken is that it’s really hard to get it completely wrong! Chicken is so versatile that there’s almost always a wine that will work well with whatever preparation you choose.
Remember, these are guidelines, not strict rules. The most important thing is to drink what YOU enjoy. If you love a particular wine, chances are it’ll taste good with your chicken dish too!
I’ve found that experimenting is half the fun. Maybe try a side-by-side tasting with different wines next time you make chicken – you might discover your own perfect pairing that breaks all the “rules”!
What’s your favorite wine to pair with chicken? I’d love to hear about your discoveries in the comments below!
Happy sipping and bon appétit!
Types of Poultry Paired with Wine
A quick tip is to think “lighter meat, lighter wine.” Roasting poultry preserves a lot of the rich flavors, so sometimes you can get away with a red wine with more complexity.
Chicken – A lightly flavored, medium textured meat. Poussin – Poussin is like a mini chicken, tastes like chicken, often prepared like Quail. Quail – More assertive flavor than chicken but not as strong as duck. Very tender, small, usually with bones. Sweet nutty flavor. Quail is traditionally stuffed with forcemeat due to a small size. Turkey – The breast meat of turkey is lightly flavored and has a strong texture.
In this case.. “Darker meat, darker wine.” Below are the best birds to pair with red wines.
Pigeon Squab (rock dove) – Succulent but earthy with darker meat and delicate texture. Pheasant – Pinkish-white meat, with delicate flavors that are a touch more exotic and apple-like than chicken. Partridge – The texture is not as delicate as pheasant or squab but with a similar flavor of earthy dark meat. Guinea Fowl – Tastes like a combination of chicken and turkey with dark meat overtones. Duck – More assertive flavor with an oily and gamey note. Depending on the preparation, duck can be more reminiscent of pork. Turkey – Long grain and strong textured meat. Turkey has a rich buttery and nutty flavor. Goose – Almost like a wild turkey with all dark meat. Often noted as being similar to roast beef. Ostrich – Unlike other birds and more steak-like in texture. Ostrich is an extremely lean and tender red meat, so try to pair it with wines that have less tannin and more juiciness, such as a Côtes du Rhône or Syrah.
Pairing Wine with Chicken and Poultry
While the sauce will greatly affect the flavor of the meat, here are some great wines to try with lighter and more delicately flavored poultry. Did you know that chicken can pair well with both red and white wines?
Try to match the intensity of the dish with the intensity of the wine.
Because of its medium body, rosé wine is sometimes an even better option than white or red. For the most part, look for dry rosé wines unless the sauce is inherently sweet. Find out more about rosé wine.
Select light aromatic red wines to medium-bodied red wines with lighter tannin structure. The richer the preparation of the meat, the more color, richness, and tannin you can have in your wine.
What Wine Goes with Chicken
FAQ
What wine goes well with chicken?
Chardonnay. Chardonnay is a classic pairing for chicken, especially when it’s roasted or served in a creamy sauce. The wine’s rich, buttery notes complement the tender, savory meat, while its crisp acidity balances out the richness. A perfect harmony for any chicken lover.
Is white wine or red wine better for chicken?
Although white wine is the go-to choice, certain red wines can work nicely with creamy chicken—as long as you choose soft, fruity styles. Reds that are too bold or tannic would overpower the delicate meat and clash with the creamy sauce.May 23, 2025
What do you drink with chicken?
| Chicken Dish | Best Drink Pairing |
|---|---|
| Roast Chicken | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Amber Ale |
| Grilled Chicken (Herbed/Lemon) | Sauvignon Blanc, Wheat Beer, Gin and Tonic |
| Spicy Chicken Wings | Riesling, IPA, Caesar, Ginger Beer |
| Chicken Alfredo / Creamy Pasta | Oaked Chardonnay, Sparkling Wine, Lager |
Is it okay to drink red wine with chicken?
A simple roasted chicken, for example, pairs equally well with a full-flavored red, a rosé, or a dry white. How do you make the best match?Mar 9, 2021