Ever stared at your shopping cart with a nice chicken in one hand and wondered “what kind of red wine goes with chicken?” I’ve been there too! Many folks think chicken only pairs with white wine, but that’s a myth we’re gonna bust today.
Chicken is incredibly versatile, and yes – it can absolutely sing with the right red wine! Whether you’re grilling, roasting, frying, or braising that bird, there’s a perfect red wine waiting to elevate your meal to restaurant-quality status
Let’s dive into the delicious world of red wine and chicken pairings that’ll impress your dinner guests and make your taste buds dance!
The Basic Principle: Match Intensity with Intensity
The golden rule when pairing red wine with chicken is to match the intensity of your dish with the intensity of your wine As Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits suggests, lighter chicken dishes pair best with lighter red wines, while richer chicken preparations can handle fuller-bodied reds.
When considering red wine for chicken, remember:
- Lighter cooking methods (grilling, pan-searing) → lighter reds
- Richer cooking methods (braising, stewing) → medium-bodied reds
- Bold sauces and seasonings → fuller-bodied reds
Best Light-Bodied Red Wines for Chicken
Pinot Noir: The Versatile Favorite
Pinot Noir is the undisputed champion when it comes to red wine and chicken pairings. It features:
- Strong, oaky overtones
- Moderate dryness
- Medium-to-light body
- Tart red fruit notes
- Silky texture
- Earthy undertones
Pinot Noir works brilliantly with:
- Simple roasted chicken
- Pan-seared chicken with herbs
- Mushroom-based chicken dishes
- Chicken with root vegetables
Wine Spectrum’s Pro Tip: “The acidity and earthy notes of Pinot Noir cut through the richness of crispy chicken skin and complement fresh herbs beautifully.”
Try the exceptional Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, Oregon, or the Vaughn Duffy Marshall Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir for an unforgettable pairing experience.
Beaujolais: The Fresh and Fruity Option
Made from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais offers:
- Vibrant fruitiness
- Low tannins
- Aromas of red berries and flowers
- Refreshing acidity
Perfect for:
- Grilled chicken with citrus
- Lighter spice rubs
- Chicken salads
- Herb-infused chicken dishes
Look for Crus Beaujolais from villages like Fleurie, Brouilly, or Morgon for the best experience.
Carménère: Chile’s Secret Weapon
This medium-bodied red originated in Bordeaux but is now grown primarily in Chile:
- Red and black berry flavors
- Notes of green peppercorn
- Versatile food-pairing capabilities
Great with:
- Nearly all chicken preparations
- Herb-rubbed chicken
- Chicken with mild spices
Try the excellent Vina Maipo Carmenere Vitral from Chile’s Rapel Valley recommended by Jacques Scott.
Medium-Bodied Reds for Heartier Chicken Dishes
Malbec: The Crowd-Pleaser
Malbec features:
- Rich, full-bodied taste
- Berry-like fruit flavors
- Dry profile
- Jammy dark berry flavors
- Silky texture
Ideal for:
- Grilled chicken
- Chicken enchiladas
- Chicken mole
- Anything with a rich, fruity sauce
The Callia Alta Malbec from Valle de Tulum, Argentina, comes highly recommended by Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits.
Zinfandel: The BBQ Companion
Zinfandel brings:
- Jammy berry notes
- Peppery kick
- Rich, dark color
- High acidity
- Medium to high tannin levels
Perfect match for:
- BBQ chicken
- Chicken with sweet, tangy sauces
- Grilled chicken with spice rubs
- Chicken wings
Try the Angry Bunch Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, California for an exceptional pairing.
Merlot: The Velvety Choice
Merlot offers:
- Soft, velvety tannins
- Plum and black cherry flavors
- Subtle oak notes
- Smooth drinkability
Excellent with:
- Coq au vin (chicken in red wine sauce)
- Chicken with tomato-based sauces
- Mushroom chicken dishes
- Pearl onion accompaniments
Matching Wine to Chicken Cooking Methods
Roasted Chicken
For that classic Sunday roast chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat:
- Pinot Noir: Enhances caramelized flavors
- Côtes du Rhône: Pairs well with savory gravy
- Lighter Zinfandel: Complements herb-roasted versions
Wine Spectrum notes, “Few meals are more comforting than a simple roasted chicken. Select a wine that is equally simple to avoid overwhelming the food.”
Grilled Chicken
For that smoky charred goodness:
- Pinot Noir: Stands up to the grill flavors
- Grenache: Complements citrus marinades
- Syrah (especially from Washington): The peppery spice plays off the sear wonderfully
Fried Chicken
That crispy, crunchy coating needs:
- Zinfandel: Cuts through the richness
- Shiraz: Complements spicy batters
- Tempranillo: Balances the savory elements
Jacques Scott recommends Yellow Tail Shiraz from South Australia, which pairs wonderfully with fried chicken and dishes like Coq au Vin.
Braised or Stewed Chicken
Slow-cooked, ultra-tender chicken dishes call for:
- Merlot: Velvety texture matches the tender meat
- Malbec: Envelops the flavors from the braising liquid
- Carménère: Complements the deep flavors of slow cooking
Handling Tricky Ingredients and Sauces
Spicy Chicken Dishes
For buffalo wings, spicy curries, or chili-infused chicken:
- Choose low-tannin reds like Gamay or Grenache-based blends
- Avoid high-tannin wines which amplify spiciness unpleasantly
- Shiraz from Australia can work well with moderately spicy dishes
Tomato-Based Chicken Dishes
For chicken cacciatore or chicken with marinara:
- Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti Classico
- Tempranillo pairs well with tomato and pepper-based sauces
- Medium-bodied French or Spanish reds
The 2015 Bodegas Ramiro Ramiro’s from Castilla y Leon, Spain recommended by Jacques Scott would be perfect here.
Creamy Chicken Dishes
For chicken alfredo, pot pies, or creamy curries:
- New world Merlot: Offers plush textures with vanilla oak
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Can work if not too tannic
- Malbec: The fruit balances the richness
Regional Chicken Dishes and Wine Pairings
Mediterranean Chicken
Dishes with olives, capers, lemon, and herbs:
- Lighter Tempranillo
- Sangiovese
- Grenache blends
Mexican Chicken Dishes
Enchiladas, mole, or tacos:
- Malbec: Perfect with chicken mole
- Zinfandel: Great with chipotle or tomato-based sauces
- Grenache: Complements the aromatic spices
Asian-Inspired Chicken
Soy-glazed, five-spice, or teriyaki chicken:
- Pinot Noir: The fruit and earthy notes work well
- Lighter Merlot: Balances sweet and savory flavors
- Grenache blends: Complement the umami elements
My Personal Favorites (I’ve Tested These!)
I’ve tried a bunch of different combos over the years, and these are my absolute go-tos:
-
Herb-roasted chicken + Oregon Pinot Noir = HEAVEN! The earthy notes in the wine dance perfectly with the herbs.
-
BBQ chicken + California Zinfandel = Match made in backyard BBQ paradise! The jamminess of the Zin loves that sweet-tangy sauce.
-
Chicken cacciatore + Chianti Classico = So good I might have licked my plate (when nobody was looking)!
-
Coq au vin + Merlot = Duh! Since the dish is cooked in red wine, it makes sense that it pairs amazingly with it too.
Quick Reference Guide
| Chicken Dish | Best Red Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Simple roasted chicken | Pinot Noir | Enhances herbs without overpowering |
| BBQ or grilled chicken | Zinfandel, Shiraz | Stands up to smoke and sauce |
| Fried chicken | Sparkling red, Zinfandel | Cuts through richness |
| Chicken with mushrooms | Pinot Noir, Merlot | Complements earthy flavors |
| Spicy chicken | Grenache, Gamay | Low tannins don’t amplify heat |
| Chicken cacciatore | Sangiovese, Tempranillo | Matches tomato acidity |
| Coq au vin | Merlot, Pinot Noir | Mirrors cooking wine |
Final Thoughts
Remember, these aren’t strict rules – they’re starting points! Wine pairing is personal, and the best combination is whatever tastes delicious to YOU.
As Wine Spectrum wisely notes: “When a food and wine pairing creates a harmonious balance, then you’ve chosen the right wine. Experiment and have fun!”
So next time someone tells you “you can’t drink red wine with chicken,” you can confidently respond, “Watch me!” Then pour yourself a glass of Pinot Noir, Malbec, or Zinfandel with that beautiful chicken dish, and enjoy a match made in culinary heaven.
What’s your favorite red wine and chicken pairing? I’d love to hear about your discoveries in the comments below!
Sauces and Seasonings Paired with Wine
Since many Asian and Indian dishes play with spice and sweetness, make your wine choice a sweet and fruity white or red wine served chilled. Pick rosé or red wines with darker soy-sauce based dishes.
What would you pair with Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Remember, this is a sweet dish with pineapple acids, fried chicken, and some green vegetable characteristics. All of these elements should be taken into account when picking a wine.
ANSWER: Riesling or another medium-sweet white wine with high acidity.
Specifically, I’d pick a German Spatlese Riesling for this dish and serve it quite cold so that it could also act as a palate cleanser. I think it’d be perfect with this dish because it would match the pineapple flavors. The onion and bell pepper in the dish would let the wine taste fruitier, like apricots, and bring out the complex beeswax-like nuances many German Rieslings have.
Sweet and sour is a complicated sauce to pair with most dry wines because the sweetness and acidity in the sauce makes most dry wines taste flat and tart. I bet this dish would be kickass with Moscato d’Asti.
Live the wine lifestyle. Use this chart to make amazing food and wine pairings.
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.
Top 6 Wines with Chicken & Turkey | Best Wine Pairing with Chicken & Turkey | Wine Pairing Made Easy
FAQ
Which red wine goes well with chicken?
A pinot noir would probably be the best choice if you’re serving the meal to guests. If you enjoy some of the lighter-bodied red varieties such as shiraz or malbec, those would also go well with chicken.
Is Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon better with chicken?
Merlot has fewer bitter tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and its bold, spicy taste will bring out the savory complexity of coq au vin. The black cherry overtones of Merlot bring out the tanginess of the garlic and its middle-body doesn’t overpower the subtle taste of fresh thyme and carrots.
What to serve with chicken in red wine?
Served with Chantenay carrots & steamed seasonal greens. Serve with freshly chopped flat leaf parsley to brighten the flavour.
Can you drink wine with chicken?
Following the same principle, lighter red wines with good acidity can also work well with chicken dishes. Look for grapes such as Pinot Noir, Gamay and Garnacha, which can produce lively, fruity red wines with good acidity, that can even be enjoyed chilled.Jul 16, 2024