Have you ever made a gorgeous chicken piccata but stood in front of your wine rack completely stumped? I’ve been there! Few Italian dishes deliver such bright tangy flavors balanced with richness quite like chicken piccata. But finding that perfect wine to complement those lemon-butter-caper flavors can make or break your dining experience.
As a wine enthusiast who’s hosted countless Italian dinners, I’ve experimented with numerous pairings over the years Today, I’m sharing my hard-earned wisdom so you don’t have to learn through trial and error like I did!
What Makes Chicken Piccata Special?
Before diving into wine pairings, let’s understand what we’re working with. Chicken piccata is a classic Italian dish that features:
- Chicken cutlets pounded thin
- Dredged in flour and pan-fried
- Served with a sauce made from butter, lemon juice, capers, and white wine
- Often garnished with fresh parsley
The dominant flavors in chicken piccata include
- Bright citrus acidity from lemon juice
- Rich butteriness from the sauce
- Briny saltiness from capers
- Herbaceous notes from parsley
- Mild garlic undertones in many recipes
These complex flavors create a delightful taste profile that needs a complementary wine to truly shine.
Key Considerations for Pairing Wine with Chicken Piccata
When selecting a wine for chicken piccata, keep these principles in mind:
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Match the acidity: The high acidity in chicken piccata (thanks to all that lemon) needs a wine with corresponding acidity.
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Consider the sauce: If your recipe includes white wine in the sauce, serving the same varietal creates a harmonious pairing.
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Balance the richness: The buttery elements need a wine with enough body to stand up to them, but not so heavy it overwhelms.
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Complement the herbs: The herbal notes from parsley pair beautifully with wines that have similar herbaceous qualities.
Best White Wines for Chicken Piccata
White wines are generally the go-to pairing for chicken piccata, and for good reason! Here are my top recommendations:
1. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is arguably the perfect match for chicken piccata. Its high acidity and citrus profile mirror the lemon in the dish beautifully.
Why it works: The bright, zesty character and herbaceous notes in Sauvignon Blanc complement both the lemon and the herbs in piccata. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the butter sauce.
Recommended bottles:
- Seifried Estate Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
- Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc (France)
2. Chardonnay (Unoaked)
An unoaked Chardonnay offers brilliant citrus and apple flavors that work wonderfully with chicken piccata.
Why it works: Chardonnay has enough body to stand up to the richness of the butter sauce, while still offering the acidity needed to complement the lemon.
Recommended bottles:
- Louis Latour Macon-Lugny (France)
- Frei Brothers Chardonnay (California)
- Louis Jadot Chablis (Burgundy, France)
Pro tip: Avoid heavily oaked or overly buttery Chardonnays as they can become overwhelming alongside the already butter-rich piccata sauce.
3. Pinot Grigio
A crisp Pinot Grigio offers a clean, refreshing contrast to the richness of chicken piccata.
Why it works: Its racy acidity and green apple, pear, and citrus notes accent the lemon in the dish perfectly.
Recommended bottles:
- Pullus Pinot Grigio Suho (Slovenia)
- Callia Pinot Grigio (Argentina)
4. Albariño
This Spanish white wine has mouthwatering acidity with flavors of lime, peach, and saline minerality.
Why it works: Albariño’s brightness cuts through the butter while its subtle salinity complements the capers.
Recommended bottle:
- Martin Codax Albariño (Spain)
5. Vermentino
With crisp lemon-lime notes, Vermentino from Italy or France has herbal flavors that complement piccata beautifully.
Why it works: Vermentino offers a Mediterranean profile that naturally pairs with Italian cuisine, with just the right balance of citrus and herbs.
Recommended bottle:
- Terlato & Chapoutier Vermentino (Italy)
Can Red Wines Work with Chicken Piccata?
While white wines are the traditional choice, some lighter reds can surprise you with how well they pair with chicken piccata:
1. Pinot Noir
With its bright cherry flavors, fresh acidity, and silky texture, Pinot Noir is versatile enough to work with chicken piccata.
Why it works: Its high acidity can stand up to the lemon, while its delicate fruit flavors don’t overpower the dish.
Recommended bottles:
- King Estate Pinot Noir (Oregon)
- Elouan Pinot Noir (Oregon)
2. Grenache
From France or Spain, Grenache has delicate red berry flavors, spice, and peppery notes that can complement piccata.
Why it works: Young, fruity examples have enough acidity and brightness to match the citrus elements.
Recommended bottle:
- La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux (Rhône, France)
3. Beaujolais
Made from Gamay, Beaujolais has juicy cherry flavors, medium body, and low tannins.
Why it works: Its fruitiness complements the citrus notes nicely, and the low tannins won’t clash with the lemony sauce.
Serving Tips for the Perfect Pairing
To maximize your chicken piccata and wine pairing experience:
- Serve whites properly chilled (45-50°F for crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc)
- Lightly cool red wines (55-60°F for Pinot Noir and Beaujolais)
- Use proper glassware – large wine glasses allow aromas to develop
- Start with modest pours (4-5 oz) to appreciate the pairing without overwhelming
- Sip between bites to experience how the flavors play off each other
Side Dishes that Complement Both Chicken Piccata and Wine
The right side dishes can enhance both your chicken piccata and wine pairing:
- Pasta: Linguine or angel hair pasta absorbs the sauce beautifully
- Rice: Jasmine or basmati rice works nicely
- Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or carrots complement the lemon-butter flavors
- Fresh salad: A green salad with vinaigrette dressing provides contrast
I find that simpler sides work best, as you don’t want to introduce too many competing flavors that might clash with your carefully selected wine.
My Personal Favorite Pairing
After years of experimentation, my go-to pairing for chicken piccata is an unoaked Chablis (French Chardonnay). The pure green apple, lemon, and stony minerality in Chablis perfectly balances the rich butter while complementing the bright lemon sauce. When guests come over, this pairing never fails to impress!
For a more budget-friendly option, I’ll often reach for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which delivers that perfect acidic punch to match the lemony sauce.
What to Avoid
While experimenting with pairings can be fun, I’ve found these wines generally don’t work well with chicken piccata:
- Sweet wines: The sweetness clashes with the tart, acidic elements in piccata
- Heavily oaked wines: Too much oak can overwhelm the delicate flavors
- Full-bodied reds: Cabernet Sauvignon and similar reds are simply too powerful
- Very tannic wines: Tannins can taste bitter alongside the acidity of the dish
The beauty of food and wine pairing is that it’s ultimately about personal preference. While the recommended wines above are tried-and-true matches for chicken piccata, I encourage you to experiment and find your own perfect pairing.
Remember these key principles:
- Match acidity with acidity
- Consider the weight of both the food and wine
- Think about complementary flavor profiles
Chicken piccata’s bright, tangy, buttery profile is most complementary with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and unoaked Chardonnay, but don’t be afraid to venture into light reds if that’s your preference.
The next time you serve up that gorgeous plate of chicken piccata, you’ll have the confidence to select a wine that elevates the entire meal from good to unforgettable!
What’s your favorite wine to pair with chicken piccata? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Wines, beers, and cocktails that go well with chicken piccata
Go simple with a vodka soda and a lemon wedge or classic with a French 75 — dry sparkling wine upgraded with gin, lemon, and a touch of simple syrup. The olive juice in a dirty vodka martini plays well with the brininess of Italian capers, and a gin martini with a twist would cleanse the palate between bites. Stay away from syrupy and bitter cocktails. Think less Negroni and more Aperol Spritz.
The same is true for beers. A little bit of bitterness in a light-bodied and refreshing beer would be pleasant, but an American or Indian pale ale would be too overpowering for chicken piccata. Try a blonde ale, witbier, or pilsner. Chicken piccata is distinctly Italian-American, so a crisp and refreshing Italian lager like a Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a great pairing with its notes of citrus and palate-cleansing qualities.
For wines, consider a sauvignon blanc, Vermentino, or Chenin blanc. Some chardonnays that arent aged in oak and lean brighter, like a French Chablis, are also great. Those who tend to prefer red wine should select something light-bodied and acid-forward like a Zweigelt, pinot noir, grignolino, or Schiavo. In general, wines made with grapes grown in cooler climates tend to be more acidic, so consider where they are from. Opt for a pinot noir from Oregon, Upstate New York, or Burgundy, or a sauvignon blanc from Bordeaux, New Zealand, or Sancerre.
How to Make Restaurant-Quality Chicken Piccata at Home
FAQ
What wine goes with chicken piccata?
What drink goes with chicken piccata?
Chicken piccata is distinctly Italian-American, so a crisp and refreshing Italian lager like a Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a great pairing with its notes of citrus and palate-cleansing qualities. For wines, consider a sauvignon blanc, Vermentino, or Chenin blanc.
What goes well with chicken piccata?
Chicken piccata pairs well with starchy side dishes like angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or couscous, which soak up the rich lemon-caper sauce. Green vegetables such as sautéed spinach, roasted asparagus, broccolini, or green beans offer a fresh contrast. A simple salad with an Italian vinaigrette or crusty bread are also excellent choices to round out the meal.
Is chardonnay or Pinot Grigio better for chicken piccata?
What wine is best for chicken piccata? A dry white wine with good acidity pairs beautifully with the lemony sauce. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or crisp Chardonnay are all excellent choices. Avoid sweet wines, as they can throw off the balance.