Have you ever cooked up a gorgeous chicken piccata only to realize you’ve got no clue what wine to serve with it? Been there, done that! As someone who’s both messed up and mastered this pairing, I’m here to save you from wine-pairing anxiety and help you create a meal that’ll have your taste buds doing the happy dance
Chicken piccata is one of those deceptively simple Italian classics that packs a flavor punch with its buttery lemony, caper-studded sauce. But this complexity of flavors is exactly what makes finding the perfect wine a bit tricky. Don’t worry though – I’ve got you covered with the best wine options that’ll take your chicken piccata from merely delicious to absolutely unforgettable!
Why Choosing the Right Wine for Chicken Piccata Matters
Before we dive into specific wines, let’s talk about why the right pairing matters so much with chicken piccata:
- Flavor Enhancement: The right wine can bring out the vibrant flavors in your piccata and make each bite even more enjoyable.
- Balance the Acidity: Chicken piccata has significant acidity from lemon juice. The right wine helps balance this tartness rather than fighting with it.
- Elevate Your Meal: Let’s be honest – sipping a perfectly paired wine while enjoying a delicious meal just feels special and turns an ordinary dinner into an experience.
As one of my dinner guests once said after taking a sip of Sauvignon Blanc with my chicken piccata: “Wow, I never knew the right wine could make such a difference!” Trust me, it really does.
Understanding Chicken Piccata’s Flavor Profile
To find the perfect wine pairing, we first need to understand what makes chicken piccata tick:
- Buttery Richness: The chicken is typically dredged in flour, browned in butter, creating a rich base.
- Bright Acidity: Lemon juice gives piccata its signature tang and brightness.
- Briny Depth: Capers add that distinctive salty, briny flavor that’s quintessential to piccata.
- Herbal Notes: Fresh parsley brings a touch of brightness and color.
- Possible Aromatics: Many recipes include garlic or shallots for additional depth.
This complex mix of flavors means we need wines that can keep up without getting lost or overwhelming the dish. The key is finding wines with enough acidity to match the lemon while having enough body to stand up to the buttery sauce.
The 10 Best Wines to Pair with Chicken Piccata
1. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is perhaps the most natural pairing for chicken piccata. Its high acidity matches the lemon in the dish perfectly, while its citrusy profile complements rather than competes with the sauce.
Why it works: The bright citrus notes and herbal undertones in Sauvignon Blanc mirror the lemon and parsley in piccata. Its crisp acidity cuts through the richness of the butter while enhancing the dish’s vibrant flavors.
Best choice: Seifried Estate Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand has intense tropical fruit notes with hints of grapefruit and passion fruit that work beautifully with piccata’s tangy profile.
2. Pinot Grigio
Light, crisp, and refreshing, Pinot Grigio is another excellent choice for chicken piccata.
Why it works: The clean, crisp nature of Pinot Grigio doesn’t overpower the delicate flavors of the chicken while still having enough character to complement the sauce.
Best choices:
- Pullus Pinot Grigio Suho from Slovenia offers apple, pear, and orange notes that balance piccata’s acidity.
- Callia Pinot Grigio from Argentina brings peach and tropical fruit flavors that pair wonderfully with the dish.
3. Chardonnay (Unoaked)
An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay can be a divine pairing with chicken piccata.
Why it works: Chardonnay has enough body to match the richness of the dish while still offering complementary citrus notes. The key is choosing one that isn’t too heavily oaked or buttery, as this can overwhelm the dish.
Best choices:
- Louis Latour Macon-Lugny from France offers apple, honey, and grapefruit notes with just enough butter to complement but not overpower the dish.
- Frei Brothers Chardonnay from California’s Russian River Valley brings green apple, butter, and cream flavors that enhance the piccata’s richness.
4. Vermentino
This lesser-known Italian white is an excellent match for chicken piccata.
Why it works: Vermentino offers zippy acidity and light citrus notes that complement the lemon in piccata, along with a mineral quality that pairs beautifully with the capers.
Best choice: Look for Vermentinos from Sardinia or Liguria in Italy for the most authentic pairing experience.
5. Verdicchio
Another Italian white that deserves more recognition, especially with Italian cuisine.
Why it works: Verdicchio has a lemony freshness that echoes the citrus in the piccata sauce while offering enough body to stand up to the dish.
6. Pinot Blanc
This close relative of Pinot Grigio offers a slightly fuller body while maintaining crisp acidity.
Why it works: Pinot Blanc often features lemon zest notes that perfectly mirror the piccata sauce, creating a harmonious pairing.
7. Pinot Noir (Light-Bodied)
If you prefer red wine, a light-bodied Pinot Noir can work surprisingly well.
Why it works: While not a traditional pairing, a light Pinot Noir has enough acidity to handle the lemon sauce without overwhelming the chicken. This works especially well if your chicken piccata has a more robust preparation.
8. Barbera
This Italian red has high acidity that can stand up to the lemony sauce.
Why it works: Barbera’s naturally high acidity and low tannins make it one of the few reds that can handle the acidity in chicken piccata without clashing.
9. Rosé
A dry rosé offers a delightful middle ground between white and red wines.
Why it works: Rosé combines the refreshing acidity needed to match the lemon with just enough body to complement the richness of the dish.
10. Champagne or Sparkling Wine
For a truly luxurious pairing, consider a dry Champagne or other sparkling wine.
Why it works: The bubbles in sparkling wine cut through the richness of the butter sauce while the acidity complements the lemon. It’s an elegant choice that elevates the entire meal.
5 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Wine for Your Chicken Piccata
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Match acidity with acidity: Choose wines with medium to high acidity to complement the lemon in the dish.
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Consider the sauce intensity: If your piccata sauce is particularly lemony, lean toward higher-acid wines like Sauvignon Blanc. If it’s more buttery, an unoaked Chardonnay might be better.
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Use the wine in your sauce: If you’re using wine in your piccata sauce, serving the same wine (or at least the same variety) creates a natural harmony between food and drink.
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Think about serving temperature: Serve your whites and rosés properly chilled (but not ice cold) to best complement the dish. Around 45-55°F is ideal for most whites.
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Trust your palate: Ultimately, the best pairing is one you enjoy! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different wines to find your perfect match.
Serving Temperature and Glassware Considerations
Getting the serving temperature right can make a big difference in your pairing experience:
- Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio: Serve at 45-50°F
- Chardonnay: Serve slightly warmer at 50-55°F
- Pinot Noir and Barbera: Serve slightly cooled at 55-60°F
- Rosé: Serve well-chilled at 45-50°F
- Sparkling Wine: Serve well-chilled at 40-45°F
As for glassware, while it’s not crucial, using the right glass can enhance your experience:
- For white wines, a smaller glass with a narrower bowl helps concentrate the aromas
- For reds like Pinot Noir, use a wider-bowled glass to allow the wine to breathe
- For sparkling wine, a flute or tulip glass helps preserve the bubbles
But honestly, if you only have one type of wine glass, don’t sweat it! A standard wine glass works fine for most wines.
Beyond Wine: Other Beverage Pairings to Consider
Not in the mood for wine? No problem! Here are some other beverage options that pair nicely with chicken piccata:
- Beer: Light, crisp beers like Pilsners or Hefeweizens can be refreshing with chicken piccata.
- Cocktails: A citrusy cocktail like a Lemon Drop or a Mojito can complement the flavors in the dish.
- Non-alcoholic options: Lemonade (duh!), iced tea, or a virgin mojito can be delightful alternatives.
My Personal Favorite Pairing
After years of experimentation, my go-to pairing for chicken piccata is a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The intense citrus notes and bright acidity create magic with the lemon-caper sauce. Every time I serve this combo at dinner parties, someone inevitably asks for wine details – it’s that good!
But I’ll admit, on warmer summer evenings, I sometimes reach for a chilled dry rosé instead. There’s something about the slight berry notes with the tangy piccata that just works beautifully on a hot day.
Final Thoughts: It’s All About Balance and Enjoyment
Remember, the perfect wine pairing enhances both the food and the wine. With chicken piccata, we’re looking for wines that can balance the rich butter and bright lemon while complementing the briny capers.
My best advice? Try different pairings and see what YOU enjoy most. Wine pairing shouldn’t be stressful – it should be fun! And even if you don’t pick the “perfect” pairing according to wine experts, who cares? If you enjoy it, that’s all that matters.
So next time you whip up that delicious chicken piccata, grab a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or unoaked Chardonnay, and prepare for a flavor experience that’ll make your taste buds thank you. Cheers to delicious pairings and memorable meals!
What’s your favorite wine to pair with chicken piccata? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
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.
What Wine Pairs With Chicken Piccata? – Nightlife Experiences
FAQ
What kind of wine pairs with 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.
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.
Is Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio better for chicken piccata?
For a lighter chicken dish, try Chicken Piccata with a white wine like a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity in the wine will complement the lemon in the sauce, and the chicken will help to round out the wine’s flavours.
What pairs well with chicken piccata?
With this simple recipe it’s hard to go wrong, but just make sure your side dish is something that works well to help devour that zingy lemon caper chicken piccata sauce. Even smashed potatoes or mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or basmati rice, are a great way to soak up the lemon wine sauce.