The good protein content and low fat content make chicken one of the most beloved foods amongst athletes and those wanting to get back in shape. This white meat, tender and highly digestible, is however much more than this: its delicate flavour and ease of cooking allow it to adapt to a wide range of preparations, from grilling to roasting, from frying to ethnic preparations rich in spiced notes.
Such facets could give those who need to select the right bottle for the evening a hard time, but with this guide to the best wines to pair with chicken everything will be simpler!
Tender, delicate and versatile: how to pair wine and chicken
Due to its versatility, one could find themselves bewildered when trying to pair chicken and wine. The secret lies in taking into account secondary ingredients and preparations: roasts and grills give toasted and bitter nuances to the meat, making red wines and rosés suitable, whilst preparations flavoured with citrus or spiced sauces require whites with character, but refreshing. When frying is involved, then bubbles are always welcome, thanks to their refreshing and lively properties.
The path, therefore, is open to many wines, which Svinando has already carefully selected based on these 5 unmissable recipes!
Roast chicken, a classic to taste and pair
Roast chicken is one of the most beloved recipes of all time, the great classic that makes us feel like children again thanks to flavours and aromas that remind us of family Sundays. The delicacy of this white meat is in fact enriched by the aromatic herbs used for seasoning, immediately encouraging second helpings (and thirds).
This organoleptic trait, combined with the rich and pleasantly toasted taste imparted by oven cooking, opens the doors to reds, the most suitable for supporting the notes at play. However, it's important that they are medium-bodied, soft, light and low in tannins.
The best wine for roast chicken can therefore be a Pinot Noir, even better if coming from Burgundy, where the grape variety takes on a fine and delicate identity. A Bourgogne Pinot Noir is excellent for the purpose, capable of giving the tasting a unique play of balance. The bright red colour anticipates the bouquet of cherries and undergrowth typical of Pinot Noir, whilst the taste is soft and persistent, and the tannins subtle, elegant and barely perceptible.
The best wine pairing with grilled chicken
As with roast chicken, grilling is also a cooking method that influences the final result, especially if a model that uses the heat of wood or charcoal is preferred over an electric one. The volatile compounds that transfer from the embers to the meat are responsible for the typical smoky aromas of barbecue, which create - even in the case of a delicate meat like chicken - an evocative bitter aftertaste.
Uncorking a red wine with grilled chicken - possibly low in tannins and light - is still an excellent choice, but an equally valid option is one that contrasts the decided taste of the embers with a touch of freshness, as in the case of whites or rosés. Our proposal in this case considers a "Lenza di Munti 720 slm" Etna Rosato DOC 2024, a Sicilian wine of volcanic origin, which offers freshness, structure and a surprising bouquet.
In the glass it presents with a light colour, whilst on the nose emerge the enchanting notes of wild rose, wild strawberries, redcurrants, pink grapefruit, enriched by hints of pink pepper and dried fruit. Just one sip is enough to fall in love with its minerality, a trait that supports the bitter notes of the grill, giving life to a perfectly balanced tasting.
Lemon escalopes, for a touch of freshness
The breast is the most tender and delicate cut of chicken meat, ideal for preparing morsels, strips and the timeless escalopes. For them too, the range of recipes available is enormous, between traditional preparations and imaginative variations.
The version with lemon is one of the most beloved, firstly for the acidic nuance it gives to the dish, perfect for livening up and refreshing the palate, but also for the juice's ability to further soften the meat, transforming each bite into an experience that goes beyond taste.
With these aromas pairing white wine with chicken is the best option, calling upon one of the most celebrated representatives of the category: Chardonnay.
The candidate chosen for this task is a bottle of "La Fuga" Chardonnay Sicilia DOC 2024, a white that mixes elegance and freshness, giving the senses the vibrancy needed to accompany this dish. The luminous straw yellow colour is its first pride, but certainly not its only one: in the glass emerge decided aromas of tropical fruit and citrus - especially citron - whilst another noteworthy trait is the pungent sapidity on the palate. Precisely this refreshing note creates an excellent accord with the aromas of the mushroom escalope!
The chicken in an ethnic key: curry sauce
When taking a step into the world of ethnic food, lightness and delicacy give way to the intense and enchanting aroma of spices, to the sapidity of sauces and to the spicy aftertastes that enrich many typical dishes.
Among these, the union between chicken and curry is timeless and much loved, especially if accompanied by a dish of fragrant basmati rice. The best curry for the recipe is Masala, an Indian spice mix that can vary based on regions of origin, but which generally contains pepper, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, coriander, anise and often also cloves and chilli pepper. The taste is not excessively spicy, but pungent, warm and aromatic, traits that give a more decided identity to the chicken and which obviously reflect on the choice of wine.
The spices are the central element of the tasting, to be accompanied by an aromatic white that makes these aromas its own identity, like a Gewürztraminer Alto Adige DOC 2024. Elegant in its golden yellow appearance, it shows off exotic perfumes of lychee and notes of orange zest, rose, cloves and nutmeg. The taste is full and equally spiced, but also fresh and bitter on the finish, perfect to accompany the intense flavour of chicken curry!
Wine with fried chicken, for those who want to indulge
Even a lean and delicate meat like chicken can evolve into perfect comfort food. Subjected to a tasty cooking method like frying, in fact, it maintains an internal consistency that is soft and juicy, forming a delicious crust on the outside.
In this case the choice of label puts bubbles in the foreground, excellent for cleansing the palate from the oily texture of fried chicken morsels, skewers, wings and drumsticks, to be enjoyed in front of a film or a match.
For those who want to pair an excellent sparkling wine with fried chicken, there are many valid options, but among these stands out the "Remogut" Cava Brut Reserva, a Catalan sparkling wine with elegant golden and green nuances. The nose is tickled by a fine and persistent effervescence, and by aromas of peach, pear, grapefruit and pastry. On the palate it surprises with a sharp and long-lasting freshness, which lightens the oiliness of the fried chicken bite after bite.
Whether your chicken recipes are roasted, fried or grilled, Svinando puts the best labels at your disposal to pair them. Explore the catalogue and choose your favourites!