Chicken parmigiana is a classic Italian dish that is often paired with pasta. It is best when paired with fruity herbal reds like Primitivo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Pinot Noir.
Acidity is a must with these types of dishes as if you have wines that are heavy in tannins will clash with the tomato sauce.
This dish goes well with white wines as well, and an Italian Pinot Grigio is a great choice.
In this article, we will explore the best wines for you to pair with Chicken parmigiana. There are a few things to consider when you are choosing the kind of wine to pair it with, and we will explore these things in this article. Read on for more information!.
Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that combines breaded chicken cutlets, tomato sauce, and melted cheese With its savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors, chicken parm can be enhanced by pairing it with the right wine. But with the variety of wines available, how do you know what wine goes best with chicken parmesan? Read on for tips on picking the perfect wine to complement chicken parm’s distinctive taste profile.
Overview of Chicken Parmesan’s Flavor Profile
Before diving into wine pairings, let’s examine the key flavors in a chicken parm dish:
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Breaded chicken cutlets – The crisp golden breading provides a rich, toasted flavor and texture.
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Tomato sauce – Most chicken parm recipes call for a tomato or marinara sauce. This provides tangy lightly sweet and sometimes spicy flavor notes.
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Melted cheese – Ooey, melted mozzarella or parmesan cheese lends a creamy, salty dimension.
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Herbs – Basil, oregano, and other Italian herbs contribute earthy, aromatic flavors.
So when picking a wine, you’ll want one that complements the dish’s savory umami, bright acidity, and herbaceousness without overwhelming it. Generally, you’ll steer clear of heavy, very oaky, or overly tannic wines.
Best Wine Styles for Chicken Parmesan
Given chicken parmesan’s flavor profile, the most complementary wine styles include:
Pinot Grigio
Because it has a light body, bright acidity, and light flavors of citrus, green apple, and honeysuckle, Pinot Grigio goes well with chicken parm. The wine has the same level of acidity as the tomato sauce and cleans the palate. Instead of oaky wines, look for a fruity, crisp Pinot Grigio from Oregon or Italy.
Sauvignon Blanc
Like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc offers acidity and fruit flavors like grapefruit, gooseberry, and melon that offset chicken parm’s richness. Opt for a Sauvignon Blanc with herbaceous notes, which complement the dish’s basil and oregano flavors. Cool-climate New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are a great choice.
Chardonnay
Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay can also pair nicely with chicken parm. Seek out a style with prominent apple and citrus notes and minimal influence from oak. The wine’s medium body stands up to the chicken and cheese while the acid provides balance.
Sparkling Wine
The zippy bubbles and bright acidity of an Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava, or French Champagne cut through the dish’s richness. The palate-cleansing bubbles make sparklers an exciting pairing. For an affordable option, try a dry Italian Prosecco.
Rosé
Dry rosé wine has gained popularity as a food wine, thanks to its light, berry-driven flavors and crisp acidity. Look for a rosé with prominent cherry, strawberry, or citrus notes that complement tomato sauce’s acidity. Provence-style rosés from France work well.
Light-Bodied Red Wines
Most of the time, white wines go well with chicken parmesan, but some light reds also do really well. Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Chianti Classico are all wines with just the right amount of acidity to go with tomato sauce without making the chicken taste too bland. Their red fruit, herb, and spice flavors go well with the rest of the dish.
What to Avoid with Chicken Parmesan
On the flip side, there are some wine styles that don’t pair well with chicken parm:
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Heavy oak flavors: Chicken parmesan is already very rich, so you don’t need heavy oak flavors.
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High alcohol wines – The dish doesn’t need a heavy, high-alcohol wine competing with it.
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Very tannic reds – Big tannins can taste bitter with tomato sauce.
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Off-dry wines: As rich as chicken parmesan is, it needs a dry wine to balance it out. Off-dry wines can taste flabby.
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Dessert wines – The sweetness overpowers the other flavors.
Factors that Influence Pairings
Beyond the basic wine characteristics, a few other factors affect what wine suits your specific chicken parm recipe or meal:
Spiciness
The amount of spice from crushed red pepper or other seasonings in the breading or sauce determines how much body and fruit the wine needs to handle the heat. Spricier chicken parms demand more strongly-flavored wines.
Preparation Method
A crisp, pan-fried cutlet versus a juicy, baked cutlet changes the texture contrast with the wine. Pan-frying keeps the chicken crispy for contrast with a brighter, more acidic wine. Baked chicken that absorbs sauce pairs better with a fruit-forward red.
Side Dishes & Vegetables
Taking the full meal into account is key. Buttery mashed potatoes call for a higher-acid wine to cut the richness. A fresh Caprese salad with tomatoes aligns with a brighter Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Cheese Type & Amount
The prominence of cheese influences the weight and flavors needed in the wine. Oozing with mozzarella demands a lighter, crisper white while parmesan-laden versions can handle slightly fuller wines.
Recommended Bottles Under $20
Want specific bottle ideas for pairing with chicken parm? Here are some of my top, budget-friendly recommendations:
- Da Vinci Pinot Grigio delle Venezie ($10)
- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ($17)
- Ruffino Prosecco from Italy ($15)
- Cono Sur Bicicleta Rosé from Chile ($10)
- Mark West California Pinot Noir ($16)
- Monte Antico Chianti Classico from Italy ($15)
- Conti Costanti Barbera d’Asti from Italy ($18)
Chicken Parmesan Wine Pairing Cheat Sheet
For quick reference, here’s a cheat sheet summarizing the best wine styles and bottles for chicken parm:
Best Wine Styles
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Unoaked Chardonnay
- Sparkling Wines
- Dry Rosé
- Light-Bodied Reds like Pinot Noir
Wines to Avoid
- High Alcohol Wines
- Heavily Oaked Whites
- Very Tannic Reds
- Off-Dry and Sweet Wines
Recommended Bottles Under $20
- Da Vinci Pinot Grigio
- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
- Ruffino Prosecco
- Cono Sur Bicicleta Rosé
- Mark West Pinot Noir
- Monte Antico Chianti Classico
- Conti Costanti Barbera d’Asti
Considerations for Pairing
- Spiciness Level
- Preparation Method
- Side Dishes & Veggies
- Type and Amount of Cheese
Putting it All Together
Finding the perfect wine match for chicken parmesan requires considering the dish’s prominent flavors like tomato sauce, herbs, and cheese. Light, bright, fruit-forward whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are classic pairings that complement the acidity and richness. Sparkling wines provide palate-cleansing bubbles. Dry rosé and light reds like Pinot Noir also work nicely. Avoid big, oaky whites and tannic reds that overpower the chicken. And consider factors like spice level and side dishes when making your pairing. Use this guide to confidently choose a wine that brings out the best in your chicken parm. Salute!
What Type Of Wine Goes With Chicken Parmigiana?
There are lots of different types of wine that can be paired with chicken parmigiana. Red wine is the most common pairing, specifically Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Chianti Classico. We’ll have a look at this in more detail below.
While red wine is a more common pairing, you can also pair the dish with white wine. The Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc can be a very good choice of wine.
When you make chicken parmigiana, it tastes good with wine that is a little salty, a little spicy, and a little sweet.
If your chicken parmigiana has a heavier sauce, it is best to pair the dish with white wine (Also check out Chicken Cacciatore Wine Pairing). You can pair chicken parmigiana with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
White wines are less commonly paired with this dish, but they do also complement the dish well. It is worth trying the two different types of wine to see which one you prefer.
The type of wine that is best suited to the dish depends on the way that the dish is made. The following will affect the wine chosen:
If the sauce of the dish is creamy and heavy, it will pair well with a wine that is on the sweeter side. This will balance out the flavors.
If you pair a creamy sauce with a dry wine, this will taste even drier next to a creamy sauce.
The next thing to consider when choosing your wine pairing is the cheese that you are using. If you use mozzarella cheese in the dish, you should drink a wine that is not too strong.
This is because mozzarella cheese is a mild cheese, and you don’t want the flavor of this wine to overwhelm the flavor of the dish.
You should also consider the herbs that are used in the dish. If the dish has oregano or basil in it, pick an acidic wine. This will cut through the richness of the sauce and cheese.
Pinot Noir And Chicken Parmigiana
Pinot Noir is made from a thin-skinned grape in Burgundy, France. These wines are light-medium bodied and they range in style.
Pinot Noir is produced around the world, and it is very difficult to grow. This wine can cut through the spices of the chicken parmigiana, and the flavors of the wine complement the herbs in the dish.
Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines to use when pairing with foods, as it is light-bodied. It works very well with all of the aspects of this dish, making it the perfect wine to enjoy with chicken parmigiana.
Wine Education & Pairings : How to Pair Wine & Parmesan Crusted Chicken
FAQ
Which wine pairs best with chicken parmesan?
Chianti: As an Italian dish, Chicken Parmesan pairs beautifully with an Italian wine like Chianti. Chianti’s bright acidity and cherry flavors cut through the richness of the dish while complementing the tangy tomato sauce.
Does chicken parm go better with red or white wine?
Chicken Parmesan pairs well with a medium-bodied red wine like a Chianti or Barbera.
What drink goes well with chicken parmesan?
Chicken parmigiana is a classic Italian dish that is often paired with pasta. It is best when paired with fruity herbal reds like Primitivo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Pinot Noir. 1 What Is Chicken Parmigiana?.
What wine goes well with parmesan?
Share: Serious cheese deserves serious drinks, so we like to pair parmesan with chianti, pinot noir, malbec, syrah, champagne, prosecco and riesling. We also like the strong stuff with it including grappa, nocino, sherry and madeira.