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.
When making these kinds of dishes, you need wines that are acidic. Wines that are high in tannins will not go well with tomato sauce.
White wines also work well with Chicken parmigiana, and an Italian Pinot Grigio will pair up with it very well.
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 traditional Italian-American dish made with breaded chicken cutlets, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. The right wine can bring out the flavors of the chicken parmesan, which are savory, tangy, and slightly spicy. But there are so many wines out there, how do you know which one goes best with chicken parmesan? Keep reading for tips on how to choose the right wine to go with chicken parm’s unique flavor.
Overview of Chicken Parmesan’s Flavor Profile
Before diving into wine pairings, let’s examine the key flavors in a chicken parm dish:
-
Breaded chicken cutlets – The crisp golden breading provides a rich, toasted flavor and texture.
-
Tomato sauce – Most chicken parm recipes call for a tomato or marinara sauce. This provides tangy lightly sweet and sometimes spicy flavor notes.
-
Melted cheese – Ooey, melted mozzarella or parmesan cheese lends a creamy, salty dimension.
-
Herbs – Basil, oregano, and other Italian herbs contribute earthy, aromatic flavors.
So when you choose a wine, you’ll want one that goes well with the umami, bright acidity, and herbaceousness of the food without being too much. Most of the time, you should stay away from wines that are heavy, very oaky, or too tannic.
Best Wine Styles for Chicken Parmesan
Given chicken parmesan’s flavor profile, the most complementary wine styles include:
Pinot Grigio
With its light body, bright acidity, and subtle flavors of citrus, green apple, and honeysuckle, Pinot Grigio makes an easy, food-friendly pairing for chicken parm. The wine mirrors the acidity of the tomato sauce while cleansing the palate. Avoid oaky styles and instead look for a fruity, crisp Pinot Grigio from Italy or Oregon.
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
While white wines are most commonly paired with chicken parm, certain light reds also pair wonderfully. Wines like Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Chianti Classico offer enough acidity to match the tomato sauce and not overpower the chicken. Their flavors of red fruit, herbs, and spice align with the dish’s components.
What to Avoid with Chicken Parmesan
On the flip side, there are some wine styles that don’t pair well with chicken parm:
-
Heavily oaked wines – Chicken parm has enough richness on its own without heavy oak flavors.
-
High alcohol wines – The dish doesn’t need a heavy, high-alcohol wine competing with it.
-
Very tannic reds – Big tannins can taste bitter with tomato sauce.
-
Off-dry wines – Chicken parm needs a dry wine to balance the richness. Off-dry wines can taste flabby.
-
Dessert wines – The sweetness overpowers the other flavors.
Factors that Influence Pairings
Besides the basic qualities of wine, there are a few other things that affect which wine is best for your 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. A more acidic wine will cut through the richness of buttery mashed potatoes. A fresh Caprese salad with tomatoes goes well with a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that is more lively.
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.
With chicken parmigiana, it is a good idea to add wine that has a touch of salty, spicy, and sweet to the dish.
It’s best to drink white wine with chicken parmigiana if the sauce is thick. For more wine pairing ideas, see Chicken Cacciatore. 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.
When you put a dry wine next to a creamy sauce, the dry wine will taste even drier.
The next thing to consider when choosing your wine pairing is the cheese that you are using. If you are making the dish with mozzarella cheese, you will want to pair it with a wine that is not too strong.
And this is because mozzarella cheese is mild, and you don’t want the wine to overpower the dish’s taste.
You should also consider the herbs that are used in the dish. If the dish is made with oregano or basil, it is a good idea to choose a wine that is quite acidic. 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?
We like to drink chianti, pinot noir, malbec, syrah, champagne, prosecco, and riesling with parmesan because it goes well with these wines. We also like the strong stuff with it including grappa, nocino, sherry and madeira.