Fried Chicken pairs best with fruity and lively wines such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Sparkling Wine. Acidity is a must with Southern Fried Chicken, as this classic dish is greasy and salty, meaning you need something refreshing to swoop in and wash all fats that clog your taste buds away.
Heavier red wines like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz will crush the delicate chicken flavours, so it’s best to choose a red wine that is light, fruity and fun.
Ever found yourself staring at a bucket of crispy, golden fried chicken while wondering what wine would elevate this indulgent meal? You’re not alone! While many of us grew up washing down this comfort food classic with sweet tea, soda, or lemonade, there’s a whole world of wine pairings that can transform your fried chicken experience from casual to sublime.
I’ve spent years exploring different wine pairings (sometimes using my friends as guinea pigs), and I’m excited to share my findings about the absolute best wines to complement your favorite fried chicken styles. Whether you’re ordering KFC or making Nashville hot chicken from scratch I’ve got you covered with perfect wine matches that’ll make your taste buds sing!
Why Wine Works With Fried Chicken
Before diving into specific pairings, let’s understand why wine and fried chicken make such beautiful music together:
- Acidity cuts through grease – Wine’s natural acidity helps cleanse your palate between bites of rich, fatty chicken
- Complementary flavors – Certain wine profiles enhance the savory, spicy, or herbaceous notes in different fried chicken styles
- Textural contrast – The crisp, refreshing nature of many wines provides balance against the crunchy exterior and juicy interior of fried chicken
Top Wine Picks for Fried Chicken
1. Sparkling Wines – The Ultimate Fried Chicken Partner
If you only remember one recommendation from this article, let it be this sparkling wines are AMAZING with fried chicken! As wine expert Madeline Puckette says, “Crisp, crunchy, yet succulent… fried chicken pairs ‘awesomely’ with sparkling wine.”
Here are some stellar sparkling options
- Champagne – If you’re feeling fancy! The high acidity and effervescence cut through grease like a knife
- Crémant – A budget-friendly French sparkling that delivers similar complexity to Champagne
- Cava – Spanish bubbles with zesty aromatics and excellent value
- Prosecco – Italian sparkler with a slightly sweeter, fruitier profile
- Sparkling Rosé – Perfect for spicier fried chicken variations
2. Crisp White Wines
White wines with vibrant acidity make excellent fried chicken companions:
- Chenin Blanc – Versatile grape with stone fruit, tropical fruit, and honey notes balanced by zippy acidity
- Albariño – Crisp Spanish white with peach, citrus, and saline qualities
- Unoaked Chardonnay – Bright fruit flavors without buttery oak influence
- Grüner Veltliner – Austrian white with distinctive peppery notes and herbal qualities
- Sauvignon Blanc – Herbaceous and tropical with palate-cleansing acidity
- Muscadet – Bone-dry French white with citrus notes and saline character
- Chablis – Mineral-forward with lemon notes (perfect for Japanese karaage)
- Assyrtiko – Greek white with crisp acidity (another karaage winner)
3. Aromatic Whites
Slightly sweeter whites with aromatic qualities:
- Riesling – High acidity with varying sweetness levels that can tame spicy chicken
- Furmint – Hungarian wine that’s thick yet acidic, available in dry or sweet styles
4. Light to Medium-Bodied Reds
Contrary to what some might think, certain red wines work beautifully with fried chicken:
- Gamay – Juicy, fruit-forward red with low tannins
- Cinsault – Floral with red fruit notes and subtle spice
- Lambrusco – Sparkling Italian red that cuts through fat
- Grenache/Garnacha – Medium-bodied with berry flavors and spicy undertones
- Zinfandel – Spicy and complex for more robustly flavored chicken
- Tempranillo – Savory notes with fat-softening tannins
5. Rosé Wines
- Tempranillo Rosé – Structured with strawberry notes
- Other Dry Rosés – Refreshing with red fruit character
6. Fortified Options
- Fino Sherry – Dry, saline fortified wine with almond notes
Perfect Pairings by Fried Chicken Style
Let’s get specific! Here are ideal wine matches for different fried chicken variations:
Classic Southern Fried Chicken
The traditional flour-dredged, buttermilk-soaked delight with simple seasonings.
- Best Pairing: Champagne or Crémant
- Why it Works: The high acidity cuts through the grease while the toasty notes complement the golden crust
Nashville Hot Chicken
Fiery cayenne-based fried chicken that brings serious heat.
- Best Pairing: Extra-Dry Prosecco or off-dry Riesling
- Why it Works: Slight sweetness helps tame the spice, while the bubbles refresh the palate
Buffalo Wings
Tangy, buttery hot sauce-coated wings.
- Best Pairing: Sparkling Rosé
- Why it Works: Fuller body stands up to the sauce, while fruity notes balance the heat
Korean Double-Fried Chicken
Twice-fried chicken with sweet, spicy, and umami-rich sauce.
- Best Pairing: Dry or semi-sweet Lambrusco
- Why it Works: Cherry and blackberry notes complement the soy-ginger-sugar marinade
Japanese Chicken Karaage
Delicate, ginger-marinated fried chicken pieces.
- Best Pairing: Chablis or Assyrtiko
- Why it Works: Mineral-forward, lemon-driven white wines enhance the lighter flavors
Taiwanese Fried Chicken Steak
Five-spice dusted chicken with unique flavor profile.
- Best Pairing: Grenache or Zinfandel
- Why it Works: Spiced, earthy red wines mirror the complex seasonings
Chicharron de Pollo
Caribbean-style chicken with citrus and herbs.
- Best Pairing: Cava
- Why it Works: Zesty acidity matches the lime and cilantro notes
KFC Bucket
The fast-food classic we all know and love.
- Best Pairing: Korbel (American sparkling wine) or Chenin Blanc
- Why it Works: Affordable yet effective pairings for this iconic fast food
Wine Pairing Tips for Fried Chicken
- Match intensity levels – Spicier chicken needs more aromatic or slightly sweeter wines
- Consider the sauce – If your chicken comes with dipping sauces, factor those flavors into your pairing
- Temperature matters – Serve whites and sparkling wines well-chilled to maximize refreshment
- Don’t overthink it – At the end of the day, fried chicken is casual comfort food, so enjoy experimenting!
My Personal Favorite Pairings
After trying countless combinations, I gotta say my absolute favorite pairing is a bucket of classic Southern fried chicken with a bottle of Crémant du Jura. The wine’s brioche notes mirror the breadiness of the coating, while the bubbles keep everything light and refreshing.
When I make Nashville hot chicken, I use a slightly off-dry Riesling. The sweetness balances out the heat just right without putting it out cold.
And on Friday nights when I just want KFC, a cheap bottle of Chenin Blanc from South Africa works just fine that night!
Final Thoughts
The best thing about pairing wine with fried chicken is that it’s an unexpected combination that feels both indulgent and accessible. There’s something delightfully subversive about popping a bottle of bubbly alongside a paper bucket of crispy chicken pieces.
So next time you’re planning a fried chicken feast, skip the soda and reach for one of these wine options instead. Your taste buds will thank you, and you might just discover your new favorite food-and-drink combination!
What’s your favorite drink to have with fried chicken? Have you tried any of these wine pairings? Let me know in the comments!
Beaujolais Villages & Fried Chicken
Fruity, light and inexpensive, Beaujolais serves up amazing flavours of raspberry, strawberry and cherry, making it perfect with Fried Chicken on its own or on a sandwich. Low in alcohol, Beaujolais Villages is the perfect pairing with spicy hot fried chicken, or for a country style lunch at the kitchen table.
Beaujolais also has more depth than it seems. This smooth and velvety wine is interesting because it has sneaky notes of spice, earth, clove, and mineral.
Riesling & Southern Fried Chicken Pairing
Riesling is a crisp and acidic wine featuring flavours of lemon, lime, peach and pair. Anything deep-fried likes a lemony acidic part because it cuts through the grease and brings out the subtle flavors of your crispy chicken. This is why battered fish and chips or Chinese take-out deep-fried shrimp often come with a slice of lemon.
Riesling comes in a lot of styles, and a slightly spritzy and off-dry Riesling is my favourite pairing with fried Chicken. The bubbles whisk away all the grease, and the slight sweetness provides a refreshing contrast against the savoury chicken flavours.
Extreme Pairing #10 – Fried Chicken & Wine?
FAQ
What to drink when eating fried chicken?
Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and dry sparkling rosé bring acidity and bubbles, two things fried food loves. But don’t overlook a crisp pilsner, a citrusy wheat beer, or even a gin and tonic with a splash of sparkling water. Anything with fizz helps reset your palate, keeping richness in check.
Do you serve red or white wine with chicken?
Both red and white wines can pair well with chicken, but the best choice depends on how the chicken is prepared and the specific flavors in the dish. White wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are often chosen, especially when chicken is grilled, roasted, or cooked in a lighter way.
What is the best drink with fried chicken?
Crisp dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis and Albarin͂o match up well with traditional fried chicken.
What pairs well with fried chicken?
Fried chicken pairs well with a variety of sides, both classic and creative. Coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread are popular choices. Other great options include baked beans, potato salad, and green beans.