The homemade Italian seasoning and minced garlic add a lot of flavor to this White Wine Chicken Pasta recipe. The chicken is moist and juicy and swims in a creamy sauce.
This is my go-to recipe whenever Im in the mood for a restaurant-quality meal thats fast, easy, and healthy that will fill me up. The flavors are lighter than most of my other dishes, but I love that because the crisp, refreshing flavor that the white wine adds is reminiscent of lemon juice.
I make my favorite homemade Italian seasoning with salt, pepper, red chili flakes, onion powder, Italian herbs, and Cajun seasoning.
I like to use chicken thighs for this recipe because they have more flavor than chicken breasts and are less expensive. I also love sun-dried tomatoes; they give food great texture and a mildly sweet and sour flavor that goes well with other foods.
Let me show you how to make creamy chicken pasta with white wine sauce in 30 minutes which will have you licking your plate.
Before you start whipping up this flavorful white wine chicken pasta, look at this list of ingredients to make sure you have everything you need for some delicious chicken pasta and homemade Italian seasoning.
For this recipe, youll need boneless skinless chicken thighs, which taste 10 times better than chicken breasts. However, if you dont like dark meat, use chicken breasts.
Youll need a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Using a low-sodium chicken broth will work if you do not drink alcohol.
I love to use Savory Cajun seasoning because its low-sodium, but feel free to use your favorite. Cajun or Creole seasoning.
Use quality parmesan cheese. I know your first thought may be to use grated parm but try grating your own from a wedge of Parmigiana Reggiano.
Chicken and pasta make for a delicious and comforting meal. With so many ways to prepare chicken pasta recipes, from creamy Alfredo to spicy chicken pomodoro, it can be tricky to know what wine will complement the dish best. This comprehensive pairing guide covers the most popular chicken and pasta pairings so you can elevate your dinner with the perfect wine match every time.
Factors to Consider When Pairing Wine with Chicken Pasta
With chicken pasta and wine, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
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The sauce – Creamy sauces call for different wines than tomato-based, olive oil or pesto sauces The sauce imparts much of the dish’s flavor profile
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Spices and herbs – Recipes seasoned with lots of garlic, chili flakes or basil need wines that won’t overpower those notes.
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Weight of the dish – Heavy, rich dishes pair better with bolder wines than light pastas.
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Preparation method – Grilled or roasted chicken contrasts better with wine than if it is fried
Considering these elements will help narrow down your options. Below are specific recommendations for popular chicken and pasta combinations.
Best Wines for Creamy Chicken Pasta
Chicken pastas that are rich and creamy, like fettuccine alfredo, go well with white wines that are also soft. It’s important to choose a wine that has enough acidity to cut through the cream. Great options include:
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Unoaked Chardonnay – With notes of apple, citrus and melon, the acidity and subtle flavor of unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for creamy pastas.
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Pinot Grigio – Bright flavors of pear, honeydew and lemon complement, not overpower, cream sauces. Pinot Grigio has medium body and acidity.
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Sauvignon Blanc – Passion fruit, grapefruit and herb notes as well as brisk acidity make Sauvignon Blanc an ideal foil for decadent cream-based sauces.
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Champagne – Bubbles and bracing acidity refresh the palate. Opt for brut styles with a citrus backbone.
Best Wines for Chicken Pasta in Tomato Sauce
Fresh tomato sauces call for fruity wines with enough acidity to match the tomatoes’ natural tartness. Recommended pairings:
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Chianti – The classic Italian red boasts cherry, herbs and iron notes along with medium body and acidity, making it versatile with both red and white sauces.
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Barbera – With flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry and spice, Barbera has gentle tannins that suit tomato-based pastas nicely.
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Valpolicella – Made from grapes also used in Amarone, Valpolicella shows red and black fruits, especially cherries, pairing beautifully with tomato’s sweetness.
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Rosé – Dry rosés exhibit flavors of strawberry, peach, citrus and herbs that align with tomatoes’ flavor profile.
Best Wines for Chicken Pasta in Olive Oil Sauce
For chicken pasta tossed in fragrant olive oil, herbs and garlic, choose wines with similarly aromatic qualities. Consider:
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Vermentino – This Italian white grape shines with citrus, pear, peach and floral aromatics that complement olive oil’s fruity flavor.
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Greco di Tufo – Lemon, apple, peach and almond flavors with minerality suit the bright herbal qualities of an olive oil sauce.
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Pinot Grigio – Its mild pear and citrus notes won’t overshadow an olive oil pasta’s flavors.
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Sangiovese – The principal grape of Chianti has an herbal, fruity edge and medium body tailor-made for simple olive oil-prepared pastas.
Best Wine for Chicken Pasta with Pesto
The basil and garlic in pesto sauces calls for white wines with a bit of grassy, herbal flavor. Consider:
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Sauvignon Blanc – The lively acidity and signature herbs and grassiness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc enhance pesto’s fresh qualities.
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Pinot Grigio – Subtle citrus and floral notes align with pesto’s bright flavor profile.
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Verdicchio – Lemon and herb flavors are a natural complement to pesto’s basil and garlic. High acidity balances richness.
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Vermentino – This white grape also shows grassy, herbal notes harmonizing beautifully with pesto seasoning.
Best Wines for Spicy Chicken Pasta
Fiery chicken pomodoro, arrabiata or chili pastas require wines with a touch of sweetness to temper the heat. Riesling and Gewurztraminer make good pairings, as do off-dry Rosé and Lambrusco.
For less spicy dishes, opt for fruity, medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Grenache to stand up to spices without overwhelming them. In general, avoid heavy tannic reds with hot and spicy pastas.
Best Wines for Chicken Pastas with Veggies or Mushrooms
Pastas with vegetables or mushrooms tend to be earthy. Pick wines that complement those deeper flavors. Consider:
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Pinot Noir – The light red cherry flavors and silky tannins of Pinot Noir suit veggie-heavy pastas perfectly.
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Syrah – Notes of blackberry, pepper and smoke in Syrah align with mushrooms and caramelized veggies.
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Merlot – The plush, fruity nature of Merlot balances earthy veggie flavors nicely.
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Rosé – Dry, serious rosés with berry flavors pair well with earthy ingredients.
Best Wine for Lighter Chicken & Pasta Salads
For chilly chicken pasta salads, crisp, high-acid whites refresh the palate. Recommended wines include:
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Sauvignon Blanc – The citrus and herbs make this white ideal for salads with vinaigrettes.
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Pinot Grigio – Its bright pear and lemon notes complement mayonnaise-dressed salads.
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Vermentino – Stone fruit flavors and zippy acidity cut through heavy pasta salads.
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Gruner Veltliner – The white pepper and citrus notes of this Austrian grape add interest to chicken pasta salads.
Key Takeaways for Pairing Wine with Chicken & Pasta
The basic guidelines for pairing wine with chicken and pasta are:
- Creamy sauces = medium-bodied whites with good acidity
- Tomato-based = fruit-forward reds with medium acidity
- Olive oil/herb sauces = aromatic whites or mediums reds
- Pesto = herbal or grassy whites
- Spicy = slightly sweet and fruity wines
- Lighter salads = high-acid whites
Following these pairings, you’re sure to find a wine match that enhances any chicken and pasta dinner. With a bit of knowledge and experimentation, you can discover your own favorite combinations that keep your meals exciting.
The key is choosing wines that complement, not compete, with your chicken pasta’s predominant flavors. With so many possibilities, there are delicious wine pairings for every palate and recipe. What will you try first?
How To Make Chicken Pasta With White Wine Recipe?
The key to making creamy chicken pasta is all in the technique and making it easier than you think. When you know the right way to make a white wine sauce, you can use it on many different foods.
Mix Italian Seasoning: To make Italian seasoning, mix together Cajun seasoning, black pepper, red chili flakes, onion and garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Set a couple of teaspoons for the sauce. Season, the chicken.
White Wine Chicken Pasta: Add olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes. Let them cool, then chop the chicken into medium-sized pieces.
Next, cook the onion and shallots with the seasoning you set aside in the same skillet. Stir in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook until fragrant. Pick the skillet up and keep stirring if the garlic is browning too fast.
Add chicken and white wine once the wine begins to simmer (small bubbles). Put in heavy cream and half of the Parmesan cheese. Cook until the white wine sauce gets a little thicker. Toss pasta in the sauce until it is coated evenly with sauce. Serve immediately and garnish with olive oil, chopped parsley, and more parmesan cheese.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few things to keep in mind while you whip up this creamy chicken pasta.
- Use a pot or skillet that is big enough to hold everything.
- Chicken breasts without bones or skin can be used instead of the thighs.
- Make sure to use room-temperature chicken breast. The chicken will cook faster and better.
- For faster and more even cooking, put plastic wrap over the chicken breasts and pound them out.
- If you don’t have a meat mallet, you can pound the chicken breasts out with a heavy-bottomed large skillet.
- Use 1 roma tomato instead of sun-dried tomatoes.
- Instead of bucatini, you can use Fettuccine, Linguine, Penne, Ziti, or Angel hair.
- Make sure the pasta is al dente, which means it’s cooked but still has some bite to it. This will keep it from turning into mush when the sauce is added. 6 minutes should do.
- Never add oil to your pasta water, only salt. Oil and water do not mix.
- Whole Foods sells a cheap wine called Three Wishes that tastes great.
- If you don’t drink, use chicken broth or lemon juice instead of white wine.
- Stir cooked pasta with 2-3 tablespoons to avoid sticking.
- I have very specific tastes when it comes to parmesan cheese, but you can use any kind that is available. It should be shredded, grated, or shaved for the recipe.
- If you want your parmesan to melt and blend quickly, choose the grated kind. Just be aware that it will have a slightly rougher texture.
- Don’t use chopped garlic from a jar; use fresh garlic cloves instead.
- Parmigiana Reggiano is the best parmesan cheese on the market.
- Don’t use Parmesan. Instead, use Pecorino Romano or an Italian cheese blend.
Here are the top questions readers have about making chicken pasta with white wine.
The best wine to pair with chicken pasta is a dry white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.
The Chefs rule of thumb for cooking with wine is to use a white wine you enjoy drinking. If you enjoy drinking it, you will love the flavor it brings to your pasta. It doesnt matter if its a White Wine Blend, Pino Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay.
As a general guideline, use red wines for heartier pasta dishes with beef. In contrast, white wines work best for lighter pasta, including chicken or fish-based pasta dishes.
Adding white wine to pasta adds a bright, refreshing wine flavor similar to what lemon juice would do, and it adds flavor and moisture to the dish to help create a tasty sauce.
Chicken pasta is best eaten immediately, but it will remain fresh in an airtight container for 3 days in the fridge. Reheat pasta over medium heat in a skillet with ¼ cup of low-sodium chicken stock per serving until hot.
If you love pasta as much as I do, then I know youll love these recipes too!
Before starting, I use the steps to stay organized and move faster when I cook.
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Get the ingredients for the chicken pasta on the counter.
Step 2: Be sure to measure everything before you begin.
Step 3: Follow this recipe and get ready to enjoy the best chicken pasta with the0 creamy white wine sauce youve ever had.
This creamy chicken white wine pasta recipe is a great way to add some variety to your weeknight dinner routine and impress your guests at the same time. I hope youll give it a try! Please leave me a comment below, letting me know how it turns out for you, and dont forget to rate the recipe once youve tried it. Thanks for reading, friends!
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Sommelier Pairs Wine With 5 Classic Pasta Dishes | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit
FAQ
What type of wine goes with chicken and pasta?
A dry white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio goes well with chicken pasta.
Do you serve red or white wine with chicken?
Pairing wine is mostly simple. Generally white wine is paired with light colored meats such as fish and chicken, whereas reds are paired with dark colored meats such as beef. Pork can be paired with white or red depending on the preparation. Here are some other pairing examples:
What wine compliments pasta?
Red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, go well with heartier pasta sauces. White wines, like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, go well with lighter pasta dishes. Jul 16, 2023.
What is a good wine to drink with Chicken Alfredo?
Instructions. When pairing wines with chicken Alfredo, it’s important to find ones that balance out the dish’s creamy richness with wines that have flavors that complement or contrast it. Recommended wines include Napa Valley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Chablis, and Orvieto Classico.