What Wine Goes with Greek Chicken? A Guide to Perfect Pairings

Greek chicken is a flavorful, aromatic dish that can be made so many delicious ways The herbs, spices, lemon, garlic, and olive oil infuse the chicken with incredible Mediterranean flair. When it comes to pairing wines with Greek chicken, you’ll want wines that complement rather than compete with the dynamic flavors Follow this guide to get suggestions for full-bodied reds, crisp whites, and sparkling wines that are seamless matches for your Greek chicken.

Choosing the Right Wine Style for Greek Chicken

With its tangy, herbal notes and bold spicing, Greek chicken demands wines with some weight and intensity to stand up to it. Very light, delicate wines would be easily overpowered. Here are the best wine styles to consider:

Full-bodied reds – The spice-friendly fruit, oak and tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Syrah, and Tempranillo Reds are perfect for matching the richness of Greek chicken. Their heaviness prevents them from being drowned out.

Crisp whites – Dry acidic whites like Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, and Verdejo have the lively fruit and zip to cut through the chicken’s richness. They also complement the lemon and herbs.

Sparkling wines – Bubbly wines like Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne have the acidity and effervescence to refresh the palate from the chicken’s intensity. Their crispness cleans the palate beautifully.

Specific Wine Recommendations for Greek Chicken

Based on expert pairings and my own tasting experience, these are some of the best wine varieties and regions to try with Greek chicken:

Reds

California Cabernet Sauvignon – Bold CA Cab has enough backbone of dark fruit, oak, and tannins to match the savoriness of Greek chicken. Its black cherry notes are perfect with the spices.

Argentine Malbec – Malbec from Mendoza has a velvety texture and flavors of plum that complement the chicken beautifully. Its soft tannins don’t overpower.

This hearty Italian red, Chianti Classico, tastes like chicken because it has cherry and herbal notes. Its savory, faintly smoky edge is perfect for Greek spices.

Rioja – With lush cherry fruit and vanilla-oak tones, aged Rioja Reds from Spain have the rich flavor and silky texture to complement your chicken.

Whites

Sauvignon Blanc—New Zealand and California Sauvignon Blanc’s lively acidity and bright citrus and tropical fruits clean the palate after the richness of the chicken.

Greek Moschofilero – This crisp, floral Greek white has great acidity and aromatics (rose, lemon) to match the chicken’s Mediterranean flavors.

Albariño: This wine comes from Spain and Portugal and is fresh and fragrant. It has peach or apricot fruit that goes well with the savory chicken.

Soave Classico – The minerality of this Italian white provides an excellent counterpoint in texture and flavor to the chicken. Its lemon-lime notes mirror the dish beautifully.

Sparkling

Cava: This inexpensive wine from Spain has flavors of apple, brioche, and minerals that smooth out the richness of the chicken. Its bubbles cut through the oily flavors perfectly.

Prosecco – Bright, fruity Prosecco has just enough richness to complement the chicken, while its brisk bubbles provide a refreshing contrast.

Champagne – The elegance of fine Champagne is a splurge, but its delicacy, fine bubbles, and crisp green apple flavors beautifully accent the chicken.

Tips for Serving Wine with Your Greek Chicken

• Chill your white and sparkling wines – Serving them too warm will prevent them from refreshing your palate. Reds can be served at room temp or lightly chilled if desired.

• Try rosé – Dry rosés like Provence in France pair nicely too, standing up to the chicken with berry flavors and a crisp, dry finish.

• Think herbal – If your chicken has lots of fresh herbs like oregano, mint, or thyme, choose a wine with similar herbal notes like Sauvignon Blanc or Verdejo.

• Consider oak – If you use an oaky marinade or grill the chicken with oak, select a wine aged in oak barrels like Chardonnay or Cabernet to mirror the flavor.

• Don’t neglect the sides – Factor sides like tzatziki, pita, salads, and veggies into your pairing when choosing a wine.

With this handy guide, you can confidently select wines that will perfectly complement your Greek chicken recipe. Trust your senses, experiment with different bottles, and enjoy discovering new flavor combinations. Opaa!