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.
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!
What Is Chicken Parmigiana?
Chicken Parmigiana is an Italian dish. It is commonly made using fried chicken breast, tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese.
Chicken parmigiana always contains the same ingredients and it is usually made in a very similar way. It is made using Italian seasonings, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, chicken breast, and bread crumbs.
However, while the general dish is the same, these ingredients can see minor changes depending on the preference of the cook.
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.
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:
Sauce
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.
Cheese
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.
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.
Herbs
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.
Red Wine Pairings
Red wine is the best choice of wine to pair with chicken parmigiana. Let’s take a look at the best red wines out there.
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.
Chianti Classico And Chicken Parmigiana
Chianti Classico is a popular Italian red wine that is 80% Sangiovese. This wine has high acidity levels and it goes very well with rich tomato sauce.
This wine complements the sweet tomato flavors of the dish, with bright cherry and plum being the main flavors.
The high acid level of Chianti also cuts through the fried breading of the chicken breast. It complements the chicken breast and elevates the chicken flavors higher.
With Chianti Classico, you will also get lots of herbs, minerals, and smoke with each sip. This blends very well with the herbs in the sauce.
Valpolicella Classico And Chicken Parmigiana
This wine is an inexpensive red wine that is made in Italy. It goes very well with the chicken parmigiana dish because it has a high acidity and low tannins.
Black cherry, herbs, and spicy fruit are prominent in this wine, making it very suitable to pair with the savory and rich tomato sauce.
This wine is also quite low in alcohol content, making it a great wine to have at a business lunch so you can maintain your professionality.
Italian Primitivo And Chicken Parmigiana
An Italian Primitivo is a dry red wine that is medium-bodied. It has a slight sweetness to it, with flavors of raspberries, cherries and blackberries being prominent.
You will also have some notes of black pepper, dark chocolate, and smoke. This will further enrich the wine that will match with Chicken Parmigiana.
This wine is low in tannins and is balanced with medium acidity. This dish won’t clash with the tomato sauce and it enhances the flavors of the chicken.
White Wine Pairings
It is recommended that you pair your Chicken parmigiana with red wine rather than white wine. While the white wine won’t ruin the dish, it won’t make it taste better, either.
Chardonnay works well with Chicken parmigiana. This is a light-bodied white wine that will cut through the richness of the dish.
Processo And Chicken Parmigiana
White wine doesn’t pair as well with Chicken parmigiana as red wine. Sparkling wines and prosecco will feature the same dry, crisp flavors of white wine, but they will complement the breading of the chicken in the dish.
Prosecco is a very refreshing wine that works as a great refreshment against this dish. The bubbles in the prosecco allow these flavors to float around your mouth.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! After reading this article you should have a greater understanding of the best wines to pair with Chicken Parmigiana. We hope that you have found all the information you need in this article.
On this list, there are lots of red wine options. This is because red wine compliments the dish in a much better way than white wine options.
However, we have also provided a white wine option in case this is your preference! So, you can start enjoying your Chicken Parmigiana today with some delicious wine preferences!
I can offer you articles and information about wine from a seasoned sommelier, and now a winemaker too! I hope that you enjoy some of our articles, and start thinking outside of the box when it comes to wine.
- Why Does Wine Taste Better With Age? - June 14, 2023
- What Does It Mean When A Bottle Of Wine Is Corked? - June 14, 2023
- Wine Fridge Vs Wine Cellar – Which One Should You Choose? - June 14, 2023