Are you a fan of Italian cuisine? Then you must have tried chicken parmesan (also referred to as chicken parmigiana) one of the most popular Italian dishes today. But have you ever wondered what wine pairs best with this delicious meal?
First, let’s talk about what chicken parmesan is. This dish consists of chicken breasts that are pounded, breaded, and fried until golden brown. Then they are topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Chicken parmesan is usually served with pasta, but it can also be used as a filling for pies or made into sandwiches and wraps.
Now, the question is, should you pair chicken parmesan with red or white wine?
Typically, white meat dishes like chicken are paired with white wine. However, chicken parmesan has tomato sauce, which can make it a bit tricky to pair with white wine.
Red wines tend to pair better with chicken parmesan because they are bolder and can stand up to the acidity in the tomato sauce.
Some of the best red wines to pair with chicken parmesan are barbera, pinot noir, sangiovese, montepulciano, chardonnay and merlot. If you prefer white wine, a sparkling varietal can work well.
When choosing a wine for chicken parmesan, there are a few things to consider.
- First, look for wines with fruity notes to balance out the bold flavors of the chicken, tomato sauce and cheese.
- Second, choose wines with lower tannins to avoid clashing with the flavors of the dish.
- And finally, consider any recipe changes or variations when selecting your wine.
Having said that, here are the seven best chicken parmesan wine pairings:
Pinot Noir:
This dry red wine has low tannins and bright acidity. It has fruity acidity from raspberry and cherry notes that go well with the bold flavors of the dish.
Barbera:
This deep purple colored red wine has low tannins and high acidity. It has fruity notes of dark fruits and berries that complement the flavors of this chicken dish.
Sangiovese:
This dry red wine has high acidity and medium body. It has a range of flavors from fruity to earthy with notes of cherry, strawberry, plum and herbs.
Merlot:
This red wine has medium tannins and acidity. It has a fruit-forward flavor profile with herbal notes and dark fruit flavors that complement the chicken parmesan flavors.
Montepulciano:
This medium-bodied red wine has high acidity and tannins. It has a bold flavor and strong aroma with red fruit notes along with oregano, cocoa and tobacco notes.
Sparkling White Wine:
This white wine has refreshing crispiness and floral notes that goes really well with chicken parmesan.
Chardonnay:
This drink is moderately acidic, crisp and rich with oaky and smoky notes. This wine has hints of vanilla, citrus fruits and apple that’s perfect with the dish.