Quick Answer: Wine Pairing with Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan is a type of dish that goes equally well with red and white wines. It tastes its best when paired with wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Primitivo, Champagne, Vermentino, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Malbec. Pair any of these wines with chicken parmesan for a sweet and savory dining venture.
This is the most comprehensive guide that you’ll ever need to find the best wine to compliment chicken parmesan!
Let’s get started.
But first, let’s get to know a bit more about chicken parmesan before we get to know the details about the best wines to pair it with.
About Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan, also known as chicken parmigiana, is an Italian dish.
It’s a dish for cheese lovers and consists of a variety of ingredients like mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan, breaded chicken breast, and provolone cheese.
At times, people add a bit of bacon or ham as well to the dish. Chicken parmesan can be used to prepare a variety of dishes like pies and sandwiches.
So, are you gushing over some chicken parmesan already? But before that let’s find the perfect wine match for it.
Top Wine Picks to Go With Chicken Parmesan
Here is the list along with why these wines are a great choices –
1. Chardonnay
| Name | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Sweet and dry |
| Primary Flavors | Apple and lemon |
| Acidity | Moderately acidic |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 50 degrees |
| Glass Type | Traditional white wine glass |
| Storage (years) | 3-7 years |
| Wine Body | Full |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 13.5 to 14.5% |
Chardonnay comes with a neutral flavor. It comes with subtle notes of citrus, blossom, apple, and almonds. It’s medium-bodied along with medium acidity and moderate to high alcohol levels.
Its dry taste and light golden shade make it visually appealing. With each sip, you experience a different flavor every time.
Chardonnay is a good pairing option for chicken parmesan as its light wine texture will balance the full texture of the dish.
Here’s a video to get a complete gest about Chardonnay:
2. Sauvignon Blanc
| Name | Sauvignon Blanc |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Dry and fruity |
| Primary Flavors | Blackcurrant, cedar, oaks, herbs |
| Acidity | Highly acidic |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 59-68 degrees |
| Glass Type | Bordeaux / Standard red |
| Storage (years) | 7-10 years |
| Wine Body | Medium to full |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | Over 13.5% |
Sauvignon Blanc comes with low sugar levels and high acidity levels. This gives it a refreshing feel in every sip as you experience a tingly sensation.
The dry taste along with medium-bodied texture and fruity notes like grapefruit, passion fruit, and white peach gives Sauvignon Blanc an identity of its own.
The crispiness and peppery notes of Sauvignon Blanc go flawlessly well with a savory bowl of chicken parmesan.
Check out this video about Sauvignon Blanc:
3. Pinot Blanc
| Name | Pinot blanc |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Dry and Sweet |
| Primary Flavors | Pear, Citrus, Apple, and Almond |
| Acidity | Moderate - Highly Acidic |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 7 - 10 degrees |
| Glass Type | Tulip Wine Glass |
| Storage (years) | 1 - 3 years |
| Wine Body | Medium - Full-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 12 -14% |
Pinot Blanc has been derived from the grapes of Pinot Grigio which themselves are a variation of the grapes of Pinot Noir. It is a white wine with low tannin levels and mildly spicy and smoky notes.
It comes with low tannin levels and refreshing fruit flavors backed with earthy notes to make it a complete package of excitement.
The Pinot Blanc flavors perfectly balance the savory vibe of chicken parmesan, making it a delectable combination of sweetness and savor.
Check out this video to better understand Pinot Blanc:
4. Pinot Gris
| Name | Pinot Gris |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Fresh and spicy |
| Primary Flavors | Tropical fruit, stone fruit, citrus |
| Acidity | Relatively low acidity |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 45-50 degrees |
| Glass Type | Chardonnay white wine glass |
| Storage (years) | 1-4 years |
| Wine Body | Medium to light |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 13.5 to 14% |
Pinot Gris is a white wine with fruity flavors and strong aromas of honey, almond, ginger, spice, and clove.
It comes in three different variants based on its sugar content namely, dry, semi-dry, and sweet. It’s a light wine that generates a tingling sensation the moment you sip it.
Pinot Gris is a zesty wine with a refreshing acidity level, making it suitable for dishes made from meat, like chicken parmesan.
Dive deeper into the world of Pinot Gris through this video:
5. Primitivo (Zinfandel)
| Name | Primitivo (Zinfandel) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Croatia |
| Taste | Dry and Sweet |
| Primary Flavors | Raspberry, Cherry, Plum, and Blackberry |
| Acidity | Moderately Acidic |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 17 - 20 degrees |
| Glass Type | Zinfandel Wine Glass |
| Storage (years) | 5 - 8 years |
| Wine Body | Medium-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 13 - 15% |
Primitivo is a red wine that comes along with black and red fruit flavors coupled with spicy pepper notes for that much-needed zing. It comes with low tannin levels making it an easy-to-go option for smoked dishes.
Its moderate acidity and medium-bodied texture make it an excellent pair with chicken parmesan as its savory taste gets perfectly balanced.
Get insights regarding Primitivo through this video:
6. Champagne
| Name | Champagne |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Dry |
| Primary Flavors | Citrus, yellow apple, cream |
| Acidity | High |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 3.3- 7.3 degrees C |
| Glass Type | Flute |
| Storage (years) | 5-20 years |
| Wine Body | Light-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 12.20% |
Champagne is the perfect blend of grapes like Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay and is exclusively prepared in the Champagne region of France.
That’s how it gets its name. It is a sparkling white wine that generates a velvety feel in every sip.
Sparkling wines like Champagne go incredibly well with chicken parmesan. This wine comes with notes of egg and bread that’ll complement the ingredients added to your dish.
To better understand the nuances of Champagne and how its made, check this video –
7. Vermentino
| Name | Vermentino |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sardinia and Tuscany |
| Taste | Dry |
| Primary Flavors | Lime, grapefruit, green apple |
| Acidity | Medium-high |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 7-12 degrees C |
| Glass Type | White |
| Storage (years) | 3-5 years |
| Wine Body | Medium to light-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 11.5-13.5% |
Vermentino is a white wine that comes with a subtle and salty minerality. Its fruity flavors and low tannins make it a delectable beverage for everyday meals. Its crispiness makes it a versatile drink for a variety of dishes.
Due to its versatility, you can pair Vermentino with chicken parmesan and complement its creamy, savory, and buttery vibes.
Get to know more about Vermentino via this video:
8. Pinot Noir
| Name | Pinot noir |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Taste | Dry and sweet |
| Primary Flavors | Cherry and raspberry |
| Acidity | Bright acidity |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 55-60 degrees |
| Glass Type | Burgundy |
| Storage (years) | 5 years |
| Wine Body | Light - Medium |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 12-15% |
Pinot Noir comes with a rich fruity flavor along with a velvety and vibrant ruby shade. It comes with a fusion of distinct flavors each maintaining its individuality.
With a dry taste and full-bodied texture, Pinot Noir comes in distinct flavors like smoky, fruity, and earthy notes.
Pinot Noir comes with few tannins and less acidity making it a perfect pair for chicken parmesan as the meat’s natural flavor won’t get overpowered by the wine.
Check out this video to better understand Pinot Noir:
9. Grenache
| Name | Grenache |
|---|---|
| Origin | Spain, France |
| Taste | Dry |
| Primary Flavors | Grilled plum, leather, dried herbs |
| Acidity | Medium |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 15-20 degrees C |
| Glass Type | Universal |
| Storage (years) | 10+ years |
| Wine Body | Medium to full-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | More than 15% |
Grenache is a red wine with juicy red fruit flavors with a dash of cinnamon-like spice. It’s thin-skinned and has a similar profile to that of Pinot Noir.
It comes with high alcohol content and moderate tannin levels. Grenache is available in a variety of styles, namely, dry, semi-dry, and sweet.
A medium-bodied white wine with moderate tannins and acidity is simply the best option to turn to for pairing with chicken parmesan.
Get insights regarding Grenache through this video:
10. Malbec
| Name | Malbec |
|---|---|
| Origin | Argentina |
| Taste | Dry |
| Primary Flavors | Red plum, blackberry, vanilla |
| Acidity | Medium- low acidic |
| Serving Temperature (C) | 15- 20 degrees C |
| Glass Type | Universal |
| Storage (years) | 5-10 years |
| Wine Body | Full-bodied |
| Alcohol % (ABV) | 13.5- 15 % |
Malbec is a red wine that comes with a great structure and a chocolatey feel on the tongue. It comes with a soft and smooth texture, leaving you craving for more.
It’s lower in acidity than most wines, has moderate tannin levels, and has a full wine body. It’s a great option for people who’d like to avoid bitterness.
Malbec pairs exceptionally well with chicken dishes, like chicken parmesan due to its moderate tannins and medium acidity levels.
To better understand the nuances of Malbec, check out this quick video:
Wine Pairing Guide for Chicken Parmesan
It’s crucial to strike a balance between the flavors of the dish and the taste of the wine.
For instance, a dish with herbs and a bright flavor along with a light texture will complement a medium to full-bodied wine. Meaty meals should be paired with wines with high acidity to cleanse your palate.
Chicken parmesan, hands down, pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir.
Since this dish is loaded with different types of cheese, the savory notes of the dish get perfectly balanced with the earthy and fruity flavors of Pinot Noir.
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are considered classic wine pairing options to go for with chicken parmesan.
Their high acidity levels will help you cleanse your palate after eating a meaty dish like chicken parmesan.
Pinot Blanc and Rose wine also act as great companions for chicken parmesan due to their ideal acidity, wine body, and fruity flavors.
Champagne is a sparkling white wine whose high acidity is ideal for chicken parmesan.
Malbec is yet another option to resort to for an ideal acidity level that will cleanse your palate plus its fruity and earthy notes will strike a poise with the savory flavor of chicken parmesan.
Similar is the case when it comes to a glass of Primitivo for chicken parmesan.
Recipes with Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan can be used to prepare a variety of dishes like skillet chicken parmesan, Southern chicken parmesan, chicken parm wings, chicken parm pizza, chicken parmesan stuffed shells, lighter chicken parmesan, healthy instant pot chicken parmesan, garlic chicken parm, chicken parm rollatini, crispy chicken parm balls, chicken parmesan lasagna, chicken parm sliders, and skillet chicken parmesan with artichokes.
FAQs
Chicken parmesan comes with a nutritional value of 26 g of total carbs, 81 mg of saturated fats, 26 g of net carbs, 32 g of proteins, 10 g of fats, 3 g of dietary fiber, 292 mg of sodium, 215 mg of potassium, 81 mg of cholesterol, 8 g of sugars, and 361 calories.
Eating chicken parmesan is beneficial for your health because it comes loaded with nutrients like selenium, proteins, phosphorus, and niacin. Vitamin B3 improves heart health by reducing LDL levels and increasing HDL levels. This dish aids in curbing signs of asthma. Phosphorus and calcium improve bone health.
Chicken parmesan can be paired with a variety of dishes out there. Some of which are veggie noodles, Caesar salad, cauliflower salad, broccoli salad, cucumber salad, garlic bread, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, saffron rice, brown rice, quinoa, tomato salad, mac and cheese, elote pasta salad, mushroom and pea pasta, butternut squash noodles, roasted asparagus salad, and tomato mozzarella salad.
Bottom Line
Now that you’ve made it to the end, I hope this article was useful enough for you to locate your ideal wine pair for chicken parmesan.
If you found this article useful do share it with wine lovers!