What Wine Goes With Chicken Piccata? (10 Best Wines)

Hey there, foodies and wine enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, you love a good meal paired with the perfect wine.

And today, we’re tackling a classic Italian dish that can be a bit tricky to pair with the right wine: chicken piccata.

That’s right, we’re answering the age-old question of “what wine goes with chicken piccata?.

Now, before you dismiss this as just another stuffy article about wine, hear me out.

I’m Ben, and I’m all about breaking the rules and trying new things.

So while we’ll certainly cover some tried-and-true wine pairings for chicken piccata, we’ll also explore some unexpected options that might just surprise you.

So whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious newbie, grab a glass and let’s dive into the world of wine and chicken piccata!

Why Consider Serving A Wine With Chicken Piccata?

First of all, let’s just say that chicken piccata is a dish that deserves a good wine pairing. It’s a flavorful and tangy dish that can be a bit overwhelming on its own, but when paired with the right wine, it becomes a culinary masterpiece.

The acidity in the dish can make it difficult to pair with some wines, but fear not! We’re here to guide you through the process.

So, why should you consider serving a wine with chicken piccata? Here are a few reasons:

• Wine can enhance the flavors in the dish – The right wine can complement the flavors in the chicken piccata, making each bite even more delicious.
• It can help balance the acidity – As mentioned before, the acidity in the dish can be a bit much on its own. But pairing it with the right wine can balance out that acidity and create a more harmonious experience.
• It adds to the overall dining experience – Let’s be real, there’s something special about sipping a good wine while enjoying a delicious meal. It just elevates the experience and makes it feel more luxurious.

5 Tips For Picking A Wine With Chicken Piccata

As I mentioned earlier, chicken piccata can be a bit tricky to pair with wine due to its tangy and acidic flavors. But fear not!

With these tips, you’ll be able to pick the perfect wine to complement your dish and impress your dinner guests.

1. Consider the acidity of the dish – Chicken piccata has a lot of acidity from the lemon and capers, so you’ll want to choose a wine that can handle that acidity without overwhelming it. Look for wines that have high acidity levels themselves, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
2. Match the intensity of the dish with the wine – Chicken piccata is a relatively light and delicate dish, so you don’t want to pair it with a heavy or bold wine that will overpower it. Stick to light-bodied wines like Chardonnay or Vermentino.
3. Consider the sauce and other flavors in the dish – In addition to the acidity, chicken piccata has other flavors like butter, garlic, and capers. Look for wines that can complement these flavors, like a buttery Chardonnay or a citrusy Verdicchio.
4. Consider the cooking method of the chicken – The cooking method can affect the texture and flavor of the chicken, which in turn can affect the wine pairing. For example, if the chicken is grilled, you may want to choose a wine with more tannins, like a Pinot Noir.
5. Think about your personal preferences – At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you enjoy the wine you choose. Don’t be afraid to try something new and see how it pairs with your chicken piccata.

What Wine Goes With Chicken Piccata? The 10 Best Wines

We’ve scoured the wine world and tested countless pairings to bring you this list of top contenders. From classic whites to unexpected reds, we’ve got a wine for every taste and preference.

Without further ado, here are our top 10 picks for wines to pair with chicken piccata:

1. Sauvignon Blanc – This crisp and refreshing white wine has high acidity that pairs perfectly with the tangy flavors in the dish.
2. Vermentino – Another light and acidic white, Vermentino has hints of citrus and herbs that complement the flavors in chicken piccata.
3. Pinot Grigio – A classic pairing for any light and delicate dish, Pinot Grigio is a safe and delicious bet for chicken piccata.
4. Chardonnay – For those who prefer a slightly fuller-bodied white, Chardonnay is a great option. Look for ones with a hint of oak to complement the buttery flavors in the dish.
5. Verdicchio – This lesser-known Italian white has a lemony freshness that pairs well with the acidity in chicken piccata.
6. Pinot Noir – While it’s not a traditional pairing for chicken piccata, Pinot Noir can work well if the chicken is grilled or has a smoky flavor.
7. Barbera – This light-bodied red from Italy has high acidity that can balance out the acidity in the dish.
8. Rosé – A refreshing and versatile option, Rosé can pair well with chicken piccata if you choose one with enough acidity.
9. Champagne – For a truly decadent pairing, go for a dry Champagne or other sparkling wine. The bubbles can cut through the richness of the dish and refresh your palate.
10. Fiano – Another Italian white, Fiano has a nutty and herbal flavor profile that can complement the garlic and capers in chicken piccata.

Other Beverage Pairings to Consider

We’ve covered some great wine options for chicken piccata, but what if wine just isn’t your thing? Fear not, there are plenty of other beverage pairings to consider.

• First up, let’s talk about beer. Chicken piccata can pair well with light and crisp beers like Pilsners or Hefeweizens. The carbonation in the beer can cut through the acidity in the dish and refresh your palate between bites.
• If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can also try pairing chicken piccata with a cocktail. A citrusy and refreshing cocktail like a Lemon Drop or a Mojito can complement the flavors in the dish. Or, if you prefer a more savory cocktail, a Bloody Mary can work well with the garlic and capers in the dish.
• Of course, not everyone drinks alcohol, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic options to consider as well. A simple lemonade or iced tea can be a refreshing and complementary pairing for chicken piccata. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you can try a mocktail like a Virgin Mary or a citrusy mocktail with club soda.

Serving Temperature and Glassware

We’ve covered the tips for picking the perfect wine and even suggested some alternative beverage pairings for chicken piccata.

But before we wrap up, let’s talk about two important factors that can affect your wine pairing experience: serving temperature and glassware.

1. First up, serving temperature. It’s important to serve your wine at the right temperature to truly appreciate its flavors and aromas. For whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, serve them chilled at around 45-50°F. For fuller-bodied whites like Chardonnay, serve them slightly warmer at around 50-55°F. For reds like Pinot Noir and Barbera, serve them slightly cooler at around 55-60°F.
2. Next, let’s talk about glassware. While it may seem like a small detail, using the right glassware can truly enhance your wine pairing experience. For whites, use a smaller glass with a narrower bowl to concentrate the aromas. For reds, use a larger glass with a wider bowl to allow the wine to breathe and fully develop its flavors.

Now, you may be thinking, “Ben, I don’t have different glasses for different types of wine!” And that’s okay! If you only have one type of glass, go for a standard wine glass with a slight taper towards the top. It’ll work well for both whites and reds.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article, from the reasons why you should consider serving a wine with chicken piccata to our top picks for wine pairings, alternative beverage pairings, serving temperature, and glassware. Before we wrap up, let’s do a quick recap.

To start off, we explored why serving a wine with chicken piccata is important and how it can enhance your dining experience. Then, we shared five tips for picking the perfect wine, including considering the acidity, matching the intensity, and thinking about your personal preferences.

To recap, here are the top 10 wines to pair with chicken piccata:

1. Sauvignon Blanc
2. Vermentino
3. Pinot Grigio
4. Chardonnay
5. Verdicchio
6. Pinot Noir
7. Barbera
8. Rosé
9. Champagne
10. Fiano

And finally, we suggested some alternative beverage pairings to consider, like beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, as well as the importance of serving temperature and glassware.

So there you have it, folks. Whether you stick to the classic white wine pairings or venture into more unexpected territory, we hope this article has inspired you to find the perfect beverage pairing for your next chicken piccata dinner.

And remember, there are no rules when it comes to food and wine pairings – trust your taste buds and have fun exploring new flavors and combinations. Cheers!