Whether you’re preparing a simple weeknight dinner or hosting a special occasion, chicken piccata is always a crowd-pleasing dish.
This classic Italian recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts in a tangy lemon-caper sauce.
It tastes sublime when paired with wine so we’ll give you some ideas for the best wine to feature with your dinner.
What Wine To Serve With Chicken Piccata – Pairing Tips
As a general rule, white wines pair well with chicken piccata, as they complement and highlight the bright flavors in the sauce.
Look for dry whites that can hold up to the citrus flavors and acidity of piccata.
Some good options include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or dry Riesling. If you prefer red wines, a lighter-bodied red such as a Beaujolais or Gamay may be a good choice.
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing wine for chicken piccata is how acidic and lemony the sauce is.
To balance out these strong flavors, look for wines that are high in acidity themselves, such as dry white wines from France or Italy.
Alternatively, you may choose to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dash of lemon zest to your wine to further enhance the flavors in the dish.
To round out the meal and make it extra satisfying, consider pairing chicken piccata with roasted asparagus, sauteed mushrooms, or arugula salad drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
The acidity in the wine will complement these acidic foods nicely, and they will also help balance out the richness of this indulgent dish.
Whether you are cooking chicken piccata at home or ordering it at a restaurant, choosing the right wine is an important part of the meal.
By taking into consideration the acidity and lemon flavors in the sauce, you can easily find a wine that will perfectly complement this classic dish.
Read More: Sauvignon Blanc vs Pinot Grigio for Cooking. We dive into the flavor profiles and uses of these two wines!
What Wine To Serve With Chicken Piccata?
Chardonnay
A creamy chicken piccata dish pairs wonderfully with Chardonnay. This moderate, medium-acidity wine nicely matches the acidity and richness of piccata.
Chardonnay is commonly accompanied by overtones of lemons or any other tropical or citrus fruit that help cut down the diner’s richness while still complementing the lemons in the sauce.
Avoid mixing oaked or extremely buttered Chardonnays with chicken piccata.
Although a hint of butter is fine in your Chardonnay, too much butter may be overpowering considering the amount used to cook the chicken.
Your best bet is an unoaked Chardonnay. They are leaner and fresher, so they will match rather than overshadow your meal.
Read our related article, Is Chardonnay Sweet? for a look into the complexity of Chardonnay and its many flavors!
Pinot Grigio
A vibrant and lightly acidic white wine, Pinot Grigio is a great choice for chicken piccata because of its inherent citrus notes.
This Italian grape-based wine has hints of lemongrass and green apple to round out the sautéed garlic or shallots in your dish.
Its light body also makes it an ideal pairing with the delicate flavor of the chicken.
If you are looking for a little more body from the wine, try a Pinot Gris instead, as it is made from what American wineries call “Pinot Grigio grapes.”
See our related article, Pinot Grigio vs Chardonnay Taste. Here’s what you need to know about these white wines to choose the right wine for you!
Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvignon Blanc was a very well, fruity and herbaceous white wine with citrus and herb flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc’s high acidity complements the lemony sauce in the chicken piccata’s strong acid levels.
Typically, high-acidity foods and beverages are complimentary.
A high-acidity dish, on other hand, may cause a low-acid wine to appear flavorless; so, low-acid wine must be avoided alongside chicken piccata.
Pick a good Sauvignon Blanc with more herbal overtones if you want to emphasize the herbal tastes in the dish.
Sauvignon Blanc was known for combining very well with green herbs and vegetables.
Read More: Why Are They Called Acid Cigars? Learn all there is to know about acid cigars!
Rosé
Rosé is a lower-alcohol wine that can still pack quite a punch. Although it is light, rosé has high acidity and fruity flavors, which make it ideal for chicken piccata.
Opting for a dry or off-dry (semi-sweet) rosé will offset some of the tanginess in your dish while also complementing the fruitiness of the lemony sauce.
When choosing rosé to pair with chicken piccata, look for one that has an underlying hint of strawberry or cherry flavors.
This will help brighten up the sauce and will give your food a refreshing finish.
Some rosés also have an acidic bite that pairs well with piccata’s acidity levels.
If you love the thought of a light delicious wine that will make your chicken piccata shine, pour a glass of rosé and see what you think.
Verdicchio di Matelica
If you are looking for an Italian wine to pair with your chicken piccata, Verdicchio di Matelica is a great choice.
This white wine is made from the Verdicchio grape and is known for its high acidity and light body. It also has citrusy flavors that will complement the lemon in your dish.
Verdicchio di Matelica is a good option if you want a wine that is light but still has enough acidity to stand up to chicken piccata.
This wine can also be a good choice if you are looking for an affordable wine to pair with your meal.
Riesling
Riesling is a versatile white wine that can be fruity, sweet, or dry. It is also known for its high acidity levels.
When choosing a Riesling to pair with chicken piccata, look for one that is on the drier side.
This will help to offset the sweetness of the sauce and will also prevent the wine from tasting too sweet or bland.
A dry Riesling is also a good choice if you are looking for an affordable wine to pair with your meal.
Read our related article on the Best Way to Serve Riesling Wine. See our favorite tips, tricks, and pairings for serving Riesling in this guide!
Wrap Up
Ultimately, what wine you choose to serve with chicken piccata is largely up to personal preference and what you find tastes best with the dish.
That said, your best bet is a dry white wine.
Consider experimenting with a few different options until you find your ideal pairing for this flavorful and satisfying meal.