Table of Contents
Grilled chicken is a backyard barbecue staple. The smoky, savory chicken hot off the grill demands a quality beverage pairing. The right wines or beers complement the charred flavors and provide balance. From refreshing whites to robust reds, hoppy IPAs to malty lagers, there are myriad options for matching wines and beers with juicy grilled chicken.
This guide will walk through ideal pairings and provide specific wine and beer recommendations. You’ll learn:
- How grilled chicken impacts wine and beer pairings
- Best wine varieties to pair with chicken
- Ideal beer styles for grilled chicken
- Factors like marinades, spices, and preparation
- 20 perfect wine and beer picks for grilled chicken
With this expertise, you’ll confidently select wines and beers that complement and enhance grilled chicken meals.
How Grilled Chicken Impacts Wine and Beer Pairings
Before diving into varieties, consider how grilling affects the flavor of chicken and impacts your pairing strategy:
Bold, Savory Flavors
The smoke and charring impart deep, savory umami notes. Chicken takes on robust grilled flavor.
Tenderness and Juiciness
When done right, grilled chicken is juicy and tender. The meat has great mouthfeel.
Seasonings and Marinades
Spices, herbs, marinades, and rubs add lots of flavor complexity. This diversity requires flexible pairings.
Higher Protein
As a lean protein, grilled chicken benefits from wines/beers that cut through fats and proteins.
Versatile, Worldly Accompaniments
Grilled chicken is used globally in diverse cuisines, warranting very versatile wine/beer picks.
With this flavor profile in mind, let’s explore great wines and beers to pair.
Best Wine Varieties to Pair with Grilled Chicken
These wine varieties have profiles that work impeccably with grilled chicken:
Sauvignon Blanc
The bright acidity and zesty citrus notes of Sauvignon Blanc refresh the palate. Great with simply seasoned chicken.
Chardonnay
Unoaked Chardonnay has crisp green apple and lemon. Oak aging adds vanilla notes for chicken with more complex flavors.
Pinot Grigio
Dry and light-bodied yet fruity, Pinot Grigio’s acid balances richness. Pair with chicken in creamy sauces.
Rosé
Crisp with berry flavors, dry rosés have enough substance for grilled chicken but remain easy-drinking.
Riesling
Riesling ranges from dry to sweet. Pick a just slightly sweet Riesling to complement spicy grilled chicken.
Chianti
The mild tannins and savory, tart cherry flavors of Chianti work with simple preparations.
Pinot Noir
Elegant but substantial, Pinot Noir handles smoke well. Its red fruit tones match chicken nicely.
Syrah
Peppery Syrah with notes of plum and blackberry works with boldly seasoned, charred chicken.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel has the body for chicken but remains fruity. The jammy berry flavors complement barbecue sauce glazes.
Sangiovese
As the grape of Chianti, Sangiovese boasts herbal cherry flavors and medium acidity to cut through rich chicken.
Top Beer Styles with Grilled Chicken
These versatile beer styles pair deliciously with a wide range of grilled chicken preparations:
Wheat Beer
The light, bright fruitiness of wheats like Hefeweizen refresh the palate with grilled chicken.
Pilsner
Crisp and clean pilsners wash down simple seasoned chicken without overpowering the flavors.
Pale Ale
The hoppy bitterness balances the savory richness of charred chicken.
IPA
A bracing, hop-forward IPA cuts through spice rubs and stands up to intensely flavored chicken.
Amber Ale
The smooth maltiness and mild bitterness of amber ales complements grilled chicken’s charred edges.
Blonde Ale
Easy-drinking blonde ales have enough flavor for chicken without overwhelming.
Lager
Crisp, clean lagers like pilsner let the chicken take center stage. Avoid malty oktoberfest-style lagers.
Porter
Robust, chocolatey porters match the savory flavors of chicken in rich barbecue sauces.
Beyond style, also consider ABV, bitterness, carbonation, and other factors when selecting beers for grilled chicken.
How Preparation Changes the Pairing
Grilling is just the starting point. How the chicken is seasoned and prepared also impacts your wine and beer pairing selections:
Spice Rubs
Chicken with bold spicy rubs calls for wines with a touch of sweetness like Riesling. Pick IPAs with plenty of hops.
Citrus Marinades
Bright, citrusy Sauvignon Blancs and wheat beers match the acidity and fruitiness of citrus-marinated chicken.
Savory Herb Marinades
Chicken infused with rosemary, thyme, etc. works with herbal wines like unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Chianti.
Barbecue Sauces
Fruity, lightly oaked wines and malty amber ales stand up to sweet, sticky barbecue chicken.
Creamy Sauces
Buttery Chardonnays, Viognier whites, and sweet wheats complement chicken in creamy garlic, wine, or cheese sauces.
Salads
For chicken salads, choose bright, acidic Sauvignon Blancs and tart, fruity beers like sours or fruit lambics.
Sandwiches
Pinot Grigios, pilsners, lagers, and other easy-drinking wines/beers wash down chicken sandwiches.
20 Wine and Beer Recommendations for Grilled Chicken
Refer to this list of specific wines and beers that pair excellently with a variety of grilled chicken dishes:
| Grilled Chicken Type | Wine Recommendations | Beer Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon-Rosemary Chicken | Sauvignon Blanc, Vinho Verde, Pinot Grigio | Hefeweizen, Pale Ale |
| Tandoori Chicken | Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Rosé | IPA, Amber Ale |
| Jerk Chicken | Unoaked Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc | Pilsner, Lager |
| BBQ Chicken | Zinfandel, Malbec, Blaufränkisch | Doppelbock, Porter |
| Chicken Kebabs | Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Beaujolais | Kölsch, Pale Ale |
| Chicken Caesar Salad | Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Soave | Witbier, Shandy |
| Buffalo Chicken Sandwich | Riesling, Gewürztraminer, White Blend | Amber Ale, Pilsner |
| Pesto Chicken | Pinot Grigio, Verdejo, Grüner Veltliner | Blonde Ale, Lager |
| Chicken Fajitas | Tempranillo, Merlot, Red Blend | Mexican Lager, Vienna Lager |
| Chicken Parmesan | Chianti, Valpolicella, Chardonnay | Pilsner, Dunkel |
As you can see, the options are incredibly diverse. Use these suggestions as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different wines and beers alongside your grilled chicken.
Key Takeaways for Selecting Wines and Beers with Grilled Chicken
To recap, keep these tips in mind when pairing beverages with grilled chicken:
- Consider the flavors imparted by smoke, marinades, rubs, and preparation
- Focus on wines with crisp acidity and fruitiness like Sauvignon Blanc
- Choose light, refreshing beers like wheat beers, pilsners, and pale ales
- With spicy chicken, pick sweet Rieslings and hoppy IPAs to match intensity
- For richly sauced chicken, go for medium-bodied reds and malty ambers
- Rosés, blondes, and lagers work well for simpler chicken dishes
- Let the wine or beer complement, not overwhelm the chicken
With so many wonderful options, the possibilities for wine and beer pairings with grilled chicken are endless. Hopefully this guide gives you great ideas for your next backyard barbecue or summer cookout. Grilled chicken is infinitely better with a refreshing, well-paired beverage, so put these recommendations to delicious use!
