Chicken Florentine is a classic Italian dish that pairs creamy spinach with juicy chicken breast. With its blend of flavors from the spinach, cheese, garlic, and lemon juice, chicken Florentine can pair well with a variety of wines. The key is to find a wine that stands up to the dish’s creaminess without overpowering the delicate chicken and spinach flavors.
White Wine Options
When in doubt, a dry white wine is usually a safe bet with chicken. The higher acidity in white wines can cut through the richness of the creamy spinach sauce. Here are some excellent white wine options to consider with chicken Florentine:
- Pinot Grigio – This light-bodied Italian white wine has crisp acidity and flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus that complement chicken Florentine nicely.
- Sauvignon Blanc – Hailing from cooler climate regions like New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc offers herbaceous notes of grass and lemon zest that pair well with the spinach.
- Dry Riesling – Riesling has bright acidity that refreshes the palate. Look for a dry German Riesling that has minimal sweetness.
- Chablis – This dry white Burgundy wine made from Chardonnay has a flinty minerality and lemon-lime notes that cut through the creaminess.
- Albariño – From Spain, Albariño is a lovely choice with salinity, peach, and apricot flavors that balance the richness.
Red Wine Options
Medium-bodied red wines also work nicely with chicken Florentine, as long as they are not too overpowering. Their subtle tannins help cut through the dish’s creaminess. Excellent red wine choices include:
- Pinot Noir – An elegant red with fresh cherry, strawberry, and earthy flavors.
- Grenache – Offers nice red fruit notes along with peppery spice.
- Sangiovese – The main grape of Chianti, with cherry flavors and medium acidity.
- Barbera – A Italian red that has bright acidity and berry flavors.
- Gamay – The main grape of Beaujolais, Gamay is light-bodied with notes of red fruits.
Rosé as an Option
Dry rosé wines can also pair beautifully with chicken Florentine. Look for rosés with vibrant acidity, such as those from Provence, France. Their palate-cleansing acidityoffsets the dish’s richness nicely. Examples include:
- Provence Rosé – Notes of red berries, citrus, herbs, and flowers.
- Spanish Rosado – Tempranillo-based rosés with strawberry and mineral notes.
- California Rosé – Fruit-forward rosés with flavors like watermelon, cherry, and melon.
Avoid Big, Oaky Whites
While dry whites and lighter reds are excellent choices, avoid big, oaky whites like oaked Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Their heavier body and oak flavors tend to overwhelm chicken Florentine instead of complementing it.
Bolder Reds to Avoid
Skip full-bodied, very tannic reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec. Their strong tannins and dark fruit overwhelm the delicate chicken breast and creamy spinach sauce. Stick to lighter-bodied reds instead.
What About Champagne and Sparkling Wine?
Dry sparkling wines like Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, and Crémant pair magnificently with chicken Florentine. The bubbles and crisp acidity cut through the dish’s richness. Sparkling wines with citrus, green apple, or brioche notes complement the flavors nicely.
Example Wine Pairings
Here are some excellent specific wine bottles to pair with chicken Florentine:
| Wine | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut | Washington State | Crisp sparkling with green apple and citrus |
| Louis Bouillot Perle d’Aurore Crémant de Bourgogne | Burgundy, France | Dry, elegant sparkling wine with pear and peach |
| Antinori Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio | Italy | Bright pear and citrus flavors |
| Au Bon Climat Chardonnay | Santa Barbara, California | Unoaked Chard with lemon and minerality |
| Barone Fini Pinot Grigio Valdadige | Italy | Light and crisp with green apple |
| Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc | New Zealand | Grapefruit and passionfruit |
| Elouan Rosé | Oregon | Ripe strawberry and watermelon |
| La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rosé | Rhone Valley, France | Bright red berry and citrus |
Tips for Serving
Here are some final tips for serving wine with chicken Florentine:
- Chill whites and rosés before serving, around 45-50°F.
- Serve reds slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60-65°F.
- Sparkling wines should be chilled, around 40-45°F, to preserve their bubbles.
- Pour the wine into nice stemware to allow aromas to develop.
- Sample the wine with a bite of the chicken Florentine to test the pairing.
- Don’t overpower the chicken and spinach flavors with an overly oaky or tannic red wine.
Conclusion
With its creamy spinach sauce and mild chicken breast, chicken Florentine pairs best with wines that have vibrant acidity. Dry white wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chablis are excellent choices. For reds, look for lighter-bodied wines like Pinot Noir and Grenache. Sparkling wines like Cava and Prosecco are also fantastic pairings. Avoid big, oaky whites and tannic reds that overwhelm the delicate flavors of the dish. With the right wine that balances and complements the flavors, chicken Florentine can be a wonderful wine pairing dinner.