I was torn. Upon whipping up a fragrant, steaming chicken tikka masala, I couldn’t decide — what wine should I pair it with? The authorities can’t seem to agree on this topic. Some say you can go as full-bodied as a Syrah, Sangiovese, or Merlot. Others insist that light, crisp white wines like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, or Gewurztraminer are better. To resolve this question, I decided to put two wines to a side-by-side test. Read on to discover my winning wine pairing with chicken tikka masala, and why.
Understanding the Dish: Chicken Tikka Masala
Generally, the chicken tikka masala recipe starts with chicken marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon, and spices. Then, it is grilled or baked until lightly charred, yet still tender. The sauce is a slow-simmered mix of onion, tomato, spices, ginger, garlic, and cream.
One reason why authorities may differ on the best wine pairing for chicken tikka masala is its abundance of ingredients and spices. It is not consistently prepared across restaurants. I have had chicken tikka masala that is more buttery and creamy, and I have also had versions that are more spicy and tomato-y. For this pairing, I tried to make a version with a balance of cream, tomato, and spice.
Wine Pairing With Chicken Tikka Masala
Sommeliers often go for either complementary or contrasting wine pairings. A complementary (congruent) wine pairing melds with the flavors of the dish, while a contrasting pairing brings out new flavors.
Off-dry riesling is an excellent complementary pairing with chicken tikka masala. It has the crisp acidity to cut through the heavy cream sauce, a hint of sweetness to soothe against chili, and delicate aromatics allowing masala’s fragrant spices to shine through. Other similar alternatives are Alsace Pinot Blanc and off-dry Vouvray (Chenin Blanc).
Beaujolais is an exciting contrasting wine pairing. With exuberant strawberry and wild cherry flavors, it adds an invigorating pops of red fruit to this classic dish. Meanwhile, its tart acidity still cleanses after each bite of the rich sauce, and its tannins are light that they do not overpower the mild chicken. To note, if you find young Beaujolais Nouveau to be too fruity, go for a Cru Beaujolais, which will have much more earthy and savory aromatics. A sparkling Lambrusco can also work well.
Avoid full-bodied, highly-tannic red wines with higher alcohol levels. These will taste harsh and astringent against the milder flavors of chicken. And while lighter-bodied reds can work with chicken tikka masala, tread carefully around Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir, with its subtle, delicate aromatics, is easy to overpower with all of the flavorful spices in the masala.
My Winning Wine Pairing With Chicken Tikka Masala
Unable to pick just one wine, I tested two alongside chicken tikka masala. Off-dry Riesling was the complementary pairing, and Beaujolais was the contrasting pairing.
The winner? It wasn’t an easy decision. After going back and forth between sips of wine and bites of chicken tikka masala, my pick was Beaujolais. It added a fresh pop of red fruit to the dish that was flavorful and vibrant. Beaujolais was flavorful enough to maintain its own profile against the spice, but not so much so that it overpowered the dish. While Riesling was also delicious, as a lighter-bodied wine, it lost much of its delicate aromatics to the dish’s heavy spices.
I have also tried Chicken Tikka Masala with oaked Chardonnay. While the pairing works, it is not the most exciting. Chardonnay’s rounded, smooth palate and buttery aromatics compliment the creamy sauce. But its delicate aromatics somewhat fade against the bold masala spices and tomato sauce.
The Final Pour
Everyone’s palate and preferences are different. If you want an eye-opening burst of flavor, pair chicken tikka masala with Beaujolais. But if you want the food to be the center of attention, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, or Chenin Blanc make for a more subtle pairing.
Enjoyed this wine pairing with chicken tikka masala? Check out our other favorite wine pairings with Asian cuisine, including:
- Papaya Salad with Riesling
- Char Siu Bao with Vouvray
- Hainan Chicken with Voignier
- Bibimbap with Riesling
- Spring Rolls with Rosé
Or, get inspired with our other food and wine pairings here.