5 Wines To Pair With Orange Teriyaki Chicken

orange teriyaki chicken side dish

This is a question that comes up fairly often with housewives.

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What wine to serve with orange teriyaki chicken?

Some sweet wine will go well with the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce, and white wine will complement the chicken.

And while that might be true, we don’t want to limit ourselves to one type of wine.

Instead, why not try something different?

What is orange teriyaki chicken?

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Orange teriyaki chicken is a delicious meal that combines the sweet and tangy flavors of orange with the savory, umami-rich sauce of teriyaki.

It’s usually made with chicken breast by coating chicken in an orange marinade and then baking it until it’s cooked through.

The marinade includes orange juice, soy sauce, ginger root, and garlic powder—all simple ingredients that you can find at the grocery store.

This recipe can be used with seafood like shrimp or salmon or other types of meat.

Orange teriyaki chicken is delicious when served over rice with a side of veggies.

The key to getting it right is making sure the sauce has enough time to soak into each piece of chicken before you finish cooking it.

What to consider when choosing a wine to serve with teriyaki chicken?

Before we get into specifics, here are some things to consider.

What kind of food are you serving?

Teriyaki chicken is a great starter for a dinner party because it’s flavorful, versatile, and easy to make.

Pair it with an equally crowd-pleasing wine, like one from the Rhone Valley or Bordeaux region, which are known for their softness and structure.

What kind of wine do you like?

If you’re all about bold reds but want something light enough to go with teriyaki chicken—and keep in mind that white wines are generally lighter than reds—a bottle from California’s Central Coast (where they make plenty of pinot noir) might be right up your alley.

Or if you’re more into whites, try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; they pair well with a variety of foods including seafood and chicken dishes such as this one!

How many people will be drinking?

The number of glasses poured will also affect how much money has gone down the drain when purchasing one bottle versus buying two separate bottles (such as one red and one white).

And don’t forget about drinks after dinner!

5 best types of wines for orange teriyaki chicken

Here we come with the list of the five best wine brands to accompany orange teriyaki chicken:

Pinot Grigio

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Pinot Grigio is a great wine to accompany teriyaki orange chicken because it’s light and crisp but still balanced enough to hold its own against the sweet and salty flavor of the teriyaki sauce.

The wine’s acidity helps cut through some of the fat in the chicken, which makes it easier to digest.

The bready quality of Pinot Grigio also helps cleanse the palate between bites, so you can enjoy every bite of your meal!

If you like Pinot Grigio, you can also try Chardonnay which is an excellent choice with orange teriyaki chicken.

The acidity in the wine will complement the tangy sauce while cutting through some of its richness.

Sauvignon Blanc

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Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine grape variety originating in the Bordeaux region of France.

It has become the most widely planted white wine grape in the world, with an estimated 60 million cases (1 million hl) produced annually.

The style of Sauvignon Blanc tends to be blunt and brisk, with some varietal examples exhibiting grassy, herbaceous, or even fruity aromas such as passionfruit and gooseberries (also known as “gooseberry” in some regions).

Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with citrus fruits like orange segments and kumquats; think about serving this dish alongside an aromatic Sancerre or Chablis from France’s Burgundy region.

If you’re looking for something less expensive but still full-flavored, try a New Zealand sauvignon blanc from Marlborough County like Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Kim Crawford Wines.

Chenin Blanc

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Chenin Blanc is a wine grape variety that is used to make a wide range of wines.

Chenin Blanc’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for pairing with this dish, as the soft texture and subtle sweetness of the wine are ideal for balancing out the citrusy elements in this meal.

A good Chenin Blanc can be found for under $20 and will work well with any variety of food you may have on hand!

Zinfandel

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Zinfandel is a red wine grape variety that is grown in many regions throughout the world and especially in California.

Zinfandel is a great wine for pairing with teriyaki orange chicken because it’s a bold, full-bodied red.

It has rich fruit flavors and a hint of spice. The spicy notes from the zinfandel will make the sweet teriyaki sauce taste even sweeter, while its boldness will stand up to the meaty chicken.

Grenache

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The last option is Grenache.

This is a red wine grape variety that’s grown all over the world.

It’s most commonly used as a blending variety in Bordeaux, Rhône, and Côtes du Rhône blends and it makes up anywhere between 20%–80% of those wines.

On its own, Grenache can be slightly fruity (think strawberry), with some earthy notes and hints of pepper or mint.

Grenache is also known to be quite spicy, which makes it an ideal match for orange teriyaki chicken—the orange zest adds another layer of sweetness that complements the spice from your Grenache.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a wine to pair with orange teriyaki chicken, we recommend Pinot Grigio.

This Italian white grape has a fresh and fruity flavor that complements the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce in this dish perfectly.

The high acid content also helps to cut through some of the creaminess from heavy cream or butter sauces used in traditional recipes.

For red wine lovers, we’d suggest Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) due to its spicy notes that pair nicely with any kind of food including chicken dishes like this one.

It also tends not to overpower other flavors because it’s lighter bodied than many red wines.