Kung Pao Chicken & Wine Pairings

Sparkling rosé is an excellent choice to pair with Kung Pao Chicken, offering a delightful contrast to the dish's spicy, savoury, and slightly sweet flavours. The wine’s effervescence helps to cleanse the palate between bites, cutting through the richness of the peanuts and the boldness of the sauce. Its subtle berry notes and refreshing acidity complement the dish’s sweet and tangy elements, while its crisp finish provides a lively counterpoint to the heat from the chili peppers. This dynamic interplay enhances the overall dining experience, making sparkling rosé a sophisticated and enjoyable match for Kung Pao Chicken.

I'm not a huge fan of heat, so I'd select an off-dry sparkling rosé.

Lambrusco pairs exceptionally well with Kung Pao Chicken due to its vibrant acidity, slight effervescence, and fruity character. The wine’s natural acidity helps to balance the dish’s bold and spicy flavours, while the bubbles add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the peanuts and the umami depth from the soy sauce. Lambrusco’s fruity notes, often reminiscent of dark berries and cherries, complement the sweet and savoury elements of the sauce, enhancing the overall flavour experience. This dynamic combination makes Lambrusco a delightful and surprising match for the dish's complex profile.

An extra dry Prosecco and Kung Pao Chicken make an excellent pairing because Prosecco's light, bubbly, and slightly sweet profile complements the dish's complex flavours. The crisp acidity of Prosecco cuts through the richness of the peanuts and the heat from the chili peppers, providing a refreshing contrast that balances the savoury and spicy elements of the dish. Additionally, the wine's subtle sweetness enhances the caramelized notes in the sauce, creating a harmonious blend that elevates the overall dining experience.

Moelleux, a style of off-dry or sweet wine often made from Chenin Blanc, pairs wonderfully with Kung Pao Chicken. The wine’s rich sweetness contrasts beautifully with the dish’s spicy heat, softening the intensity of the chili peppers while complementing the savoury and slightly sweet flavours of the sauce. Moelleux's lush texture and concentrated notes of ripe fruit, honey, and sometimes subtle spice, create a luxurious pairing that enhances the complexity of the Kung Pao Chicken. The wine's natural acidity ensures a refreshing balance, preventing the pairing from becoming overly rich, and making each bite a more layered and satisfying experience.

For this pairing to work, opt for the off-dry version of Moelleux (not the sweet).

Beaujolais Villages pairs wonderfully with Kung Pao Chicken due to its light body, bright acidity, and fresh red fruit flavours. The wine's vibrant acidity acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the richness of the dish's sauce and balancing the heat from the chili peppers. The fresh notes of red berries, characteristic of Beaujolais Villages, enhance the slightly sweet elements in the Kung Pao Chicken, creating a harmonious interplay between the wine and the dish. Additionally, the wine's soft tannins ensure that it doesn’t overpower the complex flavours, making it an excellent match for the spicy, savoury profile of Kung Pao Chicken.

An off-dry Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with Kung Pao Chicken, offering a balanced contrast to the dish’s spicy, savoury, and slightly sweet flavours. The wine’s touch of sweetness helps to temper the heat from the chili peppers while enhancing the caramelized notes in the sauce. Chenin Blanc's natural acidity cuts through the dish's richness, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the bold flavours of peanuts, garlic, and ginger. Its fruit-forward profile, with notes of apple, pear, and honey, complements the sweet and savoury elements of the Kung Pao Chicken, making for a well-rounded and satisfying pairing.

An off-dry Gewürztraminer pairs excellently with Kung Pao Chicken due to its aromatic intensity and balanced sweetness. The wine's bold floral and spicy notes, often reminiscent of lychee, rose, and ginger, complement the complex flavours of the dish, enhancing its savoury and slightly sweet elements. Gewürztraminer’s off-dry profile helps to moderate the heat from the chili peppers while harmonizing with the rich, caramelized sauce. Its lively acidity cuts through the dish’s richness, providing a refreshing contrast that elevates the overall flavour experience. This dynamic interaction makes Gewürztraminer a vibrant and satisfying choice for Kung Pao Chicken.

Riesling pairs quite well with tater tots, especially if you opt for an off-dry or slightly sweet version. The wine’s crisp acidity and touch of sweetness provide a refreshing contrast to the salty, crispy exterior and fluffy interior of the tots. Riesling’s fruity notes, often featuring hints of apple, pear, and citrus, contrast the savoury flavours of the tater tots, while its acidity helps to cleanse the palate and balance the richness of the snack.

White Zinfandel pairs surprisingly well with Kung Pao Chicken, thanks to its refreshing sweet profile and acidity. The wine’s sweetness helps to temper the heat from the chili peppers, while its crisp acidity cuts through the richness of the dish's sauce. The delicate berry notes of White Zinfandel complement the dish's sweet and savoury elements, enhancing the overall flavour experience. This balanced interaction between the wine's fruitiness and the complex flavours of Kung Pao Chicken makes for a pleasant pairing for those who want to turn down the heat of their Kung Pao chicken.

Condrieu, a white wine from the Northern Rhône, provides a tasty pairing with Kung Pao Chicken. The wine's aromatic layers of apricot and peach echo the dish's subtle sweetness, while its low acidity and creamy oak-influenced notes harmonize with the rich, savoury sauce. The complexity and texture of Condrieu enhance each bite, offering a depth that makes this pairing an intriguing choice for those looking for a little adventure.

Beer can be a fantastic match for Kung Pao Chicken, with different styles offering varied complements to the dish’s bold and spicy flavours. A crisp, refreshing lager works well by cutting through the richness of the sauce and cleansing the palate between bites. For a more robust pairing, an IPA's hoppy bitterness balances the heat from the chili peppers and enhances the savoury elements of the dish. If you prefer something with a touch of sweetness, a wheat beer or Belgian-style ale can complement the dish’s slightly sweet notes and add a refreshing contrast. Overall, the right beer can enhance the complex flavour profile of Kung Pao Chicken and provide a satisfying, well-rounded dining experience.