7 Perfect Beer Pairings for Chicken Satay
For chicken satay, you can't go wrong with a crisp pale ale – its bright, invigorating profile allows the natural char and sweetness of the grilled chicken to shine. If you prefer something more robust, try a malty red ale like Magic Rock's Rapture, which complements the richness of the dish. Feeling adventurous? Pair your satay with a fruity, tart sour that cuts through the heaviness. Beyond these options, you'll find malty lagers, porters, and stouts can also make excellent matches, depending on your personal taste preferences. To further explore the versatility of beer pairings, let's immerse ourselves in seven perfect matches for chicken satay.
Key Takeaways
- Pale ales with their bright, crisp profiles pair perfectly with the fragrant coriander rice and charred notes in Gousto's Roasted Vegetable Satay Skewers.
- Red ales with their malty sweetness complement the richness of creamy curried chicken dishes like Gousto's Curried Chicken And Sultana Rice.
- Cider's delightful balance of tartness and sweetness can cleanse the palate and prevent the richness of creamy satay sauces from becoming overwhelming.
- Stouts and porters with their roasty, malty character can elevate the bold and hearty flavors of chicken satay.
- Malty lagers, Vienna/Amber lagers, bocks, and fruit-forward ales can tame the heat of spicy satay dishes with their sweetness and effervescence.
Pale Ale With Grilled Veggies
When pairing beer with grilled veggies, a pale ale is an excellent choice. Pale ales provide a light and invigorating pairing that mirrors the fresh, delicate and vibrant flavors of robust grilled vegetables and hearty autumnal salads.
While loaded potato skins are another popular dish to pair with beer, grilled vegetables offer a lighter alternative that complements pale ales beautifully. The carbonation and hop bitterness of a pale ale help to cut through the richness of grilled vegetables and balance the flavors on the plate.
Brighton Bier's flagship pale ale, with its fruity and floral notes, pairs perfectly with the fragrant coriander rice that accompanies Gousto's Roasted Vegetable Satay Skewers. The bright, crisp profile of a pale ale allows the natural sweetness and charred notes of grilled veggies to shine through without being overshadowed.
Red Ale for Curry Chicken
Red ales are an excellent choice when pairing beer with curried chicken dishes. The malty sweetness of a red ale like Magic Rock's Rapture complements the richness of creamy curried chicken, while the slight bitterness and hop profile provides a nice contrast.
Beer and BBQ enthusiasts often appreciate the versatility of red ales when it comes to pairing with various chicken dishes. The bold, complex character of a red ale can stand up to and enhance the spices and aromatics found in Indian food.
For example, the malty sweetness of a red ale pairs beautifully with the sweetness of ingredients like sultanas in dishes like Gousto's Curried Chicken And Sultana Rice. Pairing a red ale with a curried chicken dish creates a harmonious flavor profile where the beer and food elevate one another.
Let's know if you have any other questions!
Cider for Rich Creamy Sauces
Adorning the palate with a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness, cider can surprisingly complement the richness of creamy sauces. Cidersmith's cider, for instance, pairs wonderfully with Gousto's Ten-Min Creamy Chickpea Curry With Naan, as the cider's flavors remain on the menu throughout the year.
While seafood sliders are often paired with beer, cider can also be an excellent choice for these bite-sized delights, especially when served with creamy sauces or aioli. The slight effervescence and acidity of cider help to cleanse the palate and prevent the richness of creamy sauces from becoming overwhelming.
The fruity notes in cider can also complement the warm spices often found in creamy Indian and Thai curries, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Cider's versatility makes it an excellent choice for pairing with a wide range of creamy, sauce-based dishes, from curries to Chicken Satay.
Stouts and Porters With Lamb
Shifting gears from the invigorating versatility of cider, let's explore how stouts and porters can elevate the bold and hearty flavors of lamb dishes. The meatiness and richness of Gousto's Lamb Keema Pav are perfectly complemented by the roasty, malty character of Kinnegar's Yannaroddy Porter, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
Craft beer enthusiasts often appreciate the robust flavors of stouts and porters paired with savory snacks like beef jerky, adding another dimension to the tasting experience. Beyond lamb, these robust beer styles pair well with a variety of dishes, from spicy chili peppers to indulgent Belgian witbier-baked desserts. Stouts and porters are more often right than wrong when it comes to culinary experimentation, making them a versatile choice for pairing with a wide range of flavorful and hearty dishes.
Balancing Spicy Dishes
When pairing beer with spicy dishes, it's crucial to strike the right balance. Opt for malty lagers, Vienna/Amber lagers, bocks, and fruit-forward ales, as these provide the malt sweetness and effervescence to tame the heat.
German weissbier, Belgian witbier, and blonds also work well, with their malt sweetness and carbonation helping to quell spicy notes. For Asian dishes, the malt and hops in these beers complement the peanut butter and hint of sweetness often found in the cuisine.
Moderation is key, as the wrong beer can exacerbate the heat. Fruity and slightly tart sours provide a crisp contrast to the richness of spicy foods.
Sours for Fried Appetizers
Sours provide a crisp, effervescent contrast to the richness of fried dishes. Tart, bubbly lagers and sour beers can brighten up fried foods, cutting through the heaviness and greasiness.
The vibrant acidity of sours complements the crunch of fried items, making them an excellent pairing for:
- Tempura
- Egg rolls
- Samosas
- Chicken satay
When enjoying chicken satay, the sour notes in a lambic or Flanders red ale will balance the rich satay sauce and complement the tender chicken skewers. Add the chicken to the satay sauce, then pour a refreshing, zesty sour beer to complete this delightful pairing.
Malty Beers for Indian Flavors
Moving from the crispness of sour beers, let's explore how malty beers can complement the bold flavors of Indian cuisine. Malty beers like amber lagers, doppelbocks, and Belgian dubbels work alongside the satay, providing a harmonious counterpoint to the depth of flavor in Indian curries and tandoor-cooked meats.
The caramel, fig, toast, and dark fruit notes in these beers balance the spices, char, and richness of traditional Indian dishes. Additionally, the sweetness and body of malty beers help to tame the heat and provide contrast to the complex seasonings.
For a satisfying pairing, consider sipping an English mild or bitter alongside your chicken satay in minutes per 20 bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Beers Pair Well With Chicken?
You'll be tickled pink with the dynamic duos of cold, crisp brews that jive seamlessly with the juicy, flavorful chicken. Invigorating pale ales and hoppy red ales are top-shelf pairings sure to tantalize your taste buds.
What Beer Goes Well With Thai Food?
You'll love how crisp, effervescent ciders balance the spices and cut through the richness of creamy Thai curries. Or try malty beers that harmonize with the depth of flavor in Thai staples like coconut and soy-based dishes.
What Beer Goes Well With Chinese Food?
You'll find lagers, IPAs, and wheat beers pair brilliantly with Chinese cuisine's bold flavors. Malty ambers and stouts also complement the savory, umami notes. Experiment to discover your perfect beer-and-Chinese food match!
What Kind of Beer Is Best for Beer Chicken?
Beer chicken's a saucy affair, so crack open a malty, hoppy brew that'll bring out the savory notes. Think amber ales or German lagers – they'll dance with the chicken's flavors like pals at a backyard bash.