David's Chicken Corn Soup + the Wines That Warm Every Bowl

A Shades of Vino Club Recipe | Submitted by David C.

Some recipes are older than any cookbook. They live in family kitchens, passed down through generations, made from memory and instinct rather than measurements. David C.'s Chicken Corn Soup is that kind of recipe.

David is a proud member of our Shades of Vino Club — and his recipe is part of our 2026 Summer Shades of Vino Collection. He brought us a classic Pennsylvania Dutch recipe rooted in America's agricultural heritage: a whole chicken simmered into a rich, golden broth, shredded and returned to the pot with sweet corn, onion, celery, and parsley. Simple, honest, and deeply nourishing.

We found two women-owned wines that honor every bowl of this timeless American soup.

The Recipe: David's Chicken Corn Soup

The Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of chicken corn soup is one of the great American culinary legacies. Born from the agricultural communities of Pennsylvania, this soup celebrates the two ingredients that defined the region's farming heritage: the farmyard chicken and the summer corn harvest. It's a dish that tastes like history — and like home.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken
• Fresh or frozen corn (cut from the cob for best results)
• Onion, diced
• Celery, sliced
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional, traditional Pennsylvania Dutch addition)

Instructions

1. Place the whole chicken in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1.5–2 hours until the chicken is completely tender and the broth is rich and golden.
2. Remove the chicken from the pot and let cool. Skim any excess fat from the broth.
3. Once cool enough to handle, remove the chicken meat from the bones and shred into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones and skin.
4. Return the broth to a simmer. Add diced onion, sliced celery, and corn. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15–20 minutes.
5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add fresh parsley.
6. Simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Serve hot, garnished with sliced hard-boiled eggs if desired.

Serves: 6–8 | Total Time: ~2.5 hours | Difficulty: Easy

The Wine Pairing: What Do You Drink with Chicken Corn Soup?

Chicken corn soup is a beautifully simple dish — and it calls for wines that honor that simplicity while adding something meaningful to the experience. The golden broth is rich and savory. The corn brings natural sweetness. The chicken is tender and mild. The vegetables add freshness and depth. You want wines that complement all of that without overwhelming the delicate, comforting character of the soup.

We chose two women-owned wines that approach this dish from different angles — one that mirrors the soup's freshness and delicacy, one that provides a bold, earthy contrast.

🥂 Primary Pairing: 2024 Joy Ting "Clair" Pinot Gris

A bowl of chicken corn soup deserves a wine that feels as clean and nourishing as the dish itself. The 2024 Joy Ting "Clair" Pinot Gris from Monticello AVA, Virginia is exactly that wine.

• Bright acidity and citrus notes complement the natural sweetness of the corn and the savory depth of the chicken broth, keeping every spoonful feeling fresh and alive.
• Stone fruit and floral character add a gentle aromatic lift that elevates the soup without competing with its honest, straightforward flavors.
• Medium body and elegant texture give the wine enough presence to stand alongside the richness of the broth, while remaining light enough to let the soup shine.

At $28, this is a Virginia Pinot Gris that will make you rethink what East Coast white wine can be. And it comes with a story worth telling: Joy Ting is woman-owned and woman winemaker-led, a Virginia producer whose work is putting Monticello AVA on the national wine map. Every bottle is a celebration of what women bring to the wine world.

This wine is part of our 2026 Summer Shades of Vino Collection →

➡️ Shop the 2024 Joy Ting "Clair" Pinot Gris →

🍷 Secondary Pairing: 2022 Lakewood Cabernet Franc

For those who prefer red wine with their soup — and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that — the 2022 Lakewood Cabernet Franc from Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, New York is a revelation.

Cabernet Franc is one of the most food-friendly red wines in the world — and the Finger Lakes region of New York produces some of the most distinctive expressions of the grape anywhere in America. This wine brings an earthy, herbal character that creates a beautiful contrast with the sweet corn and golden broth of David's soup.

• Earthy, herbal notes — think fresh bell pepper, dried herbs, and a hint of forest floor — provide a savory counterpoint to the natural sweetness of the corn, making both the soup and the wine more interesting.
• Bright red fruit — cherry and raspberry — adds a freshness that keeps the pairing feeling lively rather than heavy.
• Low tannins and medium body make this a red wine that works beautifully with a lighter dish like chicken soup — it has enough presence to be interesting without overwhelming the delicate flavors of the broth.

At just $22, this is one of the most exciting value bottles in our Summer Collection. Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc is a style that wine lovers across the country are just beginning to discover — and Lakewood is one of the producers leading the way. And the story gets even better: Lakewood is woman-owned and woman winemaker-led, a New York winery whose commitment to quality and craft is evident in every bottle.

This wine is part of our 2026 Summer Shades of Vino Collection →

➡️ Shop the 2022 Lakewood Cabernet Franc →

The Bigger Picture: Pennsylvania Dutch Heritage

Chicken corn soup is one of the defining dishes of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking — a culinary tradition that emerged from the German and Swiss immigrant communities who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries. These were farming families who cooked from the land, using what they grew and raised to create dishes that were nourishing, economical, and deeply satisfying.

The Pennsylvania Dutch tradition gave America some of its most beloved comfort foods — shoofly pie, scrapple, apple butter, and of course, chicken corn soup. David's recipe carries that heritage forward, connecting a modern family table to centuries of American agricultural history.

At The Wine Concierge, we believe that dishes like this one deserve wines that are just as rooted in place and story. A Virginia Pinot Gris and a Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc — two wines from the American East Coast, both made by women, both telling their own stories about what American wine can be.

Wine Pairing Tips for Chicken Soups & Broths

Chicken soups are one of the most versatile wine pairing categories — and one of the most forgiving. Here's how to think about it:

• Match the broth's weight: A light, clear chicken broth calls for lighter wines — crisp whites or low-tannin reds. A richer, creamier broth can handle more body.
• Corn loves aromatic whites: The natural sweetness of corn pairs beautifully with aromatic white wines that have their own fruit-forward character — like a Pinot Gris or a Riesling.
• Cabernet Franc is the red wine exception: Most red wines are too heavy for chicken soup, but Cabernet Franc's herbal, earthy character and low tannins make it a natural exception — especially with the savory depth of a long-simmered broth.
• Temperature matters: Serve the Pinot Gris well chilled (around 45–50°F). Serve the Cabernet Franc slightly cool (around 60–65°F) to keep the fruit fresh and the tannins soft.
• Don't overthink it: This is a humble, honest dish. The wine should match that spirit — approachable, delicious, and easy to enjoy.

For more pairing inspiration, explore our Essential Food & Wine Pairing Guide and our Spring Food & Wine Pairing Recipes.

Join the Club That Inspired This Recipe

David's Chicken Corn Soup came straight from our Shades of Vino Club — a community of home cooks and wine lovers who bring their whole stories to the table. Members receive curated bottles, exclusive recipes like this one, and a community that makes wine feel like it was always meant for them.

Ready to explore what's in the glass this season? Browse the 2026 Summer Shades of Vino Collection — every bottle curated for the season and ready to ship.

➡️ Explore The Wine Concierge Club →

And remember: Free shipping on 6 bottles or more. Grab both pairings and make it a full evening. 🍷