Easy way to make Coq Au Vin? (Chicken in Red wine sauce)

French cuisine’s simple-to-make Coq au Vin features chicken and vegetables cooked in a delicious wine sauce.

Don’t let the name deceive you; while it does require some time, much of it may be passed while the dish bakes in the oven. It is ideal for big occasions or simply dinners at home!

Coq au Vin: What is it?

French cuisine’s Coq au Vin features bone-in chicken that has been slowly cooked (braised) with wine, bacon, mushrooms, and garlic.

The term “braising” refers to cooking food in liquid after it has been browned, as the chicken skin in this recipe (the wine sauce).

Naturally, the first book that comes to mind when I think of this dish is Julia Child’s Coq au Vin. I can practically hear her guiding me through the recipe.

While the process in this recipe has been slightly simplified, it still closely resembles the recipe in Julia’s book (which is also extremely similar to the one in Joy of Cooking) (and ingredients).

Red wine is typically used in Coq au Vin, but any wine can do that! Pour some for the chef as well, don’t forget!

Ingredients/Variations

CHICKEN

Skin-on drumsticks and browned thighs are incredibly flavorful! You can use chicken breasts, however, you might need to alter the cooking time to prevent overcooking.

VEGGIES

Onions, carrots, and mushrooms are sautéed until tender.

Cooking Coq au Vin

To have perfectly tender chicken in a delicious wine sauce, just follow these simple steps!

1. Set aside the Crisp Bacon and Brown Chicken.
2. When the vegetables are just beginning to soften, add the wine, garlic, and remaining ingredients.
3. Put the chicken back in the pan and bake it. Bake for about an hour, until soft.

Wine For Coq au Vin

Red wines are often the greatest choices for au Vin, but almost ANY wine will work.

• The favorite wines are deep, dark burgundies.
• Beaujolais or Pinot Noirs also work well.
• Whites are OK too but anticipate a lighter, sweeter flavor.

Don’t worry about the price;au Vin tastes just as well with cheap wine as it does with pricey wine.

Coq au Vin

With seasoned chicken and fresh vegetables cooked together in one exquisite dish, coq au vin is a popular dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 slices of bacon chopped
• 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
• 4 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin-on
• salt & pepper to taste
• 8 ounces of cremini mushrooms cleaned and sliced
• 1 large yellow onion diced
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
• 1/2 cup beef stock or broth
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 dried bay leaves

Instructions

1. Turn on the 375°F oven.
2. In a 12-inch deep skillet or braiser, add the bacon and sauté it until crisp. Transfer bacon to a dish covered with paper towels. The bacon fat should remain in the pan.
3. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the chicken. For the thighs, add the chicken skin-side down and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Put the chicken on a platter after removing it from the pan.
4. Sliced mushrooms, carrots, and onions should only be cooked in the same pan for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
5. After adding the tomato paste and garlic, simmer for approximately a minute, until aromatic. Add the flour, mix, and cook for an additional minute.
6. Red wine can be added gradually, swirling after each addition to ensure smoothness. Bay leaves, fresh thyme, beef stock, and half the bacon should all be added. To blend, stir.
7. On top of the wine mixture, arrange the chicken.
8. 30 minutes of baking while covered. Remove the cover and bake for a further 30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the skin is golden.
9. Remove and throw away the bay leaves. Over mashed potatoes or noodles, sprinkle the remaining bacon on top and serve.

Notes

This can be made in a sizable skillet and then moved to a casserole dish if you don’t have a braiser or other oven-safe pot.

In this dish, any chicken pieces (with bone and skin) may be utilized.

White mushrooms or portobellos can be used in place of cremini mushrooms, which have a good meaty flavor and texture.

Nutrition information

Calories: 624 | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 213mg | Sodium: 666mg | Potassium: 1108mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 8209IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 3mg