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Coq au vin in white platter with thyme garnish.
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4.86 from 7 votes

Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin is a rustic French stew made with chicken braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs and topped with mushrooms and pearl onions.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
marinating time (optional)2 hours
Total Time4 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the stew

  • 4 ounces thick cut bacon cut into 1" pieces
  • 3 1/2-4 pounds chicken thighs and legs
  • 1 medium white onion diced
  • 1 large carrot diced
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bottle Burgundy wine or other dry red wine
  • 1 cup chicken stock see notes below
  • 8 sprigs thyme tied together
  • 2 large bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 ounce dark chocolate optional

For finishing

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 16 pearl onions
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms quartered
  • 3 tablespoons flat leaf parsley minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat. Place the chicken thighs and legs in a large bowl and pour in the whole bottle of burgundy. Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but if possible overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350f and set the rack in the middle level, allowing enough room to accommodate a large Dutch oven with a lid.
  • Heat a large Dutch oven to medium heat and add the bacon. Cook the bacon until most of the fat has rendered (7-10 minutes) then remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Meanwhile, remove the chicken from the bowl and place onto a work surface, making sure to save all of the wine. Pat both the legs and thighs very dry and season with salt and pepper on all sides. Dredge the chicken pieces in flour and shake off all of the excess. Sear the chicken pieces in the bacon and chicken fat until well browned on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Place all of the chicken onto another plate and set aside.
  • Remove excess bacon and chicken fat from the pot, leaving approximately a quarter cup in the pot. Add the onions, carrot, and celery to the pot and cook for 10-12 minutes or until they begin to soften then add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes or until very fragrant.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. If it starts to burn just add a couple of ounces of water into the pot to lower the temperature.
  • Add the wine and chicken stock to the pot and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Using a flat wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all of the brown bits.
  • Turn off the heat and add the chicken, bacon, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Cover the pot and place it in the oven to cook for 75-90 minutes or until the chicken is very tender.

For finishing

  • Once the chicken is tender remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. At this time, discard the bay leaves and thyme from the sauce.
  • Skim any visible fat from the top of the sauce pot then place the pot onto a burner and turn the heat to medium-high. Reduce the sauce until thickened by about half (about 10 minutes). The sauce should be quite thick and will coat the back of a wooden spoon. Once reduced, taste test, and season with salt and pepper. Add the chocolate and mix until smooth. Place the chicken into the pot and mix well to coat. Cover with the lid and set aside.
  • Heat a large pan to a touch higher than medium heat. Add the olive oil along with the pearl onions. Cook the onions until tender (about 3-5 minutes) then remove with a slotted spoon into a plate that is covered with foil.
  • Add the mushrooms to the same pan and cook until they release their water and start to brown (about 5-8 minutes). Once they begin to brown add the butter and cook until they are glistening (about 2-3 minutes). Return the pearl onions back to the pan and toss/mix to coat. Turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper and the thyme leaves.
  • Mix the parsley into the pot. You can mix all the mushrooms and pearl onions into the pot right before serving or divide them onto plates so that each person gets a few pearl onions and mushrooms. Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread. See notes below about serving the next day which is preferred.

Video

Notes

  • If possible, it's best to let the pot cool and then refrigerate overnight. The flavors will be much more concentrated and the taste will be that much better. To reheat the next day, simply simmer on the stovetop at medium to medium-low heat until hot.  If the sauce is too thick, just add a bit of water to loosen it up.
  • Chicken thighs are best cooked until at least 185-190f so that the collagen and connective tissue begin to break down which makes much more tender and juicy bites.
  • Makes 6 large or 8 moderate-sized servings.
  • Homemade chicken stock is best, since there is no salt, which allows the sauce to be reduced until very thick without being overly salty.  If you use homemade stock this recipe will work as shown.  If using storebought stock make sure to taste test while reducing.  If the sauce begins to get too salty, stop reducing it, and simply add a slurry of cornstarch (1-2 tablespoons mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and simmer until thickened.
  • Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 908kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.5g | Protein: 91.6g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 18.9g | Cholesterol: 274mg | Sodium: 746mg | Potassium: 532mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4.7g | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 6mg

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