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Rustic French Coq au Vin

Rustic French Coq au Vin

If you're craving real French flavor, this rustic french coq au vin recipe delivers it without unnecessary fuss. Here's everything you need to make it right at home.

Coq au Vin is a rustic French braise of chicken slow-cooked in red wine with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions until deeply tender. A comforting cold-weather classic.

Ready in about 110 minutes from start to finish, this intermediate-friendly recipe makes 6 servings and comes together with 14 everyday ingredients. It's the kind of French dish worth putting into regular rotation.

Why this recipe works:

  • Slow-braising chicken in red wine with bacon and mushrooms is what gives this dish its deep, rustic flavor.
  • Pearl onions and mushrooms added at the right stage stay distinct instead of dissolving into the sauce.
  • A long braise that's mostly hands-off, making it approachable for an intermediate cook, at about 110 minutes.
  • Makes 6 servings, and it's genuinely better the next day, so it's a great make-ahead dinner.

✅ Quick Tip: Use a wine you'd actually drink — the sauce reduces significantly, concentrating its flavor, so avoid cooking wines with added salt. This dish actually improves with a day of rest in the fridge, so it's a great one to make ahead for a busy week.

Serving Suggestions: Serve over mashed potatoes or with crusty French bread and a simple green salad.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 90 mins
Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6
Estimated Cost: 18
Calories: 460
Best Season: Available
Description
Coq au Vin is a rustic French braise of chicken slow-cooked in red wine with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions until deeply tender. A comforting cold-weather classic. Ready in about 110 minutes from start to finish, this intermediate-friendly recipe makes 6 servings and comes together with 14 everyday ingredients. It's the kind of French dish worth putting into regular rotation.
Ingredients:
  • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • 6 oz bacon chopped
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 cups red wine
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 8 oz pearl onions
  • 8 oz mushrooms quartered
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
  1. 1
    Before you start, gather and prep all 14 ingredients listed above - wash, chop, measure, and have everything within reach.
  2. 2
    In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.
  3. 3
    Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  4. 4
    Season chicken thighs and brown in the bacon fat on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
  5. 5
    Remove and set aside.
  6. 6
    Add the onion and carrots to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  7. 7
    Add garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 more minute.
  8. 8
    Pour in the red wine and chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits.
  9. 9
    Add bay leaves and thyme.
  10. 10
    Return the chicken and bacon to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 60-70 minutes until the chicken is very tender.
  11. 11
    Add pearl onions and mushrooms in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
  12. 12
    Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, acid, or spice as needed before serving.
  13. 13
    Mash the butter and flour together and stir in to thicken the sauce before serving.
  14. 14
    Garnish as desired and serve promptly for the best texture and flavor from your Rustic French Coq au Vin.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 460kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 150mg50%
Sodium 620mg26%
Total Carbohydrate 14g5%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Sugars 4g
Protein 34g68%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note
Use a wine you'd actually drink - the sauce reduces significantly, concentrating its flavor, so avoid cooking wines with added salt. This dish actually improves with a day of rest in the fridge, so it's a great one to make ahead for a busy week.
Keywords: coq au vin recipe, french braised chicken, red wine chicken, classic coq au vin
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