Coq au Vin — Classic French Chicken in Red Wine

chicken

🥗Healthier: skinless chicken

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Thighs are more affordable and remain moist during cooking.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic red wine

💰Cheaper: cheap red wine

Non-alcoholic options are lower in calories.

Start by rendering the bacon fat in a cold pan until mostly rendered.

Optional: skim off most of the bacon fat and add butter for flavor.

Add pearl onions to the pan and caramelize them until golden.

Remove the onions and add chicken thighs and drumsticks to sear in the bacon and butter mixture.

Cook the chicken until lightly golden, then return the onions to the pot.

Optional: add cognac and flambé if desired.

Pour in red wine and add thyme, bay leaf, and garlic cloves.

Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

Sauté mushrooms in herb-infused butter until golden brown, then add to the pot.

Make a beurre manié with mushroom-scented butter and plain flour, then gradually add to the sauce to thicken it.

Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary