Chef John's Coq au Vin

This coq au vin recipe will impress even the pickiest of dinner guests.

What Is Coq Au Vin?

Coq au vin is a French chicken stew in which chicken thighs are braised in a red wine sauce with bacon, mushrooms, and herbs. It may sound fancy, but it's really not difficult to make at home.

How to Make Coq Au Vin

You'll find the step-by-step recipe below, but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

Coq Au Vin Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this coq au vin recipe:

· Chicken: This coq au vin recipe starts with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.· Seasonings: Season the chicken with salt and ground black pepper.· Bacon: Bacon (and its drippings) add tons of meaty flavor and depth.· Vegetables: You’ll need mushrooms, onions, and shallots.· Flour and butter: All-purpose flour and butter thicken things up.· Wine: Burgundy wine is traditionally used, but you can use anything made with Pinot Noir grapes.· Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a pop of color and flavor.· Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth.

How to Make Homemade Coq Au Vin

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make coq au vin at home:

1. Season the chicken, cook the bacon, and cook the chicken in the bacon drippings.2. Saut? the vegetables until they're caramelized.3. Add flour and butter to the veggie mixture.4. Transfer to the oven and cook for 30 minutes, basting with pan juices.5. Return the pan to the stove and reduce the juices until the sauce thickens.

What to Serve With Coq Au Vin

Serve coq au vin with starchy side dishes that can soak up all that delicious sauce. Try mashed potatoes, rice, French bread, or egg noodles.

How to Store Coq Au Vin

Allow your coq au vin leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

Cookdap Community Tips and Praise

“I wish I had leftovers,” says Linda Adams Dodge. “This was sooooo good!! The sauce was incredible. The chicken was melt-in-your-mouth. It was just a party going on in your mouth all the way around. So easy, but so fancy.”

"Absolutely delicious," raves one Cookdap community member. "Not many ingredients and not expensive to make. Have the rest of the bottle of wine to compliment the dish."

“What a yummy taste of France made in my own house,” according to Carrie Parks. “I used boneless chicken thighs and pre-cooked bacon slices to save time. It turned out great! So thrilled.”