Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms
Rich, wine-braised chicken thighs simmered in red wine, bacon, and mushrooms for a hearty, authentic French comfort dish. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 75 minutes pairs (680 g) chicken thighs, (240 ml) red wine, (113 g) bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs
- 1 cup (240 ml) red wine
- 4 oz (113 g) bacon
- 8 oz (227 g) button mushrooms
- 1 medium (140 g) onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown chicken thighs in a large skillet over medium heat until golden, 5-6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook bacon until crispy, 4-5 minutes. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent, 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in mushrooms and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add wine, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, nestle into sauce. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has reduced.
- Step 5: Serve with crusty bread to soak up the rich, wine-infused gravy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (680 g) chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
