Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic French bistro classic where chicken braises for hours in a rich Burgundy wine sauce with lardons and pearl onions. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 100 minutes pairs chicken thighs, smoked lardons, red wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 French cuisine 385 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.2kg chicken thighs dry; toss with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high; sear chicken skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook 3 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken; add 100g smoked lardons and cook until crisp (3 minutes), then add 200g pearl onions and cook until golden (5 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Deglaze pan with 250ml red wine, scraping up browned bits; simmer until reduced by half (8 minutes).
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to pot, add 150ml demi-glace and thyme; cover and simmer on low for 1 hour until chicken is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Discard thyme, adjust seasoning, and serve with crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 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 Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine?

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 Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine 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 Coq au Vin: Traditional Burgundy Chicken in Red Wine?

French chicken 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.

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