Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Bacon

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

A French classic where chicken thighs braise slowly in red wine with onions, mushrooms, and smoky bacon, creating a deeply flavorful dish perfect for chilly evenings. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 95 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bacon, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Cook 4 oz diced bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp; remove bacon, leaving fat in pot.
  3. Step 3: Add chicken thighs skin-side down to the pot and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over onions and garlic, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook.
  6. Step 6: Pour in 1 cup red wine and 1/2 cup chicken stock, scraping the pot bottom to release browned bits; add 1 tsp thyme, return chicken and bacon, and bring to a simmer.
  7. Step 7: Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour until chicken is tender.
  8. Step 8: In a separate skillet, cook 8 oz sliced mushrooms in 1 tbsp butter for 8 minutes until golden; add to pot and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  9. Step 9: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Bacon take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 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 with Mushrooms and Bacon?

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 with Mushrooms and Bacon?

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 with Mushrooms and Bacon 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 with Mushrooms and Bacon?

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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