Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions

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

A classic French braise of chicken simmered slowly in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and thyme—true to Burgundy's rustic tradition. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs (450g) chicken thighs with skin, (240ml) Burgundy red wine, (85g) diced bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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: 65 min Serves 4 French cuisine 490 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess to ensure even coating.
  2. Step 2: Render bacon in a heavy Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp (5-6 minutes), then remove bacon and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Brown chicken thighs skin-side down in the bacon fat for 4-5 minutes until golden, then flip and brown the other side for 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add mushrooms and pearl onions to the pot, stirring to coat in fat; cook for 3 minutes until onions soften slightly.
  5. Step 5: Pour in red wine and chicken stock, scraping up browned bits from the bottom; add thyme and simmer gently for 15 minutes until wine reduces by half.
  6. Step 6: Return bacon to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes until chicken is fork-tender and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 85 minutes (20 min prep + 65 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 Pearl Onions?

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 (240ml) burgundy red wine from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions?

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 Pearl Onions 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 Pearl Onions?

French one pot 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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