Coq au Vin with Red Wine-Braised Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic French bistro dish featuring tender chicken simmered in full-bodied red wine with pearl onions and mushrooms, served with buttery mashed potatoes. This french-inspired mediterranean ready in about 115 minutes pairs pounds chicken thighs, red wine, ounces diced bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 85 min Serves 4 French cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 pounds chicken thighs dry, then coat evenly with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add chicken skin-side down, and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear 3 more minutes; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 ounces diced bacon to the pot and cook until crisp (4 minutes), then add 1 cup pearl onions and 8 ounces cremini mushrooms. Sauté until vegetables are golden (5 minutes). Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return chicken to pot, add 1.5 cups red wine and 4 thyme sprigs. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1 hour until chicken is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken and thyme, then strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Skim excess fat, return to pot, and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve chicken and sauce over 2 cups mashed potatoes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Coq au Vin with Red Wine-Braised Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (30 min prep + 85 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 Red Wine-Braised Chicken?

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 pounds chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coq au Vin with Red Wine-Braised Chicken?

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 Red Wine-Braised Chicken 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 Red Wine-Braised Chicken?

French mediterranean 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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