Provence-Style Coq au Vin with Pearl Onions
A true French bistro classic where wine reduction and slow braising transform chicken into velvety perfection, avoiding the 'student canteen' pitfall. This french-inspired mediterranean ready in about 95 minutes pairs chicken thighs, red wine, shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 325 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
- 1.2kg chicken thighs
- 300ml red wine
- 150g shallots
- 25g butter
- 15g all-purpose flour
- 200ml chicken stock
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.2kg chicken thighs dry, season with 15g flour and 1/2 tsp paprika, then cook in a large Dutch oven with 25g butter over medium-high heat until golden brown (5-7 minutes per side), removing thighs as they brown.
- Step 2: Add 150g sliced shallots to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then deglaze with 300ml red wine, scraping up browned bits while simmering for 5 minutes until wine reduces by half.
- Step 3: Return chicken to pot, add 200ml chicken stock and 4 fresh thyme sprigs, cover, and simmer on low heat for 1 hour until chicken is fork-tender, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Provence-Style Coq au Vin with Pearl Onions 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 Provence-Style Coq au Vin with 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Provence-Style Coq au Vin with 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 Provence-Style Coq au Vin with 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 Provence-Style Coq au Vin with Pearl Onions?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many mediterranean recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 75-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
