Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms
Tender chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms and onions, creating a rich, aromatic French classic. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 100 minutes pairs chicken thighs, all-purpose flour, olive oil 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry, season with 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and salt; sear in 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 2: Remove chicken, add diced 1 medium onion and sliced 2 medium carrots to the pot; cook 4 minutes until softened, then stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz quartered cremini mushrooms and 2 tbsp tomato paste; cook 2 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and mixture is aromatic.
- Step 4: Deglaze with 1 cup red wine, scraping browned bits; add 1 cup chicken broth, 2 thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf, then return chicken to pot.
- Step 5: Simmer covered on low heat for 60 minutes until chicken is fork-tender and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms 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 Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
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 Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
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 Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms 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 Simplified Coq au Vin with Mushrooms?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
