Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs
A rich, slow-cooked French dish featuring chicken, red wine, and earthy mushrooms for a deep, authentic flavor. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, Burgundy or Pinot Noir red wine, sliced button mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 750ml, Burgundy or Pinot Noir red wine
- 12, sliced button mushrooms
- 2, finely diced shallots
- 1 tsp, fresh or dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 4 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper, then sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and caramelized.
- Step 2: Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pan, sauté 2 diced shallots for 3 minutes until softened, then add 12 sliced button mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
- Step 3: Return the chicken to the pan, add 750ml red wine, 1 tsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaves, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme, and serve immediately with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 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 Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs?
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 Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs 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 Traditional French Coq au Vin with Mushrooms and Herbs?
French quick meals 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
