Chicken Coq Au Vin
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Traditional coq au vin chicken from my French girlfriend. Born and raised in Brittany, she’s shared her mom’s treasured recipe with me!
Coq au Vin Recipes
My husband’s from western North Carolina. The place where Holly Farms, the chicken company started, and that baby bird company grew into what is now Tyson.
Chicken Coq au Vin
He’s eaten a lot of chicken in his decades of life. And, that chicken’s been prepared in a variety of ways. When he had this coq qu vin, he said unequivocally that it was THE BEST chicken he’d ever had!
I do know it can be a tad bit complicated with this recipe, so if you want something on more of the comfort food level for chicken with a great gravy sauce, then try this chicken pot pie, my version!
Coq au Vin
I must agree. This recipe, from my dear French girlfriend, Marie-Christine, is her mother’s who still lives on the family farm in Brittany France.
Traditional Coq au Vin Recipe
She graciously shared it with me when I told her I was doing a piece for IHA Inspired Home on ‘French Countryside Living and Eating’.
Coq au Vin Oven
Not only did she share this treasured family recipe, but she confirmed what I’d researched about the French and their love affair with food. Check out the post at IHA’s website!
Coq au Vin Recipe Easy
The next morning, Ben’s fishin’ buddy, Dale, stopped by early. The boys were going out to catch something fresh for dinner. Now when someone comes through my kitchen door, they’re gonna get eats. Instead of serving Dale early morning food, I warmed up a bowl of the coq au vin for him.
Easy Coq au Vin
Now Dale’s a good ol’ country boy who speaks with a slow mountain twang and a drawl ’cause he’s from the hills of NC, too. After a couple of bites, Dale said seriously and in his methodical manner, “I ain’t never tasted annneeeethang quite like this, Big Al (that’s what he calls me).
Chicken with Red Wine
Dang, it’s good.’ I smiled and said, ‘Well, Daaaaeeeellll (three syllables for ‘Dale’) it’s got cognac and burgundy wine in it. Without losing a beat, Dale quipped, ‘Waaeeelll, now that would be some mighty fine drunken cheeekin!’
coq au vin
Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 325
- 3 lbs. chicken, your choice as to pieces, bone-in, skin on best (I used thighs and breasts.)
- 4 slices thick cut hardwood smoked bacon, fried, drippings reserved, bacon crumbled and set aside for garnish
- 3 Tbl. Butter, salted
- 1 sweet onion, medium, diced
- 2 Tbl. Garlic, sliced thinly
- 1 ½ tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. coarse ground pepper
- 1/3 cup cognac
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ bottle burgundy wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups mushrooms, preferably shitake, crimini, oyster, chanterelle, however, you can use regular mushrooms (do not slice if small)
- 2 cups pearl onions
- 1 Tbl. Fresh thyme leaves + Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- In a large heavy Dutch oven pot over medium heat, blend together the bacon drippings and butter. Add the onions and garlic and sauté about 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the onions and garlic to a bowl.
- Turn heat to high. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken. Put in the pot and brown on both sides. (This could take several minutes.) Deglaze the pot with the cognac scraping all the good sticky tasty stuff from the sides and bottom. Reduce heat to medium high. Stack and push the chicken to one side of the pot (or take several pieces out temporarily), add the flour and whisk and cook about a minute. Add back the sautéed garlic/onions.
- Add the wine and chicken broth and gently blend into the liquid/gravy. Spread out the chicken in the pot.
- Cover the pot. Put in a preheated 325 oven for 40 minutes. Remove and add the mushrooms, onions and sprinkle on the thyme. Cover and return to the oven for another 20 to 30 minutes.
- Garnish the serving plate with sprigs of fresh thyme and bacon crumbles.
- Side note: Marie-Christine says to serve with either boiled potatoes as her mother does or French fries. She prefers boiled potatoes!
Notes
Have plenty of good crusty hot bread for sopping up the wonderful gravy!
When making this dish, you can leave in a warm oven for about 30 minutes prior to serving.
It's important to use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temp of the meat. Chicken should be 165 degrees F. With different sizes of meat, you never know, so safe to check internal temps.
I’m cooking for someone who cannot have gluten. What would you substitute for the flour?
Hi, Marie, the flour is only to thicken the sauce. You could use arrowroot flour. Try three heaping tablespoons. Proceed w/the recipe from there after adding in after browning the chicken. Make sense? Thanks so much…this is quite yummmyyy! xoxx ally
Can you substitute something else for the wine and cognac? Looks wonderful!
Hi, Cheryl…try beef bone broth, pomegranate juice, cranberry or apple juice. I’m not sure you’ll get the depth of flavors or complexity, but I know it’s going to be deeeelish!
It looks lovely !
I don’t see carrots in the recipe though ?
No, I didn’t use carrots, Deborah, but you can certainly do that if you like. This is my French girlfriend’s mom’s recipe, so obviously she didn’t include carrots. xoxx ally
Ally, I can’t wait till tomorrow when you cook it. I will be glued to your page. While I’ve never cooked such an elegant dish it is on my bucket list. You are a true inspiration in all ways. From one West Virginian to another. 😘 Keeping it classy dawling!
Beulah!! Girrrrlll, we WV girls can throw out some classy eats! Actually, the coq au vin is so so simple. The instructions are, I think, easy to follow. And, I’m rooting for you to make it! Mine is in the oven now. I’m making Blitva to go w/it. Will be a lovely dinner. The Coq au Vin is very rich…French eats are like that! Don’t be a stranger!! xoxx ally
This recipe brings back so many memories as a newly wed in the ‘70’s that I made for a special occasion for my husband. This is a must make meal as I love the ingredients and that it came from a traditional cook who made food for the love of family and friends. Thanks for sharing.
Dearest JoAnn…many thanks for the kind loving words. Yes, it does come from a French family of love. I’ll be making this tomorrow evening as Marie Christine and her husband are joining us for dinner. She’s going to be surprised to be eating her Mom’s Coq Au Vin! It’s a surprise. And, Dessi is doing an authentic French pastry! Don’t be a stranger! xoxx ally
This looks like such a pretty dinner!
Marina! Thank you, darlin! It’s a fun dinner…really family/friend oriented and meant to last through the evening! xo ~ally
The perfect fall meal!
I totally agree! It’s full of Fall flavors and colors!! Thanks for pulling up a chair! xo ~ally
What a beautiful meal!!!
Thank you! It’s the food that takes front stage! Love having you here!! xo ~ally
I can’t wait to try this recipe! It sounds delicious!
And, you have to promise me, Carolyn, that you’ll let me know how you like!! Thanks so much, luv! xo ~ally
This looks so comforting!
Serena! Thank you for swinging by to take a look…yes, it is comfort food that just makes you feel loved! xo ~ally
Looks delicious!!
Thank you sweetness ♥♥♥
Looks elegantly simple!
Megan! You are so right, luv! It’s not daunting…just organize and let it roll! Very much worth it! xo ~ally