Food Recipe Hub

Classic French Coq au Vin Recipe

Coq au Vin is one of the most famous traditional French dishes. It is a rustic, comforting meal where chicken is slowly cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. The long simmering creates a rich, deeply flavorful sauce that represents classic French home cooking.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 whole chicken (cut into 6–8 pieces) or 1 kg chicken thighs

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

• 150 g bacon lardons (or chopped bacon)

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups red wine (preferably Burgundy or Pinot Noir)

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 200 g mushrooms, sliced

• 2 bay leaves

• 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken
   Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them with salt and black pepper.

2. Cook the Bacon
   Heat olive oil or butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside.

3. Brown the Chicken
   In the same pot, brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.

4. Cook the Vegetables
   Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

5. Add Flour
   Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

6. Add Wine and Stock
   Slowly pour in the red wine while stirring. Add chicken stock, bay leaves, and thyme.

7. Simmer
   Return the chicken and bacon to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.

8. Add Mushrooms
   Add the mushrooms and cook uncovered for another 20–30 minutes until the sauce thickens.

9. Finish and Serve
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Coq au Vin hot with:

• Mashed potatoes

• Crusty French bread

• Buttered noodles or rice

Cooking Tip

Traditionally, Coq au Vin tastes even better the next day, as the flavors deepen overnight. Store it in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.