Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Recipes By World Cuisine
  • French

It may sound fancy, but this crowd-pleasing French recipe is easy to make.

By

Elise Bauer

Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated August 11, 2024

18 Ratings

Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (2)

Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (3)

Coq au vin is a classic French dish of chicken cooked in red wine, a surprisingly easy way to make delectable chicken. I consulted recipes from several sources to make this one.

Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (4)

Tip: Blanch the Bacon

One tip in particular from Julia Child is to blanch the bacon slices first. We didn't do this the first time we made it and the result was almost too salty. So, next time we blanched the bacon. It removes some of the saltiness from the bacon before you cook with it.

What Does Coq au Vin Mean?

A literal translation of coq au vin is "rooster in wine," although you'll often see it translated as "chicken in wine." A traditional coq au vin is made with rooster, but they aren't easy to come by at the grocery store, so this recipe uses chicken legs.

The most important tool to have for making coq au vin is a Dutch oven with a lid. A 6-quart Dutch oven will work best with this recipe. Since this recipe doesn't require any cooking time in oven, the Dutch oven does not have to be oven proof.

Is Coq au Vin Good the Next Day?

Yes, coq au vin is delicious the next day. Like many stews, coq au vin improves on day two as its flavors to meld together.

Store coq au vin covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Bring to a boil in the stove, then simmer for 5 minutes, continuing to cook until the chicken is just heated through.

Freeze coq au vin in an airtight freezer safe container or freezer safe zip top bag for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator.

Simple Sides To Serve With Coq au Vin

  • Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes with Chives
  • Simple Peas and Onions
  • Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables
  • Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup
  • Leeks Vinaigrette

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Coq au Vin

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time60 mins

Total Time75 mins

Servings6 servings

French bacon isn't smoked. American bacon is. Blanching the bacon helps remove some of the smoke flavor for a more authentic dish.

A 6-quart Dutch oven will work best with this recipe. Since this recipe doesn't require any cooking time in oven, the Dutch oven does not have to be oven proof.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces sliced bacon (see recipe note)

  • 4 pounds chicken quarters (legs with thighs attached), excess fat trimmed

  • 20 peeled pearl onions or 1 large yellow onion, sliced

  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

  • 2 cups chicken stock

  • 2 cups red wine (pinot noir, Burgundy, or zinfandel)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs

  • 2 fresh parsley sprigs

  • 8 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced or quartered

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Method

  1. Blanch the bacon:

    To remove some of its saltiness, drop the bacon into a saucepan with enough cold water to cover it by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then drain. Rinse in cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into 1-inch by 1/4-inch pieces.

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (5)

  2. Brown the bacon:

    Heat a Dutch oven large enough to hold the chicken on medium-high heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook them until browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked bacon and set aside.

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (6)

  3. Brown the chicken and onions:

    Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season all sides with salt and pepper.

    Working in batches if necessary, add the chicken, skin side down, to the hot pan. Brown the chicken well on all sides, about 10 minutes.

    Add the onions and garlic and cook a few minutes more. Spoon off any excess fat from the pot.

  4. Add chicken stock, wine, herbs, bacon, then simmer:

    Add the chicken stock, wine, and herbs. Add back the bacon. Lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. (A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should register at least 165°F.)

    Remove chicken and onions to a separate platter. Remove the bay leaves, herb sprigs, and garlic, and discard.

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (7)

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (8)

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (9)

  5. Make a sauce with mushrooms:

    Add mushrooms to the remaining liquid and increase the heat to high. Boil quickly to reduce the liquid by three fourths until it becomes thick and saucy.

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (10)

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (11)

  6. Finish the sauce and serve the stew:

    Lower the heat, then stir in the butter. Return the chicken and onions to the pan to reheat and coat with the sauce. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley and serve with potatoes, or over egg noodles.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (12)

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (13)

    Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (14)

  • French
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Chicken Legs
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
856Calories
46g Fat
13g Carbs
89g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories856
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 46g58%
Saturated Fat 15g73%
Cholesterol 434mg145%
Sodium 1279mg56%
Total Carbohydrate 13g5%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 89g
Vitamin C 8mg42%
Calcium 70mg5%
Iron 5mg28%
Potassium 1352mg29%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Classic French Coq au Vin Is the Most Comforting Chicken Stew We Know (2024)

FAQs

What is the significance of the coq au vin? ›

Coq au Vin is probably the most famous of French dishes. It literally means rooster in wine. Traditionally, it was a peasant dish made of an old rooster. The reason an old rooster was used is this was the food of the poor man and he needed the rooster to perform his duties until he was too old.

Why is coq au vin so good? ›

Coq au Vin is the well known French stew where chicken pieces are braised in a luscious, glossy red wine sauce with bacon, mushroom and onions. Like Beef Bourguignon, the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity: remarkably few ingredients and simple process with results fit for a king – or queen!

What does coq au vin mean in French? ›

The coq au vin (rooster in wine)

What is a interesting fact about coq au vin? ›

Several legends trace coq au vin to ancient Gaul and Julius Caesar, but the recipe was not documented until the early 20th century; it is generally accepted that it existed as a rustic dish long before that. A somewhat similar recipe, poulet au vin blanc, appeared in an 1864 cookbook.

Is coq au vin male or female? ›

Coq au Vin, literally “co*ckerel in wine,” is a classic dish from the Burgundy region of France. It was traditionally prepared using a co*ckerel or male chicken that was past its best.

What does the coq Symbolise in France? ›

The origin of this emblem dates back to Ancient history. At that time, Romans were laughing at Gauls because of a linguistic coincidence – in Latin, the word gallus means Gaul… but also rooster! With time, the French kings adopted the rooster as a symbol of courage and bravery.

Where is Coq au Vin most popular? ›

Coq au vin is as synonymous with French culture as hamburgers are with American. It's a dish I grew up eating quite a bit and still find very satisfying and comforting when I'm longing for my mother and dreaming of France. The sauce is packed with flavor and begs for a starchy vehicle to soak it up.

How much alcohol is left in Coq au Vin? ›

If you want to minimize alcohol content, choose a recipe such as coq au vin, which is chicken braised in red wine sauce, rather than a flamed dish. These dishes contain as much as 75 percent of the original alcohol after the flames go out.

Is Coq au Vin good for a dinner party? ›

Coq au Vin, sounds fancy right? In reality, this classic French dish is a simple, one-pot wonder full of layered, rich flavors that is perfect for your next family meal or dinner party.

What is the price of coq au vin in France? ›

Bloomberg's monthly coq-au-vin index, based on a basket of the most commonly used ingredients for the famous chicken dish, shows a 15.2% year-on-year increase last month after 14.7% in January. The average price is now €18.92 ($20.31).

What is a coq in French slang? ›

[kɔk ] masculine noun. co*ck ⧫ rooster. un combat de coqs a co*ck fight.

What do you drink with coq au vin? ›

Lean on a dry red Bordeaux wine to consume your dish. Choose the grands crus like a Saint-Emilion, a Médoc, a Moulis, a Listrac-Médoc… To taste it, you can also choose red wines from the Rhône Valley (Côtes du Rhône, Lirac, Vacqueyras).

Do you remove the skin for coq au vin? ›

Remove the chicken to a bowl and carefully (don't burn your hands) remove the skin (it will be very gross and flabby by now) and remove the meat from the bone. While traditionally coq au vin is served on the bone, I find this is more hassle than it warranted, so I remove the bones at this step.

Is coq au vin supposed to be purple? ›

Quintessentially French, Coq au Vin (literally “rooster in wine”) is a mastodon of our cooking repertoire. Made from a whole chicken cut in 8 pieces, with bacon, mushrooms and carrots, it is traditionally cooked using red wine resulting in a purple-ish sauce.

Where did the dish coq au vin originate? ›

Coq au Vin is a culinary gem that has traversed the centuries, adapting and evolving to become the beloved dish it is today. Its rich history and origins, rooted in the ancient Gaul and popularized in the Burgundy region, have given it a unique and cherished place in French cuisine.

What is the meaning of au vin? ›

noun. Britannica Dictionary definition of COQ AU VIN. [noncount] : chicken that is cooked in red wine.

What is the meaning of coq? ›

Cost of quality (COQ) is defined as a methodology that allows an organization to determine the extent to which its resources are used for activities that prevent poor quality, that appraise the quality of the organization's products or services, and that result from internal and external failures.

Where is coq au vin most popular? ›

Coq au vin is as synonymous with French culture as hamburgers are with American. It's a dish I grew up eating quite a bit and still find very satisfying and comforting when I'm longing for my mother and dreaming of France. The sauce is packed with flavor and begs for a starchy vehicle to soak it up.

References

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