How to Make the Perfect Dutch Oven Coq au Vin
French · Hard · 115 min · 4 servings
This classic French bistro dish features chicken slowly braised in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and bacon until incredibly rich and tender. The Dutch oven is the perfect vessel for developing the complex layered flavors of this iconic recipe.
Why this recipe works
This Dutch Oven Coq au Vin recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 115 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 510 calories with 48g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 cups dry red wine such as Burgundy or Pinot Noir
- 6 oz thick cut bacon cut into lardons
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms halved
- 1 cup pearl onions peeled
- 2 cups chicken broth
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Render the Bacon and Brown the Chicken
Cook the bacon lardons in the Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes, then remove.
Step 2: Saute the Vegetables
Add the pearl onions and mushrooms to the pot and cook in the bacon fat for 5 minutes until they take on some color. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
Step 3: Deglaze and Braise
Pour in the red wine and chicken broth, scraping all the browned bits from the bottom. Return the chicken, bacon, onions, and mushrooms to the pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a very low simmer for 75 minutes.
Step 4: Reduce the Sauce and Serve
Remove the chicken and vegetables and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer the braising liquid uncovered for 10 minutes until it reduces and thickens into a glossy sauce. Return everything to the pot, taste, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- dry red wine → pomegranate juice mixed with beef broth for a non-alcoholic version
- cremini mushrooms → button mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using a poor quality wine that you would not drink which results in a bitter and unpleasant sauce
- Boiling the braise instead of maintaining a gentle simmer which makes the chicken tough and dry
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 510 calories, 48g protein, 12g carbs, 28g fat, 2g fiber.
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