A deep, burgundy-stained chicken amidst a sea of glossy, wine-infused sauce, dotted with pearl onions and sautéed button mushrooms. Specks of vibrant green herbs offer a delightful contrast, while crispy bacon pieces add an inviting texture. The dish is generously sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley and thyme for a refreshing, verdant finish.

Coq au Vin for Bastille Day

Name: Coq au Vin for Bastille Day
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 300 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: Chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin-on, bone-in, 4 thighs and 4 drumsticks; Pinot Noir Red Wine, 750 ml robust and fruity; Pearl Onions, 12 peeled; Button Mushrooms, 200 g sliced; Garlic, 3 cloves minced; Cognac or Brandy, 1/2 cup; Chicken Broth, 2 cups; Bacon, 200 g diced; Fresh Thyme, 3 sprigs; Bay Leaf, 1; Parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped; Unsalted Butter, 2 tablespoons; Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon; All-Purpose Flour, 2 tablespoons; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 120 minutes

Cook 180 minutes

Style French

Technique Marinating

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: July 14, 2024

A classic French cuisine to commemorate Bastille Day, we present Coq au Vin. This iconic dish which literally translates to 'Rooster in Wine', uses chicken marinated in red wine, along with aromatic herbs, fresh vegetables, and breasts of bacon adding a distinctive French flair. The slow-cooked dish conjures the authentic flavors of rustic France on your American kitchen countertop.

Ingredients (for 4)

Chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin-on, bone-in - 4 thighs and 4 drumsticks
Pinot noir red wine - 750 ml - robust and fruity
Pearl onions - 12 - peeled
Button mushrooms - 200 g - sliced
Garlic - 3 cloves - minced
Cognac or brandy - 1/2 cup
Chicken broth - 2 cups
Bacon - 200 g - diced
Fresh thyme - 3 sprigs
Bay leaf - 1
Parsley - 2 tablespoons - chopped
Unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
All-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍗🍷⏲️

Marinate the chicken in the red wine overnight, or for at least two hours.
Step 2 - 🥓🍳✅

Sauté bacon in olive oil in a Dutch oven until crisp. Remove and set aside.
Step 3 - 🐔🍳🌰

Brown the chicken pieces in the same pot, adding more oil if necessary. Remove after browning.
Step 4 - 🍄🍳💛

Sauté the pearl onions and mushrooms in the same pot until golden brown.
Step 5 - 🧄💨🍞

Add the minced garlic, let cook until aromatic. Sprinkle flour over and stir to combine.
Step 6 - 🥃🥘🥄

Deglaze the pot with cognac or brandy, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon.
Step 7 - 🍗🌿🍲⏲️

Return chicken and bacon to the pot. Add thyme, bay leaf, chicken broth, and remaining wine. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for about 2 hours until chicken is tender.
Step 8 - 🌱🧈🌀

Just before serving, stir in the chopped parsley and butter to enrich the sauce.
Step 9 - 🧂🌶️🔥

Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread or potatoes.

Additional

Coq au Vin is traditionally made with a whole rooster, but any part of the chicken works well. Also, in place of Pinot Noir, you can use any wine available regionally to your liking. Worth mentioning, this dish marries well with time, tasting even better the next day. A beautiful history to share at the dinner table, Coq au Vin was a favorite of Julia Child, who helped popularize French cuisine in America.