The Classic French Coq Au Vin Recipe: Rustic Comfort in a Bowl

Passionate home cooks adore this classic French coq au vin that brings rustic elegance to dinner tables.

Comfort and sophistication blend perfectly in this traditional dish from burgundy.

Wine-braised chicken creates a rich, deeply flavored experience that feels both hearty and refined.

Bold red wine transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Tender meat slowly simmers with aromatic vegetables, creating layers of complex taste.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients combine with careful technique.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this timeless french classic.

Why James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe Feels So Special

• Savor Hearty French Comfort: Classic coq au vin delivers rich, deep flavors that warm your soul with traditional French countryside cooking.
• Master Culinary Skill: This recipe allows home cooks to create an impressive restaurant-quality dish with straightforward cooking techniques that build kitchen confidence.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible serving options like green salad, olive oil-mashed potatoes, or toasted bread make this dish adaptable for different meal preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and simple preparation mean you can enjoy a gourmet meal without spending hours in the kitchen or creating multiple dirty dishes.

What You’ll Need For James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

• Chicken: A classic French dish featuring tender chicken pieces as the primary protein.

• Shallots, Garlic: Provide a deep, rich base flavor to the dish.
• Thyme: Adds an earthy and herbal undertone to the recipe.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright garnish to finish the dish.

• Red Wine: Creates a rich, complex sauce with deep flavor profile.
• Chicken Stock: Adds depth and moisture to the cooking liquid.
• Vinegar: Balances and brightens the overall sauce flavor.

• Bacon: Introduces a smoky and savory element to the dish.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce.

• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the dish.

How To Cook James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

Step 1: Prep The Cooking Vessel

Heat a sturdy baking dish on the stovetop. Toss in chopped shallots and most of the butter, letting them sizzle and become golden. Crush and add garlic, stirring until lightly browned. Introduce crispy bacon pieces and fresh thyme to the pan, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 2: Create The Braising Liquid

• Red wine
• Chicken stock
• Vinegar

Add chicken pieces to the bubbling liquid, bringing everything to a robust boil.

Step 3: Slow Cook The Chicken

Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently for approximately 25 minutes. Cook until the chicken becomes tender and fully cooked through, with the meat practically falling off the bone.

Step 4: Concentrate The Sauce

Remove chicken from the liquid and set aside, keeping it warm. Increase heat to high and reduce the sauce, allowing it to thicken and intensify in flavor.

Step 5: Reunite And Finish

Return chicken to the concentrated sauce. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Add the reserved butter knob, season with black pepper and salt.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

Plate the Coq Au Vin alongside a crisp green salad, creamy olive oil-mashed potatoes, or crusty toasted bread for a complete French-inspired meal.

Helpful Tips For James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

• Choose High-Quality Chicken: Select fresh, high-quality chicken pieces for the most tender and flavorful Coq Au Vin.
• Slow Simmer for Depth: Keep the heat low and let the dish simmer gently to develop rich, complex flavors and ensure the chicken becomes perfectly tender.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a good-quality French red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir to enhance the authentic taste of the traditional French dish.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Remove chicken temporarily while reducing the sauce to achieve a thick, glossy texture that coats the meat beautifully.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh contrast to the deep, robust flavors of the Coq Au Vin.

Fun Twists On James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

• Vegetarian Wine-Braised Jackfruit: Replace chicken with young jackfruit, using vegetable stock and maintaining similar cooking techniques for a plant-based version.
• Lighter White Wine Chicken: Swap red wine for white wine and use lighter chicken thighs, reducing overall richness while preserving classic French flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Herb Adaptation: Use gluten-free bacon, eliminate flour-based thickeners, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.
• Low-Sodium Mediterranean Alternative: Reduce salt content, use turkey bacon, substitute low-sodium stock, and increase herb quantities to enhance natural flavors without compromising taste.

Pairing Ideas For James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

• Pair with Burgundy Red Wine: Choose a classic Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France, which perfectly mirrors the wine used in the recipe and enhances the rich, savory flavors of the coq au vin.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Select a rustic, artisan sourdough that can soak up the delicious sauce, adding texture and helping to balance the dish's deep, complex flavors.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, refreshing side with mixed greens, a tangy vinaigrette, and fresh herbs to cut through the richness of the braised chicken and provide a bright counterpoint.

How To Store James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe Well

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer coq au vin to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing with potatoes or salad sides.
• Warm gently in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying out and maintain sauce consistency.
• Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Common Questions About James Martin Coq Au Vin Recipe

• What are the key ingredients in Coq Au Vin?

The key ingredients are chicken, red wine, bacon, shallots, garlic, thyme, chicken stock, and vinegar. These ingredients create the classic French braised chicken dish with rich, deep flavors.

• Is Coq Au Vin difficult to make at home?

Not at all! This recipe is straightforward and requires basic cooking skills. The process involves simple steps like browning ingredients, simmering chicken in wine, and reducing the sauce.

• Can I substitute the red wine in the recipe?

While red wine is traditional, you can use chicken broth or grape juice as alternatives. However, the wine adds a distinctive flavor that defines the classic Coq Au Vin taste.

Coq Au Vin Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic happens when French classic Coq au Vin brings rustic Burgundy flavors to your kitchen, blending tender chicken, rich wine sauce, and smoky bacon into one unforgettable comfort dish. Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a soulful meal that connects you with French countryside traditions.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 free-range chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces, on the bone but skin removed (or 6 chicken thighs)

Meat and Aromatics:

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) streaky bacon cut thickly
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) shallots peeled but left whole
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 sprig of fresh thyme or a good pinch of dried thyme

Additional Ingredients:

• 350 grams (12 ounces) button mushrooms
• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) good red wine
• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) chicken stock
• 25 grams (1 ounce) butter
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 small bunch flatleaf parsley, chopped
• salt
• crushed black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat a thick-bottomed skillet over medium flame, melting most of the butter. Sauté shallots until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and cook until lightly golden.
2. Add crispy bacon pieces and fresh thyme to the skillet, allowing flavors to meld together for 2-3 minutes.
3. Elevate the heat and pour in red wine, chicken stock, and vinegar. Carefully place chicken pieces into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a robust boil.
4. Reduce temperature to low, covering the skillet and allowing the chicken to simmer gently for approximately 25 minutes until thoroughly cooked and tender.
5. Remove chicken from the sauce, keeping it warm while reducing the liquid over high heat for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and concentrates its flavors.
6. Return chicken to the reduced sauce, incorporating the reserved butter and freshly chopped parsley. Season with cracked black pepper and sea salt.
7. Plate the coq au vin alongside a crisp green salad, creamy olive oil-infused mashed potatoes, or rustic toasted bread for a complete French-inspired meal.

Notes

• Opt for a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
• Choose a robust red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir for authentic French flavor and depth.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and enhance overall caramelization.
• Swap regular bacon for pancetta or smoked bacon to add different flavor dimensions and complexity.
• Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to help retain moisture and ensure tender, juicy meat.
• Lower cooking temperature gradually to prevent sauce from breaking and maintain smooth, rich consistency.
• Use fresh thyme and parsley for maximum aromatic impact and bright, herbal undertones.
• Consider removing chicken skin before cooking for a lighter, healthier version of the classic dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg