Quick Coq Au Vin

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40 minutes active time; 1 hour, 25 minutes total time

Julia Child's world-famous coq au vin recipe calls for the dramatic lighting of cognac. Traditional ones simply call for chicken, the contents of your crisper, and drinkable wine.

Recipe from Cookie

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 or 3 thick slices bacon, roughly chopped
  • 1 4-pound chicken, cut into six pieces
  • 1 handful flour, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 to 10 ounces button or cremini mushrooms, rinsed and halved (optional)
  • 20 whole baby carrots, cut in half
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 large sweet onions, chopped, or 2 cups pearl onions
  • 1 bottle red wine (white works, too)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 sprigs thyme

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Transfer to a large plate.
2. Shake the chicken pieces with the seasoned flour in a paper or plastic bag.
3. Brown the chicken in the pot, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to the plate with the bacon.
4. Sauté the mushrooms (if using), carrots, garlic, and onions in the pot until they just begin to brown, 5 minutes.
5. Pour half the wine into the pan and cook over high heat for about 8 minutes.
6. Add the broth and the remaining wine. Bring to a boil and add the chicken, bacon, and herbs.
7. Return to a boil, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and thyme and serve.