Coq au Vin!

Alright, let's get to it! Coq au Vin, a true classic! This recipe focuses on deep flavor and a silky-smooth sauce. It's more of a labor of love, but the results are absolutely worth it.

Coq au Vin (Chicken in Red Wine)

Serves: 6-8 people Prep time: 45 minutes Cook time: 2.5 - 3 hours (depending on the chicken size)

Ingredients:

• The Chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken (about 3.5-4 lbs), cut into 8 pieces (or use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 ounces pancetta or bacon, diced
• The Aromatics:
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup cognac (optional, but highly recommended)
• The Wine and Stock:
  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red Burgundy wine (Beaujolais or Pinot Noir are good substitutes)
  • 2 cups chicken stock (low sodium)
• The Mushrooms and Finish:
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Equipment:

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid
• Large skillet (for browning mushrooms)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off the excess.

2. Brown the Chicken and Pancetta:

• Heat the olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Working in batches (don't overcrowd the pot!), brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown. This takes about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Add the diced pancetta/bacon to the Dutch oven and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the rendered fat in the pot.

3. Sauté the Vegetables:

• Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the Dutch oven and cook in the bacon fat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

4. Deglaze and Simmer:

• If using cognac, pour it into the Dutch oven and carefully ignite it with a long match or lighter (be very careful, and make sure to tilt the pot away from you). Let the alcohol burn off (it will only last a few seconds). This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor. If you don't want to flambé, just add the cognac and let it simmer for a minute or two.
• Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the thyme sprig and bay leaf.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, then return the chicken pieces to the Dutch oven. The chicken should be mostly submerged in the wine mixture. Add the chicken stock, enough to cover the chicken if needed.
• Bring back to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and almost falling off the bone.

5. Sauté the Mushrooms:

• While the chicken is simmering, prepare the mushrooms.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
• Add the quartered mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and have released their moisture, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Finish the Sauce and Assemble:

• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the Dutch oven and set aside. Cover loosely to keep warm.
• Increase the heat to medium and simmer the sauce in the Dutch oven, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. You can skim off any excess fat from the surface of the sauce during this time. Pro Tip: For an even smoother sauce, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the flavor.
• Return the chicken to the sauce, along with the sautéed mushrooms and cooked pancetta/bacon. Heat through for a few minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

7. Serve:

• Serve the Coq au Vin hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
• Traditionally served with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, rice, or crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.

Chef's Notes & Tips:

• Chicken Quality: Use the highest quality chicken you can afford. Free-range or organic chicken will have better flavor.
• Wine Choice: Don't use a cooking wine. Select a dry red wine that you would enjoy drinking. The quality of the wine will directly impact the flavor of the dish.
• Deglazing: Deglazing the pot is essential for developing a rich, flavorful sauce.
• Slow and Low: The key to tender chicken is to simmer it gently over low heat.
• Make Ahead: Coq au Vin is even better the next day! The flavors meld together beautifully. Reheat gently over low heat.
• Variations: Some recipes add pearl onions or shallots along with the other vegetables. You can also add a bouquet garni (a bundle of herbs tied together) for extra flavor.
• Thickening the sauce: If your sauce isn't thick enough after simmering, you can make a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water and whisk it into the simmering sauce. Cook for a minute or two until thickened.

Enjoy your Coq au Vin! Bon appétit!