Rustic Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 6 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
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Coq au Vin is a classic French dish that's comforting and full of rich flavors. Our Rustic Slow Cooker Coq au Vin brings the elegance of French cuisine to your home kitchen with minimal effort, thanks to the magic of slow cooking.

Ingredients for Rustic Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Bone-in chicken thighs are the star, offering tender meat and flavor. Bacon adds a smoky, savory depth, while red wine contributes to the dish's signature rich sauce. Chicken broth complements the wine and intensifies the overall flavor. Tomato paste thickens the sauce and adds a hint of acidity. Onions and garlic provide a savory base, with mushrooms and carrots adding earthiness and sweetness. Bay leaf and thyme infuse the dish with aromatic herbs. Finally, salt and pepper balance the flavors, while flour thickens the sauce and olive oil and butter lend richness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a good quality dry red wine for a more robust flavor.
  • Browning the chicken is crucial for adding depth to the dish.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or a crusty French baguette to soak up the luscious sauce. A side of green beans or a simple salad can add a fresh contrast to the rich flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken?
While you can use boneless chicken, bone-in thighs offer more flavor and keep the meat moist.
What wine should I use?
Opt for a dry red wine like Pinot Noir or Merlot for the best results.

Rustic Slow Cooker Coq au Vin Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it's crispy. Once done, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside for later. Now, in the same skillet, brown the chicken thighs in the bacon fat. Get them nice and golden, then transfer them to your slow cooker.

Next, in the same skillet, melt the butter and toss in the onions, garlic, and carrots. Sauté them until they’re softened. Sprinkle the flour on top and stir to coat the veggies. Add the tomato paste and gradually pour in the red wine and chicken broth, scraping up all those delicious bits from the bottom of the pan.

Pour this flavorful wine mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the mushrooms, bay leaf, thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Before serving, remove the bay leaf and sprinkle the crispy bacon on top as a garnish. Enjoy your rustic masterpiece!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Effortlessly elegant — let the slow cooker do the work.
  • Rich, deep flavors that develop over hours.
  • Perfect for cozy dinners and impressing guests.
  • Uses simple ingredients for a sophisticated result.

Ingredients

4 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 cups red wine
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the bacon until crispy.
2. Remove bacon and brown chicken thighs in the bacon fat, then transfer to the slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and carrots in butter until softened.
4. Add flour and tomato paste, stir to coat vegetables, then gradually add red wine and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet.
5. Pour the wine mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
6. Add mushrooms, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
7. Cook on low for 6 hours or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
8. Remove bay leaf and serve hot, garnished with crispy bacon.

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