Slow Cooker Coq au Vin
A shortcut for the classic French dish, this Slow Cooker Coq au Vin delivers rich flavor with minimal effort, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs Thighs are juicier than breasts.
- 4 oz bacon Bacon adds smoky depth.
- 8 oz mushrooms You can use frozen mushrooms.
- 1 cup pearl onions Use frozen if preferred.
- 2 cloves garlic Minced garlic gives great flavor.
- 2 tbsp tomato paste Enhances the sauce's richness.
- 1 tbsp flour To thicken the sauce.
- 1 cup dry red wine Use a wine you'd drink; affordable options are fine.
- 1 cup chicken stock For moisture and flavor.
- 1 tsp thyme Fresh or dried thyme works.
- 1 leaf bay leaf
Instructions
Preparation
- Brown the bacon in a skillet until it's crisp.
- Remove excess grease from the skillet, leaving a little bit for flavor.
- Sear the chicken thighs in the skillet just enough for a little color.
- Transfer the chicken and bacon into the slow cooker with pan juices.
- Add mushrooms, pearl onions, garlic, tomato paste, flour, thyme, and bay leaf to the slow cooker.
- Pour wine and chicken stock over the mixture.
Cooking
- Set the slow cooker on low and let it cook for 6 hours.
- Don’t open the lid frequently to maintain heat.
Notes
You can thicken the sauce with cornstarch mixed with cold water if it turns out too watery. Optionally, leave the lid off for the last half hour to thicken.