Speedy Coq Au Vin Recipe
Overview:
Speedy Coq Au Vin is a quick and delightful rendition of the classic French dish, perfect for a comforting meal during the winter months or any time you crave robust flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe serves 4 and takes just 35 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
- Keywords: Chicken, Poultry, Meat, European, Winter, < 60 Mins, Stove Top
- Calories per Serving: 311.8
- Fat Content: 17.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 5.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 61.8mg
- Sodium Content: 946.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 3.1g
- Fiber Content: 0.2g
- Sugar Content: 0.7g
- Protein Content: 18.7g
Ingredients:
- 4 slices bacon
- 4 chicken breast halves
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 2 cups red wine
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 2/3 cup pearl onions
Instructions:
-
Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving the fat in the skillet.
-
Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breast halves with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and fresh ground pepper. Add them to the same skillet and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, approximately 8 minutes in total. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
-
Cook Onions: Add the pearl onions to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until they turn golden, about 4 minutes.
-
Deglaze with Wine and Broth: Pour in the red wine, chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon of chopped thyme leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
-
Simmer Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, which typically takes about 15 minutes.
-
Finish the Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate. Stir in the remaining chopped thyme leaves and salt. Increase the heat to medium and cook the sauce until it has slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
-
Combine and Garnish: Stir in the cooked bacon pieces. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Serving:
Serve the Speedy Coq Au Vin hot, with sides like mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or steamed vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce. It’s a hearty dish that pairs wonderfully with a glass of the remaining red wine used in cooking.
Tips for Success:
- Browning the Chicken: Ensure the chicken breasts are well-browned on both sides before simmering them in the sauce. This helps lock in flavor and moisture.
- Deglazing: When adding the wine and broth to the skillet, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. This step adds depth to the sauce.
- Adjusting Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Remember, bacon can add saltiness, so adjust accordingly.
Enjoy Your Meal!
This Speedy Coq Au Vin recipe from lovewithrecipes.com brings the essence of French cuisine to your table in a fraction of the time traditionally required. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying without sacrificing flavor. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this savory dish and savor each bite!