Julia Child’s Legendary Coq Au Vin

Experience the rich, rustic elegance of French countryside cooking with Julia Child’s famous Coq Au Vin. Braised in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and herbs, this comforting dish turns humble ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece.

🛒 Ingredients (Servings: 4)

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta or thick-cut bacon, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups red wine (Burgundy preferred)
1½ cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
8–10 pearl onions, peeled
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken:
🧂 Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

2️⃣ Brown the Bacon & Chicken:
🥓 In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove and set aside. Brown the chicken in the rendered fat in batches, skin-side down first, until golden. Set aside.

3️⃣ Build the Braise:
🍷 Sprinkle flour into the pot and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the wine and chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.

4️⃣ Simmer with Aromatics:
🌿 Add tomato paste, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and cooked bacon. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender.

5️⃣ Sauté Mushrooms and Onions:
🍄 While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté pearl onions and mushrooms until golden and tender. Season with salt and pepper.

6️⃣ Combine and Finish:
🍽️ Remove chicken from the sauce. Strain the sauce if desired for a smooth consistency, then return it to the pot along with chicken, onions, and mushrooms. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.

7️⃣ Serve:
🌿 Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty French bread.

🛍️ Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Coq Au Vin

🍷 Burgundy Red Wine for Cooking
Authentic French flavor that elevates the dish.
🍳 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Ideal for braising and retaining even heat.
🔪 Professional Chef Knife
For precision prep of veggies and chicken.
🧄 Garlic Press & Mincer Tool
Makes mincing garlic effortless.
🥄 Silicone Spatula Set
Perfect for stirring sauces and scraping down your Dutch oven.
🧈 European-Style Butter
Rich, creamy butter for sautéing and finishing.

💡 Helpful Tip:

Letting the dish sit overnight in the fridge only deepens the flavor—this is the perfect make-ahead meal for special occasions or intimate dinner parties.