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–+ servings
Coq au Vin in a bowl with noodles.

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin is an old-world French classic of chicken and vegetable braised in the oven. We have updated the recipe as a Slow Cooker Coq au Vin with all the same awesome flavors without heating up the oven.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 578kcal
Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound lean salt pork or sliced thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 8 ounces fresh pearl onions peeled (see Notes)
  • 3 pounds chicken thighs and legs 4 each
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound fresh Crimini mushroom whole if small, halved if large
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves grated or minced
  • 6 carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 ounces tomato paste
  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • Fresh herbs sprigs of thyme and rosemary tied together with string
  • 3 dried bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons soft butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • In a heavy-bottomed skillet set on medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp.  Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Add the peeled onions to the rendered fat in the skillet and brown the lightly.  Remove the onions with a slotted spoon and add to the slow cooker insert.  
  • Season the chicken with the salt and pepper and, working in batches, brown to a rich, golden brown.  Using tongs, remove to a plate as they brown and continue until all the chicken has been browned.  
  • Add the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and carrots to the slow cooker.  Combine the chicken broth with the tomato paste and stir until the tomato paste is lump-free, then add to the slow cooker.  
  • Pour in the red wine and stir to blend the ingredients; then add the tied herbs and the bay leaves.
  • Place the browned chicken in the slow cooker, just barely submerged.  Place the lid on the cooker and set the temperature to low.  Cook for 7-8 hours, taste and correct the seasoning if necessary.
  • In a small dish, mash the butter and flour together to a smooth paste and stir into the slow cooker mixture.  
  • Cook for an additional hour to thicken the liquid slightly.  
  • When ready to serve, bring the slow cooker insert to the table and ladle the coq au vin into shallow bowls with 1 thigh and 1 chicken leg per serving with cooked noodles or mashed potatoes.  Top each serving with a tablespoon of the reserved bacon bits and garnish with parsley.  

Notes

  • To peel the pearl onion, tip them into a saucepan of boiling water for one to two minutes then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking; then remove them and drain on a kitchen towel.  When they are cool, snip off the top and squeeze the root end and they slide right out of their skins. 
  • Frozen pearl onions can be used instead of the fresh onions. Thaw them completely and add them to the slow cooker when stirring in the flour/butter mixture.
  • This recipe will use 1/2 of a bottle of dry red wine. Buy a good bottle that you like and finish the bottle with your delicious dinner!♥️

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 1363mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g