How to Make Coq au Vin (Chicken and Wine)

Servings: 4
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
Extra virgin olive oil
Butter, room temperature
¼ lb pancetta, diced
3-4 lbs chicken thighs
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 carrots, cut diagonally in 1-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, sliced
6 cloves garlic, smashed
½ lb mushrooms, quartered
1/2 bottle dry red wine
1 cups chicken stock
1 bunch fresh thyme
1-2 tbsp AP flour
Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

2. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove the bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon.

3. Meanwhile, lay the chicken out on paper towels and pat dry. Liberally season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. In the Dutch oven, brown the chicken in batches in a single layer until the skin is crispy and golden brown.  Remove the chicken to the plate with the bacon and continue to brown until all the chicken is done. Set aside.

4. Add the carrots and onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine to deglaze all the crispy brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Then add the chicken stock, thyme, bacon, chicken, and any juices that collected on the plate into the pot. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.

5. Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven for 45 minutes - 1 hour.  Turn the oven up to 450 degrees, remove the lid and cook another 20 minutes to crisp the chicken. 

6. When the chicken is done, remove just the chicken to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm. 
Make a Beurre Manie by mashing 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour together to form a paste.  Place the Dutch oven over medium heat and stir the Beurre Manie into the stew.  Bring the stew to a simmer and cook for another 5 minutes. If you would like a thicker consistency, add another tablespoon of butter and flour.  Taste and season if necessary. 

7. To finish the dish, add the vegetables and sauce to the chicken on the platter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.