Coq au Vin is a classic French dish that combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, and sweet pearl onions in a rich red wine sauce. It's a comforting and hearty meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces. 200g bacon, diced. 250g pearl onions, peeled. 250g mushrooms, sliced. 3 cloves garlic, minced. 2 cups red wine preferably Burgundy. 2 cups chicken broth. 1 bouquet garni thyme, parsley, bay leaf. 2 tablespoons olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Flour for dredging chicken.
Instructions: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on all sides. Remove and set aside. In the same pot, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside. Add pearl onions and mushrooms to the pot. Cook until onions are golden brown and mushrooms are tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in red wine and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return chicken and bacon to the pot. Add bouquet garni. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley, with crusty bread or mashed potatoes on the side.
