Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Julia Child put Coq au Vin on the menu of many Americans households back in 1961 when her famous “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” was published. She often featured it on her PBS show, and this French braised chicken and wine dish became an entertaining “go to” for anyone trying to impress.

It is a remarkably easy dish and we make it even easier in a slow cooker as they are ideal for braising. Slow cooking chicken on the bone creates an irresistible tenderness and deepens the flavor of the chicken. No need to marinate the chicken in wine, it does that on its own while slowly cooking.

In a skillet, cook the bacon first, then sear off the chicken before adding all ingredients to the crock. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice for the perfect Julia inspired meal.

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Yield: Serves 4
Author: Hamilton Beach Test Kitchen

Ingredients

4 slices thick-sliced bacon, cut in pieces
3 pounds chicken drumsticks and thighs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chicken stock
2 1/2 cups red wine
4 large carrots, peeled and cut in 2-inch pieces
1 package (8 oz.) baby portobella mushrooms, quartered
1 package (12 oz.) frozen pearl onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
Mashed potatoes, optional
Fresh thyme, optional

Instructions

In large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Place bacon in slow cooker crock. Combine 1/2 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in resealable plastic bag. Shake a few pieces of chicken in bag at a time to coat with flour mixture; set aside.
Wipe out skillet and add vegetable oil.
In same skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken until browned on all sides.
Add chicken stock and red wine to bacon in crock. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour until blended. Add chicken, carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 5 to 6 hours or until chicken is tender.
Remove bay leaf and serve over mashed potatoes garnished with fresh thyme, if desired.

The Stovetop-Safe Programmable Slow Cooker makes preparing a delicious family dinner easy. For starters, it comes with die-cast aluminum cookware that goes right onto the stovetop for easy browning and sautéing. After that, creating a flavorful meal ahead of time is a simple matter of adding the other ingredients and setting the time and temperature.