Coq au Riesling Recipe (2024)

By Nigella Lawson

Coq au Riesling Recipe (1)

Total Time
1½ hours plus overnight refrigeration (optional)
Rating
5(2,198)
Notes
Read community notes

The chicken stew here does have an authentic origin, but I have lightened it a little by dispensing with the cream that would be added luxuriously in its country of origin. And you can cheerfully use a dry or semi-dry from anywhere in the world. I have nothing against the regular coq au vin, but I might actually prefer this sprightlier version. It's certainly easier to make: in place of all those whole baby onions, which have to be peeled one by one, you can just chop your onions the usual and considerably less bothersome way. And since I always think that the breast meat of a chicken can be a bit stringy when cooked for a long time, I instead choose thigh portions. So no dismembering of a carcass is required either.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

  • 8ounces sliced bacon, sliced crosswise into 1-inch pieces
  • 3medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 10chicken thighs, with skin and bone
  • 8ounces button mushrooms, halved
  • 2 or 3garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • ¼cup chopped Italian parsley
  • 3tablespoons chopped tarragon
  • 1bottle dry or off-dry riesling wine (750 ml)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

1005 calories; 69 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 29 grams monounsaturated fat; 14 grams polyunsaturated fat; 14 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 60 grams protein; 517 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Coq au Riesling Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Place large flameproof casserole or other heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add bacon, and cook until most of the fat has been rendered. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to plate, leaving behind as much liquid fat as possible.

  2. Step

    2

    Place pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches (do not overcrowd pan), brown chicken pieces on both sides, transferring them to a plate after they are browned.

  3. Step

    3

    Reduce heat to medium-low. Add mushrooms, garlic, 3 tablespoons of parsley and 2 tablespoons of tarragon. Sauté until mushrooms are coated in fat, about 1 minute. Return chicken pieces, onions and bacon to pan. Add wine, and raise heat to bring to a boil. Partially cover, turn heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.

  4. Step

    4

    To serve immediately, sprinkle with remaining parsley and tarragon. For best results, cool, and refrigerate overnight. The next day remove any chilled fat on surface with paper towels. Reheat gently, sprinkle with parsley and tarragon, and serve.

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2,198

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Mickey

After reading the reviews about the flavor being to winey tasting I thought to leave my first ever note.
Whenever you cook with wine you need to let it simmer without the cover of the pot on to let the alcohol boil out and evaporate. You can smell it and when the alcohol scent is no longer detectable cover the pot. You end up with great taste but no alcohol flavor which although is sometimes left in desserts should never be tasted in food.

Patrick

Pearls before wine?

Anne H

I have made this with and without bacon. Bacon is not necessary, but adds nice flavor. Try thyme in place of tarragon.
Not sure about mushrooms, perhaps add pearl onions. This dish is definitely better made the day before you plan to serve it. Add 1/8-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper to the recipe. It adds a nice zing.

Bogdan

I was thinking that it is perhaps better to add the wine before adding back the chicken back in and so I did. Adding the wine first has the two pronged advantage of both deglazing the fond and cooking off the alcohol in the wine. After that’s done you can safely add the chicken back in and simmer the pot covered without a resulting mild alcohol taste in the final dish.

Joe

When braising, add liquid only half-way, leaving crisp skin uncovered. Thighs cook and skin stays crispy.

Jaimie

Made this the other night but was wondering about adding an entire bottle of riesling. Who doesn't love a party? I have to say, though, it was too much. The flavor was very sharp and almost tinny. All that wine took away from the richness. I definitely would do half a bottle + half poultry stock next time. Then you can enjoy a little glass of wine on the side. Otherwise, love the idea of this white-wine version of Coq au Vin and will try it again with these adjustments.

kathy

I think would rather drink half the bottle of wine and cover my tracks by supplementing with a good stock. One must take care of the cook.

Randy

While it is true that alcohol does not completely cook out of any dish, studies done by USDA demonstrated that for a dish that is brought to a boil and simmered for 1 hour+ (as is this one) the remaining alcohol is only 5% of what was originally used.
This recipe calls for Riesling which usually runs around 10% ABV so the 5% remaining from a 750ml bottle would equal 1/8 ounce or 1/3 teaspoon in the entire recipe! Not enough to taste or to intoxicate and certainly not enough to worry about.

SG-SF

Boneless, skinless organic thighs, lightly dredged in Wondra flour, salt and pepper. Not overly greasy. Flour added color and body to sauce. With boneless reduced stovetop time to 40 minutes. Dried thyme instead of tarragon, off-dry riesling (no tinny acidity), bagged pearl onions (quick and attractive. The dish came together quickly before breakfast, to be served at dinner. Easy. Worthy of guests with a simple potato gratin or crusty bread and a green salad.

MsBlucher

I loveses me some crispy chicken skin and find that even the sorriest, flabbiest, simmered-for-hours-to-make-soup specimens can be miraculously revived by microwaving them: blot the pieces of skin dry, lay them out on a Pyrex pie plate or other microwave-safe surface, cover with a paper towel, give them a couple minutes on high, then flip over and repeat until crisp/brown to your liking. Season, let drain on more paper towels, then chop them up as a garnish, or leave 'em whole - like frico.

Sheri

This quickly became a family favorite and company dish. Take the time to brown the mushrooms and get a little carmelization going. I throw in some small red taters and carrots with some added broth to make it a new dish meal. Everyone raves!

BlindStevie

I made this for the wife last night. It is wonderful. It took me over two hours to prepare, but it is well worth it. There's nothing difficult here, it just takes a while to prepare. I used half white mushrooms and half baby bellas. I also used a dry pinot grigio. This recipe is a keeper.

Judy

I wonder if the problem some are having concerns the amount of chicken called for. Chicken size varies a lot. Ten thighs might serve ten or only half that many, depending. Telling us the weight of the chicken in the recipe eliminates guesswork and allows better judgement as to amount of wine. Same with bacon. Eight slices of medium-thick would result in too much fat, but with a thin slice eight might be just right. Many new cooks lack the experience to make these adjustments automatically.

Allie

I used half chicken stock and half white wine since I did not have a full bottle of Riesling and it came out delicious!

michele j

The key to this recipe is to well brown the chicken, salt after browning, and serve the next day—like any coq au vin. I serve it with Smashed Sweet Potatoes. No overthinking. Very easy. Very Successful.

Denis in Boston

Start with a mirepoix. It will add flavor. There is too much braising liquid to expect to thicken all of it and you don’t need it. It depends on how thick you want it but the braising liquid here is too thin. Use the classic 3:2:1 ratio of 3 parts flour, 2 parts butter and one cup of braising liquid to make gravy. That might be too thick so be flexible. So remove thee chicken and strain the liquid to measure just the liquid portion. Thicken based on that measurement. Serve on buttered noodles.

Victoria

I made this just because I had an almost full bottle of bad Sauv Blanc in the fridge (and I know you're not supposed to cook with wine you wouldn't drink, but whatever). It was so easy and so good. Will make again with a semi-dry Riesling to see if there's any difference.

maestro nick

Use instapot and no salt. Finish with pepper and CHS seasoning and some cream

Amanda

Only thing I’d change is salting and peppering the chicken before beginning. Otherwise, delicious!

Izza

It's French food, ya'll! Add all the wine and use skinless thighs. I tend to use a dry white instead of Riesling. I don't like the sweetness of the riesling. This is a great winter dinner party meal with crusty bread and butter lettuce salad.

Victoria

Riesling comes in many styles, so don't judge it by what is often sold as Riesling. Try an Alsace Riesling--you may never want to drink another type of white wine again. Also, sweeter Rieslings have their place, but they need to be balanced with enough acidity. Again, a good German semi-dry Riesling (i.e. with some sweetness) is juicy and delicious.

Susan

Brown the bacon completely, like crispy. Use skin on and bone in thighs only. Brown skin nicely. Use either thyme or tarragon, either is nice. Fridge overnight for sure.

Sallie

Bacon needs to be cut up smaller; found the flabby pieces of bacon unappetizing. (Bacon really isn’t a good substitute for lardons, in general.) Need to render the fat down more, to just a tbsp or so before browning the chicken. Luckily we cooked it the day before so we could scrape off a layer of fat before serving. Agree that it’s too much effort for too little flavor.

zingsMom

Recipe was made as follows: Two skinless chicken breasts, lightly dredged in 00 flour, salted and peppered Half bottle Riesling; equal amount of chicken broth Six slices of bacon Shiitake mushrooms, cooked in butter Sliced carrots, garlic to taste, artichoke hearts Fresh thymeAfter the bacon and chicken breasts were cooked and removed from the skillet, I then simmered the half bottle of Riesling for 45 minutes. Everything was then simmered in a covered skillet for one hour.

NoCheese

Excited for a dairy free lighter coq au vin. Followed the tips: half riesling/half broth, pearl onions, and simmered the wine mixture before adding the chicken back. Note: pearl onions are easiest peeled when blanched first. They just slip out after cutting off the root.

cathleen

Be sure to have tarragon. Applewood bacon from the fresh market semi dry riesling. Only make 6-8 chicken thighs cut back on receipt as needed. Simmer on a small burner to keep it a low simmer.

Jim L

Salt & pepper on chicken before; lardons of slab bacon and frozen pearl onions; after browning chicken sautéed mushrooms until browned then added garlic until fragrant; deglazed with half bottle wine before adding thyme and parsley; added back chicken, onions bacon & pint of chicken stock.

Isabella

Lovely recipe; came out nicely. Followed tips to keep the chicken out of the liquid to retain the crispness of the skin. However, I did use almost a whole bottle of wine and agree with many that said half wine and half chicken stock might be better. Used thyme.

Ted

This was delicious. I reduced quantities for a smaller crowd, but it was much better than I expected. I love regular Coq au Vin, but this is quite different, and very satisfying. Served with mashed potatoes. Yum.

Gabriel

Just made this, few comments.1. Salt is not listed. Salt your chicken prior to cooking it, ideally overnight. This is the reason there are comments calling it bland. No salt=no flavor. 2. If you have too much fat after browning (as I did) remove enough to leave about 2 Tbsp. 3. Brown those mushrooms some then add the herbs. 4. Add wine, scrape bottom of pan, cook off alcohol with a soft boil for a few minutes, THEN add the chicken in single layer.5. Finish in oven, no lid.

josh

I did the full bottle of a dry Riesling and it was perfect! I did let it come to a boil and leave it for 10 minutes before turning it lower. You can smell when the alcohol is less. The flavor was incredible!

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Coq au Riesling Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best wine to use for coq au vin? ›

So aim for a lively red wine with silky tannins and spicy hints, such as a full-bodied Beaujolais or a southern wine from Provence or Languedoc.

How do you reheat coq au Riesling? ›

This chicken Riesling dish can be reheated on a stove over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding more wine, as needed. The stew can also be reheated in an oven at 350ºF, until heated through (about 30 minutes). Although the results won't be as good, a microwave can also be used in a pinch.

Is there any alcohol left in coq au vin? ›

If you want to minimize alcohol content, choose a recipe such as coq au vin, which is chicken braised in red wine sauce, rather than a flamed dish. These dishes contain as much as 75 percent of the original alcohol after the flames go out.

Can you cook with riesling? ›

Avoid white wines like moscato or riesling, which may include words like sweet, auslese or demi-sec on their labels. Sweet wines like these dessert wines or ice wines should be reserved only for post-dinner sipping, as they are likely to add unintended sweetness to a recipe.

Why does my coq au vin taste bitter? ›

If your Coq au Vin tastes bitter, it could be due to over-reducing the wine or burning the garlic. Ensure you're using good quality wine and adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly to prevent bitterness.

What can I use instead of red wine in coq au vin? ›

"This recipe uses sherry instead of the usual red wine. From the Lobel Brothers. More herbs can be added if you like, but it's good this way, or even with no herbs at all.

Should Riesling be refrigerated? ›

Riesling is a white wine that's best served chilled to 45-55°F (7-12°C). If you don't have access to a temperature-controlled wine fridge, place your bottle on the door of your refrigerator and take it out a few minutes before serving.

Can you overcook coq au vin? ›

The sauce is often thin and acidic, a weird purplish color, and the chicken itself is hard and dry. The problem is that by the time the sauce has sufficient depth and weight, the chicken is way overcooked.

Does coq au vin taste better the next day? ›

Like all braises, coq au vin is best made a day ahead, so the flavors have a chance to intensify. Let it cool completely, then store it in the refrigerator. To reheat, first spoon off and discard any solidified fat on the surface, then place the pot over a low flame for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

What does coq au vin mean in English? ›

Coq au vin (/ˌkɒk oʊ ˈvæ̃/; French: [kɔk o vɛ̃], "rooster/co*ck with wine") is a French dish of chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and optionally garlic.

Do you leave skin on chicken for coq au vin? ›

Coq Au Vin Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this coq au vin recipe: Chicken: This coq au vin recipe starts with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Seasonings: Season the chicken with salt and ground black pepper. Bacon: Bacon (and its drippings) add tons of meaty flavor and depth.

How long does it take for alcohol to cook off in wine? ›

As a reference, here's a helpful rule of thumb: After 30 minutes of cooking, alcohol content decreases by 10 percent with each successive half-hour of cooking, up to 2 hours. That means it takes 30 minutes to boil alcohol down to 35 percent and you can lower that to 25 percent with an hour of cooking.

What not to pair with Riesling? ›

For dry Rieslings, avoid sweeter foods or your wine will end up tasting like vinegar because your taste buds quickly become used to the sweeter taste of the food.

What pairs best with Riesling? ›

Some classic dry Riesling pairings often fall under the seafood category, so crab, sole, sushi, smoked fish, bass, and fish tacos are always winners. If you find a nice chunk of time on an easy fall late afternoon, try cooking some duck L'orange or roast some squab with herbed fingerling potatoes.

Why is Riesling so good? ›

Dry-style Rieslings, like ours here at M Cellars, tend to be acidic and aromantic, giving off notes of green apple, citrus, and popcorn oil. Rieslings are also often used in ice wines, or late harvest wines, which tend to be juicy and sweet, with candy apple notes, as well as caramel and honey undertones.

Can I use cabernet sauvignon for coq au vin? ›

It's not coq au vin without wine…

Choose a wine decent enough that you'd drink it alone. I prefer something a bit hearty, such as a Syrah, a Cabernet Sauvignon or a blend. Not a red wine fan? Here's a surprising tip: you can also make this with white wine.

Can you use Pinot Noir for coq au vin? ›

Traditional coq au vin would usually include a Burgundy wine (made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Burgundy region of France), however, you can definitely use another type of Pinot Noir, or other dry reds. I recommend using a red of the same quality you'd drink since it is a large component of this dish.

What is a good red cooking wine? ›

When it comes to cooking, your safest bet is to choose a mid-priced, medium-bodied red wine with moderate tannins, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Using a red wine that is too big, full-bodied and tannic, like Shiraz, may turn 'chalky' and astringent while cooking and ruin the flavour of your dish.

Is chianti good for coq au vin? ›

For a pairing from a different region, a Chianti Classico from Italy could also work well. Made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, Chianti Classico is known for its bright acidity and flavors of tart cherries and earth, which can complement the wine-based sauce and the chicken in the dish.

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