This Instant Pot Coq au Vin recipe is simple, only takes a few ingredients, and is done in less than an hour. It's a traditional French comfort food that sounds pretty, tastes amazing, and, with the right plating and presentation, becomes fine dining in the comfort of your own home. The rich flavors from the chicken, bacon, and vegetables stewing in that wine are perfect with garlicky mashed potatoes.
Especially on cold winter nights. But who has time for all that on a busy weeknight!? Well, you do; you have the time. At least you do now!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Coq au Vin Rouge doesn't need to be intimidating. This Instant Pot Recipe is easy and quick for a cozy, elegant weeknight meal. The rich flavors are perfect in the fall and winter to warm the soul. This recipe will impress your friends and family, an ideal way for everyone to come together. I also love making Quick and Easy Swiss Steak in the Instant Pot during the fall and winter—a true comfort food classic.
Ingredients
Meat: I used chicken quarters for this Coq au Vin as it is traditionally served. The dark meat soaks up some wine sauce, becoming well-flavored and incredibly tender. I kept them whole, but you can separate the leg and thigh. Alternatively, serve with just chicken thighs or legs, whichever you prefer.
You'll also need some thick-cut bacon. My favorite is Wright bacon, but any brand will do just fine.
Wine: I prefer to use Pinot Noir for my red wine cooking. It offers a beautifully rich flavor, especially when combined with the other ingredients. See expert tips below.
Vegetables: One of the reasons I love Coq au Vin SO much is because of the veggies. They are all of my favorites. Mushrooms, Carrots, and Shallots sautéd to perfection and then pressure cooked in wine? Yeah, it doesn't get much better than that!
Herbs and Spices: To add and enhance the flavors in this recipe, you'll need some Minced Garlic, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and fresh Thyme.
Miscellaneous: Some additional ingredients help with flavor and texture. I use Salted Butter when cooking the bacon and sautéing the onions.
You'll also want to grab some Red wine Vinegar, Chicken Stock, and Tomato Paste.
Lastly, you'll need cornstarch and water for a slurry to thicken the sauce before serving.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by setting your Instant Pot to sauté on high for 15 minutes and add the butter.
Once the butter has begun to melt, add the diced bacon and allow it to start to brown and curl.
Next, add the shallots. Do not dice or chop them. Peel them, separate the different pieces, and drop them in whole. Sauté the shallots with the butter and bacon until they soften and turn translucent.
Now, add the garlic and continue Sautéing for another 2-3 minutes or until the garlic becomes aromatic.
Pour in the Red Wine Vinegar and Chicken stock. Using a wooden or stiff silicon spatula, deglaze the bottom of the pot.
Once the pot has been deglazed, add the kosher salt, black pepper, and tomato paste, stirring to incorporate the other ingredients fully.
Add the sliced mushrooms and carrots, giving it all another good stir.
And the moment we've all been waiting for...Time for The Wine!
Pour the wine into the Instant Pot and bring it to a boil. Next, add the chicken quarters and spread the Fresh Thyme over the top.
Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and set it to Pressure cook on high.
Once the cooking process is complete, allow for a 15-minute release.
Lastly, remove the chicken and set it aside. Make a slurry using the water and cornstarch, and pour the slurry into the Coq au Vin, stirring to combine thoroughly. Place the chicken back into the Instant pot and set it to Sauté to bring to a simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken. This will take about 5-10 minutes or until your desired thickness has been reached.
Expert Tips
- Serve your Coq au Vin with amazing garlicky mashed potatoes and maybe even some Homemade Crusty Rosemary Bread to clean up the whole plate when you're done.
- If you would like to stick to a full French theme for a dinner party, consider making this Escargot without the shells as an appetizer. This is also a delicacy from the Burgundy region of France and is absolutely incredible.
- I typically use a bottle I will drink for the wine, like Meiomi. I recommend going a little cheaper if you don't want to drink whatever's left.
Recipe FAQs
Coq au Vin literally translates to "Rooster in Wine." Originally, it was made specifically with a rooster. But now it is made with chicken. Julia Child made this dish popular in the US, but dates back much further.
Some of the best sides for Coq au Vin are mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted carrots, and crusty bread for dipping.
Coq au Vin is made with bone-in chicken, red wine, an assortment of vegetables, herbs, and spices.
The richness of Coq au Vin is what makes his dish so popular and flavorful. It is a classic menu item at many fine dining restaurants but can easily be made at home.
Coq au Vin is essentially the same as Beef Bourguignon but with chicken instead of beef.
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📖 Recipe
Coq au Vin: An Easy Instant Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
- 6 Strips Thick Cut Bacon - diced
- 3 Shallots - peeled and separated
- 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
- ½ Cup Chicken Stock
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
- 8 Oz Sliced Mushrooms
- 3 Large Carrots - sliced
- 2 Cups Pinot Noir
- 4 Chicken Leg Quarters
- 1 Bunch Fresh Thyme
- 2 Tbsp. Cornstarch
- 4 Tbsp. Water
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté on high for 15 minutes and add the butter.
- Add the diced bacon and allow it to start to brown and curl.
- Sauté the peeled and separated shallots with the butter and bacon until they soften and turn translucent.
- Add the garlic and continue Sautéing for another 2-3 minutes or until the garlic becomes aromatic.
- Pour in the Red Wine Vinegar and Chicken stock and deglaze the pot.
- Add the remaining ingredients and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on High for 10 minutes.
- Allow for a 15-minute release.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside. Make a slurry using the water and cornstarch, and pour the slurry into the Coq au Vin, stirring to fully combine.
- Place the chicken back into the Instant pot and set it to Sauté to bring to a simmer allowing the sauce to thicken. This will take about 5-10 minutes or until your desired thickness has been reached.
- Serve your Coq au Vin with some amazing matched potatoes and maybe even some crusty french bread to clean up the whole plate when you're done.
Video
Notes
- Serve your Coq au Vin with amazing garlicky mashed potatoes and maybe even some Homemade Crusty Rosemary Bread to clean up the whole plate when you're done.
- If you would like to stick to a full French theme for a dinner party, consider making this Escargot without the shells as an appetizer. This delicacy from the Burgundy region of France is also incredible.
- I typically use a bottle I will drink for the wine, like Meiomi. I recommend going a little cheaper if you don't want to drink whatever's left.
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