Coq au Vin with UK Shallots

A classic French dish that is rich and deep in flavour. Pieces of chicken cooked slowly in a rich red wine sauce, enhanced by shallots, garlic, mushrooms and pancetta.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 ½ hours

You’ll need

1 chicken, jointed into 8 pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
20g butter
20 round shallots, peeled and left whole
300g small button mushrooms
150g pancetta, cut into lardons
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp plain flour
4 tbsp cognac
400ml red wine
450ml chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

What to do

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

Heat half the oil and butter in a large casserole, and brown the chicken pieces well, ensuring the skin becomes crisp and brown. Set aside.

Melt the remaining butter with the oil and add the shallots, mushrooms and pancetta. Cook for 10 minutes until well browned, stirring regularly to ensure even browning. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook for a further minute.

In a separate pan bring the red wine to the boil and reduce by half.

Pour the cognac into the casserole and bring to a simmer. Allow the cognac to bubble until the liquid has reduced by half.

Add the reduced red wine and chicken stock, return the chicken pieces to the pan, and add the bay leaf and thyme.

Cover the casserole and cook in the preheated oven for one hour.

Serve garnished with the parsley, with plain boiled potatoes.

Note – it is important that this dish is made with chicken on the bone. Ask your butcher to joint a chicken for you, or use thighs and drumsticks.

Recipe courtesy of UK Shallot

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Melina - Assistant Editor

Hi I'm Melina, a mother of 3 teenage children and with a particular interest in all things health related. I run a busy household and smallholding alongside my work with Silversurfers, which currently includes dogs, fish, hens, ducks and pigs!

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