Description
This alcohol-free, pork-free Coq au Vin delivers all the depth, richness, and elegance of the French classic without wine or bacon. Tender braised chicken is infused with aromatics, herbs, and smoky paprika, then finished with buttery mushrooms and pearl onions in a velvety sauce. A true comfort dish worth every moment.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups high-quality chicken broth (or beef broth for richer flavor)
- 1 cup non-alcoholic red wine or substitute (see note)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, halved
- 1 cup pearl onions (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Sear in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 8–10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute more.
- Deglaze with non-alcoholic wine or juice blend. Simmer briefly, then return chicken to the pot. Add broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover, and braise on low heat for 1½–2 hours.
- Meanwhile, sauté mushrooms and pearl onions in butter with smoked paprika until golden. Set aside.
- Remove cooked chicken and strain sauce if desired. In a separate pan, whisk flour into 2 tbsp softened butter to make a beurre manié. Whisk into hot sauce to thicken.
- Return chicken and garnish vegetables to sauce. Simmer 5 minutes, then serve hot with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread.
Notes
Substitute for non-alcoholic red wine: 1 cup unsweetened cranberry or pomegranate juice + 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Braised
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 chicken piece with sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Keywords: coq au vin, French chicken stew, braised chicken, wine-free coq au vin, halal French recipe