This Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin is an elegant, flavorful weeknight meal made easy in your slow cooker!
Today’s a first at The Beach House Kitchen. I know. What have I been thinking?? Not one slow cooker meal here at the BHK. Well, that’s about to change, because today I’m sharing my Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin.
What is Coq Au Vin?
Coq Au Vin is a classic French dish composed of chicken braised slowly with red wine, bacon, carrots, pearl onions and mushrooms. The sauce is deliciously rich, and the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. I like to serve it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes with a generous helping of sauce spooned over top. You’ll be licking the plate, guaranteed!
This Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin is certainly not short on flavor. The wine, smoky bacon, onions, earthy mushrooms and garlic all help to create a dish that’s hearty and comforting, and perfect for the cold winter months.
There are a few steps required in this recipe, but the finished dish is definitely worth it. First, make sure your slow cooker is large enough to fit the chicken. You’ll need to cook the bacon in a skillet until just crisp, then cook your chicken in the same skillet until it’s nice and brown on both sides. Add the vegetables until softened, then throw it all into your slow cooker with your wine, broth, pearl onions and thyme sprigs.
You’ll set it and forget it for about five and a half hours, and then you’ll remove the chicken and add a mixture of cornstarch and water to the sauce to thicken it up nicely. Start with one to two tablespoons of cornstarch whisked together with one to two tablespoons of water. Pour it into the slow cooker and mix until thickened. If you like your sauce thicker, add a bit more.
The chicken will go back in to your slow cooker for another hour on high until the sauce is rich and thick, and the chicken is fabulously tender. When the phrase “winner, winner chicken dinner” was coined, I think Coq Au Vin was the dish they had in mind! Enjoy!
Looking for some other cozy winter meals? Try my Mushroom Florentine Gnocchi, my Beef and Quinoa Enchilada Skillet, or my Chicken Osso Bucco.
Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 5 slices bacon
- 4 whole chicken legs, thigh and drumstick
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 8 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 3/4 cup Pinot Noir
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 2 cups white pearl onions, frozen
- 1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until just crisp. Remove from skillet to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet.
- Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken, turning once, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate.
- Add butter and mushrooms to skillet and cook until mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add onions, carrots, garlic, salt and pepper and cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer vegetable mixture to slow cooker. Add chicken broth. Place chicken and any juices from plate and bacon on top of vegetables. Add wine, thyme sprigs and pearl onions. Cover and cook on low for 5 and a half hours.
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of water until smooth and no lumps appear. I like to remove the chicken from the slow cooker to a plate before mixing in the cornstarch mixture. (If you like the sauce thicker you can add another tablespoon cornstarch mixed with another tablespoon water). Add the chicken back to the slow cooker and continue to cook for 1 hour on high.
- Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. I like to serve mine with mashed potatoes.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Beautiful! I don’t use my slow cooker a lot, but there are dishes like this that can convince me to bust it out :) Love it!
Mary Ann
You’ll definitely need to bust it out for this recipe Jennifer! Enjoy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
The weather here is dreary and rainy, so it’s just perfect for an easy, cozy meal and this perfectly fits the bill, Mare! I adore Coq Au Vin, but haven’t made it in ages because it takes too much time, so I LOVE that you made this in the slow cooker! BRILLIANT!! Pinned! Cheers! Xoxo
Mary Ann
Perfect for a dreary day Chey! Nice and cozy and delicious! Happy Monday!
Deirdre
Mare this was JPF’s ( my Dad’s) favorite dish- I am definitely going to try it. Xoxo
Mary Ann
Go for it Didi! Enjoy! XO
Chris Scheuer
This looks amazing Mary Ann! I can only imagine what a wonderful aroma would fill the house while this was slow cooking. So many delicious ingredients!
Mary Ann
Thanks Chris! It’s one of my husband Tom’s favorite crock pot meals!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Mmmmmm….looks like the perfect cold weather dinner! I love coq au vin, but have never tried in the slow cooker! Definitely have to give that a go next time. Pinned! Have a wonderful Monday! XO
Mary Ann
Yay! Hope you enjoy it if you give it a go Dawn! Have a wonderful week! XO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I had no idea coq au vin was possible in a slow cooker. I always thought it was one of those things that took the better part of a weekend to achieve. . .Shows what I know, because this looks perfect! Happy Monday, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
Nope! Perfect for the slow cooker Kelsie! Happy Monday to you too love!
tom
I will testify under oath that this is indeed a winner!!
Mary Ann
Love you! XO
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
What a great idea to make this in the slow cooker and make it an easy weeknight meal! Fancy and easy! It looks like the perfect comfort food for this dreary day.
Mary Ann
It’s such a flavorful meal Karen, and one of Tom’s favorite! He loves it with mashed potatoes or a nice piece (or two) of crusty bread to sop up all that delicious sauce! Happy Monday!
annie@ciaochowbambina
I am literally salivating at the sight and description of this dish! One of my all-time favorites – you have absolutely done it justice, my friend! XO
Mary Ann
Thanks Annie! Tom and I both love this one! Finally a slow cooker recipe at the BHK!
Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef
I am using my slow cooker more these days and you recipe looks so good. Sautéing the mushrooms is a great idea when using the slow cooker. Have a great week Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
I hope you give this recipe a try Gerlinde! It’s one of our favorites!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
This looks so cozy and delicious Mary Ann! I’ve only made coq au vin a few times, and never in the slow cooker! But I’m always looking for new slow cooker recipes, so I’ll definitely be saving this for later. Happy Monday!
Mary Ann
I really hope you give it a try Leanne!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
You had me a slow cooker! ;)
Mary Ann
Woohoo! I need to post more slow cooker recipes!!
Lisa
Looks amazing. I will definitely make this.
Lisa
Mary Ann
Kevin will love this one!
Jennifer Farley
I bet that this smells incredible while it’s cooking! Looking forward to it!
Mary Ann
It does Jennifer! Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try! Let me know!
Leigh Ann
Looks so cozy and delicious! Love the slow cooker version!
Mary Ann
I need to get more slow cooker recipes on the blog Leigh Ann! I started with our favorite!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Hey Mary Ann! Great minds really do think alike, I’ve got an Instant Pot Coq au Vin coming up, I wish we could compare notes, this looks amazing, as always :)
Mary Ann
Great minds! Bet yours will be delicious! Thanks Sue!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender
LOVE this classic done in a Crockpot!!
Mary Ann
Thanks Natasha!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Oooohhh….coq au vin is ALWAYS welcome at my house. Such a classic for a reason. Delicious! These photos have me drooling!
Mary Ann
I agree Liz! Drooling is good!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I love my slow cooker, but I don’t use it nearly often enough. This coq au vin looks amazing. Anything cooked with wine has to be delicious – right? :)
Mary Ann
Yes! Wine is always good!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
I love coq au vin and you are so smart to make it in a slow cooker! this looks fantastic, Mary Ann
Mary Ann
Thanks Rachelle!
Gina @Running to the Kitchen
This couldn’t be more perfect for a chilly day! Sounds delicious!
Mary Ann
It’s so cozy Gina!
Lindsay Cotter
This looks so delicious! This is a must make for dinner!
Mary Ann
Hope you try it Lindsay!
Matt Robinson
Elegant is an understatement, absolutely awesome and would be a massive hit here.
Mary Ann
Woohoo! Hope you give it a go Matt!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
The slow cooker is my hero a lot of weekdays – I can’t wait to try this recipe. I just know it’ll earn me brownie points with Etienne! I’ve got to get my wine in somehow, right?! ;)
Mary Ann
Yes, I bet he’ll love it Katherine!
Karly
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this!
Mary Ann
Hope you love it Karly!
Kevin O'Leary
I’m definitely trying your slow cooker version. Total comfort!
Mary Ann
Hope you love it Kevin!
Emily
It is so good to be reminded of old favorites. This looks so cozy and warming, and bonus that it’s slow cooker! I love simmering in a wine sauce- wine makes everything better!
Mary Ann
You can never go wrong with the classics Emily. I totally agree. Wine sauces are wonderful!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
This is the perfect winter comfort meal!
Mary Ann
One of my favorites Laura!
Marissa
What a gorgeous dish! And I love the idea of loading up the slow cooker, heading out to ski and coming back to a heavenly aroma and the promise of an amazing meal.
Mary Ann
We love this slow cooker meal Marissa!
Janet
This was delicious! The only thing I did differently was add the wine (I used a little more than the recipe stated) to the pan to deglaze it and reduce it for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. It was as good as making it the traditional way.
Mary Ann
So happy you enjoyed it Janet! Thanks so much for sharing and following along. Happy Monday!
Lisa
This recipe sounds amazing — and the photography put me over the top. I’m curious what size slow cooker you use for this. I want to make sure mine isn’t too small.
Mary Ann
Hi Lisa! I used my 5-quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker for this recipe. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Lisa
Thanks – I’m making it tonight!