Coq au vin
See this recipe step by step

Coq au vin

Gordon Ramsay adds his personal touch and expertise to create the perfect coq au vin

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 50 mins

Freezable

Method

  1. Joint the chicken (for pictures of jointing, click on step by step link above or read the instructions below. Alternatively, ask the butcher to do it for you).
  2. JOINTING THE CHICKEN: Pull out the wing joints and cut off the wing tip. Using a small knife, cut around the skin and flesh on the lower wing joint through to the bone, then scrape back the flesh. Using a heavier large knife, smash through the bone halfway along and detach. Repeat on the other side.
  3. Detach the scaly leg bone at the drumstick with a hefty thump of the large knife. Slash through skin where the thigh joins the body and pull leg firmly from socket to dislocate the thigh bone. Press down and pull to expose the 'oyster' muscle underneath the bird. Slice the thigh away from the back of the body.
  4. Lay the whole leg joint out on the board, find the mid-point socket joint and simply cut straight through it for neat thigh and leg joints. Repeat on the other side.
  5. Cut through the skin and flesh halfway along to the drumstick and scrape back the flesh, then smash through the bone. Using poultry scissors or heavy kitchen scissors, cut away the back half of the breast carcass, to leave a 'crown' of chicken breast and wing joint. Cut through the top of the crown to divide in half for two chicken breasts.
  6. Lay each breast joint on the board, then cut in half again at right angles so you have one portion with a wing joint and one without. You should now have eight neat, joints of chicken.
  7. Put the flour into a bowl with some salt and pepper, then toss in the chicken, shaking off the excess. Place the chicken on a plate and season again.
  8. Heat 4 tbsp of oil in a large shallow pan and brown the chicken joints. (Do this in batches if your pan is not large enough, adding extra oil if necessary.) Tip the bacon into the pan along with the chicken, stirring until lightly browned and crisp. Using tongs, remove the chicken to a plate.
  9. Add all the vegetables and herbs to the bacon with a splash more oil, if necessary, then cook for about 5 mins, stirring once or twice. Pour in the Cognac and bubble up, scraping the pan to deglaze, for 2-3 mins. Then pour in all the wine and bring to the boil.
  10. Tip in the chicken joints; press into the pan so they are immersed in liquid and cook, uncovered, for 10 mins, until the wine has reduced by half. Pour in the stock, return to a simmer, season and cook, uncovered, for 1 hr until the liquid has reduced by half and the chicken is tender. Set aside for 10 mins before serving.
  11. Heat another 4 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and, when hot, fry the mushrooms for about 8 mins, seasoning well and stirring frequently until nicely browned. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Serve the chicken in bowls with vegetables and sauce spooned over, and top with the mushrooms.
Try

Making chicken stock

Carcasses, wing tips, etc can be used to make fresh chicken stock. Put the chicken bones in a deep pan and cover with 2 litres of water. Bring to the boil, ladle off any white froth, then add 2 chopped celery sticks, 1 chopped leek, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped large carrot, a few garlic cloves and a sprig of thyme. Bring back to the boil, then reduce the heat and gently simmer for 2 hrs. Strain the stock through a fine sieve and use as directed, or leave to cool and then freeze.

Per serving

994 kcalories, protein 66g, carbohydrate 12g, fat 63 g, saturated fat 17g, fibre 5g, sugar 10g, salt 3.75 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, January 2007.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo Vic

    10 February 2008

    Vic rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Didn't look much like the picture (much more red / dark, because of the wine), but tasted fantastic - rich, delicious, smoky. Served with spring greens and crushed potatoes.

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  • Binder photo samsfood

    02 September 2008

    samsfood rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    My mum cooked this for the whole family at the weekend - what a treat! She did only use a glass of wine however as she felt that a whole bottle would make it too strong for the younger ones and it was delicious! We finished our vegetables and started raiding the bread bin for baguette to soak up the juices! I am definitely cooking this soon!!!

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  • Binder photo Shrimp

    19 January 2009

    Shrimp rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    it was my first time making this dish during xmas. everyone loved the dish. this is an easy recipe to follow with great results especially if you have never made this before.

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  • Binder photo Caroline

    06 April 2009

    Caroline commented on this recipe

    does anyone know how many people the recipe serves?

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  • Binder photo Jon

    27 August 2009

    Jon commented on this recipe

    We did this in our slow cooker- worked perfectly and was so delicious! Almost effortless. Instead of mushrooms, we used parsnips, added some cubed Italian ham and some peas too, and used some sweet Greek red wine. Stunning! We ate every last bit- thinking of making it again next week!

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  • Binder photo Jace Allen

    21 September 2009

    Jace Allen commented on this recipe

    Added a couple of large chopped tomatoes (and some garlic) and the sauce was a little thicker which was great for soaking up with some fresh baked bread. Very easy to make in one pot, and tasted great - lots of flavour. Agree with earlier comment though, much darker than picture, but definitely making again.

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  • Binder photo Dee

    04 October 2009

    Dee rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Delicious! Just chopped up the chicken any old way (instructions demanded too much concentration and time for an afternoon after the night before!). Served six. Didn't have shallots so just used more onions. Was great! Will definitely be doing this again.

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  • Binder photo Shelley-Lou

    14 July 2010

    Shelley-Lou commented on this recipe

    Cooked this dish using chicken thighs other than that I followed the ingredients and recipe as instructed, absolutely fantastic dish, extremely tasty and will certainly be cooking this again.

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  • Binder photo Zac

    29 May 2011

    Zac rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made this dish today for the first time. I used a whole chicken and 4 more drumsticks as I had 7 guests. It turned out amazing. Everything turned out super soft, tender and sweet. The chicken did come out a bit darker than the picture, but it still tasted superb. I used the carcasses of the chicken after I joint it to make the stock, just with some salt and thyme. The stock turned out super delicious! I also cooked the chicken for only 30 minutes after adding the vegetables and wine, then left it to cool, put it in the fridge so the chicken can soak up even more of the delicious goodness of everything overnight, then on the day of serving, heat it up, simmer it for 15 more minutes then thickened it. Served with thick slices of bread and rocket salad. Highly recommend it for any occasion!

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  • Binder photo Phil Baxter

    13 November 2011

    Phil Baxter rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Just ate this and it was lovely... But for the beginner chefs amongst you, beware about the 35 minute preparation time given on the recipe. I would say 1hr30 to 2 hours if you have not jointed a chicken before! When it all comes together, though, I am sure your guests will be happy with it. Mash with skins on added to the rustic french feel.

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  • Binder photo erbear

    08 December 2011

    erbear rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Pick good wine for this recipe, it really does make a difference. I was a bit disappointed with the taste of the sauce in my coq au vin, but I must admit I skimped on the quality of the wine under the false impression that it makes no difference. Having said that, tonight one of my guests was a French man and only praise was given! Still, I won't risk it again. Also I would agree with the above comment about the jointing, it took me a long time because I'm not used to it. Overall though, a very satisfying dish.

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  • Binder photo Dave

    24 May 2012

    Dave rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Amazing recipe. I avoided the prep time by buying whole legs joints followed step 4 only... much quicker. I used a good burgundy, but substituted brandy instead of having to buy a whole bottle of cognac. I also fried brown mushrooms in truffle oil which gave a great a wonderful accent without overpowering the dish. Will definitely cook this again... so simple, but so tasty!

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  • Binder photo Nina Sinclair

    24 October 2012

    Nina Sinclair rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this last week with chicken breast (no bones), didn't have shallots or leeks either, but it was just gorgeous - fab recipe, went down very well even the in-laws loved it! Have now been asked to make more for the rest of the extended family!! Excellent receipe Gordon. Thanks.

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  • Binder photo chantal_de

    04 December 2012

    chantal_de rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    The best coq au vin i have ever tried !!! Chicken was tender and the taste amazing ! will definitely do this over and over again

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  • Binder photo Steve Maskery

    14 January 2013

    Steve Maskery commented on this recipe

    How many does this serve? I cannot see a plate count.

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  • Binder photo Mark Follett

    28 April 2013

    Mark Follett rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Didn't look like the picture at all but it was delicious!

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 50 mins

Freezable

Make ahead for the best flavour

Ingredients

  • 1 x 1.3kg organic chicken , jointed into 8 (see steps and method)
  • 5 tbsp plain flour
  • 75ml olive oil
  • 250g smoked streaky bacon , cut in pieces
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 2 carrots , peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 leeks , trimmed, washed and roughly chopped
  • 250g shallots , peeled, but left whole
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 100ml cognac
  • 1 bottle red wine , preferably from Burgundy
  • 100ml chicken stock (preferably homemade (see Know-how below)
  • 250g fresh cep mushrooms or large chestnut mushrooms, trimmed and thickly sliced
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Per serving

994 kcalories, protein 66g, carbohydrate 12g, fat 63 g, saturated fat 17g, fibre 5g, sugar 10g, salt 3.75 g

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