Coq Au Vin By Julia Child Recipe

Experience the magic of Julia Child's iconic Coq au Vin! This classic French recipe is surprisingly easy to make and delivers an unforgettable flavor. Ignite the cognac for a dramatic flair (don't worry, it's safe and simple!), then savor the rich, tender chicken simmered in a luscious red wine sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner. Prepare to impress!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 115 mins
Calories 971.4 kcal
Protein 125g
Rating 4.8 (4 Reviews)
Coq Au Vin By Julia Child 36

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Coq Au Vin By Julia Child

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Coq Au Vin By Julia Child? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Coq Au Vin By Julia Child

  1. If using lardons, sauté in 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed casserole over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove lardons and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  2. If not using lardons, coat the pan with 1/8 inch of oil.
  3. Heat the fat or oil to medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown chicken nicely on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
  4. Pour in the cognac, shake the pan for a few seconds until bubbling hot. Carefully ignite the cognac with a long match. (Adult supervision required!)
  5. Let the flame burn for about 1 minute, swirling the pan to distribute the heat. Extinguish the flame with a pan lid.
  6. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf, thyme, and onion wedges to the pan.
  7. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, turning chicken halfway through.
  8. Uncover the pan. Sprinkle flour evenly over chicken and onions, stirring gently to coat.
  9. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flour is absorbed.
  10. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the red wine and chicken stock, ensuring the chicken is almost covered.
  11. Add the browned lardons, minced garlic, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
  12. Cover and simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender. Remove tender pieces and continue cooking the remaining chicken until tender.
  13. Return all chicken pieces to the pan. Add quartered mushrooms.
  14. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  15. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If sauce is too thin, boil rapidly to reduce. If too thick, add spoonfuls of bouillon to thin.
  16. Serve hot over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

17 g

Sugar

66g

Fat

68g

Carbs

13g