Slow Cooker Coq au Vin – A French Classic Made Cozy and Effortless

Coq au Vin is one of those dishes that instantly feels special. Deeply savory, rich with red wine, and layered with comforting aromatics, it’s the kind of meal that makes a house smell incredible and a dinner table feel a little more elegant. Traditionally, it’s a stovetop labor of love—but this Slow Cooker Coq au Vin brings all that classic French flavor into an easy, hands-off format perfect for modern home cooks.

This version keeps everything we love about the original: tender chicken, smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, sweet onions, and a luxurious wine-infused sauce that begs to be soaked up with crusty bread. The slow cooker gently does the work, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld over hours, transforming simple ingredients into something truly memorable.

What makes slow cooker coq au vin especially wonderful is its balance. It feels impressive yet approachable, hearty yet refined. It’s ideal for chilly evenings, Sunday dinners, or when you want a make-ahead meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen—even though you didn’t.

Chicken thighs are the star here, staying juicy and flavorful through the long, slow simmer. Bacon adds depth, vegetables bring sweetness and texture, and the wine creates that signature glossy sauce. Finished with fresh herbs, the result is comforting, timeless, and deeply satisfying.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a classic French dish without the stress, this Slow Cooker Coq au Vin is the perfect place to start.

Ingredients:

• Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
• Bacon lardons or thick-cut bacon
• Pearl onions
• Carrots
• Mushrooms
• Garlic cloves
• Tomato paste
• All-purpose flour
• Dry red wine
• Chicken broth
• Fresh thyme
• Bay leaf
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions:

1. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
3. Brown the chicken thighs in the bacon fat until golden on both sides. Transfer to the slow cooker.
4. In the same skillet, sauté pearl onions, carrots, and mushrooms until lightly browned.
5. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring until fragrant.
6. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute.
7. Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer briefly.
8. Transfer everything to the slow cooker along with chicken broth, bacon, thyme, and bay leaf.
9. Cover and cook on LOW until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich.
10. Remove bay leaf and thyme stems before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning.
11. Serve hot with bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles.

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

A classic French chicken stew made easy in the slow cooker with red wine, bacon, and vegetables.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: French

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken & Sauce

• 2 lb chicken thighs bone-in or boneless
• 6 oz bacon chopped
• 1 cup pearl onions
• 2 medium carrots sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms halved
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
• 1 cup chicken broth

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Large skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Brown bacon and chicken in a skillet; transfer to slow cooker.
2. Sauté vegetables, garlic, and tomato paste; sprinkle with flour.
3. Deglaze with red wine and transfer to slow cooker.
4. Add broth, herbs, cover, and cook on LOW until tender.

Notes

Serve with bread or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.

Tips & Tricks:

• Use a dry red wine you’d enjoy drinking—flavor matters.
• Browning the chicken first adds depth, but you can skip it if short on time.
• If the sauce is thinner than you like, uncover and cook on HIGH briefly at the end.

Variations:

• Extra Veggies: Add celery or parsnips.
• Boneless Shortcut: Boneless thighs cook beautifully and are easier to serve.
• Herb Boost: Add fresh rosemary for a deeper herbal note.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve with crusty French bread, creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or polenta. A simple green salad or roasted green beans makes a perfect side.

Storage Information:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Flavors deepen even more overnight.

FAQ:

• Is this authentic coq au vin? It’s a slow-cooker adaptation inspired by the classic.
• Can I use chicken breasts? Thighs are preferred, but breasts work with shorter cook time.
• Does the alcohol cook off? Most of it does during the long simmer.

History / Fun Facts:
Coq au Vin dates back centuries in France and was originally a way to tenderize tougher roosters using wine and slow cooking. Over time, it evolved into one of France’s most iconic comfort dishes—proof that patience and simple ingredients can create extraordinary results.