Budget Coq au Vin Chicken

Featured in: One-Pot Comfort Meals

This dish showcases chicken drumsticks gently simmered in dry red wine with smoked bacon, mushrooms, and fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. The process begins by browning the chicken and crisping bacon before sautéing vegetables to develop rich flavors. Flour is used to thicken the sauce, which is infused with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. A slow simmer melds all ingredients into a hearty, comforting meal perfect for a weekend gathering. Garnish with parsley for freshness, and serve alongside mashed potatoes or crusty bread for a satisfying experience.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:32:00 GMT
Golden-brown Budget Coq au Vin Style Chicken Drumsticks in a rich sauce, ready to serve with parsley. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Budget Coq au Vin Style Chicken Drumsticks in a rich sauce, ready to serve with parsley. | maplefrost.com

A hearty, affordable take on the French classic, this dish features chicken drumsticks simmered in red wine with mushrooms, bacon, and vegetables for a rich, comforting meal perfect for a weekend gathering.

This recipe quickly became a favorite for family dinners, bringing everyone together over a warm and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

  • Chicken drumsticks: 8 pieces
  • Smoked bacon: 100 g lardons or thick-cut, diced
  • Onion: 1 large, chopped
  • Carrots: 2, sliced
  • Celery stalks: 2, sliced
  • Button mushrooms: 200 g, halved
  • Garlic cloves: 3, minced
  • Dry red wine: 400 ml
  • Chicken stock: 200 ml
  • Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
  • Bay leaves: 2
  • Fresh thyme: 4 sprigs or 1 tsp dried
  • Salt and black pepper: To taste
  • Olive oil: 3 tbsp
  • Flour: 2 tbsp or gluten-free flour for GF option
  • Fresh parsley: Chopped, optional garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry and season with salt and pepper.
Step 2:
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken drumsticks on all sides in batches, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 3:
In the same pot, add bacon and cook until crisp. Add the onion, carrots, and celery cook for 5 minutes until softened.
Step 4:
Add mushrooms and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Step 5:
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 2 minutes.
Step 6:
Add tomato paste stirring to combine. Pour in the red wine and chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
Step 7:
Return the chicken drumsticks to the pot. Add bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 8:
Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes stirring occasionally.
Step 9:
Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and chicken is tender.
Step 10:
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaves and thyme stalks.
Step 11:
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving if desired.
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This dish always brings the family together, sparking great conversations and hearty appetites.

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, tongs, wooden spoon, chopping board and knife

Allergen Information

Contains sulphites (from wine), gluten (if using regular flour), and pork (from bacon). Use gluten-free flour to avoid gluten.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 480 calories, 22 g total fat, 15 g carbohydrates, 45 g protein

A steaming Dutch oven full of Budget Coq au Vin Style Chicken Drumsticks, with tender carrots and mushrooms. Save to Pinterest
A steaming Dutch oven full of Budget Coq au Vin Style Chicken Drumsticks, with tender carrots and mushrooms. | maplefrost.com

This recipe is perfect for weekend gatherings and makes excellent leftovers.

Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute chicken thighs for drumsticks?

Yes, chicken thighs work well and will yield a similarly tender and flavorful result.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Sprinkling flour over the vegetables and cooking for a couple of minutes helps thicken the sauce naturally.

Is it necessary to use red wine in this dish?

Red wine adds depth and richness, but a flavorful broth can be used as an alternative.

Can I prepare this dish gluten-free?

Yes, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour or use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.

What sides complement this dish best?

Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty bread pair well to soak up the rich sauce.

How long should I marinate the chicken for extra flavor?

Marinating in wine, herbs, and garlic for a few hours or overnight enhances the overall taste.

Budget Coq au Vin Chicken

Tender chicken drumsticks cooked slowly in red wine, mushrooms, bacon, and aromatic vegetables for a flavorful meal.

Prep time
20 minutes
Time to cook
70 minutes
Overall time
90 minutes
Created by Hannah Marlowe


Level Medium

Cuisine type French

Makes 4 Portions

Diet preferences No dairy

What You’ll Need

Poultry & Proteins

01 8 chicken drumsticks
02 3.5 oz smoked bacon lardons or thick-cut bacon, diced

Vegetables

01 1 large onion, chopped
02 2 carrots, sliced
03 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 7 oz button mushrooms, halved
05 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids

01 1.7 cups dry red wine
02 0.85 cups chicken stock
03 2 tbsp tomato paste

Herbs & Spices

01 2 bay leaves
02 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
03 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Searing & Thickening

01 3 tbsp olive oil
02 2 tbsp flour or gluten-free flour

Garnish (optional)

01 Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 01

Season chicken: Pat chicken drumsticks dry and season evenly with salt and pepper.

Step 02

Brown chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; brown chicken on all sides in batches for 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 03

Cook bacon and vegetables: In the same pot, cook diced bacon until crisp. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 04

Add mushrooms and garlic: Incorporate mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 05

Create roux base: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat evenly; cook for 2 minutes to remove raw taste.

Step 06

Add liquids and tomato paste: Mix in tomato paste, then pour in red wine and chicken stock, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom.

Step 07

Simmer with herbs and chicken: Return chicken to pot; add bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 08

Cook covered: Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 09

Reduce sauce and finish cooking: Remove lid and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is tender.

Step 10

Adjust seasoning and garnish: Discard bay leaves and thyme stalks; adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Equipment you’ll need

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon
  • Chopping board and knife

Allergy details

Be sure to review ingredient lists for allergens and reach out to your healthcare provider if uncertain.
  • Contains sulphites from wine, gluten if regular flour is used, and pork from bacon.

Nutrition info (per portion)

All nutrition info is just for reference and can’t replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 480
  • Total fat: 22 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 15 grams
  • Proteins: 45 grams