Charming French Coq Au Vin: Gordon Ramsay’s Recipe Magic

Coq au vin whispers stories of rustic French kitchens where culinary magic transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary feast.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this wine-braised wonder that dances with deep, complex flavors.

Burgundy’s countryside inspired this remarkable dish where tender meat surrenders to robust red wine and caramelized vegetables.

Fragrant herbs and silky sauce turn simple ingredients into a symphonic culinary experience that transports you straight to France.

Professional chefs and weekend warriors alike cherish this timeless recipe for its soul-warming elegance.

Each bite promises a journey through traditional French gastronomy, weaving comfort and sophistication into a single, unforgettable plate.

Get ready to elevate your cooking and wow everyone at the dinner table with this classic masterpiece.

How to Serve Coq au Vin Gordon Ramsay Style

• Pair with Crusty Bread Companion: Slice a fresh baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, wine-infused sauce, adding a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken.
• Complement with Creamy Potato Side: Whip up smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that perfectly catch the savory sauce, creating a luxurious comfort food experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or thyme over the dish to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the deep, robust flavors of the Coq Au Vin.
• Enhance with Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir to mirror the cooking wine and elevate the entire dining experience.

Saving and Reheating Coq au Vin by Ramsay

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store leftover Coq Au Vin in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The rich flavors will continue to develop and deepen during storage.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Cool the dish completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Properly sealed, this hearty meal will maintain its deliciousness for 2-3 months, providing a quick and comforting dinner option.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm the Coq Au Vin in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring the chicken remains tender and succulent.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this dish in advance for busy weeknights. Portion into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners that taste like they've been simmering all day long.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Gordon Ramsay’s Coq au Vin

• Chicken Thighs: Select bone-in, skin-on thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Bacon: Look for thick-cut, high-quality bacon with good marbling for extra richness.

• Onions, Garlic: Choose fresh, firm onions and plump garlic cloves for robust flavor.
• Mushrooms: Select firm, fresh cremini or button mushrooms without dark spots or sliminess.

• Red Wine: Pick a dry, full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir for authentic French flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and enhance natural taste.
• Flour: Select all-purpose flour for smooth, even thickening.
• Salt, Pepper: Opt for freshly ground black pepper and sea salt for best seasoning results.
• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil for deeper, more complex undertones.

Equipment Needed for Coq au Vin by Ramsay

• Large Skillet: Perfect for searing bacon, sautéing veggies, and creating a delicious one-pan meal.
• Cutting Board: Helps chop onions, garlic, and slice mushrooms with ease.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate liquid and flour measurements.
• Tongs: Useful for flipping and handling chicken thighs while cooking.
• Serving Dish: Presents the final Coq Au Vin in style.
• Lid: Covers skillet during simmering to lock in flavors.

Cooking Instructions for Ramsay’s Coq au Vin

• Crisp Up Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a skillet until it turns golden and crunchy, releasing its rich, smoky flavor. Set the crispy pieces aside while keeping the delectable fat in the pan.

• Build Flavor Foundation

Toss chopped onions and garlic into the bacon-infused pan, letting them soften and caramelize. These aromatic vegetables will create a deep, savory base for the dish.

• Transform Chicken

Nestle chicken thighs into the skillet, allowing each side to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This technique locks in juices and creates a mouthwatering exterior that promises incredible taste.

• Create Silky Sauce

Dust flour over the chicken and vegetables, stirring carefully to create a smooth, luxurious sauce that will coat every morsel with incredible richness.

• Simmer and Marry Flavors

Splash in red wine and chicken broth, then scatter mushrooms across the pan. Let everything bubble gently, melding together into a harmonious, deeply satisfying combination. Cover and allow the magic to happen for about 30 minutes.

• Finish and Feast

Give the dish a final taste, adjusting seasonings to perfection. Serve this magnificent Coq Au Vin alongside crusty bread or creamy potatoes, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace from a French countryside kitchen.

Additions and Tweaks for Coq au Vin Recipe

• Swap Protein Creatively: Replace chicken thighs with duck, turkey, or even rabbit for an adventurous twist on the classic French dish. Each protein brings unique flavor profiles that can transform the entire meal experience.
• Wine Selection Magic: Experiment with different red wines like pinot noir, burgundy, or côtes du rhône to create subtle flavor variations. Choose a wine you'd enjoy drinking, ensuring the sauce's deep, rich complexity.
• Vegetable Adventure: Enhance the recipe by adding pearl onions, extra mushroom varieties like chanterelles or porcini, or roasted carrots for more depth and texture. These additions complement the classic flavor while introducing exciting new dimensions.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the entire dish 1-2 days in advance, allowing flavors to intensify and develop. Store covered in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving, which often makes the Coq Au Vin taste even more delicious and harmonious.

Rustic Coq Au Vin Gordon Ramsay Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Coq au vin Gordon Ramsay style combines French culinary tradition with bold flavor profiles. Chicken braised in red wine creates a rich, hearty meal that elevates classic comfort cooking for diners seeking authentic French cuisine.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 chicken thighs
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps flour
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Activate a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and crisp diced bacon until golden, rendering fat for foundational flavor complexity.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Incorporate finely chopped onions and garlic into bacon remnants, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, creating a robust flavor base.
3. Chicken Searing: Position seasoned chicken thighs into the skillet, developing a caramelized exterior by browning each side meticulously, establishing deep color and sealing in moisture.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle all-purpose flour across chicken and vegetables, whisking continuously to generate a light roux that will naturally thicken the emerging sauce.
5. Liquid Integration: Pour red wine and chicken broth into the skillet, introducing sliced mushrooms while deglazing pan surfaces to capture every nuanced flavor molecule.
6. Simmering Process: Escalate liquid to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce heat, covering skillet to allow ingredients to harmonize and chicken to tenderize completely, approximately 30 minutes.
7. Refinement and Serving: Calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper, then elegantly plate Coq Au Vin alongside crusty artisan bread or creamy mashed potatoes for a quintessential French culinary experience.

Notes

• Select Quality Bacon: Choose thick-cut, high-quality bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that elevates the entire dish’s richness.
• Master Chicken Searing: Ensure chicken thighs are completely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops deep caramelization.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a medium-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir that complements the chicken’s richness without overpowering other delicate flavors.
• Control Simmering Temperature: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to prevent tough chicken and allow flavors to slowly integrate, creating a more complex and tender final dish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg