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Coq Au Vin

Inspired by Printerest submition from Citrus Oven : https://citrusoven.com/easy-coq-au-vin-recipe/

Weight Watchers points: 3


Mondays are probably the only day of the week where we actually get to slow things down.

No hockey for the kiddo.No rushing out the door with gear bags and snacks.Just the first day back to work after a full weekend of photoshoots — and honestly, that alone is enough to make me crave comfort food.

After a busy weekend behind the camera, Mondays feel like a reset. A chance to ease back into routine, catch my breath, and spend a little extra time in the kitchen without watching the clock.

So instead of reaching for something quick and forgettable, I decided to dive into one of my favorite comfort food recipes and do what I love most — lighten it up. Comfort food doesn’t have to mean heavy, greasy, or something you regret afterward. I’ve learned that with a few simple swaps, you can keep all the cozy flavors you love while making a meal that actually fits into real life.

This recipe is:

  • Warm and comforting

  • Rich without being heavy

  • Familiar, but a little lighter

  • Perfect for a slow Monday night

It’s the kind of meal that simmers away while you unpack from the weekend, sort through photos, or just enjoy the quiet that Mondays rarely get credit for.


Key Changes to make this a Light Bite

  • Skin removed from chicken → big cholesterol & calorie cut

  • Bacon swapped for lean turkey bacon (small amount) for flavor or leave it out entirely

  • Butter reduced & mostly replaced with olive oil

  • Wine amount reduced and balanced with broth

  • Sauce thickened without beurre manié (optional cornstarch instead)

Ingredients


  • 6-8 bone-in skinless chicken thighs

  • 2 oz lean turkey bacon, diced (or omit entirely)

  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped

  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut diagonally

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 8 oz pearl onions (fresh or frozen)

  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 cup dry red wine (Pinot Noir works well)

  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken stock

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (no added sugar)

  • 1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour or all-purpose

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or a tsp of dried)

  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped

  • 1½ teaspoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Season chicken Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.

  3. Cook turkey bacon Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.Cook turkey bacon until lightly crisp. Remove and set aside.

  4. Brown chicken Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot. Brown chicken in batches until golden, about 6–8 minutes total. Remove and set aside with bacon.

  5. Sauté vegetables Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and carrots; cook 3–4 minutes until softened.Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

  6. Tomato paste & flour Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour and stir another minute.

  7. Deglaze Pour in red wine, add thyme and bay leaf, scraping browned bits.Simmer until reduced by about half, 8–10 minutes.

  8. Add stock & chicken Stir in chicken stock. Return chicken and turkey bacon to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  9. Braise Cover and transfer to oven. Cook 40–45 minutes, until chicken is tender.

  10. Mushrooms & pearl onions Near the end, sauté mushrooms and pearl onions in remaining olive oil until browned. Season lightly.

  11. Finish sauce Remove chicken and herbs. If needed, thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry over medium heat (no butter required).Stir in mushrooms, pearl onions, and parsley. Adjust seasoning.

  12. Serve Return chicken to sauce or plate and spoon sauce over top. Garnish with extra parsley.


Serving Suggestions

Here are a few ways I like to serve it, depending on how much time I have and what we’re in the mood for:

1. Over Mashed PotatoesThis is my favorite. The sauce soaks into the potatoes and makes it feel like a true comfort meal.

2. With Crusty BreadPerfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce — and let’s be honest, bread is basically mandatory.

3. Over Egg Noodles or RiceA classic choice, and it stretches the meal for bigger families or hungry teenagers.

4. With a Simple Green SaladSomething fresh and crunchy helps balance the richness of the sauce.


Nutrition Information

Per serving (serves 6)

  • Calories: ~360–390 kcal

  • Protein: 32–35 g

  • Fat: 14–16 g

    • Saturated Fat: ~3.5–4.5 g

  • Cholesterol: ~95–110 mg

  • Carbohydrates: 12–14 g

    • Fiber: ~2–3 g

    • Sugars: ~3–4 g

  • Sodium: ~480–550 mg

 
 
 

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