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Quick Coq au Vin

This quick coq au vin offers a contemporary, lighter take on the classic French bistro favourite. By using lean, skinless chicken breasts rather than traditional bone-in thighs, the cooking time is significantly reduced without sacrificing the deep, savoury flavours of the red wine and mushroom sauce. It is a wonderfully fragrant dish that brings a touch of gourmet elegance to your kitchen, perfect for a mid-week treat or an easy weekend dinner.

As a diabetes-friendly main course, this recipe prioritises lean protein and fresh vegetables while maintaining a rich, satisfying consistency. The addition of shallots and garlic provides a sweet, aromatic base that complements the earthy mushrooms and crisp bacon. Serve this wholesome meal with a side of steamed seasonal greens or a small portion of pearl barley for a balanced and nutritious dinner.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Quick Coq au Vin

  • 4 bacon slices, coarsely chopped

  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided

  • 230g large crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, halved

  • 8 large shallots, peeled, halved through root end

  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed

  • 350ml dry red wine (such as Syrah)

  • 350ml low-salt chicken broth, divided

  • 4 teaspoons plain flour

How to make Quick Coq au Vin

Preheat oven to 149°C. Sauté bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon parsley. Add to drippings in skillet. Sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side; transfer to pie dish (reserve skillet). Place in oven to keep warm.

Add mushrooms and shallots to skillet; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until brown, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; toss 10 seconds. Add wine, 1 1/4 cups broth, bacon, and 1 tablespoon parsley. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Boil 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place flour in small cup.

Add 60ml broth, stirring until smooth. Add flour mixture to sauce. Cook until sauce thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken on platter; stir juices from pie dish into sauce and spoon over chicken. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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