How do I infuse coq au vin with a touch of spice?

Spice things up with our fiery Coq au Vin recipe. Add a kick of flavors and make this traditional French dish a culinary adventure!

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I infuse Coq au Vin with a touch of spice. Items include: chicken pieces bacon onion carrots garlic cloves mushrooms red wine chicken broth tomato paste bay leaves fresh thyme cayenne pepper salt pepper

chicken pieces 4 thighs and 4 drumsticks
bacon 4 slices, chopped
onion 1 large, diced
carrots 2, sliced
garlic cloves 4, minced
mushrooms 8 ounces, sliced
red wine 1 bottle
chicken broth 2 cups
tomato paste 2 tablespoons
bay leaves 2
fresh thyme 2 sprigs
cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Take note
Caution: Be aware that adding spice can increase the heat level of the dish. Adjust the amount of spice to your personal preference. Also, make sure to have all the necessary ingredients on hand before starting.

1

Gather the ingredients

First things first, let's make sure we have everything we need. Collect the following items: chicken pieces (4 thighs and 4 drumsticks), bacon (4 slices, chopped), onion (1 large, diced), carrots (2, sliced), garlic cloves (4, minced), mushrooms (8 ounces, sliced), red wine (1 bottle), chicken broth (2 cups), tomato paste (2 tablespoons), bay leaves (2), fresh thyme (2 sprigs), cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon), and salt and pepper to taste.

2

Brown the chicken and bacon

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Brown the chicken on all sides, then transfer it to a plate.

3

Sauté the vegetables

In the same pan, add the diced onion, sliced carrots, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté them until they're slightly softened and the onions are translucent. This will take about 5 minutes.

4

Deglaze with wine

Now it's time to infuse the dish with some spice! Pour the red wine into the pan, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. This will add a depth of flavor to your Coq au Vin. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

5

Add the remaining ingredients

Return the chicken and bacon to the pan. Stir in the chicken broth, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, cayenne pepper, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good stir to combine.

6

Simmer and cook

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let the Coq au Vin simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

7

Serve and enjoy

Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving. Coq au Vin is traditionally enjoyed with crusty bread or over a bed of mashed potatoes. Don't forget to pour an extra glass of red wine to complement the flavors of the dish!