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These savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs offer a comforting twist on a classic French dish, pairing tender meatballs with a rich and flavorful sauce. The bacon and red wine add a depth of flavor that elevates the dish, making it the perfect choice for a cozy fall or winter meal.
The combination of aromatic thyme, fresh parsley, and the savory essence of red wine creates a mouth-watering experience that is both comforting and sophisticated. Served over creamy mashed potatoes, this dish delivers both heartiness and elegance in every bite.
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Full Recipe:
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 lbs ground chicken
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 whole carrots, chopped
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 whole yellow onion, chopped
- 2 whole dried bay leaves
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Coat your hands with olive oil and shape the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes or until crisp and fully cooked.
- While the meatballs bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, around 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic, chopped carrots, and sliced mushrooms, cooking for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to caramelize.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the red wine, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. Season with the remaining salt and pepper, bringing the sauce to a boil and simmering for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes for the meatballs to absorb the flavors.
- Discard the bay leaves and thyme. Stir in the chopped parsley and reserved bacon.
- Serve the Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs over a bed of mashed potatoes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 445 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
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Savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
The Savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs offer a modern twist on the classic French Coq au Vin. Traditionally, Coq au Vin is a slow-braised chicken dish cooked with red wine, vegetables, and herbs. This quick, streamlined version is made with ground chicken formed into meatballs, served over creamy mashed potatoes, and cooked in a rich, flavorful red wine sauce. It delivers all the comforting flavors of the original dish in just under an hour, making it a perfect meal for busy evenings, especially during colder months when you crave something warm and hearty.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the use of everyday ingredients. Ground chicken, combined with a bit of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, forms tender meatballs that are easy to prepare and cook. The meatballs are then simmered in a savory sauce made from red wine, chicken broth, and a blend of aromatic vegetables and herbs, giving them a deep, satisfying flavor. Served over mashed potatoes, the sauce from the meatballs creates a luscious gravy that soaks into the potatoes, creating the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Recipe Overview
This dish is both hearty and flavorful, and it provides a modern twist on a classic. While traditional Coq au Vin is often a slow-cooked, complex dish that requires hours of preparation, these chicken meatballs reduce the cooking time significantly, making it a feasible option for a weeknight dinner. By combining the classic flavors of Coq au Vin with a simple meatball preparation, you get the same satisfying, rich flavors, but without the lengthy cooking process.
The meatballs themselves are tender and juicy, thanks to the combination of ground chicken, parmesan, and breadcrumbs, which help to keep them moist. The inclusion of crispy bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor to the sauce, which complements the savory vegetables—carrots, mushrooms, and onions—while the addition of red wine gives the sauce its signature depth.
Tips for Making the Perfect Savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
- Ground Chicken vs. Chicken Thighs: Ground chicken is a leaner option, and it cooks quickly, making it ideal for this recipe. However, if you prefer a richer flavor, you could substitute ground chicken with a mix of chicken thighs and breasts. This will yield a juicier, more flavorful meatball.
- Red Wine: Choose a good-quality dry red wine for the sauce, as it’s one of the key flavor components of the dish. Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir work wonderfully in this recipe. The wine adds acidity and depth to the sauce, balancing the richness of the meatballs.
- Mashed Potatoes: This dish is traditionally served over mashed potatoes, but you can switch it up depending on your preferences. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try serving the meatballs over steamed vegetables or even cauliflower mash for a low-carb alternative.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to customize the vegetables in the sauce. While the recipe calls for carrots, mushrooms, and onions, you can easily substitute other vegetables such as parsnips, shallots, or celery to suit your taste or use what you have on hand.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. The sauce can also be made ahead of time, and then you can combine them before serving. This makes it an excellent option for meal prepping.
Health Considerations
This recipe is a comforting yet relatively healthy option for a hearty meal. Ground chicken provides a lean protein source, and the dish includes a mix of vegetables that add vitamins and fiber. The sauce is made with chicken broth and red wine, which imparts flavor without being overly heavy. To make the dish even lighter, you can opt for lower-fat mashed potatoes or skip the cheese in the meatballs.
Additionally, the recipe can be modified to suit various dietary preferences. For those following a gluten-free diet, simply substitute the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour. You can also skip the parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative if you’re avoiding dairy.
Conclusion
Savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs are a fantastic, modern take on the classic French Coq au Vin. This dish provides all the warmth and flavor of the traditional recipe but with a fraction of the preparation time. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a meal that offers comforting, rich flavors that are sure to please everyone at the table. By using ground chicken and a simple meatball preparation, you get all the delicious taste of slow-cooked braised chicken, but in an easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for colder months. Whether served over mashed potatoes, pasta, or a bed of vegetables, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
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Savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
These savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs offer a comforting twist on a classic French dish, pairing tender meatballs with a rich and flavorful sauce. The bacon and red wine add a depth of flavor that elevates the dish, making it the perfect choice for a cozy fall or winter meal.
The combination of aromatic thyme, fresh parsley, and the savory essence of red wine creates a mouth-watering experience that is both comforting and sophisticated. Served over creamy mashed potatoes, this dish delivers both heartiness and elegance in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 lbs ground chicken
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 whole carrots, chopped
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 whole yellow onion, chopped
- 2 whole dried bay leaves
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Coat your hands with olive oil and shape the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes or until crisp and fully cooked.
- While the meatballs bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, around 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic, chopped carrots, and sliced mushrooms, cooking for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to caramelize.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the red wine, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. Season with the remaining salt and pepper, bringing the sauce to a boil and simmering for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes for the meatballs to absorb the flavors.
- Discard the bay leaves and thyme. Stir in the chopped parsley and reserved bacon.
- Serve the Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs over a bed of mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes