Slow Cooker French Wine Chicken (Print)

Chicken slow-cooked with French wine, aromatic herbs, and vegetables creates a rich sauce and tender meat.

# Components:

→ Poultry

01 - 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 7 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced

→ Liquids

06 - 1 1/2 cups dry red wine (such as Burgundy or Pinot Noir)
07 - 1/2 cup chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For finishing

13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for richer sauce)
14 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# Method:

01 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season thoroughly with salt and pepper on both sides.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down until the skin is golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker.
03 - Arrange sliced carrots, chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms evenly around and beneath the chicken in the slow cooker.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together dry red wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves. Pour the liquid mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
05 - Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until the chicken is fully tender and infused with flavor.
06 - Remove bay leaves. For a richer sauce, stir in unsalted butter just before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and present the dish hot, paired with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready to eat after just 20 minutes of prep and a slow cook that does all the work for you
  • Features affordable, everyday vegetables and pantry seasonings
  • Chicken comes out meltingly tender with deep flavors that taste restaurant worthy
  • Adaptable to gluten-free diets and easy to tweak to your taste
02 -
  • Naturally gluten free and loaded with protein and fiber from vegetables
  • Perfect make ahead meal for busy days
  • Sauce can be made extra rich or left more brothy depending on your taste
03 -
  • For the best browning dry your chicken thoroughly and let the pan get hot before adding the thighs
  • Do not skip searing it adds tons of flavor to the final sauce
  • Let the sauce rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the fat to rise if you want to skim it for a lighter finish
  • If you want a thicker sauce just simmer the cooking liquid in a saucepan for a few minutes to concentrate the flavors

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