The rustic French classic is simplified in this easy recipe for those who want all that wonderful flavour but don't have time to cook the traditional version.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 150g streaky bacon, chopped
- 250g chestnut mushrooms, quartered
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 3 garlic cloves, 2 chopped and 1 halved
- 150ml red wine
- 300g tub fresh chicken gravy
- 4 baguette slices, cut thickly on the diagonal
Method
- 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the chicken breasts and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes each side or until golden. Remove and set aside.
- 2. Add the bacon to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Stir in the mushrooms, thyme and chopped garlic and cook for 5 minutes.
- 3. Return the chicken to the pan, add the wine and bubble until reduced by half. Pour in the chicken gravy and simmer for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick.
- 4. Toast the baguette slices under the grill and rub with the cut garlic. Divide the bread between plates, spoon over the coq au vin and serve with steamed French beans.