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Coq au vin pressure cooker recipe: Try this easy Instant Pot version for a delicious French classic in a fraction of the time!

When you incubate your own eggs for baby chicks, you always end up with extra roosters on your hands. Or at least we always seem to! While it’s nice to have a fresh rooster for our flock every one in a while, we can’t have many more than 2 before they start fighting. And so I’ve had ample opportunity to perfect my Coq au vin recipe! I have tried making our roosters in many different ways, and the instant pot recipe is by far the easiest and tastiest! Even if you don’t have access to rooster meat, you can make this recipe with a whole chicken, chicken breasts or chicken legs – whatever your favorite is! 

Why You’ll Love This Coq au Vin Pressure Cooker Recipe

1. Time-saving: The Instant Pot pressure cooker drastically reduces cooking time, allowing all of us busy folks to enjoy a gourmet French dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
2. Tender and Flavorful: Despite the shorter cooking time, the instant pot coq au vin is tender and infused with rich flavors from the wine, herbs, and other ingredients.
3. Convenience: With simple instructions and minimal hands-on effort, pressure cooking makes this recipe accessible to both beginner and experienced cooks alike.
4. Impressive Dish: Coq au vin is a classic French dish known for its sophistication and depth of flavor. Serving it can impress guests or elevate a weeknight meal to something special.
5. Versatile: This recipe can be easily customized with different ingredients or variations to suit personal preferences or dietary restrictions, making it adaptable for various occasions and tastes.

Ingredients 

• 1 cup bacon cubes
• 1 whole rooster (you can substitute chicken)
• 2 carrots 
• 2 red onions 
• 4 cloves garlic
• 7oz mushrooms 
• 2 cups red wine 
• 1 cup chicken broth 
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• 1 tbs cornstarch + 2 tbs water 
• fresh herbs to taste – fresh thyme, oregano, bay leaf, fresh parsley

Tools

• Instant Pot

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to Saute setting and fry the bacon in the inner pot until lightly crispy (5-7 minutes)
2. Once fried, move slightly to the side inside the instant pot, and add garlic cloves, red wine, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to come to a boil for a few minutes.
3. Add rooster, carrots, onions, mushrooms and herbs to your instant pot. 
4. Press cancel, stir with a wooden spoon, then close with the lid and set the pressure release valve to “sealing. Set timer for a cook time of 30 minutes on high pressure. 
5. After the timer is finished, allow to release naturally. 
6. Once all pressure is released, mix water and cornstarch together and add this cornstarch slurry to the instant pot. 
7. Set to sauté function and allow sauce to come to a quick boil to thicken up a bit. 

FAQ

Can I use a regular chicken instead of a rooster? 

While traditional Coq au Vin calls for a rooster, you can certainly use a regular chicken if a rooster is unavailable. Just be aware that the flavor and texture might be slightly different.

Do I need to age the rooster before cooking?

A ging the rooster can help improve its flavor and tenderness, but it’s not always necessary, especially if you’re using a younger bird. However, if you have the time and means to age the rooster, it can enhance the final dish.

How do I prepare the rooster for Coq au Vin? 

Prepare the rooster by cutting it into pieces, similar to how you would prepare a chicken for cooking.

Can I use any type of wine for Coq au Vin? 

Traditionally, Coq au Vin is made with red wine, preferably Burgundy. However, you can use other varieties such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon. Choose a wine that you enjoy drinking since its flavor will infuse into the dish. For this reason, I usually opt for dry red wine.

What should I serve with Coq au Vin? 

Coq au Vin pairs well with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or a green salad for a balanced meal.

Tips​

1. Use Quality Ingredients: Since the pressure cooker Coq au Vin recipe is a relatively simple dish, the quality of your ingredients will really shine through. Opt for fresh herbs, good quality wine, and if possible, free-range chicken or rooster.
2. Substitute Chicken: If a rooster is unavailable, you can substitute a chicken. Make sure to adjust cooking time, a chicken cooks faster and will not need to be cooked for as long as a rooster does. 
3. Use the Right Wine: Traditionally, Coq au Vin pressure cooker recipe is made with a red Burgundy wine. However, you can use any good quality red wine that you enjoy drinking. The wine you choose will influence the flavor of the dish, so choose one that complements the other ingredients well.
4. Include Aromatics: Aromatics such as onions, garlic, carrots, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves are essential for adding depth of flavor to Coq au Vin. Don’t skimp on these ingredients, as they form the flavor base of the dish.
5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste your Coq au Vin before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You may need to add a pinch of salt or a splash of vinegar to balance the flavors.
6. Garnish Thoughtfully: Garnish your Coq au Vin with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor just before serving. This adds a fresh contrast to the rich, hearty flavors of the dish.

Storage

1. Cooling Properly: After cooking, allow the Coq au Vin to cool to room temperature before storing it. 
2. Refrigeration: Transfer the cooled Coq au Vin to an airtight container or a shallow, wide dish covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator.
3. Use Within a Few Days: Coq au Vin can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date it was prepared so you can keep track of its freshness.
4. Reheating: When ready to reheat, transfer the Coq au Vin to a saucepan or oven-safe dish. Reheat gently over low to medium heat on the stovetop or in the oven until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave if needed.
5. Freezing: If you want to store Coq au Vin for a longer period, it can be frozen. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Leave some room for expansion as the liquid will expand when frozen. Properly stored, Coq au Vin can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
6. Thawing: Thaw frozen Coq au Vin overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. This allows for gradual thawing and helps maintain the quality of the dish. Once thawed, reheat following the same instructions as above.

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