Coq au Vin

French cooking intimidates me, to be honest.  This dish, easy-peezy!  Most importantly, it’s so yummy! 

INGREDIENTS

2-3 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
2 Tbsp tomato paste
4 carrots, chopped
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
4 thyme sprigs
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Mashed potatoes, for serving

DIRECTIONS 

• Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. 

• To the instant post, add the onion, garlic, and tomato paste and cook an additional 5 minutes. Turn the instant pot off. 

• Add in the red wine, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, chicken, carrots, and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.

• Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant pot to sauté and bring to a boil, boil 5 minutes or until the liquid reduces slightly. Turn the instant pot off. Remove the bay leaves and thyme and discard. Stir in the parsley and reserved bacon.

• Serve the chicken and sauce over mashed potatoes.

SLOW COOKER

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon.

• To the skillet, add the onion, garlic, and tomato paste and cook an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer the mixture to the bowl of your slow cooker.

• To the slow cooker, add in the red wine, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, chicken, carrots, and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.  

• Once done cooking, cook, uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce the sauce. Remove the bay leaves and thyme and discard. Stir in the parsley and reserved bacon.

• Serve the chicken and sauce over mashed potatoes.