What's the point of cooking at home anymore?

What's the point of cooking at home anymore? is a medium French recipe that serves 4. 420 calories per serving. Recipe by Adam Ragusea on YouTube.

Prep: 30 min | Cook: 2 hrs | Total: 2 hrs 50 min

Cost: $17.49 total, $4.37 per serving

Ingredients

  • 8 pieces Bone‑in Chicken Thighs (skin on, trimmed)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
  • 4 slices Bacon (cut into 1‑inch pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons All‑Purpose Flour (for dusting chicken)
  • 2 cups Red Wine (dry Burgundy or similar)
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock (low‑sodium)
  • 2 large Carrots (peeled and cut into 1‑inch pieces)
  • 12 pieces Pearl Onions (peeled)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 8 oz Mushrooms (button or cremini, quartered)
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme (leaves stripped)
  • 1 piece Bay Leaf
  • to taste Salt (prefer sea salt)
  • to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients

    Pat the chicken thighs dry, season with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with flour. Trim bacon and cut carrots, peel pearl onions, mince garlic, and quarter mushrooms.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Brown Bacon and Chicken

    Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium‑high heat. Add bacon pieces and render until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon. Increase heat, add chicken thighs skin‑side down and brown 4‑5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken and bacon to a plate.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  3. Sauté Vegetables

    Add carrots, pearl onions, and mushrooms to the pot. Sauté 5 minutes until lightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Medium

  4. Deglaze with Wine

    Pour in the red wine, stirring to loosen any remaining fond. Bring to a simmer and let reduce by about one‑third, roughly 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  5. Add Stock and Herbs

    Stir in chicken stock, thyme leaves, and bay leaf. Return the browned chicken and bacon to the pot, nestling them into the liquid.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Simmer

    Reduce heat to low, cover the Dutch oven, and let the stew simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fork‑tender and the sauce has thickened.

    Time: PT1H30M

    Temperature: Low

  7. Finish and Serve

    Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
420
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
12 g
Fat
24 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Gluten‑Free (if omitted flour), Keto‑Friendly, Low‑Carb

Allergens: Pork (bacon)

Last updated: April 11, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

What's the point of cooking at home anymore?

Recipe by Adam Ragusea

A classic French peasant stew of chicken braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs. Inspired by Adam Ragusea’s discussion of cooking at home, this recipe emphasizes flavor, efficiency, and the social joy of sharing a hearty dish.

MediumFrenchServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
27m
Prep
1h 42m
Cook
15m
Cleanup
2h 24m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$17.49
Total cost
$4.37
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Drying and flour‑coating the chicken before browning
  • Rendering bacon first to build flavor base
  • Deglazing with wine and reducing to concentrate taste
  • Low‑heat long simmer to achieve tender meat and thick sauce

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw chicken with separate cutting board and wash hands thoroughly.
  • Use oven mitts when handling the hot Dutch oven.
  • Beware of hot oil splatter when browning meat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Coq au Vin in French cuisine?

A

Coq au Vin originated as a peasant dish in rural France, using an older rooster (coq) braised slowly in wine to tenderize tough meat. Over time it became a celebrated classic of French home cooking, symbolizing resourceful, flavor‑rich cuisine.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Coq au Vin in French cuisine?

A

In Burgundy, the classic version uses red Burgundy wine, mushrooms, and pearl onions. In the Alsace region, white wine replaces red, and sometimes lardons are added. Each region adapts the herbs and wine to local preferences.

cultural
Q

How is Coq au Vin traditionally served in France?

A

It is traditionally served hot with boiled potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty French bread to soak up the sauce, often accompanied by a green salad and a glass of the same wine used in cooking.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Coq au Vin associated with in French culture?

A

Coq au Vin is a comforting dish for family gatherings, especially in the cooler months, and is often prepared for holidays like Bastille Day or Sunday family meals.

cultural
Q

What makes Coq au Vin special or unique in French cuisine?

A

Its uniqueness lies in the slow braising of chicken in wine, which creates a deep, silky sauce that melds meat, vegetables, and aromatics, showcasing the French principle of building flavor from humble ingredients.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Coq au Vin?

A

Common mistakes include skipping the browning step, which reduces flavor depth, and cooking at too high a temperature, which can toughen the chicken. Also, using too much flour can make the sauce gummy.

technical
Q

Why does this Coq au Vin recipe use red wine reduction instead of adding the wine directly to the stew?

A

Reducing the wine first concentrates its flavor and evaporates excess alcohol, resulting in a richer, more balanced sauce than simply adding the wine raw.

technical
Q

Can I make Coq au Vin ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, the stew improves after resting. Cool it quickly, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of stock if needed.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when making Coq au Vin?

A

The chicken should be fork‑tender and the sauce glossy, slightly thickened but still pourable. Vegetables should be soft but not mushy, and the sauce should have a deep ruby color from the wine.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Adam Ragusea specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Adam Ragusea specializes in thoughtful food science, recipe development, and culinary commentary that blends humor with rigorous cooking technique explanations.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Adam Ragusea's approach to French cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

Adam Ragusea focuses on the why behind each step, often questioning traditional practices and offering cost‑effective, scalable alternatives, whereas many channels simply demonstrate the recipe without deeper analysis.

channel

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Agra-Style Parwal ki Mithai (Stuffed Pointed Gourd Sweet)
13

Agra-Style Parwal ki Mithai (Stuffed Pointed Gourd Sweet)

A traditional North Indian sweet from Agra, made by stuffing tender parwal (pointed gourd) with a rich, cardamom-scented mawa (khoya) filling, simmered in sugar syrup, and garnished with slivered nuts. This mithai is unique, festive, and keeps well for days.

2 hrs 15 minServes 8$12
Indian
Agra-Style Parwal ki Mithai (Stuffed Pointed Gourd Sweet)
16

Agra-Style Parwal ki Mithai (Stuffed Pointed Gourd Sweet)

A traditional North Indian sweet from Agra, made by stuffing tender parwal (pointed gourd) with a rich, cardamom-scented mawa (khoya) filling, simmered in sugar syrup, and garnished with slivered nuts. This mithai is unique, festive, and keeps well for days.

2 hrs 15 minServes 8$12
Indian
Easiest No-Knead Bread! I don’t buy bread anymore, now I make it more delicious!
11

Easiest No-Knead Bread! I don’t buy bread anymore, now I make it more delicious!

A simple, fluffy homemade bread with a crisp crust and airy interior. This recipe from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen uses basic pantry ingredients and a few key techniques—yeast activation, proper kneading, and careful shaping—to create a bakery‑quality loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying fresh out of the oven.

2 hrs 40 minServes 6$1
Middle Eastern
I'm not frying onions anymore! Very few people know this trick! Easy, quick, and beneficial!
39

I'm not frying onions anymore! Very few people know this trick! Easy, quick, and beneficial!

A beautiful and crunchy onion "flower" coated in cornmeal and herb‑parmesan breadcrumbs, baked until golden and served with a fresh avocado‑herb dip. Perfect as an eye‑catching appetizer for gatherings.

1 hr 10 minServes 4$21
Italian-inspired
I Don't Buy Bread Anymore! Now I Make it More Delicious at Home! Easiest Bread Recipe
16

I Don't Buy Bread Anymore! Now I Make it More Delicious at Home! Easiest Bread Recipe

A soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet homemade bread made with yeast, honey, and all‑purpose flour. Perfectly crusty on the outside and tender inside, this easy recipe from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen beats store‑bought loaves.

2 hrsServes 4$1
Middle Eastern
I don’t buy Sandwich Bread anymore! Quick 2 Ingredient Recipe (No yeast, no kneading, no machine)
24

I don’t buy Sandwich Bread anymore! Quick 2 Ingredient Recipe (No yeast, no kneading, no machine)

A quick, no‑yeast, two‑ingredient sandwich bread that’s ready in under an hour. Using only self‑rising flour and vanilla yogurt, this loaf is soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for sandwiches or toast.

1 hr 12 minServes 8$2
American