Coq Au Vin Stew

SLOW COOKER.  Could there be two more beautiful words in the English language?  What I love about slow cooker recipes is that you can toss in your ingredients, turn on the cooker and get on with the other 10,000 things on your to-do list. 

You also know that I love wine.  I even love cooking with it!  ; )  I especially love how the flavors meld together and result in a rich, delicious dish that makes YOU look like a STAR!

Let your slow cooker do all the work while you get all the credit!

So this easy stew was perfect for a super busy day when I was out and about more than I was home.  But at the end of the day, the aroma beckoned us as we walked in the door.  A simple side and a loaf of frozen rosemary bread made this dinner complete.

Coq Au Vin Stew

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (with all visible fat removed)
• 1 envelope of Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix (using only 1/2 the package)
• 1 1/2 c. of frozen pearl onions
• 2 c. fresh button or baby bella mushrooms, quartered
• 1/2 c. dry red wine (think pinot noir, merlot, bordeaux or cabernet)
• Hot, mashed potatoes for serving
• Fresh snipped basil or parsley for garnish

Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.  Cook chicken thighs in the hot skillet until brown; drain off fat.  Place browned chicken in slow cooker.  (Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray)

Sprinkle 1/2 package of the Lipton Onion Soup Mix over the chicken.  Add onions and mushrooms.  Pour wine over chicken and vegetables.

Cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, or HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the slow cooker.  Using two forks, break the chicken into pieces and return to the stew in the cooker. 

Serve with hot mashed potatoes.  If you don't have time to whip up an entire batch of mashed potatoes try this QUICK TIP:  Cut one large baking potato into cubes, cover with water and bring to a boil.  Cook about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.  Drain.  Following package directions, make one envelope of Idahoan Garlic Mashed Potatoes, add cooked cubed potatoes and mash with potato masher for super quick "homestyle" potatoes.  You can also find frozen potatoes that you microwave and mash in the frozen food section:  Alexia brand.