These savory Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs are a speedy yet flavorful take on a classic French dish. Served over home-style mashed potatoes, they make a perfect meal for cold fall and winter nights when you crave warm, slow-braised chicken but need dinner on the table in less than an hour.
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
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Coat your hands with olive oil and roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until they are crisp and fully cooked.
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While the meatballs cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes, then remove it and set aside.
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Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet.
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Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
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Stir in the minced garlic, chopped carrots, and sliced mushrooms, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to caramelize.
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Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
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Pour in the red wine, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs, then season the sauce with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
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Stir everything well and bring the sauce to a boil, then let it cook for 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
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Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the flavors.
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Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
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Stir in the chopped parsley and reserved bacon.
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Serve the Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs and sauce over a bed of mashed potatoes.