If I had to choose the recipe for you to all be making this week, tonight even, it would be these meatballs. And you know what’s funny? For someone who has really avoided making meatballs in the past, I sure have taken a liking to them this past year. So far I’ve shared butter chicken meatballs, coconut curry chicken meatballs, sticky sesame ginger meatballs, and now these coq au vin meatballs. Without thinking twice, these are my favorite meatballs of the “bunch”. I know I shouldn’t be picking recipe favorites, but these are the flavors I love, especially this time of year. The weather in NYC has turned cold and deary (and very snowy in Colorado), and it’s just the time of year for recipes like this. When I made these meatballs just last week, my oldest brother, Creighton, was in town. I, of course, fed him multiple dinners (the boy lives to eat!). But at the end of his trip he declared these meatballs as the best dish he ate all week. He LOVED them, so I think it’s safe to say this is a very good recipe. And easy too, which is honestly just an added bonus.
Here is how you make these meatballs.
Start with the meatballs themselves. I always use the simplest mix of ground chicken (or turkey), an egg, Panko bread crumbs, and a little parmesan cheese. Here’s my trick though, instead of pan-frying the meatballs, I bake them in the oven. Not only is this easier, but it also saves on time. While the meatballs are cooking away in the oven, you can be working on the coq au vin sauce…
This sauce…it’s everything.
If you could not tell by now, I love Coq au Vin so much. I shared a more classic coq au vin a few years back. Here’s a link to watch me prepare it on Hallmark Home and Family. And the thing that makes Coq au Vin so delicious? The red wine based sauce. This sauce is truly one of the most delicious sauces you will make. But today’s Coq au Vin is all about these meatballs. There’s also a little bacon…for flavor, along with a mix of hearty fall vegetables, rich red wine, and herbs. The wine is key as it’s what gives the sauce its signature “french” flavor.
Traditionally, Coq au Vin is a slow-braised chicken that can take hours to make. Using meatballs allows this classic French dish to turn into a quick-cooking weeknight dinner…that also happens to be fancy enough for a weekend gathering. My favorite way to serve these meatballs is over my buttery herbed mashed potatoes. Spooning the sauce over the creamy mashed potatoes and topping with the meatballs leaves you with a cozy dinner that’s effortless to make. And one that everyone really loves! My only other suggestion is to add a side of crusty bread for dipping. Perfect dinner, right? I’m excited t have this one in my back pocket for the upcoming holiday season. I already know it’s going to be a go-to recipe once my family arrives and the craziness begins!
If you make these 30 minute Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
watch the how to video:
