Easy Chicken in Red Wine (Crock Pot Recipe)
This slow cooker chicken in red wine sauce is rich, cozy, and surprisingly easy to make. Tender chicken simmers with mushrooms, vegetables, and dry red wine to create a flavorful, restaurant-style dinner with minimal prep. Perfect for weeknights, special occasions, or anytime you want an effortless comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup merlot (or any dry red wine)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for finishing)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
-
Add the sliced onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and thyme. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
-
Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
-
Mix the cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the slow cooker. Cook on High for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in butter if using.
-
Serve the chicken and sauce over mashed potatoes or noodles and garnish with fresh parsley.
Recipe Notes
- Thighs stay juicier, but breasts work too
- Dry red wine gives the best flavor
- Butter at the end makes the sauce silky
- Perfect for cozy nights or casual entertaining
- Leftovers taste even better the next day