Description
This Slow Cooker Merlot Chicken recipe combines tender, browned chicken drumsticks with savory vegetables, bacon, and a rich Merlot-infused tomato sauce. Slow-cooked to perfection, this comforting dish is easy to prepare and delivers deep, layered flavors ideal for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Meat
- 2-3 lbs. chicken drumsticks (about 8 drumsticks)
- 8 oz. bacon, sliced before cooking
Vegetables
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery ribs, sliced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
Liquids and Sauces
- ½ cup Merlot wine
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
Seasonings
- 1½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. oregano
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables and seasonings: Add all the sliced vegetables (carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms) and seasonings (salt, oregano, thyme, garlic powder) into the slow cooker, spreading evenly at the bottom.
- Cook bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bacon and cook until crisp. Remove cooked bacon and drain on paper towels. Discard most of the bacon grease, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
- Brown chicken drumsticks: In the same skillet with bacon grease, add the chicken drumsticks and brown them on both sides to develop flavor and color.
- Add bacon and liquids to slow cooker: Place the cooked bacon into the slow cooker with the vegetables. Pour in the Merlot wine and tomato sauce. Stir gently to combine.
- Add browned chicken: Nestle the browned drumsticks into the sauce and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, making sure they are mostly submerged.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours until chicken is tender and flavors meld beautifully.
Notes
- You can substitute Merlot with a red blend or Cabernet wine for slight variations in flavor.
- If avoiding alcohol, use chicken broth instead of wine to maintain moisture and flavor.
- For added nutrition and color, add zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach in the last hour of cooking.
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs can be used as alternatives to drumsticks, adjusting cooking time as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2 drumsticks with vegetables and sauce)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
