Tender boneless chicken thighs coated in a fennel and shallot based cream sauce, served over a bed of white rice and iron rich spinach. This Chicken in Creamy Fennel Sauce with Crispy Bacon is delicious and has quickly become a family favorite in my house.

Creamy Fennel Sauce – The Details

This creamy fennel sauce combines minced fennel and shallot, simmered in a white wine reduction. With the addition of some chicken stock and heavy cream, you get a light and creamy fennel sauce. The first time I tested this recipe, my mom shouted “Write this down now!” It’s been one of my favorite recipes ever since.

Tender chunks of boneless skinless chicken thighs, a light creamy fennel sauce, topped with crispy bacon. It couldn’t get better than this. Now if only I could get my boyfriend to try this one. I think it could really change his mind about fennel. (I bet you’re not surprised to read he HATES fennel.)

The Saga of Phil and the Creamy Fennel Sauce

His biggest problem with fennel is that the flavor is overpowering. And look, I can’t argue with him about that. Fennel is a BIG flavor. But don’t let that deter you from trying this chicken. The fennel is so light, and combine with the shallot and heavy cream, it blends so beautifully and creates a unique savory flavor. And since the fennel is minced, you don’t get big chunks, it blends seamlessly with the sauce.

Crispy Bacon AKA The Most Important Part

The crispy bacon adds the perfect texture and saltiness to this creamy fennel sauce chicken. Additionally, cooking the bacon first adds a light bacony flavor to the chicken while it cooks. But whatever you do, don’t set the bacon down and forget about it. Sure the chicken will still be delicious but it’s really not the same! The bacon really completes the dish.

Unfortunately, one time I did just that, cooked the bacon, got distracted by the dog and by the time I came back to the pan, the chicken was cooking and I totally forgot the bacon. Hiding in plain sight, sitting on top of my mom’s air fryer oven on the other side of the stove. The chicken cooked, the sauce was ready, and my parents and I ate our full meal. Then my mom turned to me and goes “Hey, wasn’t there supposed to be bacon on top of this?” AFTER WE FINISHED.

Well I won in the end, I had leftovers for lunch the next day with A LOT of bacon on top.

Other Recipes To Try:

If you like this creamy fennel sauce, try some of these other Happy Stirring chicken recipes.

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