A one pan chicken makes date night so easy and elegant. My Chicken with Bacon, Shallots, and White Wine will make everyone happy, including the relaxed chef. A bit French inspired, this chicken is moist and decadent for date night!
When it’s date night, I think it’s important to find a menu that feels both impressive but very doable. I love going out to a restaurant for date night, of course. It’s fun to get all dressed up and pick something to eat that really wows. So if I’m planning to stay in for date night, I want to create that same feeling of excitement but with a more relaxed edge. After all, enjoying a date night at home can be everything a restaurant is and more.
This delicious chicken breast dinner is designed with date night in mind. It doesn’t take long, and all of the steps of it are simple. But there’s still something exciting about having all of these components come together. Chicken, of course, is always a crowd pleaser. Here, it’s light, juicy, and irresistible. Bacon delivers that delicious salty bite while the shallots in this dish melt into the sauce. And then it all comes together in a savory white wine sauce. This is really the kind of dish that doesn’t demand a ton of the cook but still makes you look like a total expert.
My Chicken with Bacon, Shallots, and White Wine is the anchor of my Elegant Date Night Dinner Menu, which I designed with elegance and comfort in mind. I’m serving the Chicken with a slightly spicy roasted broccolini on the side that’s given a flavor punch with chili crisp and creamy feta. And dessert is completely make ahead with a citrusy and spongy raspberry and lemon olive oil cake. No way do I want to wait in a line or make a reservation when date night at home is as easy as this!
Why this Chicken works for Date Night
This Chicken with Bacon, Shallots, and White Wine is a total date night winner!
- Everything cooks in one pan (this one is a beautiful option), making the dish easy and clean up even easier!
- These flavors feel very familiar and comforting, but they come together in a way that’s special. This dish has a nod to coq au vin blanc, and it’s a truism that the French know something about making date night romantic
- If you’d like, you can make this dish slightly ahead and reheat it.
- This chicken pairs deliciously with a glass of white wine–the same one that goes in the sauce!
- With both chicken and bacon in this dish, you have some of the classic people pleasers of all time. You’re bound to have a happy date.
Chicken with Bacon, Shallots, and White Wine
Course: DinnerCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes30
minutesIngredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
kosher salt and cracked ground pepper
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp butter
Directions
- Pat the chicken breasts on both sides with a paper towel to dry them off. Season both sides with kosher salt and ground pepper.
- In a large skillet with a lid, cook the bacon over medium heat. until crisp and the fat has rendered. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan. Leave about 2 Tbsp of bacon fat in the pan to cook the chicken. Drain off any excess fat if needed.
- Increase heat slightly and add the chicken breasts to the pan. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until browned, 2-3 minutes. The chicken will finish cooking at a later stage. Remove the chicken from the pan.
- Reduce the heat back to medium and add the shallots. Cook, stirring until softened and browning, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic in and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, deglazing the pan and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add the chicken broth and return the chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer gently for 8-12 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (165ºF). Remove chicken from the pan.
- Turn the heat down to low. If necessary to loosen the sauce, add in a splash of chicken stock. Stir the bacon back into the pan. Taste and adjust for seasonings. Add the butter into the pan to finish the dish.
- Place the chicken breasts on a serving platter and spoon the sauce over top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Serving Notes
This chicken pairs really well with a roasted vegetable side. I like serving it with the spicy roasted broccolini because that dish has a little heat to it which I think pairs so nicely with this chicken. If you feel you’d like to add a starch, keep it simple as the white wine sauce will flavor it.
Make Ahead Tip
This dish can be made a few hours in advance and then gently reheated before serving. Add a splash of chicken broth or white wine if the sauce tightens too much.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
Because this dish is built on bacon, shallots, and white wine, it pairs best with a crisp, dry white that has enough body to stand up to the richness without overwhelming the sauce. A French-style Chardonnay (unoaked or lightly oaked), Sancerre, or dry Pinot Grigio all work beautifully. Choose something you’d enjoy drinking on its own — the same bottle can be used for cooking and poured at the table, which keeps the evening simple and cohesive.
If you’d like a cocktail instead, my Blood Orange Gin and Tonic would be an unexpected treat. Or my Hazelnut Thyme Champagne Cocktails scream celebration. For a more sultry combo, try my Swoonworthy Martini.
Planning a Date Night?
The Mid Century Modern Romantic is a place where romance really shines, so yes, I’ve got lots of ideas for date night! My full Elegant Date Night at Home menu is here which features that roasted broccolini and a raspberry lemon olive oil cake for dessert.
Other ideas to accompany this chicken for date night? You could serve it with my delicious Simple Arugula Salad with Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette. Or my Roasted Cherry Tomato and Balsamic Soup would make a lovely starter dish. For a more filling dinner, try my Brown Butter Bourbon Mashed Potatoes on the side. That would be heavenly here!
Check out my recipe page for other romantic recipe inspiration, and keep checking back for lots more romantic entertaining and date night ideas!
