Bacon Wrapped Chicken
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This bacon wrapped chicken is an easy yet elegant dinner everyone raves about. The bacon is extra crispy, keeping the chicken super moist and juicy. It’s easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes.
Why I love this recipe
Bacon-wrapped anything is incredibly delicious (hello, bacon wrapped asparagus and bacon wrapped filet mignon), so adding it to chicken is a no-brainer.
My recipe starts with seasoned chicken breasts wrapped tightly with bacon. Then I pan-sear them and broil them in the oven for crispy, juicy goodness. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve for a fancy date night. It’s actually my partner’s #1 most requested dinner (I legitimately make it weekly).
I typically oven-bake them, but I’ve tested them on the grill and in the air fryer, so you have a couple of cooking options.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“This bacon wrapped chicken recipe was so easy, quick, and totally delicious. It was beautiful to the eye and tantalized my taste buds! Thank you!” – Susan
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast. Choose chicken breasts of equal size (length and thickness) for even cooking. I prefer getting them from my butcher for this very reason (the pre-packaged ones vary too much).
- Bacon. Any thin-cut bacon will do. You’ll need roughly two slices to wrap one chicken breast. If you only have thick-cut bacon, slice each one in half.
- Seasonings. I’m using salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This saves you from needing fresh aromatics.
- Olive oil and butter. Combining both fats ensures a golden exterior and super juicy flavor.
- Brown sugar. A touch of sweetness helps caramelize the bacon and prevents it from falling off the chicken.
- Parsley. To garnish and serve.
How to make bacon wrapped chicken
Step 1- Pat dry the chicken breasts. Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
Step 2- Wrap each chicken breast fillet with two slices of bacon. Gently press the chicken with the seam side down.
Step 3- Sear the chicken, sprinkle the top with brown sugar, then oven-bake for 15 minutes.
Step 4- Finish cooking on broiler mode for 4 minutes to make the bacon extra crispy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- You’ll know the chicken is fully cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165F. Use a meat thermometer to double-check.
- Don’t skip the broil. Broiling helps caramelize the sugar layer and makes the bacon super crispy. Don’t fret about overcooking the chicken because it’ll only be for a few minutes.
- Don’t stretch the bacon. Stretching the bacon could cause tears in the covering and unravel during the cook. If you are worried about it not adhering to the chicken, add toothpicks on both ends. Just remember to discard them before serving.
Storage and make-ahead
To make ahead. You can freeze the uncooked assembled chicken for up to three months. Be sure to keep them in a Ziploc bag with no air pockets.
To store. Let the chicken cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Frequently asked questions
While chicken breasts are preferred, you can also use chicken tenders and chicken thighs. For tenders, use one strip of bacon; for thighs, you may need up to three strips.
No, you don’t need to flip the chicken during cooking. Because the chicken is broiled at the end, it will crisp up beautifully on all sides.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts 6-8 ounces each
- 8 slices bacon thin cut
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Season the chicken breast fillets with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
- Wrap each chicken breast fillet with two strips of bacon. Start with one strip and then continue with the second strip. Let the chicken press down on the ends of the bacon.
- Add oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, seam-side down, and cook until the bacon is golden, around 3-4 minutes. Do not flip the chicken.
- Sprinkle the top of each chicken breast with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 15 minutes or until cooked.
- Heat the broiler and broil the chicken for another 4 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
More chicken and bacon recipes
Originally published August 2023
I would like to see recipes
Hi Cathy- all recipes are in the recipe card. If you’re struggling, please shoot me an email (arman@thebigmansworld.com) and I can walk you through it.
This bacon wrapped chicken recipe was so easy, quick and totally deliciousI It was beautiful to the eye and tantalized my taste buds! Thank you!