Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

If you’ve been harboring resentment against boneless, skinless chicken breasts, today is the day of reconciliation. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast is everything this versatile protein should be, yet too often isn’t: marvelously juicy, temptingly tender, and anything but a throwaway to be eaten in the name of being “healthy.”

Also, did I mention it’s wrapped in bacon?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts have the (often justified) reputation for being mouth-suckingly dry and bland.

I’ve even had ones that are weirdly rubbery!

It’s a shame because chicken breasts are inexpensive, widely available, and a healthy source of protein.

They are also mild enough to appeal to picky eaters and versatile enough to take on just about any flavor profile.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been on Mission Chicken Redemption.

My goal: to find ways to cook chicken breasts that are juicy—certainly not dry and not tough—and legitimately delicious.

Yes, yes, these chicken breast recipes are healthy, but I promise, they are satisfying and scrumptious too!

Tip!

There are a variety of methods you can use to make your chicken breast not dry.

Brining locks in the chicken’s juices. My Baked Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Chicken Breast take advantage of this easy, game-changing option.
Marinading both tenderizes and flavors the meat. This easy Chicken Marinade and Chicken Thigh Marinade are my go-tos.
Stuffing insulates the chicken from within. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast uses this method (try wrapping this recipe in bacon for a scrumptious stuffed bacon wrapped chicken breast).
Wrapping insulates the chicken from the outside, and bacon is especially effective (pecans are also a hit in my Pecan Crusted Chicken recipe). The bacon’s fat helps keep the chicken juicy.

It also doesn’t hurt that anything wrapped in bacon tastes uhhh-mazing. Case(s) in point: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus and Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

As the bacon cooks, it makes the chicken mouth-wateringly moist and turns addictively crispy.

The contrast of the bacon’s crunch with the chicken’s juicy interior is a thing of beauty.

Add the smokiness of the quick spice rub we have happening here, and you have an easy chicken dinner worth craving.

The Ingredients

Chicken Breast. Tender, lean, protein-packed chicken breasts are scrumptious when seasoned and wrapped in bacon.
Spice Mixture. A mixture of smoked paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds bold flavor to the chicken breast and pairs well with the bacon. The mixture almost makes this taste like smoked bacon wrapped chicken breast.
Bacon. The ultimate crowd-pleaser! Wrapping the chicken breasts in bacon makes them incredibly flavorful, adds a spectacular crispy element, and takes them from boring to brilliant.
Maple Syrup. Making bacon wrapped chicken breast with maple syrup provides natural sweetness and caramelization.
Red Wine Vinegar. Adds brightness and makes this chicken breast recipe anything but one note.

The Directions

Stir the spice mixture together.

Dry the chicken breasts, then coat them in the spice mixture.

Wrap 2 slices of bacon around each chicken breast.

Lay the chicken seam-side down in a greased baking dish.

Stir together the maple syrup and vinegar.

Brush the vinegar mixture over the chicken breasts. Bake bacon wrapped chicken at 425 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing the tops of the chicken breasts with the pan sauce halfway through. Broil for 1 to 3 minutes (if you’d like to crisp the bacon). Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, let rest for a few minutes, then DIG IN!

Why is My Chicken Pink?

Even fully cooked chicken wrapped in bacon can still have a pink tinge to it. Further, bacon wrapped chicken does stay pink if the bacon has nitrates. The nitrates can cause the chicken to go pink.
Your best bet for determining when chicken is safe to eat is to use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness.
Chicken is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part. I typically remove mine a few degrees early, then let the carryover cooking finish the rest.

Bacon wrapped chicken breast on a plate with salad

Alternative Cooking Methods

In addition to the bacon wrapped chicken breast oven method, you can use one of the cooking methods listed below:

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast:

Preheat an outdoor grill to 400 degrees F.
Season and wrap the chicken in bacon as directed. Brush the maple syrup mixture over the top and add black pepper (if using).
Lay the chicken breasts on the grill, then cover with the lid. Grill for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Once it’s cooked through, remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Be sure to also check out these Grilled Chicken Tenders and Grilled Chicken Breast.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast:

Season and wrap the chicken in bacon as directed. Brush the maple syrup mixture over the top and add the black pepper (if using).
Lay the chicken breasts (seam side down) in the basket of an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees F. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Once it’s cooked through, remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

You’ll also love my go-to Air Fryer Chicken Breast.

Bacon wrapped chicken breast cut into pieces on a plate

What Goes Well With Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast?

Salad. Enjoy bacon wrapped chicken with a side of Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Tomato or Pesto Potato Salad.
Rice. Serve this chicken over a bed of Lemon Rice or Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Mac and Cheese. Bacon wrapped chicken breast with cheese is amazing! Pair this dish with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for a meal the entire family will enjoy! The Ultimate Creamy Mac & Cheese (4 Ways!) in my cookbook is delicious too.
Vegetables. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Crockpot Carrots would be scrumptious with this chicken.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
To Freeze. Freeze chicken in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Plan Tip

Up to 1 day in advance, season the chicken breasts and wrap them in bacon. Cover and refrigerate them in an airtight container until you’re ready to cook. Brush with the maple syrup mixture just before baking.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. Perfect for making bacon wrapped chicken breast recipes.
Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to tell when your chicken is cooked through.
Mixing Bowls. This set has ideal sizes for mixing spices, sauces, and more.

The Best Baking Dish

This beautiful baking dish is high quality, heavy-duty, and perfect for serving too. You’ll use this kitchen tool for a lifetime!

Get on AMazon

Thanks to bacon, tough, dry chicken breasts are an issue no more. If only every problem were this easy to solve!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Cook Raw Chicken with Bacon?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken with bacon. The two cooking together is what creates such wonderful flavor. If your chicken is already cooked, make Air Fryer Bacon or Oven Baked Bacon, then crumble it over the top.

What Can I Do with Leftovers?

Dice bacon wrapped chicken breast and use it to top your favorite salads (like Quinoa Chickpea Salad or Caesar Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons) and pastas (like Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese or Cavatelli and Broccoli). It would also be tasty added to a sandwich or wrap.

Would this Recipe Work with Chicken Thighs?

While I’ve never tested this exact recipe with chicken thighs, I think they would be delicious. I’d recommend following one of my simple chicken thighs recipes and adding bacon to it. Try Grilled Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, or Baked Chicken Thighs.

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