Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast Wellplated Com

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!

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

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

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. 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

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.

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.

Thanks to bacon, tough, dry chicken breasts are an issue no more. If only every problem were this easy to solve! 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. Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.