Craving a chicken dish that's both ridiculously juicy and bursting with flavor?
Get ready to transform ordinary chicken breasts into bacon-wrapped masterpieces with this unbelievably simple recipe.
We'll unlock the secrets to perfectly cooked, crispy bacon and succulent chicken that will have everyone begging for more.
Ingredients
Let's gather what we need to make some seriously delicious bacon-wrapped chicken!
First, for the seasoning, I mix 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of paprika, and 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper–or more paprika if you're feeling mild. Plus, 1 tbsp of flour, 1/2 tsp of salt, and a dash of black pepper.
Now, for the main act: four large chicken thigh fillets, about 5oz each, cut in half–because, you know, more is merrier! And eight pieces of streaky bacon–the longer, the better for wrapping! Consider trimming silver skin from the chicken for a better texture. Don't forget 2 tbsp of brown sugar–this is the secret to that extra-tasty bacon–and a tiny bit of olive oil, just 1 tsp! (It's optional though!) Seriously, now we're all set for some serious flavor and fun!
Instructions
Now that your ingredients are prepped and ready to rock, you're all set to transform them into a mouthwatering masterpiece! First, preheat your oven to 200C/390F. Don't forget to line your baking tray with baking paper—nobody likes scrubbing burnt bits!
Next, grab a small bowl and combine the seasoning ingredients. In another bowl, put the brown sugar. We'll be dredging soon!
Coat each piece of chicken in that awesome seasoning mix. Shake off any extra—we don't want a bitter surprise! Just like the flavors of a marinade, careful seasoning is key to making flavorful food. Place a seasoned chicken piece on one end of a bacon strip and roll it up like a tiny, meaty burrito or a sleeping bag. Make sure the seam side faces down. Repeat with the rest.
Now, coat each bacon-wrapped chicken in brown sugar. You might feel extra doing this step, but please do! Use your fingers to rub it on if needed.
Place those beauties on the lined baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil that helps them brown faster but you don't have to. Bake for 25 minutes. If the bacon isn't golden when it comes out, try broiling it for a bit!
Recipe Notes
Because I care about your cooking experience, I've included a few recipe notes to guide you through this bacon-wrapped chicken adventure!
First, you can use chicken breast–if you want. I think chicken thighs turn out juicier, though! Also, grab long strips of streaky bacon, about 10 inches or more. It's gotta wrap all the way around!
Now, about your oven temp: I set this recipe for fan-forced ovens.
Here's some more extra notes – you won't use all the brown sugar. It depends on how you coat the chicken–dip or scoop–but it's probably about 1 1/2 tbsp all up. The amount of pan juices–it's up to you! Even with lean chicken, it's still delicious. Less juice, though – no photo-worthy gloss!
Nutrition Information
I can't forget the nutrition info–it's important! A serving, which is about 211 grams, packs around 593 calories. Make sure you factor that in, folks!
Now, let's break it down further. You're looking at roughly 9.8 grams of carbohydrates and a whopping 62.4 grams of protein! That's over 100% of your daily needs! Watch out, bodybuilders!
But what about the fat? Well, each serving has about 32.1 grams, with 9.9 grams being saturated fat. Cholesterol is at 189 mg, and sodium is high at 1577 mg. Maybe don't eat this every day, haha!
You'll also get some potassium–683 mg, a bit of Vitamin A, and a touch of iron. There's 6.8 grams of sugar.
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Serving Size: Varies
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts: 1.5 lbs, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Bacon: 1 lb, thinly sliced.
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons (optional).
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wrap each piece of chicken with a slice of bacon.
- If desired, sprinkle bacon-wrapped chicken with brown sugar.
- Arrange on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crispy.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimate):
* Calories: 593