This one may require you to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay. Just kidding! Making bacon-wrapped chicken breast does not require you to have undergone some training at a gourmet restaurant. But it may require a little more effort than usual.
At first glance, it looks like a croissant. But it is not…well, obviously. Bacon-wrapped chicken is a savory meal, and every bite leaves an anticipation for the next. If you’re up to it, this is the perfect choice for a simple meal with a fancy outlook. It’s a number one pick for a stay-at-home dinner date.
Only a few ingredients are needed to make this meal and we promise, you will not need to break the bank.
Ingredients
Four Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Eight Bacon slices, thinly cut
One-quarter cup of Brown sugar
Two teaspoons of Smoked paprika
One teaspoon of Garlic powder
Half a teaspoon of Onion powder
Half a teaspoon of Black pepper
Half-a-teaspoon of Salt
These ingredients make four servings of the meal.
Prepping the chicken
Some people find boneless chicken unappealing because they believe it to be dry and tasteless. Often, they are not wrong. Not many cooks have cracked the code to making juicy, flavourful chicken breast.
The first solution is to flavour it sufficiently from the cooking stage. Boil the chicken in water not more than one-third of the area occupied by the chicken. This meat type is already tender and will cook fast so it doesn’t need too much water.
Ensure to season the chicken sufficiently to your taste. We recommend half a tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of seasoning powder per pound of chicken. This covers the problem of flavour.
The trick to arriving at a juicy chicken breast is to marinate it for at least three hours before. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl containing a marinade of your choice and ensure they are sufficiently coated in it. Afterward, cover the bowl with a sheet of foil paper and place it in the fridge.
Cooking Instructions
While preparing the baking ingredients, preheat the oven to 375°F (190.5°C).
Place the chicken pieces on a flat surface and cut through them without severing the pieces from one another. In other words, cut it so it opens up like a book. Do this in four different places of the same piece of chicken.
Mix all the spices (paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic) until they are all evenly distributed in one another. Then put a portion of the spices into each open space in each chicken.
Wrap each chicken with two slices of bacon, ensuring the bacon covers the chicken from top to bottom, especially in the open spaces.
Set the chicken pieces on an oven tray and sprinkle the brown sugar over them. You can replace the brown sugar with maple syrup to give it more sweetness and a natural caramelization.
Place the oven tray in the oven and bake at 375°F (190.5°C) for about thirty minutes. You will know your meal is done when it has that golden-brown appearance.
For some extra crispiness, drop the temperature by five degrees and then leave it to broil for five minutes.
An alternative way to tell if your bacon-wrapped chicken is done is to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a cooking thermometer. If it reads up to 165°F (74°C) then it is cooked and safe to eat.
Sprinkle some chopped parsley leaves over the meal to add to its aesthetic appearance and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an air-fryer or grill to make bacon-wrapped chicken?
Yes, you can. The temperature for cooking is increased to about 400°F (204°C) when using any of these methods. However, the cooking time varies. Airfrying will take between ten to fifteen minutes while grilling can take up to twenty-five minutes.
Make sure to flip the chicken periodically to allow even doneness.
Can I use other parts of the chicken?
Yes. Other parts, such as chicken thigh, can be substituted for chicken breast. However, chicken breast is preferred because it has a lower calorie content.
Can I use different parts of a chicken for the same batch?
The problem with using different parts of a chicken for bacon-wrapped chicken is that the different parts may get done at different times. To avoid having a plate of half-done or overcooked bacon-wrapped chicken, we recommend you stick to using a single part. E.g. use only chicken thighs or only chicken breasts.
What can I serve with bacon-wrapped chicken?
This is entirely up to you. But common choices include rice, vegetable salad, and mac and cheese.
What are the storage conditions for this meal?
When kept in an airtight container, bacon-wrapped chicken can be refrigerated for up to two days. In a freezer, it can be stored for up to three months. Warming frozen bacon-wrapped chicken will require you to thaw it overnight. Afterward, heat it in a microwave until it is warm.
What can I do with the leftovers?
The awesome thing about this meal is that even its leftovers give a dramatic and exciting twist to the blandest of meals. Chop the bacon-wrapped chicken into pieces and mix it with some vegetables to make a chicken salad. Otherwise, adding it to pasta or using it as filling for a sandwich is also workable.
