Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
This easy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast recipe is exactly as amazing as it sounds! Chicken breasts are made flavorful with a brown sugar spice mix, wrapped in a few slices of bacon and baked until juicy and tender. My whole family practically begs for this chicken dinner!
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
This might just become your new favorite way to cook a chicken breast. Lately, if I serve my usual baked chicken breast (that’s still so good), I’m met with this question from my family – “where’s the bacon?” It’s safe to say that this bacon wrapped chicken breast has become part of our weeknight routine!
The flavor isn’t just from the bacon. The chicken itself is rubbed with a brown sugar spice mix that’s sure to make your mouth water! Smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne powder and just a little salt and pepper create the very best bold flavor to balance out the sweet brown sugar.
Then, it all gets wrapped up in bacon, baked until juicy and cooked all the way through. Have I mentioned just how easy this recipe is? I love wrapping and stuffing chicken breasts because it requires just a little bit of extra effort and always look so much more impressive than it really is!
Ingredient Notes
Let’s take a quick look at that short and sweet shopping list! For exact measurements, keep scrolling down to the recipe card.
- Brown Sugar – If you’re ever in a pinch, you can always combine 1 cup of white granulated sugar with 1 tbsp of molasses to make your own brown sugar.
- Spices – Smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, kosher salt and cracked black pepper is what you’ll need to create the very best flavor.
- Chicken Breasts – Be sure to pat these dry first before seasoning. That way, your sugar/spice mixture will really stick to the meat.
- Bacon – Use whatever your favorite type of bacon is! Thick cut is always great. I haven’t tested this recipe with turkey bacon yet, but I’m sure it’s also awesome.
PRO TIP: Don’t be afraid to play around with the spices a little bit! If you like regular paprika instead of smoked, use that instead. Feel free to double the amount of cayenne powder for extra heat. There’s a lot of wiggle room here.
How to Make a Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Take a quick look at just how easy this process is! Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
- Make the sugar mixture. Whisk together the brown sugar with all of the spices until well mixed.
- Rub the chicken. Gently pat your chicken dry with a paper towel. Then, rub about half of the sugar mixture all over the chicken. Save the other half for topping the bacon with!
- Wrap with bacon. This is the fun part! Wrap each seasoned chicken breast with 2 or 3 slices of bacon. Place the breasts (seam side down so the bacon stays put) in a baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining sugar mixture.
- Bake. Bake at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes. Once the bacon is crisp and the chicken is fully cooked, you’re good to go!
- Baste. This step is optional. I always do it for just a little added moisture and flavor. Baste the cooked bacon wrapped chicken breasts with the pan drippings that have gathered during baking.
- Broil. Want your bacon extra crispy? Broil it on high for just 1 minute or so! Keep your eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
If you prefer to make a big batch of The BEST Dry Rub you can use that in place of the seasoning in the recipe card below.
Enjoy more of the very best chicken breast recipes!
- Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Chicken Paillard
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
- Greek Chicken
- The Best Oven Baked Chicken Breast
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Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 16 slices bacon
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne (if using), salt and pepper.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and rub half the spice mixture over the chicken breasts to coat.
- Wrap each chicken breast in 2-3 slices of bacon to cover and place the chicken breasts, seam side down in a baking dish or oven proof skillet coated with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture over the chicken.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through. (You can baste the chicken during the cooking process with the pan drippings.)
- Turn the broiler on high for 1 minute if you prefer extra crispy bacon but be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with some of the pan drippings, if desired.