Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Elevate your poultry one savory cut at a time with this recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast.
Table of Contents
Chicken breast is the entree that cannot be stopped. There are so many ways to prepare chicken breast and every one of them is a favorite to someone. Maybe you like grilled barbecue chicken breast, maybe you are more of a breaded and fried chicken breast fan, maybe you like your chicken breasts on a kabob, or maybe you just want some grilled chicken breast on your salad.
When you have such a versatile piece of meat, sometimes it is difficult to find a way to elevate it. That’s where bacon comes in; it goes with everything, kinda like your favorite plain white T! It’s the award-winning supporting actor who pushes the lead to win an award of their own. So, when you want to elevate your chicken breast, just add bacon.
This bacon-wrapped chicken breast is tender, juicy chicken seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper. Each bite gets the best of both worlds: a tender center with a crisp outer layer. Savory and slightly sweet, this bacon-wrapped chicken breast gives you all the flavor you want from the two meats. The paprika’s smokiness gives a hint of barbecue to the chicken, while the garlic and onion give an earthiness to the chicken breast. It’s the best combination of meats since the cartoon “Cow and Chicken”!
Is Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast Healthy?
Everything in moderation is the motto that needs to go along with this recipe for bacon-wrapped chicken breast. The chicken breast alone is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Together they aid in tissue growth, muscle repair, and immune system maintenance. Chicken breast is a lean meat that often dries out easily. The bacon helps it retain its natural moisture, while the bacon fat helps cook the chicken more evenly. Because of that fat, though, moderation is key. This bacon-wrapped chicken breast fits the keto diet because it is protein heavy and low in carbs.
Does it matter that the chicken breast is skinless?
For this recipe you need to use skinless chicken breast; the bacon itself will take the place of skin as it crisps up nicely and helps retain the moisture of the chicken. Were you to leave the skin intact, it would not be able to crisp up, due to the placement of the bacon around it. By using skinless chicken breast, you allow the chicken to cook entirely in its own juices, as well as the juices of the bacon. Furthermore, if the skin is left on the chicken, the seasoning will remain on the skin and not penetrate the chicken’s meat and juices.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 8-12 slices bacon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Get the oven ready at 375°F.
Season
Prepare and season chicken.
Wrap
Wrap chicken with bacon and bake.
Rest & Serve
Let chicken rest, then serve.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If you need to store leftover bacon-wrapped chicken breast, let the chicken breast cool completely then put the leftovers into a sealed airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. You can also put the container in the freezer to hold it for up to six months. If frozen, you will need to thaw the bacon-wrapped chicken breast overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, put the bacon-wrapped chicken breast in the oven at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
This recipe will work with other cuts of chicken as long as they are boneless and skinless. Follow the rest of the recipe and enjoy.
Absolutely. The best way to make your bacon-wrapped chicken breast spicy is by adding spices to your rub. I would recommend cumin or cayenne.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon-wrapped chicken breast goes best with, well, anything. A nice rice pilaf, macaroni and cheese, or mashed potatoes make for nice starch options. I also love pairing my bacon-wrapped chicken breast with crispy brussels sprouts or roasted garlic-seasoned broccoli or cauliflower. You can also elevate the dish by butterfly-cutting the chicken breast and stuffing it with cheese before seasoning and wrapping the chicken breast.
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 8-12 slices bacon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. (Clean out your sink so it doesn’t get contaminated!)
- Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and then with the seasoning mixture.
- Wrap each chicken breast with 2-3 slices of bacon, ensuring the bacon covers most of the chicken and the ends are tucked under.
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on a foil-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and the bacon is crispy.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Nutrition
The post Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
