Do you ever have those days when you just want to wrap everything in bacon? I swear, the world seems a bit brighter when there’s crispy bacon involved—like when the latest Taylor Swift song drops, and suddenly, nothing else matters. This bacon-wrapped chicken breast recipe is so simple yet feels like a culinary hug; it’s the kind of dish that can make even the dullest Tuesday feel like a celebration.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) to prepare for baking.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and onion powder. Use half of this mixture to coat the chicken breasts evenly.
- Wrap each chicken breast with 2 to 4 slices of bacon, depending on their size, and place them in a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture over the wrapped chicken.
- Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Once cooked, garnish the chicken with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
- 4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 1 (16-ounce) package of bacon
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1540 | Total Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 424mg | Sodium: 4848mg | Total Carbohydrate: 60g | Dietary Fiber: 4g | Total Sugars: 56g | Protein: 152g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 8mg | Potassium: 1856mg
FAQ
- Can I use different types of bacon for this recipe?
- Yes, you can use different types of bacon. Some people prefer thin-sliced bacon for quicker cooking and crispiness, while others opt for thick-cut varieties like applewood smoked bacon, which can add a deeper smoky flavor. Just be aware that thicker bacon might require a longer cooking time.
- Is it necessary to precook the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken?
- Precooking the bacon is not necessary, but some find it helps achieve better crispiness. You can partially cook the bacon for about 2 minutes before wrapping it around the chicken to ensure it crisps up nicely in the oven.
- Can I use chicken tenderloins instead of chicken breasts?
- Yes, chicken tenderloins can be used instead of breasts. They tend to cook faster and can be just as flavorful. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly as they may require less time in the oven.
- What can I use as a substitute for brown sugar if I want a low-sugar version?
- You can use a sugar substitute like Truvia brown sugar blend for a lower sugar option. It maintains the sweet flavor while reducing sugar content, making it suitable for those managing their sugar intake.
- What should I do if my chicken breasts are large and thick?
- If your chicken breasts are particularly large and thick, you might want to pound them to an even thickness to ensure even cooking. This can also help reduce overall cooking time and ensure the chicken is cooked through without overcooking the bacon.
Tips
- Consider using a thin-sliced bacon and pre-cooking it for about 2 minutes to ensure it becomes crispy when baking.
- If available, try using imported smoked paprika for a richer and deeper flavor profile.
- Save the pan drippings after cooking to use as a flavorful addition to other dishes, like potatoes.
- If you’re working with particularly large chicken breasts, consider pounding them thinner for even cooking, which might also reduce the overall cooking time.
Equipment
- Instant-read thermometer – to ensure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Baking dish – if you don’t have a suitable one for baking the wrapped chicken.
- read thermometer, which is crucial for checking the doneness of the chicken.
