Brown sugar and spices are used to season the chicken breasts in this bacon wrapped chicken. The chicken is then wrapped in bacon and baked until the bacon is crispy. An easy chicken dinner with only 10 minutes of prep time.
Bacon wrapped chicken breast looks so impressive, but requires very little effort. It’s great for a casual family dinner, yet looks fancy enough for company. It’s one of my favorite chicken dishes along with chicken adobo and rosemary chicken.
I have a household full of bacon and chicken lovers. A lot of the time, we have chicken for dinner, and this is one of our favorite chicken dishes. It only takes minutes to prep, then simply bake your chicken to crispy golden brown perfection and enjoy!.
This chicken goes great with sides like crispy brussels sprouts, smashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots. Add a couple of sides and make a great meal!.
Wrapping cooked chicken in raw bacon, also known as bacon-wrapped chicken, is a popular preparation that yields an irresistible pairing of flavors and textures. However, many home cooks wonder if it’s safe to wrap the raw pork product around the already cooked poultry. Let’s break down the facts about this classic dish.
Is It Safe to Wrap Raw Bacon Around Cooked Chicken?
The short answer is yes – you can absolutely wrap raw bacon around cooked chicken While both meats contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses if undercooked, neither poses an inherent danger to the other when combined this way
Here are the key points that make bacon-wrapped chicken safe when properly prepared
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Chicken is fully cooked first Wrapping raw bacon around cooked chicken eliminates the risk of undercooked poultry. As long as the chicken reaches the recommended internal temperature of 165°F, any potential bacteria are killed off.
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Bacon reaches proper temperature: During baking or grilling, the raw bacon surrounding the chicken will also cook through completely. The pork should reach 145°F internally to eliminate bacteria and parasites.
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Limited contact time: The raw bacon is wrapped around the cooked chicken immediately before cooking. It doesn’t sit for extended periods touching the chicken, giving bacteria little opportunity to transfer.
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Proper food handling: Like any raw meat, basic kitchen hygiene should be followed. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for the chicken and bacon. Wash hands thoroughly after working with raw bacon.
So while it may seem counterintuitive, wrapping uncooked bacon around cooked chicken is considered safe. The chicken provides a heat barrier that brings the pork up to a bacteria-killing temperature quickly. Just be sure to monitor the internal temperatures.
The Best Practices for Cooking Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
While it’s scientifically safe to combine raw bacon and cooked chicken, proper preparation techniques are still key to getting the best results. Here are some tips:
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Partially cook bacon first: Pre-cooking the bacon slightly before wrapping prevents a greasy finished dish. Fry for 2-3 minutes on the stovetop then wrap around chicken.
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Blot chicken dry: Pat chicken pieces thoroughly with paper towels before wrapping. This helps the bacon adhere directly to the meat rather than sitting in juices.
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Use thinner bacon: Opt for regular sliced bacon, not thick-cut. Thinner slices wrap tightly and cook through more evenly. Thick bacon takes longer to crisp.
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Weave bacon slices: Wrap slices vertically and horizontally to fully enclose chicken. Tuck ends under securely so it stays put during cooking.
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Elevate on a wire rack: Placing wrapped chicken on a rack promotes even crisping by allowing air flow and bacon grease drainage.
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Cook to proper temperature: Bake at 400°F or grill until chicken reaches 165°F internally and bacon is crisp. Check temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
Flavorful Marinades Add Extra Flair
Plain bacon-wrapped chicken is fantastic, but marinating the poultry first brings even more complex flavors. The bacon locks in the marinade and prevents drying. All kinds of global marinades pair wonderfully:
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Mexican: Chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, lime
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Italian: Rosemary, basil, oregano, red wine vinegar, olive oil
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Indian: Garam masala, ginger, garlic, yogurt
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Thai: Lemongrass, fish sauce, brown sugar, chili flakes
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Japanese: Soy sauce, rice wine, toasted sesame oil, ginger
Get creative mixing and matching wet ingredients like yogurt, juices, vinegars, wines, and oils with dried spices, fresh herbs, aromatics, sweeteners, and more.
Chicken and Bacon Are a Match Made in Heaven
There’s no denying that chicken and bacon complement each other beautifully. When done properly, wrapping cooked chicken in uncooked bacon is totally safe and gives you:
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Flavor contrast: Savory and salty bacon balances delicate chicken.
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Textural variety: Crisp pork against succulent poultry.
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Moisture retention: Bacon seals in chicken juiciness and natural broth.
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Dynamic flavors: Bacon fuses with other seasonings and marinades.
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Visual appeal: Festive striped exterior is pretty and appetizing.
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Convenient preparation: Combining these two proteins in one packet means quicker, easier cooking with less mess and hassle.
From weekday dinners to party platters, bacon-wrapped chicken always satisfies. This quick and easy preparation takes poultry from boring to beautiful. Just be diligent with food safety practices. Now go forth and enjoy this amazing flavor duo!
HOW DO YOU MAKE BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN?
The best part of this baked bacon wrapped chicken is the seasoning. A bowl of brown sugar and different spices are mixed together and then rubbed on the chicken. The chicken is then wrapped in bacon and baked in the oven. It’s an extremely fast dinner to prepare and it will be eaten just as quickly.
Any type of chicken is fine for this recipe, such as thighs or drumsticks instead of breasts. It is important to make sure that every piece of chicken you cook is about the same size, no matter what kind you choose. For this recipe, you shouldn’t use thick-cut bacon because it will take a lot longer to cook.
If you like your bacon really crispy, you can broil your chicken for two to three minutes at the end of the cooking time. The sauce has sugar in it, so if you leave it to broil for too long, it will burn quickly. I think the extra work is worth it because the crispy bacon gives the dish the perfect texture.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN CHICKEN IS DONE?
The best way to tell if you chicken is cooked is by slicing it open. If it’s white all the way to the middle, then it’s done. A meat thermometer is very helpful, though, if you don’t want to cut into the chicken before serving it. Stick the thermometer through the middle of the chicken, stopping about midway through. The safe temperature you’re looking for is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 75 degrees Celsius.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken| Bacon Wrapped Chicken
How do you wrap raw chicken with bacon?
Wrap the raw chicken breast with bacon. Overlap the bacon slightly to cover the chicken completely. Each breast may need 2-3 pieces of bacon depending on the size. Try to tuck bacon ends under the chicken to prevent the bacon from unrolling. 5.
Can you cook bacon wrapped chicken in the oven?
And no one wants a dry chicken breast. You have two options with making it in the oven. The first is to just put your bacon wrapped chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet and bake. This is easier and doesn’t require anything extra. For the downside, your chicken might not be as crispy.
Can you cook chicken breast with bacon wrapped?
Make ahead: You can prep the chicken breasts with the spice rub and wrap them with bacon a day or so ahead. Just place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. Storing: Once they have cooled, store the Bacon Wrapped Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Can bacon wrapped chicken be refrigerated?
Storing: Once they have cooled, store the Bacon Wrapped Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat them in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop for a crispy finish. Freeze: Allow the chicken to cool and then transfer them to a freezer ziplock bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How do you reheat bacon wrapped chicken?
See the FAQ below for tips to grill the bacon wrapped chicken. Once cooked, store the leftover bacon wrapped chicken breast in the fridge in an airtight container. They should keep for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can heat in a dry skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
What is bacon wrapped chicken?
And it does the trick. Bacon wrapped chicken is exactly what the name implies: a piece of chicken wrapped in bacon. This recipe marinates the chicken before cooking to give it a little extra flavor. Then it’s wrapped in chicken to give it that unbeatable bacon flavor.