Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken: Your Ultimate Easy Family Meal!
Get ready to fall in love with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe! Featuring succulent chicken breast enveloped in crispy bacon, glazed with sweet brown sugar, and infused with a subtle kick of spice, this dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Whether you bake it in the oven or grill it to perfection, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal ready in about 30-40 minutes. Prepare for rave reviews and requests for more!
After a long week, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a simple yet spectacular dinner. And when that dinner involves juicy chicken, savory bacon, and a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy flavors, you know you’ve hit the jackpot! This recipe for Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken is precisely that – a hassle-free meal that delivers maximum flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or whenever you crave something truly satisfying.
What could be better than a recipe that’s not only incredibly easy to prepare but also features the irresistible combination of crispy bacon and caramelized brown sugar? This dish takes comfort food to an exciting new level with a touch of chili powder, creating a flavor profile that’s both familiar and delightfully unexpected. Plus, the flexibility to prepare it either in your oven or on the grill makes it a versatile option for any season or occasion.
Perfect Side Dishes for Your Bacon Wrapped Chicken
To complement the rich flavors of this bacon-wrapped chicken, consider pairing it with some equally delicious sides. For a refreshing balance, try my Copycat Olive Garden Salad & Dressing. Its crisp greens and tangy dressing cut through the richness beautifully. Or, for a hearty, comforting classic, my Grandma’s Baked Beans recipe offers a sweet and savory accompaniment that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Many of you might be familiar with those addictive bacon-wrapped little smokies, baked until sticky-sweet in brown sugar. This chicken recipe draws inspiration from that beloved appetizer, but with a significant upgrade! We’re talking about substantial pieces of chicken, a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and a touch of heat, making it hearty enough to be the star of your dinner plate. While it’s fantastic as a main meal, don’t hesitate to serve it as an appetizer for your next party. For bite-sized servings, simply cut each piece in half again after cooking.
This fantastic recipe originally hails from the “What’s Cookin’ – Harlan Newspaper” cookbook, and it has been a staple in my kitchen ever since. The only change I’ve ever considered making is to double the batch because a single recipe always leaves my family wanting more! With six of us, two pieces per person just aren’t enough when something this delicious is on the table. Trust me, you’ll want to make extra!
More Delicious Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas
If you’re a fan of chicken breast recipes, you’re in the right place! Beyond this Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken, I have many other favorites that are perfect for dinner. Why not try my incredibly tender Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken for a hands-off meal, or spice things up with a slice of my Buffalo Chicken Pizza? For a lighter, zestier option, my Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe is always a hit.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN RECIPE
There’s a universal truth in the culinary world: everything is better with bacon! Wrapping foods in bacon is a trend that will never go out of style, and for good reason. It’s not just about adding a strip of meat; it’s about infusing a whole new dimension of rich, smoky, and savory flavor into every bite. Whether you’re preparing fruits, vegetables, seafood, or meats, bacon elevates the experience, transforming a simple ingredient into something truly extraordinary.
When it comes to wrapping meats like chicken, bacon brings more than just flavor. It introduces essential fat and moisture, which are crucial for keeping lean chicken breasts from drying out during cooking. The bacon acts like a protective, flavorful blanket, basting the chicken as it cooks, resulting in an incredibly tender and juicy interior. However, a key tip for success is to choose the right bacon. While thick-cut bacon is glorious for a Sunday breakfast, it can take longer to crisp up around your chicken, potentially overcooking the meat inside. For optimal results with bacon-wrapped dishes, I always recommend using regular-cut bacon. This ensures the bacon crisps up beautifully at the same rate as the chicken cooks through, creating that perfect textural contrast without compromising the tenderness of the chicken.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR SWEET & SPICY BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN
This recipe relies on a few simple ingredients to create a symphony of flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for their lean protein and quick cooking time.
- Bacon: Regular-cut bacon works best to ensure it crisps perfectly.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential foundational seasonings to enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds an aromatic depth that complements both the sweet and spicy notes.
- Chili Powder: This is where the “spicy” in “Sweet & Spicy” comes from, providing a warm, earthy kick. Adjust to your preferred heat level.
- Brown Sugar: The star of the “sweet” component, it caramelizes beautifully, creating a delicious glaze.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken and keeps it moist before the bacon takes over.
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor that make this dish so irresistible. The balance between the smoky bacon, tender chicken, and the sweet-spicy coating is truly what sets this recipe apart.
HOW TO PREPARE BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN IN THE OVEN
Preparing this dish in the oven is straightforward and yields consistently delicious results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal:
PREP THE OVEN
Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for the bacon to crisp and the chicken to cook evenly from the start.
CUT THE CHICKEN
Take each chicken breast and carefully cut it into thirds. For a recipe calling for 4 chicken breasts, this will yield approximately 12 uniform pieces. Cutting the chicken into smaller, consistent pieces ensures quicker and more even cooking, and makes for perfect individual servings.
SEASON & ARRANGE
Arrange your cut chicken pieces in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Drizzle the chicken with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Alternatively, you can use a non-stick cooking spray. Now, generously sprinkle one side of the chicken with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. Flip each piece over and repeat the seasoning process on the other side. This thorough seasoning is crucial for developing the “sweet & spicy” flavor profile.
WRAP & COAT
For each seasoned chicken piece, carefully wrap it with a slice of regular-cut bacon, making sure the bacon is snug and ideally overlaps slightly to stay secure. Once wrapped, roll each bacon-wrapped chicken piece thoroughly in brown sugar. The brown sugar will adhere to the bacon, creating that signature sweet glaze and help the bacon crisp up beautifully during baking.
BAKE TO PERFECTION
Place the brown sugar-coated, bacon-wrapped chicken pieces back into your baking dish. Bake in the preheated 400-degree Fahrenheit oven for 30-40 minutes. The exact timing will depend on the thickness of your chicken and your oven. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the bacon is wonderfully crispy and caramelized. Keep an eye on it to prevent the brown sugar from burning, especially in the last 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave your chicken’s doneness to chance! A reliable meat thermometer is your best friend in the kitchen. This Thermapen ONE is, hands down, the best meat thermometer I have ever owned. It provides instant, accurate readings, ensuring your chicken is perfectly cooked every time – juicy, safe, and never overdone.
SERVE AND ENJOY
Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven. The brown sugar and bacon fat will have created a delicious, sticky glaze in the bottom of the dish. Drizzle this savory-sweet glaze over the chicken pieces before serving. Serve hot and watch them disappear!
Grilling Method for Bacon Wrapped Chicken
For those who prefer a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks, this Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken can also be prepared on the grill. After seasoning your chicken pieces, wrapping them in bacon, and rolling them in brown sugar, heat your grill to a medium-high temperature (around 375-400°F). Place the chicken directly over medium heat, turning frequently to ensure even cooking and to prevent the brown sugar from burning too quickly. Grill for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. The grill will add an extra layer of smoky depth that is simply divine!
Love Them? Pin Them for Later!
Don’t let this incredible Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board so you can easily find it whenever those cravings hit. Share the love with your friends and family too – they’ll thank you for introducing them to this fantastic meal!
Speaking of bacon-wrapped delights, once you master this chicken, you might find yourself looking for more ways to incorporate that savory goodness into every meal. Bacon truly does make everything better!
OTHER BACON WRAPPED RECIPES TO ENJOY
If you’ve discovered the magic of bacon-wrapped foods, prepare for a culinary adventure! Here are some more irresistible bacon-wrapped recipes to add to your repertoire:
- Aloha Bacon Wrapped Sausage Bites: A tropical twist on a classic appetizer.
- Bacon & Cheese Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus (pictured above): Elegant and flavorful, perfect for entertaining.
- Kraut Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Brats: A hearty and savory meal that’s perfect for grilling.
- Bacon Wrapped Hot Brussels Sprouts: Even sprout skeptics will love this flavorful side dish.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: Quick, easy, and incredibly delicious.
- Bacon Wrapped Bleu Cheese Meatballs: A gourmet twist on a party favorite.
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin with Sauerkraut Stuffing: A show-stopping main course for any occasion.
Indeed, bacon-wrapped dishes offer endless culinary possibilities. The common saying “everything goes better with bacon” truly makes sense when you explore these variations. Let’s face it: even something already tasty becomes spectacularly delicious with a bit of bacon around it. That is just the undeniable magic of bacon – it adds flavor, texture, and a touch of indulgence that always satisfies.
Find All of these Bacon Wrapped Recipes and MORE on my blog!
Now that you have all the tips and inspiration, let’s dive into the detailed recipe for this easy and incredibly satisfying Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken. Happy cooking!
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Print Recipe
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Equipment
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Thermapen ONE
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (12 pieces)
- 12 slices of regular-cut bacon
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C).
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Cut each chicken breast into thirds, resulting in 12 uniform pieces.
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Lay chicken pieces in a 9×13 baking dish, and coat evenly with 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil (or use non-stick cooking spray). Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. Flip each piece and season the other side.
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Wrap each piece of chicken tightly with a slice of regular-cut bacon. Then, roll each bacon-wrapped piece thoroughly in brown sugar until coated.
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Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is nicely crispy and caramelized.
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Once baked, drizzle any accumulated sweet and savory glaze from the bottom of the pan over the chicken and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
This delightful recipe was originally shared on July 15, 2016. It has since been thoroughly updated to enhance the user experience, improve SEO, and provide even more helpful tips, re-shared on May 31, 2022.
Do you love chicken as much as we do? If so, you’re in for a treat! Explore a magnificent collection of my favorite chicken recipes below. From comforting classics to exciting new flavors, there’s something for every chicken lover to discover and enjoy: