Try this Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast for a tasty meal that’s both easy and delicious. The crispy bacon and juicy chicken come together perfectly, and using the air fryer makes it simple with less mess.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
💖 This Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast is a delicious and easy way to enjoy juicy chicken with a crispy bacon layer.
The air fryer cooks it perfectly with less mess and fat, making it a healthier yet indulgent meal. And the best part? This quick dinner is ready in 30 minutes!
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try our zucchini chips, juicy meatballs, potatoes and lemon garlic chicken drumsticks.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts - You’ll need 4 chicken breasts for this recipe, and they should all be about the same size. Check out the tips section below to make sure they turn out great!
- Spices - You’ll use smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Bacon - We recommend using nitrate-free and sugar-free bacon for a cleaner option. Make sure to pick thin-cut bacon, not thick cut. Thick bacon might not cook properly and could be soggy when the chicken is done. For a healthier alternative, choose turkey bacon.
- Maple Syrup - Brush a little maple syrup on the bacon to help it caramelize and get extra crispy while it cooks.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
- Prep the Chicken: Trim any extra fat from the chicken breasts and make sure each piece is about 4-5 ounces. Mix all the spices in a small bowl. Use half of this spice mix to season the chicken, and save the rest.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap eaach chicken breast with two pieces of bacon, overlapping them slightly since the bacon will shrink. Start and end the bacon underneath the chicken so it stays put. If you want, you can use toothpicks to keep the bacon from slipping off.
- Add Maple Syrup: Mix the maple syrup with the remaining spices. Brush or spoon this mixture over the bacon-wrapped chicken.
- Cook in the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches about 165°F on a meat thermometer. It’s okay to take it out a little before it hits 165°F because it will keep cooking a bit after you remove it.
Does chicken breast need to rest after cooking? YES, chicken breast should rest after cooking. Let it sit for about five minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside and make it more flavorful.
Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
- Making it in the Oven - Put the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish or on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake at 425°F for 18-22 minutes.
- Removing the Tendon - The tendon often sticks out from one end of the chicken tenderloin. To remove it, use a small piece of paper towel to grip the tendon firmly. Position the tendon between the tines of a fork. With one hand, pull the tendon upward while pressing down with the fork using your other hand. Check this short video for visual presentation.
- Storage - Let the chicken cool completely, then keep leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating - To reheat, put the chicken back in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes until it’s warmed through. You can also cut it into chunks and serve it on top of a fresh salad.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - These work too, but make sure they’re all about the same size.
- Chicken Tenderloins - If you’re using chicken tenderloins, make sure to use thin-cut bacon since tenderloins cook faster. Start checking them around 12 minutes to see if they’re done.
- Adding BBQ Sauce - A few minutes before the chicken is done, open the air fryer and brush your favorite barbecue sauce (we like Primal Kitchen) on top. Finish cooking so the sauce gets warm and bubbly.
What Should I Serve With Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts?
Wondering what to serve with your Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts?
Here are some tasty side dishes that will perfectly complement this delicious meal.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Let the chicken cool completely, then place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Put the chicken back in the air fryer at 375°F and heat for about 5 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.
- To Serve Leftovers. You can cut the chicken into chunks and add it to a fresh salad or sandwich for a tasty meal.
Tools You'll Need
- Air Fryer - this is what I use and love for years! Ninja Foodi Air Fryer is my second favorite.
- Measuring cups and spoons
More Chicken Breast Recipes
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Want to Save This Recipe?
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INGREDIENTS
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 pound, each cut in half lengthwise
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4-5 ounce slices of thin cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup , or brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, get the chicken breast ready by cutting off any extra fat and weighing each piece to make sure they’re about 4-5 ounces. Then, mix all the spices in a small bowl. Use half of this spice mix to cover the chicken, saving the rest for later.3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Wrap each chicken breast with two pieces of bacon. Make sure the bacon overlaps a bit since it will shrink while cooking. Try to start and end the bacon underneath the chicken so it stays in place. If you want, you can use toothpicks to keep the bacon from slipping off.4-5 ounce slices of thin cut bacon
- Next, mix the maple syrup with the remaining spices. Use a brush or spoon to spread this mix over the bacon-wrapped chicken.2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C). Put the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches about 165°F on a meat thermometer. It’s a good idea to take it out a little before it hits 165°F because it will keep cooking a bit after you remove it.
VIDEO
NOTES
- To Store. Let the chicken cool completely, then place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Put the chicken back in the air fryer at 375°F and heat for about 5 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken: FAQs
Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should be 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be golden brown and the juices should run clear.
Avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer to ensure the right temperature. Marinating or brining the chicken can also help keep it moist.
Chicken wrapped in bacon might look a bit pink due to the bacon, but as long as it reaches 165°F (74°C), it’s safe to eat. The bacon might also affect the color.
Air fryers cook quickly and evenly, which helps keep the chicken moist. The enclosed space traps steam, adding to the juiciness.
Julia
best juicy bacon wrapped chicken !