Description
This Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts wrapped in crispy thick-cut bacon, glazed with a sweet and savory mixture of pure maple syrup, garlic, and soy sauce. It’s an easy, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that brings together the delightful flavors of smoky bacon and sweet maple with a garlicky punch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Bacon
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
Glaze
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Wrap with bacon: Wrap each chicken breast securely with 1 to 1.5 slices of thick-cut bacon, making sure the bacon covers as much surface as possible to keep the meat juicy and add smokiness.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, minced garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined.
- Preheat skillet: Heat a large oven-safe skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, place the wrapped chicken breasts seam side down and cook until the bacon begins to crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Flip and baste: Turn the chicken over carefully and pour the maple garlic glaze over the chicken. Spoon some glaze over the top and around the pan.
- Simmer and coat: Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer in the glaze, spooning the sauce over the chicken frequently for about 10 minutes to build flavor and glaze the bacon and chicken nicely.
- Finish cooking: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on low heat, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is fully cooked, glazed, and tender.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and spoon any remaining glaze over the top. Serve hot with your favorite sides such as steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before wrapping with bacon.
- If you prefer, finish the chicken under a broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp the bacon further.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the dish from becoming too salty.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
Keywords: Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Maple Syrup Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner, Sweet and Savory Chicken