Air-Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a juicy, tender, and flavourful dish that can be made in an air fryer. It is a simple recipe with few ingredients, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights or a fun appetiser for parties. The bacon not only adds a layer of delicious flavour but also keeps the chicken juicy and locks in moisture. The air fryer ensures even cooking and makes the bacon crispy without overcooking the chicken.

Air fryer temperature and timing

Firstly, it is important to ensure your chicken is not frozen. Thaw the chicken completely before wrapping it in bacon and placing it in the air fryer. This ensures even cooking and maintains food safety standards.

For thin-cut bacon, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook the bacon-wrapped chicken for about 6 minutes on each side. This should result in juicy chicken with crispy bacon. If you are using regular-cut bacon, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will ensure the bacon becomes crispy without overcooking the chicken.

For thicker, tender-sized chicken strips, you may need to increase the cooking time. One source recommends cooking at 360°F (182°C) for 18-20 minutes, while another suggests 400°F (204°C) for 15-20 minutes. It is important to ensure the chicken is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can broil the tenders for an additional 1-2 minutes after air frying. Always allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps keep the juices inside the chicken, ensuring every bite is tender and flavourful.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and the specific temperature and timing may vary depending on your air fryer and personal preferences. It is always a good idea to test the recipe beforehand and adjust the timing and temperature as needed.

Chicken preparation

Choosing the Chicken:

Start by selecting the right type of chicken for this dish. Skinless and boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs are ideal. Ensure the chicken is fresh and has been properly refrigerated. If you're using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it completely before wrapping it in bacon and cooking it. This ensures even cooking and maintains food safety.

Trimming and Portioning:

Once you've chosen your chicken, trim any excess fat from the meat. You want to aim for chicken breasts that weigh around 4-5 ounces each. If you have larger breasts, slice them in half lengthwise to make them thinner. This ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out.

Seasoning:

After trimming, it's time to season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, but a simple combination of salt and black pepper is classic and effective. You can also add other spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor. Combine your chosen seasonings and rub them generously onto both sides of the chicken pieces. If you have time, you can also marinate the chicken for a few hours before seasoning to add extra flavor and tenderness.

Wrapping with Bacon:

Now comes the fun part—wrapping the chicken with bacon! Cut the bacon slices in half, and starting from one end, tightly wrap two strips of bacon over each chicken piece. Try to overlap the bacon slightly, as it will shrink during cooking. Ensure the ends of the bacon strips are underneath the chicken to hold them in place during cooking. You can also use toothpicks to secure the bacon, but remember to remove them before serving.

Glazing (Optional):

For an extra touch of flavor, you can glaze the bacon-wrapped chicken with a mixture of maple syrup and spices. Brush or spoon this mixture evenly over the chicken before air frying. This step is optional but adds a beautiful sweet and savory dimension to the dish.

Final Preparation:

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, prepare the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent the bacon from sticking. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring proper air circulation.

Your chicken is now ready for the air fryer! Remember, these steps are just a guide, and you can adjust seasoning and cooking times to your preference. Enjoy cooking your bacon-wrapped chicken!

Wrapping the chicken in bacon

Wrapping chicken in bacon is a great way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. It is also an easy way to elevate your meal.

To wrap the chicken in bacon, start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Then, take two strips of bacon and, starting from one end, tightly wrap the bacon over the chicken breast. Make sure to use thin slices of bacon, as they will cook more evenly and crisp up without overcooking the chicken. Overlap the bacon slightly to account for shrinkage during cooking. You can also use toothpicks to secure the bacon in place, but be sure to remove them before serving. Try to keep the ends of the bacon underneath the chicken breast.

If you are making chicken bites, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then season and wrap them in bacon. You can also marinate the chicken before seasoning and wrapping to add extra flavour.

Dipping sauces

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a juicy and flavourful dish that can be made in an air fryer. The bacon adds a layer of delicious flavour and also serves to protect the chicken and keep it juicy during cooking.

Now, let's talk about dipping sauces. Here are some ideas and recipes to elevate your bacon-wrapped chicken experience:

Homemade Chipotle Sauce or Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce

These sauces are mentioned as a pairing with bacon-wrapped chicken bites on Daily Yum. Unfortunately, the website does not provide the recipes for these sauces. However, you can find recipes for these sauces on other websites or get creative and make your own versions.

Sweet and Spicy Glaze

This glaze, suggested by Small Town Woman, is perfect for bacon-wrapped chicken bites. It is made by combining soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, ketchup, and garlic in a small saucepan. Simmer the glaze while you prepare the chicken, and set some aside for dipping. You can also baste the chicken with the glaze while cooking for extra flavour.

Honey Soy Marinade

Add a Pinch recommends this marinade for their bacon-wrapped chicken recipe. Mix together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, cayenne pepper, and ginger. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for 8 hours to overnight, then wrap it with bacon and bake. After baking, brush the chicken with more of the honey soy marinade and top with cheese before returning it to the oven.

Vinaigrette

Skinnytaste suggests serving their bacon-wrapped chicken breast with a simple vinaigrette dressing on a salad. While they don't provide a specific recipe, you can find many vinaigrette recipes online or create your own by experimenting with different oils, vinegars, and seasonings.

Sides and Sauces

Bacon-wrapped chicken pairs well with a variety of sides, and you can use those sides as sauces for dipping. For example, Daily Yum suggests serving the chicken bites with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts and baked sweet potatoes. Dinner at the Zoo also mentions serving their bacon-wrapped chicken with sides like mashed potatoes, broccoli, and honey-glazed carrots. These sides can easily be transformed into dipping sauces with a little blending or mashing. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your favourite dipping sauce for bacon-wrapped chicken.

Storing leftovers

To reheat the chicken, first, allow it to come to room temperature for about 5 minutes. Then, place the chicken in the air fryer and heat it for 2 to 5 minutes at 360 to 370 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the chicken is heated through.

It is important to note that the reheating time may vary depending on the wattage and model of your air fryer, so adjustments may be necessary. Additionally, while the bacon-wrapped chicken can be stored for up to 4 days, it is generally recommended to consume it as fresh as possible for the best taste and quality.

Frequently asked questions