Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: Cooking Time Perfection

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a juicy, tender, and mouthwatering dish that is easy to make in an air fryer. It is a versatile meal that can be served as a quick weeknight dinner or as an appetizer when hosting guests. The air fryer ensures even cooking and cuts down the cooking time by half compared to traditional oven cooking. The key to getting the perfect bacon-wrapped chicken is to use thin-cut bacon, which cooks more evenly and gets crispy without overcooking the chicken. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the power of the air fryer, but on average, it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to cook at temperatures between 375°F and 400°F.

Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in the air fryer

Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts are a juicy, tender, and mouthwatering dish that can be made in an air fryer with just a handful of ingredients. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, cooking it evenly and in less time than a traditional oven. This is ideal for chicken breasts, which can dry out when cooked in the oven.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Bacon
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salad or other side (optional)

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken breasts: Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts and weighing them to ensure they are 4-5 ounces each.
• Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts.
• Wrap the chicken in bacon: Tightly wrap two strips of bacon around each chicken breast, starting from one end. You can use toothpicks to secure the bacon in place.
• Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Air fry the chicken: Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for about 6 minutes on each side at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional minute to brown the bacon.
• Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep the juices inside, ensuring the chicken stays moist and flavorful.
• Serve: Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts can be served with a salad or any side dish of your choice.

Tips:

• Thin-cut bacon works best for wrapping around the chicken as it cooks more evenly and crisps up nicely without overcooking the chicken.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation, which helps achieve crispiness.
• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours before seasoning and wrapping it in bacon.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Enjoy your juicy and flavorful bacon-wrapped chicken breasts!

Thin bacon strips vs thick bacon strips

To cook bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, and wrap each breast with two strips of bacon. Place the chicken in the fryer basket and cook for about 15 minutes, turning the heat down to 370 degrees Fahrenheit for the final 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

When choosing bacon for this recipe, thin-cut bacon is recommended. Thin bacon cooks more evenly and crisps up nicely without overcooking the chicken. Thick-cut bacon may require a longer cooking time to become crispy, and could result in the chicken being overcooked. Thin-cut bacon is also easier to wrap around the chicken, and can be secured with toothpicks to prevent it from unravelling.

Thin-cut bacon, typically measuring about 1/32 of an inch thick, is ideal for wrapping around foods. It cooks quickly and evenly, crisping up without becoming tough or chewy. Thin bacon is also a good choice for dishes where you want the other ingredients to shine, as it adds a crispy texture without overpowering the dish with a strong bacon flavour.

Thick-cut bacon, on the other hand, is sliced at around 1/8 of an inch thick. It takes longer to cook and can be harder to wrap neatly around foods. However, thick bacon is a good choice when you want the bacon to be a star ingredient, such as in bacon-wrapped stuffed meats or bacon-loaded burgers. The thicker cut provides a more substantial texture and a richer, smokier flavour that can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

Pre-cooking prep and seasoning

To prepare bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, you'll want to start with the right ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need chicken breasts, bacon, salt, and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings and spices to taste.

Before you begin, ensure your chicken is completely thawed if frozen. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and trim any excess fat. For even cooking, it's a good idea to weigh your chicken breasts, aiming for around 4-5 ounces each.

Now it's time to season the chicken. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings you wish to use. You can add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar or maple syrup, or a kick of spice with cayenne pepper or chili powder. Don't be shy—rub the seasoning blend generously into both sides of the chicken breasts.

Next, prepare your bacon. Thin-cut bacon is recommended for the best results, as it cooks more evenly and crisps up nicely without overcooking the chicken. You'll need about two slices of bacon per chicken breast, starting from one end and tightly wrapping the strips over the chicken. Overlap the bacon slightly to account for shrinkage during cooking and create a seal to lock in moisture. Use toothpicks to secure the bacon in place if needed, remembering to remove them before serving.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the thickness of the bacon. It's recommended to use thin-cut bacon for even cooking and to avoid overcooking the chicken. Thick-cut bacon may require a longer cooking time to become crispy.

To cook bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Prepare the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent the bacon from sticking. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, and wrap each breast with two strips of bacon, slightly overlapping the bacon to account for shrinkage during cooking. Secure the bacon with toothpicks, if needed.

Place the bacon-wrapped chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring proper air circulation by not overcrowding the basket. Air fry the chicken for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired level of crispiness. For a 4-5 ounce chicken breast, cook for 18-20 minutes at 375°F or 15-18 minutes at 400°F. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and crispy bacon on all sides.

Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional minute to brown the bacon. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about five minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.

Post-cooking steps

Once the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 160°F–165°F, remove the bacon-wrapped chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board. Let the meat rest for about five minutes before slicing. Resting the chicken keeps the juices from running out, ensuring the meat stays tender and flavourful.

You can serve the chicken with a side of your choice. Some suggestions include a fresh salad, roasted green beans with caramelized onions, grilled zucchini, lemon-parsley potatoes, or steamed veggies.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, place the chicken back into the air fryer at 350°F–360°F for about three to five minutes, or until heated through.

Frequently asked questions