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These 30-minute Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs are an unforgettable family dinner! Chicken thighs are simply seasoned and wrapped in bacon slices, then baked until they’re juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
It’s true: bacon really does make everything better. And after one bite of these Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs, you’ll surely agree.
Who knew wrapping chicken thighs in bacon slices could put a whole new spin on this go-to protein? Similar to my bacon-wrapped salmon and bacon-wrapped dates recipes, pairing smoky and crispy bacon with seasoned chicken leads to mouthwatering results every time. Best of all, the chicken is easy to assemble and takes less than 30 minutes to cook!
Before you know it, dinner will be on the table with the whole family clamoring for the bacon-wrapped goodness.
Recipe features
- It’s an incredibly simple meal that takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table. Perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you’re craving bacon for dinner!
- The chicken is juicy, tender, and a little savory and sweet, while the crispy bacon adds a nice salty and fatty crunch to each bite.
- Assemble the bacon-wrapped chicken thighs up to a day ahead of time so all that’s left to do is pop them in the oven before dinnertime!
Ingredients
Chicken thighs – I used boneless skinless chicken thighs to keep the chicken nice and juicy and the bacon crispy. Chicken breasts also work well here but they’ll cook faster and won’t be as juicy.
Brown sugar – This adds just the right amount of sweetness to perfectly balance the smoky and savory flavors from the other seasonings and bacon. Maple syrup or honey should work well as substitutes.
Dry spices – Smoked paprika adds a subtle smokiness, garlic powder enhances the savory notes, and salt ties everything together (see the Variations below for more seasoning options).
Bacon – Regular-cut bacon is the best choice. The slices are thin and long enough to wrap evenly around the thighs, cook through, and crisp up nicely.
Instructions
Step 1: Season the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and sprinkle the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt over top. Use clean hands to toss the chicken thighs until they’re well coated.
Step 2: Wrap in bacon. Wrap one slice of bacon around each chicken thigh, tucking the bacon ends underneath. Place the wrapped thighs in a prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Bake and broil. Bake the thighs until the meat is cooked through. Switch the oven to broil for a few minutes to crisp the bacon.
Step 4: Serve. Serve the bacon-wrapped chicken with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- Remember to pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the seasonings stick to the outside.
- Place the bacon on the kitchen counter for 20 to 30 minutes so it can come down to room temperature. This way, the slices will be more pliable, easier to wrap around the chicken, and won’t shrink as much in the oven.
- Avoid overlapping the bacon slices when wrapping them around the chicken to keep them crispy. For extra crispy bacon, place the chicken on a wire rack in the baking dish to allow the fat to drain off.
Tip
You can get a headstart on this recipe by seasoning the chicken thighs and wrapping them in bacon up to 1 day in advance. Place them in the baking dish and cover with plastic wrap or foil to keep them fresh. Let the baking dish with the chicken sit on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes before baking, then enjoy!
Variations
- Swap the seasonings – Instead of the seasonings in the recipe, use Cajun or Creole seasoning for a kick or an Italian or Greek seasoning blend for an aromatic, savory flavor.
- Cheese-stuffed chicken thighs – Try stuffing the chicken thighs with cream cheese mixed with herbs, Swiss cheese, or shredded cheddar cheese before wrapping them in bacon.
- Finish with a sauce – Brush BBQ, teriyaki, buffalo, hot honey, honey mustard sauce, or maple syrup over the chicken right before you turn on the broiler.
Serving suggestions
Baked bacon-wrapped chicken thighs are a perfect protein to serve for everyday family dinners. For a well-rounded meal, enjoy them with plenty of sides, like a crisp, green arugula salad or roasted vegetables like red potatoes, broccoli, or brussels sprouts. If you’re in the mood for a more comforting, hearty side, try serving the chicken thighs over a bed of fluffy rice, cheesy mashed potatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes.
How can you tell when bacon-wrapped chicken thighs are done?
Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken while it’s baking and when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF, you’ll know it’s done. You can also cut one of the thighs in half to check that the juices run clean and the flesh is opaque and no longer pink.
Can you make this in a slow cooker?
I haven’t tried making bacon-wrapped chicken thighs in a slow cooker but it should work just fine. Season and assemble the thighs as normal, place them in a crockpot, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
Keep in mind that the slow cooker won’t make the bacon as crispy, although the chicken will still be tender and flavorful. You can always pop the thighs under the broiler for 5 minutes to crisp up the outside! Check out my slow cooker chicken thigh recipe for more tips.
Can I use different cuts of chicken?
Yes, you can make bacon-wrapped chicken legs, breasts, or tenders instead if you’d like. Just be aware that chicken breasts/tenders cook faster, while bone-in drumsticks and legs may need more time.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store the leftover bacon-wrapped chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze the chicken thighs in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat the refrigerated leftovers in a 350ºF oven until the chicken is heated through and the bacon is crispy. The frozen leftovers can be reheated without thawing at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, then broiled as directed.
More family-friendly chicken thigh recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
These 30-minute Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs are an unforgettable family dinner! Chicken thighs are simply seasoned and wrapped in bacon slices, then baked until they’re juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Servings:
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Instructions
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Place a rack in the upper third of the oven, then preheat the oven to 425° and spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
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Place the chicken in a large bowl, then sprinkle the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt overtop. Use your clean hands or a large spoon to stir until the chicken is coated.
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Next, take 1 piece of bacon and wrap it around 1 chicken thigh so that the ends of the bacon are at the bottom of the chicken thigh, then place the chicken directly into the prepared baking dish. Repeat this step for all 6 chicken thighs.
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Place the chicken in the oven and bake for 18-23 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken, then switch the oven to Broil and broil and chicken for 3 minutes to help make the bacon a little more crispy.
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Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Notes
*Calories are per serving and are an estimation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 631mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
