This Bacon Wrapped Chicken in Air Fryer recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves juicy chicken and crispy bacon. It is both indulgent and easy to make.
In this recipe we'll guide you through each step, from wrapping the chicken to securing it with toothpicks, and ensuring you get restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen. So, fire up that air fryer and prepare to impress your family (and your dinner guests) with this fan-freaking-fantastic chicken bacon air fryer dish!
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Try Piggies in a Blanket, Air Fryer Okra, and Air Fryer Breakfast Burrito
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: This air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken recipe requires minimal prep time and cooks quickly in the air fryer, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavorful and Juicy: The bacon wrapping not only adds a delicious smoky flavor but also keeps the pieces of chicken moist and tender.
Versatile: You can customize the seasoning to suit your taste, and it pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
Healthy Option: Cooking in the air fryer reduces the need for additional oils, making this easy bacon-wrapped chicken breasts recipe a healthier alternative to frying.
Impressive Presentation: The bacon wrapping gives this delicious dinner an appealing, gourmet look that’s sure to impress guests as well as the whole family.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast recipe.
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Breasts (or chicken tenderloins): Provide a lean, tender base that pairs well with the rich bacon. Chicken tenders can be used as a smaller, quicker-cooking alternative. If you don't have chicken breasts, chicken strips, boneless thighs can be a great substitute, offering a slightly richer flavor.
Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor and a crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken. If you prefer a lighter option, you can use turkey bacon, which will still provide a similar effect without as much fat. For this recipe, I used thick-cut bacon but you can use thin-cut bacon.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer Step-By-Step
Check out these step-by-step instructions with images. Just so you know, you'll find all the details and exact ingredients of this recipe on the printable recipe card below!
Step 1: Season the Chicken Pat your chicken breasts or tenders dry with paper towels and season them on both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
Step 2: Wrap with Bacon Wrap each piece of chicken breast with 3-4 slices of bacon, ensuring the pieces of bacon overlap slightly and cover the chicken completely. You might need to secure each slice of bacon with toothpicks. Tenders may require fewer slices.
Step 3: Preheat Air Fryer Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
Step 4: First Air Frying Stage Place the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Air fry them at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Turn Chicken Over Using tongs, carefully turn each chicken breast over and air fry them at 350°F (175°C) for another 15 minutes.
Step 6: Increase Temperature for Crispness Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 7: Cool and Serve Let the crispy bacon chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Tips:
Pat Chicken Dry: Ensure the chicken is thoroughly patted dry before seasoning and wrapping with bacon to help the seasonings stick better and the bacon crisp up.
Overlap Bacon Slightly: When wrapping the chicken, overlap each piece of bacon slightly to ensure it stays wrapped and covers the chicken evenly.
Use Toothpicks Sparingly: Use just enough toothpicks to secure the bacon without overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating helps achieve a more even cook and crispier bacon.
Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add other spices or herbs to the seasoning mix to suit your taste preferences.
Tricks:
Foil Lining: Line the air fryer basket with foil to catch drippings and make cleanup easier.
Batch Cooking: If cooking for more people, do it in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
Brush with Your Favorite Sauce: For a different flavor profile and extra flavor, brush the bacon-wrapped chicken with barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
Use Thicker Bacon: Thicker cuts of bacon can result in a meatier, more satisfying bite compared to thin-cut bacon.
Monitor Crispness: Keep an eye on the bacon during the final stage of cooking to prevent burning and achieve your desired level of crispiness.
Add Cheese: Tuck a slice of cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey jack cheese, or even cream cheese under the bacon for a delicious, cheesy surprise inside.
Storage and Re-heating
Refrigeration: Store your leftover bacon-wrapped chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the refrigerated chicken for about 5-7 minutes or until they are heated through. If you're reheating them from frozen, allow the chicken to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the same reheating instructions.
For microwave reheating, cover the chicken with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Additions and Substitutions
Seasonings: Swap Italian seasoning with Cajun or BBQ seasoning for a different flavor profile.
Poultry Alternatives: Try this recipe with turkey cutlets or pork tenderloin for a variation.
Your Questions Answered
Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to crisp the bacon.
It’s best to thaw the chicken breasts completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and seasoning absorption.
Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the seasoning mix for a spicy kick in this air fry bacon wrapped chicken recipe.
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Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer
Ingredients
Method
- Pat your chicken breasts or tenders dry with paper towels and season them on both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Wrap each piece of chicken breast with 3-4 slices of bacon, ensuring the pieces of bacon overlap slightly and cover the chicken completely. You might need to secure each slice of bacon with toothpicks. Tenders may require fewer slices.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Air fry them at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Using tongs, carefully turn each chicken breast over and air fry them at 350°F (175°C) for another 15 minutes.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the crispy bacon chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken!
M. Smith says
This looks delicious! I would slice the chicken put it in bread with avocado and tomatoes, yum!! Thank you for another delicious recipe!
Comfort Food and Drinks says
That sounds soooo good! Thank you for the suggestion!
Comfort Food and Drinks says
That sounds like a fantastic idea, M 🙂 ! Slicing the chicken and adding avocado and tomatoes would make it even more yummy. Thanks so much for sharing your twist—We are so glad you liked it!
Eva Filer says
I need to try this one! We love bacon wrapped chicken, and in the air fryer it seems so simple.
Comfort Food and Drinks says
Yes! It was so easy to make and the chicken remained moist. Let us know how it turned out for you!