Crispy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs: A Simple, High-Protein Dinner You’ll Crave
Juicy chicken thighs wrapped in crispy bacon and baked to perfection. A simple, protein-rich meal that's both satisfying and crowd-pleasing.
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs, boneless
- 6 bacon strips, uncured, nitrate-free if possible
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or melted ghee
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help them brown better.
- Season both sides of each thigh with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Wrap one bacon slice around each chicken thigh. If the bacon is thin, you can secure it with toothpicks.
- Drizzle with olive oil and place on the baking sheet or skillet seam-side down.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃) and bacon is crisp.
- Optional: Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for easier wrapping and even cooking.
- Choose thin-cut bacon so it crisps up nicely in the oven. Thick-cut bacon may stay chewy.
- For extra flavor, season the chicken with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper before wrapping.
- Place the thighs seam-side down to keep the bacon in place as it cooks—no toothpicks needed!
- A wire rack over a baking sheet allows the bacon to crisp up on all sides. Otherwise, flip halfway through.
- Bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For a finishing touch, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to get the bacon extra crispy.
- Serve with simple sides like roasted veggies, mashed cauliflower, or a fresh salad.
- Air Fryer Option:
To cook these in the air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C). Place the bacon-wrapped chicken thighs in a single layer (seam-side down) and cook for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Broil or air fry for an extra 1–2 minutes if you want crispier bacon.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs: A Simple, High-Protein Dinner You’ll Crave
Amount per Serving
Calories
362
% Daily Value*
Fat
30
g
46
%
Saturated Fat
8
g
50
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
13
g
Cholesterol
125
mg
42
%
Sodium
427
mg
19
%
Potassium
289
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
1
g
0
%
Fiber
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
0.05
g
0
%
Protein
21
g
42
%
Vitamin A
260
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
0.01
mg
0
%
Calcium
11
mg
1
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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