There’s no better way to level-up an average chicken breast than with some good seasoning and BACON!
Bacon is so flavorful, and the fatty, smoky flavor perfectly complements the more delicate chicken breast, coming together to form a dish that is delicious from the first bite to the last.
With the magic of the air fryer, and its high-speed fans and even heating, bacon gets even crisper than ever.
Wrapped around a chicken breast, it not only protects the chicken from getting dry under the fans, but it also provides extra juiciness and flavor as the fat from the bacon renders out and drips onto the chicken. YUM!
The Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast is super simple and is the perfect way to bring some pizzazz to a plain chicken breast.
There are very few ingredients required, and it’s the perfect thing to have as a main dish with a side (like Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli) or sliced up on a sandwich. Even the pickiest of eaters are bound to love it.
✦ Bonus: I’ll also share the secret to juicy and tender chicken breast.
Let’s get frying!
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast Ingredients
You really don’t need much for this recipe!! You’ll be shocked at how much flavor comes from bringing these few ingredients together.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Bacon
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Cayenne pepper
- Sugar
- Cooking oil
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You could make this without any real seasoning, but we highly recommend that you follow our seasoning blend to maximize the flavor of this dish.
Oh, you can also use maple-flavored bacon or any other sweet bacon, as long as they are thinly sliced.
Recipe Video
How to Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer?
Making bacon-wrapped chicken breast in the air fryer is simple and very hands-off! From start to finish, this recipe will take you 45 minutes or less and most of the time is cooking/letting the meat rest!
Step 1: Get the boneless, skinless chicken breast filets ready.
Thaw them overnight if they are frozen and leave them at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. Then, thoroughly pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Prepare the dry rub mixture.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, black pepper and sugar. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and let it run for 5 minutes without any food inside to heat up.
Not only will this step make the cooking process quicker, but it will also contribute to the juiciness and tenderness of your chicken breasts.
Step 4: Season the chicken breast filets.
Rub both pieces of chicken on all sides with the cooking oil. Divide the seasoning mix between the two pieces and ensure each piece is fully covered.
Step 5: Wrap the seasoned chicken breast filets with bacon.
Wrap each piece of chicken with 3-4 pieces of bacon so that the entire piece of chicken is covered.
Step 6: Air fry bacon wrapped chicken breasts for 20-24 minutes until golden.
When the air fryer is preheated, add the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts and air fry until the bacon is golden and the internal temperature of the chicken is around 165°F (74°C), about 20-24 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
💡 Pro Tip: For a juicier and tender chicken breast, take them out once the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), then let it rest for 10 minutes.
The residual heat will work its magic, and the temperature will continue to rise to 165°F (74°C).
However, if you want a crispy, golden-brown finish for your bacon, continue cooking until you achieve your desired texture.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 7: Allow the air fried bacon wrapped chicken breast to rest for 10 minutes.
When the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer to a plate or chopping board. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes to let the juices settle.
This step is the ultimate secret to a juicy and tender chicken breast! 👌
Just take a look at the picture below.
Apart from its juiciness and tenderness, the texture of the chicken is incredibly smooth.
✦ Flavor Booster:Collect any leftover juices from the air fryer basket and pour them over the cooked chicken breast for an added flavor.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy with your favorite side dish!
When the air fried bacon wrapped chicken breast is done resting, serve and enjoy!
There are so many great ways to serve this bacon-wrapped chicken.
You can use it as a shortcut to a cobb salad! Cut up the chicken and add to lettuce topped with tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, blue cheese and a vinaigrette and voila, an insanely-good salad.
You could also slice up the chicken and make it into a club sandwich: grab some hearty bread, lettuce, tomato and mayo and assemble into one of the most delicious sandwiches you’ll ever have!
Enjoy your tasty, air-fried bacon-wrapped chicken breast!
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: You could freeze this before or after air frying. Chicken breast has a tendency to get overcooked so freezing before you air fry the chicken could be a good choice.
To freeze before cooking, arrange the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover lightly with plastic and freeze until solid. Once frozen, add to an airtight container or zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To freeze after cooking, first allow the chicken to cool completely. Then, add to an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To heat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow original cooking instructions (if raw) and follow the instructions below if already cooked.
Fridge: Allow the air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast to cool completely before adding to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Reheating: The fastest way to reheat the chicken is to start it in the microwave and finish it in the air fryer. First microwave the chicken for 45 seconds- 1 minute to heat the inside of the chicken, meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. When the chicken is done in the microwave, transfer to the air fryer and air fry for 2-3 minutes or until the bacon is re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry bacon-wrapped chicken breast. However, it’s important to make sure that the bacon is cooked through and crispy without overcooking the chicken.
On average, cooking a bacon-wrapped chicken breast in a preheated air fryer at 400°F (204°C) will take around 20-24 minutes. However, the cooking time can be affected by several factors, including the thickness of the chicken breast, the number of servings being cooked at once, and the type of air fryer being used.
A bacon-wrapped chicken breast may contain around 500 to 600 calories per serving. It’s important to note that these numbers are approximate and may vary based on thickness of your chicken breast and other ingredients used.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast 1½-inch thick, boneless skinless
- 6 bacon strips thin-cut
- ½ tablespoon cooking oil neutral
Dry Rub
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon oregano dried
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Get the boneless skinless chicken breast ready. Thaw them overnight if they are frozen and leave them at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. Then, thoroughly pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare the dry rub by mixing salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and sugar.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Season the chicken breast with oil first, then rub it with the seasoning mix, massaging gently to incorporate the flavor.
- Next, wrap each seasoned chicken breast with 3 strips of bacon.
- Air fry bacon wrapped chicken breast for 20-24 minutes until the bacon turns golden brown, flipping halfway. The internal temperature of the chicken breast should reach 165°F, 74°C or higher. (Please see notes for more info.)
- Allow the air fried bacon wrapped chicken breast to rest for 8-10 minutes to lock in all the flavor and juices.
- Slice the air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast and serve with your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- Save the leftover juice from the air fryer basket, as it’s full of flavor and can be served as a sauce later on.
- The most accurate way of testing your chicken breast for doneness is by using a meat thermometer. As per FDA, the safe internal temperature of any poultry is at 165°F (74°C) or higher.
- For a juicy and tender chicken breast, remove it from the air fryer once the temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period will allow the chicken to continue cooking and reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer, the thickness of your chicken breast and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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Good stuff!
I brined the chicken breast for one hour in water, salt and about 1/4 cup of pickle juice. Because of the brine, I ommitted the salt in the dry rub. I also doubled the amount of cayenne pepper (my wife and I like the spice..)
This was the most flavorful, juicy chicken recipe I have ever found. This will become a regular meal at our table.
Thanks!
Hey Chuck, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I love the idea of brining the chicken in pickle juice—it’s a stroke of genius. I’m thrilled that you found the recipe flavorful and juicy, and it’s even better to know that it’s earned a spot as a regular on your table. Your modifications are inspiring, and I’ll definitely give them a try myself. Thanks for sharing your feedback and suggestions. Happy cooking, and here’s to many more delicious meals ahead! 🍗😄