Keto bacon wrapped chicken breast is cheesy, simple to make, and the perfect weeknight dinner. I love making meals that put a smile on everyone's faces when they hear that is what they are having. This delicious cheesy bacon chicken does just that! With only 5 ingredients and a 5-minute preparation, you will feel the bacon love in no time!
When you make this easy cheesy bacon chicken, rest assured that everyone is going to devour it. If you are hosting a dinner party or are just craving some good old fashioned comfort food, then this is the recipe for you. It’s super versatile and goes with all kinds of things.
This easy chicken bacon recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Make sure to try these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Thighs next!
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts - If the boneless skinless chicken breasts are extra large you will need to cut them in half. An alternative to this is to use chicken tenderloins instead.
Seasoning Rub - I like to use my smoked paprika rub on this chicken. It is made from garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Bacon - Regular bacon, not thick cut, works the best. It needs to get crispy in the time it takes the chicken to cook. Cut bacon slices in half.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese - You can also use a colby jack blend or another cheese you enjoy.
Sugar-Free Barbecue Sauce (Optional) - We live to make our own with this keto barbecue sauce recipe.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
My bacon wrapped chicken is a bit of a cheat. I’ve found that completely wrapping the chicken in bacon can leave you with soggy bacon on the bottom. It’s easier, and faster, to just lay the bacon on top of the chicken. My quick and easy version of bacon wrapped chicken breasts - just lay the bacon on top for crispier bacon and faster-cooked chicken!
The hardest part of this chicken dinner is that you have to wait for it to cook and smell how amazing it is. You will be so hungry by the time it’s finished cooking.
Here are the easy steps to get you started:
Step One: Season both sides of the chicken and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
Step Two: Add the bacon and bake until it’s crispy. Crispy bacon is a must.
Step Three: Then sprinkle with cheese cook a little bit longer and serve with the chicken is cooked all the way through. I normally take my chicken out of the oven between 158-159 and let it rest for the internal temperature to reach 160.
That’s all you have to do to make this baked bacon wrapped chicken. Grab your favorite barbecue sauce and eat it up!
Variations
Seriously, everything about this easy bacon chicken is incredible. However, once in a while we like to add in some different ingredients depending on what we have on hand and our moods. Here are a few tips and ideas to try out:
Chicken Bites - If you want to make bite-sized pieces, cut the chicken in 2-inch chunks. Then follow the rest of the directions. You will want to bake it for 15 minutes then check it to see if it’s done. It will cook faster the smaller the pieces are.
Jalapenos - Dice up some peppers and add them to the top of the cheese for a little bit of spice.
Cream Cheese - If you can tolerate dairy, add a small layer of cream cheese on the chicken. It’s so delicious!
Ranch Dressing - Instead of using barbecue sauce, try my flavorful paleo ranch dressing. Drizzle on top of the cooked bacon chicken for a nice surprise.
Cayenne Pepper - Sprinkle a little bit with the seasoning mix if you want to add a touch of heat to the chicken bacon recipe.
Sweet Rub - Add a brown sugar sweetener to the rub. Apply the brown sugar mixture to the raw chicken.
Common Questions
How Do You Know When Chicken Is Done?
There are several ways to tell if the chicken is done, but the best bet is to use a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken, and it should read at least 160 degrees F. Then you can remove it from the oven and let it rest. It should be 165 degrees F. before you eat it, but it will finish cooking as it rests. When you do this, it will keep it nice and juicy and never dried out.
The chicken breast should come apart easily when it’s fully cooked and be white in the center. If it’s overly pink, bloody or raw looking then you know it should be cooked a little bit longer.
How Long Does Chicken Last In The Refrigerator?
After the chicken has cooled completely, you should store it in the fridge. It will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator as long as you store it properly. Leftovers should always be in an airtight container.
This chicken makes a wonderful recipe for meal prepping. You can make it up and then put it in individual servings for a quick grab-and-go lunch or dinner idea.
Can I Freeze Keto Bacon Wrapped Chicken?
Yes, absolutely you can freeze bacon wrapped chicken breast. For best results, wrap each piece individually with plastic wrap or tin foil. Then place the pieces in a freezer safe container. This will give it added protection, so it lasts longer. It will last around 4 months in the freezer.
How Do You Know When Chicken Is Bad?
If the chicken hasn’t been cooked yet, you will notice an odor and the coloring will be more of a gray than pink. Never risk eating old raw chicken, because it can make you very ill. If you have already baked the bacon wrapped chicken, then you may notice that it appears really watery when it’s going bad. You may also notice that it smells weird or has mold growing on it. When in question, toss it to be safe.
What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Okay, this wrapped chicken recipe is so amazing, you can literally eat it all by itself. But, if you are looking for some yummy side dishes to go with it, here are a few of my favorites:
- Zucchini Salad With Lemon & Feta
- Oven Roasted Asparagus or Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Lemon Butter Green Beans
- Almond Flour Keto Biscuits
- Garlic Parmesan Zucchini
For a special side dish try my Keto Broccoli Casserole!
Want more easy chicken recipes? Try my balsamic chicken, creamy lemon chicken, and rosemary chicken! And if you love bacon & chicken recipes as much as I do try this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.
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5 Minute 5 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 5-6 chicken breasts cut in half width wise to make wide, thin pieces (about 2.5-3 lbs.)
- 2 tablespoon seasoning rub (I use my smoked paprika rub, but you can use a seasoning salt or bbq rub - basically any rub with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika - not an herb rub)
- ½ lb regular bacon cut strips in half (not thick cut)
- 4 oz shredded cheddar
- sugar free barbecue sauce (optional, to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Rub both sides of chicken breasts with seasoning rub. Top each with a piece of bacon. Bake for 30 min on the top rack until the chicken is 160 degrees and the bacon looks crispy.
- Remove tray from the oven and sprinkle the cheese oven the bacon. Put back in the oven for about 10 min until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve with barbecue sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published April 12, 2016. Revised and Republished June 20, 2023.
Nicole says
I would love to receive your emails! Also, you never flip the chicken?
Taryn says
Nope, no flipping! Here is a link to sign up: https://madmimi.com/signups/214014/join
Barb Q. says
How do you cut the chicken?
Taryn says
The chicken breasts I used were very thick so I just cut them in half so they were thinner. If you have thin chicken breasts or use chicken tenders you do not need to cut them.
Julie T says
Oh boy this was good, thanks!
Kaela Elvena says
This was so good and so easy! Instead of a rub though I used McCormicks Montreal Chicken seasoning and just sprinkled it on.
Thanks so much for sharing I will definitely be making this again.
Chris says
Yes, I will try that next time. I have it in the oven now and wastrying to use the smoked Hungarian rub but it sticks to my fingers so ended up trying to shake out.
It smells delicious in here. Thanks for a great recipe.
Jeri Beck says
Love the simplicity! Going to try tonight! Looks scrumptious.......
Yvonne van der Westhuizen says
Do you cook the bacon before hand?
Taryn says
No, it cooks with the chicken.
Tammy Witte says
Do you wrap the chicken in the bacon or just lay it over the top? I'd love to be added to your email list. I'm new to this low carb diet I need all the help I can get.
Taryn says
Hi Tammy,
I just lay it on top. I added you to my list. Thanks!
Michelle says
Good recipe
Handmade Affair says
Has anyone subbed thighs for this? Change in baking time?
Taryn says
The baking time should stay the same if you are using boneless skinless thighs.
Handmade Affair says
Gosh this looks so good. Can't wait to try.
Patty Martin says
I would love to receive your emails
Taryn says
Thanks Patty! I just added you to my email list.
Sue says
Oh. My. God. I cannot believe how easy this was, and beyond delicious. Thank you for a fabulous recipe!!
Robin says
DO you think Chicken tenders would work for this or do you think they would be too small?
Taryn says
They'd work. I might just wrap them in the bacon 🙂
Elizabeth Robbins says
Is the carb count listed somewhere?
Elizabeth Robbins says
Nevermind. I just found it!
Tammy says
Can you prep this ahead and freeze it for a future dinner?
Taryn says
It's so quick I've never tried. You could freeze the chicken with the rub on. I'm not sure if the bacon would end up soggy. And goes on at the end.
Sara says
Where can you get sugar free bbq sauce?
Taryn says
Amazon has some (they are expensive), Wal-Mart has one (but it has sucralose), or you can make it yourself. I just eat this recipe without bbq sauce. My kids use a little regular bbq to dip in.
Here's a good recipe if you want to make it: http://mrscriddleskitchen.com/sweet-southern-bbq-sauce/
Sara says
Thank you! It looks delicious! I love your blog!
Donna K says
Made this tonight--forgot to use the bbq sauce as it was so flavorful. It was delicious!
Cathy says
When you say bake on Top Rack of oven, do you mean 1st level under the broiler?
Taryn says
Yes
YvonneB says
Would this be for an electric or gas stove? For a gas stove would you put it on a lower rack closer to the heat source?
Taryn says
I have a gas stove and the broiler is at the top of the main oven. I put it on the top rack.
Megan says
Where is the instructions on how to make this
Taryn says
Hi Megan, you need to click the green "read more" button if you are on mobile. They are in the post.
Jennifer says
I made this for dinner tonight. It was so good. I didn't need any dipping sauce at all. I used this as part of my low carb dinner. I will definitely be making this again! Thank you!!!
anonymous says
Lol. I think you mean "unanimous" not anonymous!
Taryn says
Yes. That is what I meant. Lol. I need an editor.
Nicole says
What would this be? S?
Taryn says
Yes