Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites: A 3-Ingredient Wonder

Easy 3 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe

Looking for a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious dinner option? This 3 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe is your answer! It’s a fantastic way to add variety to your weekly meal plan, especially if you’re tired of the same old chicken dishes. This recipe is not only simple to make but also guaranteed to be a hit with the entire family.

Chicken recipes don’t have to be boring. In fact, with just a few simple ingredients, you can transform ordinary chicken into a flavor-packed delight. This bacon-wrapped chicken is tender, juicy, and bursting with savory goodness. The crispy bacon adds a delightful crunch that complements the soft chicken and melted cheese. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors!

Imagine sinking your teeth into a piece of succulent chicken, enveloped in crispy, perfectly cooked bacon. The hint of cheese adds a creamy, comforting touch that elevates this dish to a whole new level. It’s an incredibly satisfying meal that requires minimal effort. Let’s dive into the simple steps of creating this culinary masterpiece.

Budget friendly dinner: 3 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Enjoy a budget-friendly and delicious dinner with this easy recipe.

Simple Ingredients for Exceptional Flavor

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need four basic ingredients to create a mouthwatering dinner that everyone will rave about. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need:

Bacon wrapped chicken ingredients
All you need are these simple ingredients for a delicious meal.
  • Chicken Tenderloins: Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins are the star of this recipe. They cook quickly and evenly, making them perfect for a fast weeknight meal.
  • Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is highly recommended for its robust flavor and ability to crisp up beautifully. It adds a smoky, savory element that complements the chicken perfectly.
  • Cheese: Thin slices of cheddar cheese provide a creamy, melted layer of flavor that enhances the overall taste. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese!
  • Seasoning: A dash of ground black pepper adds a touch of spice to the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Perfection

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s walk through the easy steps of preparing this delicious bacon-wrapped chicken:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the bacon gets nice and crispy.
  2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the chicken from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup a breeze. You can also use aluminum foil if you don’t have parchment paper on hand.
  3. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This helps the bacon adhere better and allows the chicken to brown more effectively. Sprinkle the chicken with a dash of pepper for added seasoning.
Preparing bacon wrapped chicken
Wrapping the chicken with cheese and bacon.
  1. Wrap the Chicken: Tightly wrap each chicken tenderloin with a slice of cheese and a piece of bacon. Make sure the bacon is securely wrapped around the chicken to prevent it from unraveling during baking.
  2. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the wrapped chicken pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows for even cooking and prevents the bacon from steaming instead of crisping.
Bacon wrapped chicken on baking sheet
Ready to bake! Chicken wrapped and placed on a baking sheet.
  1. Bake to Perfection: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to ensure it is fully cooked.
  2. Broil for Extra Crispiness: For an extra crispy bacon finish, flip the chicken over and turn the broiler on for 2 minutes, or until the bacon is perfectly browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on the chicken to prevent it from burning.
Crispy bacon wrapped chicken
Golden and crispy! The finished bacon wrapped chicken.

Storing Leftover Bacon Wrapped Chicken

If you happen to have any leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), you can easily store them in the refrigerator. Here’s how:

Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This ensures that the chicken remains fresh and flavorful. When reheating, you can use the microwave, oven, or air fryer to bring it back to its original deliciousness.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Bacon Wrapped Chicken

To ensure that your bacon-wrapped chicken turns out perfectly every time, here are a few helpful tips and tricks:

Choosing the Right Chicken

While chicken tenderloins are a great option for their quick cooking time, you can also use other types of chicken:

  • Skinless Chicken Breasts: If using chicken breasts, slice them into thinner cutlets to ensure they cook evenly and quickly.
  • Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are another excellent choice, as they are naturally tender and flavorful.

Checking the Internal Temperature

To ensure that the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. A safe temperature is between 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit (71-74 degrees Celsius).

Accurate temperature readings are essential to ensure safe consumption of chicken. Undercooked chicken can pose a health risk, so always double-check with a meat thermometer.

Checking chicken temperature
Make sure the chicken is cooked through with a meat thermometer.

Serving Suggestions

This bacon-wrapped chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides:

  • Rice: Brown rice or white rice makes a simple and satisfying side dish.
  • Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, green beans, and roasted vegetables are healthy and delicious accompaniments.
  • Potatoes: Potato wedges or mashed potatoes add a comforting touch to the meal.

Turning It into an Appetizer

Want to serve this as an appetizer? Simply cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before wrapping them in bacon. These bacon-wrapped chicken bites are perfect for parties and gatherings.

Adding More Flavor

To elevate the flavor even further, brush your favorite barbecue sauce on top of the bacon before cooking. This adds a sweet and smoky element that complements the savory bacon and chicken.

Adding BBQ sauce to bacon wrapped chicken
Brush on some BBQ sauce for extra flavor!

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

Looking for more easy and delicious chicken recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Chicken Broccoli Rice
  • Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
  • Southwest Chicken Wraps
  • Copycat KFC Famous Bowl

3 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe

Finished 3 Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Delicious and flavorful chicken wrapped in bacon and creamy cheese for a filling dinner recipe the whole family will enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ lbs chicken tenderloins (about 10-12 tenderloins)
  • 10-12 slices raw bacon
  • 10-12 thin slices cheddar cheese
  • 1 dash pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  3. Pat the chicken dry. Sprinkle the chicken with a dash of pepper.
  4. Tightly wrap the chicken with 1 piece of cheese and bacon. Place onto the sheet pan.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken and bacon are cooked through.
  6. Flip the chicken over and turn the broil on broil for 2 minutes or until crispy.

Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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If you try this recipe, be sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know what you think!