Description
Delicious and savory Bacon Wrapped Chicken thighs coated with a flavorful blend of garlic, paprika, and cayenne pepper, baked to perfection with a brown sugar glaze for a crispy and juicy finish. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or substitute with more paprika)
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Chicken and Bacon
- 4 large chicken thigh fillets (about 5 oz / 150 g each), cut in half
- 8 pieces streaky bacon
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp olive oil (optional, to help browning)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) fan-forced/convection to prepare for baking the chicken wrapped in bacon.
- Prepare Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with baking paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, flour, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, place the brown sugar.
- Season and Wrap Chicken: Coat each chicken thigh half thoroughly with the seasoning mix, shaking off any excess. Lay a piece of bacon on a flat surface, place the seasoned chicken at one end, and roll it up so that the bacon wraps fully around the chicken. Place the seam side down on the tray. Repeat for all pieces.
- Apply Brown Sugar: Rub the brown sugar onto the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces using your fingers. This helps create a caramelized glaze while baking.
- Oil Drizzle (Optional): Drizzle the olive oil over the wrapped chicken to encourage browning and a crispy texture.
- Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. For extra crispiness, turn on the broiler for a few minutes until the bacon reaches your desired golden brown color.
- Glaze and Serve: Brush the pan juices collected on the tray over the cooked chicken to make it glossy and juicy. Serve immediately, ideally paired with mashed potatoes and extra pan juices drizzled on top.
Notes
- Note 1: Cutting chicken thigh fillets in half ensures even cooking and makes each portion manageable.
- Note 2: Streaky bacon is preferred as it crisps well and adds flavor.
- Note 3: Fan forced oven allows for more even, faster baking.
- You can substitute cayenne pepper with additional paprika if less heat is desired.
- Using olive oil is optional but helps achieve a better brown color during baking.
- Be cautious when broiling as the bacon can burn quickly; monitor closely.
