This air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast is one of those dinners that feels a little extra, but it's actually really simple to make.
Dry chicken or bacon that won't crisp is usually the problem with this recipe. This version fixes that, so you get juicy chicken on the inside and crispy bacon on the outside, without overcooking anything.
For the base cooking method, see my air fryer chicken breast guide.
Gently seasoned with garlic and rosemary, this air fryer bacon wrapped chicken recipe has a gorgeous combination of flavors guaranteed to become a firm favorite!
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Juicy chicken inside, crispy bacon outside
- Feels like a "special" dinner but it's actually easy
- No complicated steps or ingredients
- Works for weeknights or when you want something a little better
- Doesn't dry out like most bacon wrapped chicken
How long to cook bacon wrapped chicken in air fryer
Air fry bacon wrapped chicken for roughly 10 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part.
Timing matters here, especially since the bacon changes how long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer.
Why this recipe can go wrong (and how to fix it)
This is where most people mess it up; bacon and chicken don't cook at the same speed.
- Bacon needs more time to crisp
- Chicken breast cooks fast and dries out easily
- So if you cook it too long = dry chicken
- If you cook it too short = soft bacon
The trick is cooking it just long enough for the bacon to crisp without drying out the chicken.
Ingredients you'll need to make bacon wrapped chicken breast
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions down below**
Chicken breasts. Chicken breasts with springy flesh (meaning when you press down on the packet, the meat springs back) and lovely pink color are best, indicating freshness. Free-range chicken generally has better quality meat.
Bacon. When making bacon wrapped chicken in air fryer, thicker slices of bacon will remain more fleshy, whereas thinner slices will go more crispy. Choose based on your preference.
Garlic powder and rosemary. This combination brings a lovely earthy quality to the meat, adding extra depth. You could also try adding cayenne pepper for some heat or basil if you like a hint of sweetness.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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How to cook bacon wrapped chicken breast in an air fryer?
First, pat dry chicken breast with paper towels, season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, place one rosemary sprig on top and one underneath each chicken breast and wrap with bacon slices. Secure the bacon with toothpicks.
Next, transfer the bacon wrapped chicken breasts to the air fryer basket and cook to 370ºF for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF in the thickest part.
Finally, remove it from the air fryer basket, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
If the chicken looks juicy when you cut into it and the bacon is crisp on the outside, you did it right, don't keep cooking it or it'll dry out.
Recipe tips
- Don't use thick bacon: It takes too long to crisp and will dry out the chicken before it's ready. Wrap it tight, but not too thick
- Too much bacon = uneven cooking. Flip it halfway
- This helps the bacon cook evenly on both sides. Watch the chicken, not just the bacon
- Once the chicken is done, you're done, don't keep cooking just for the bacon. Let it rest before cutting
- That's what keeps it juicy.
Because the outside cooks faster, it's easy to end up with raw chicken inside in the air fryer if the timing isn't adjusted.
What to serve with Chicken Breast
Chicken breast wrapped in bacon is terrific as the centerpiece for a holiday get-together, and it's so simple to prepare you won't have to spend the entire day in the kitchen.
Serve it with tender butternut squash, crunchy baby carrots, crispy air fryer baby potatoes, and juicy green beans for a meal that will leave everyone happy and full.
How to store chicken wrapped in bacon
Air fried bacon wrapped chicken keeps well in the fridge or freezer, making it a great option to make ahead for those busy weeks!
It's safe to keep cooked chicken in the fridge (below 40°F) for 3-4 days and in the freezer for 2-6 months.
How to reheat chicken breast with bacon
To reheat bacon wrapped chicken breast in air fryer, preheat to 370°F, then place the chicken in the basket for 3-5 minutes, or until the meat thermometer reads 165°F. If you heat from frozen, increase the time by 5-10 minutes.
In the oven, heat for around 15 minutes at 400°F. Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, so it heats evenly. If you are heating from frozen, you will need to defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before heating.
In a dry skillet, heat over medium heat until warmed to 165°F all the way through. Be sure to flip it every so often to ensure even heating. Again, if you are heating from frozen, you must defrost first.
FAQ'S
Absolutely! This bacon wrapped chicken breast recipe works so well in the air fryer because it cooks the meat quickly and evenly to stay succulent while browning the bacon, so it's perfectly crisp.
It takes roughly 3-5 minutes to reheat chicken breast in the air fryer, depending on the air fryer's model and the chicken breasts' size.
Always use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
More Air Fryer Recipes you'll love
- Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
- Frozen Chicken Breast In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
There’s nothing better than succulent chicken breast wrapped in crispy bacon! This air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast recipe is quick and easy; it’s perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 (10 oz.) boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 thick slices bacon
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken breast with paper towels, season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper, place on each chicken breast one rosemary sprig on top and one underneath and wrap with bacon slices. Secure the bacon with toothpicks.
- Transfer the bacon wrapped chicken breasts to the air fryer basket and cook to 370ºF for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF in the thickest part.
- Remove from the air fryer basket, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature and avoid overcooking. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast and check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don’t worry if the chicken meat looks slightly pink; this doesn’t mean it’s undercooked. The color from the bacon can be absorbed by the chicken and make it look pink, but as long as the meat thermometer shows a temperature of 165°F, it’s perfectly safe.
- Never wash raw chicken. Rather than getting rid of harmful bacteria, washing chicken is more likely to spread it around your kitchen. Cooking chicken is enough to eradicate any bacteria.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 622mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 43g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
