Bacon wrapped chicken thighs are juicy chicken thighs wrapped in crispy bacon that’s baked in the oven for a healthy, flavor packed, keto friendly dinner for tonight! Seasoned chicken with bacon fat cooked directly into each piece so delicious anyone will love this recipe.
I’m always looking for a way to make my chicken recipes taste better but to add more fat in. Naturally, I live a keto lifestyle hence the basting and not drenching them with honey. They have the great flavor of bacon and a slight taste of sweetness from the honey. Bacon wrapped chicken thighs are my favorite of all my bacon wrapped recipes!
What sides go with chicken wrapped in bacon?
This is a good question! There are tons of options but you can have bacon wrapped chicken by itself such as in these chicken bites. Side dishes are easy to come across here are a few choices:
How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
To start, I used boneless chicken thighs but bone-in work just as well. I do suggest removing the skin for easier wrapping.
Next, prepare the spice rub to coat the chicken in. You don’t really wanna leave the chicken bland. The spice run is enough to season 4 chicken thighs.
Then, cut any excess fat or skin from the thigh in order to get a smooth wrap that stays such as in the photos. I also used thick sliced bacon.
Wrap bacon then place on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.
Next, in the end turn on the broil setting in the oven. After bacon starts to crisp remove and baste with heated honey. Replace then finish cooking the top of bacon.
Finally, when you remove give one more basting of the honey. It doesn’t take much. I melted 1TB and still had honey left in the bowl after basting 4 thighs twice. Now, if you want to drench it down be my guest but for a nice flavor a simple basting is more than enough for that flavor.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Is honey keto, yes and no. Honey in large quantities has entirely too much sugar to be keto friendly. Yet, in a small amount such as this recipe is just fine at less than 4g net carbs. Not to mention the benefits and natural antioxidants in honey itself.
- What bacon do I use, I used thick sliced bacon in this recipe but any would work perfectly.
- Stuff chicken thighs, these are bacon wrapped chicken thighs there is no reason you can’t stuff them with some of your favorite ingredients before wrapping. Go crazy with it! To add, I actually have a stuffed chicken recipe that’s mind blowing!
Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken thighs (bone-in works as well)
- 4 strips bacon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F, if using an air fryer heat to 350°F due to the heating element being closer
- Mix spices together and season 4 chicken thighs. Note: depending on how salty you like things and the saltiness of your bacon you may want to use 1 tsp of salt instead of 1/2 tsp.
- Cut any excess fat or skin hanging from chicken thigh and wrap with bacon securing with toothpicks
- Place on sheet pan or in a casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes
- When 30 minutes his place honey in microwave for 10-15 seconds or until heated and no longer thick. Turn broil on oven.
- Allow bacon to cook a little, pull out then give some dabs of honey on each piece of chicken. Place chicken back in oven and finishing make the bacon top crispy
- When done remove from oven then baste chicken one last time. I used 1TB and still had honey left because basting doesn't require much. Now, if you'd like to drench the chicken go for it but a light basting gives you a slight sweetness of honey that you can easily taste without a lot of sugar.
Notes
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Is honey keto, yes and no. Honey in large quantities has entirely too much sugar to be keto friendly. Yet, in a small amount such as this recipe is just fine at less than 4g net carbs. Not to mention the benefits and natural antioxidants in honey itself.
- What bacon do I use, I used thick sliced bacon in this recipe but any would work perfectly.
- Stuff chicken thighs, these are bacon wrapped chicken thighs there is no reason you can't stuff them with some of your favorite ingredients before wrapping. Go crazy with it! To add, I actually have a stuffed chicken recipe that's mind blowing!