Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is the best chicken you’ll ever eat with only 4 ingredients. Sticky, crispy, sweet, and garlicky!
If you’re a fan of the wonderful pairing of sweet and savory, then you’ll also love the other amazing Chicken Recipes, like the Memphis Barbecue Chicken Wings, the delicious Oven Baked Chicken Breasts, and the classic Chinese Honey Chicken.
Chicken with bacon is a key element in the culinary universe, beloved by foodies all over the globe. And when you bring brown sugar and garlic into the mix, you’re onto a real winner. What makes this Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken one of our favorite recipes is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. The star of the show is, without a doubt, the brown sugar and garlic glaze. The sugar caramelizes beautifully in the oven making the chicken golden brown, while the garlic gives a subtle kick that complements the sweetness. As for the bacon, it infuses the chicken with its rich, smoky essence, making every bite an absolute delight.
Chicken is a versatile meat, tender and mild in flavor, which makes it an excellent canvas for the strong, bold flavors of bacon, brown sugar, and garlic. As for the bacon, its natural fattiness helps keep the chicken moist during baking, ensuring a succulent result and turns into crispy bacon on top!
Making this dish is relatively straightforward, with the procedure involving a simple marination process followed by wrapping the chicken in bacon and baking. This is an ideal recipe to whip up for a weeknight meal when you’re craving something out of the ordinary yet uncomplicated. The ingredients are readily available, making it a stress-free culinary endeavor that results in a restaurant-quality dish.
What’s fascinating about this recipe is that it could very well be a gourmet dish at a high-end restaurant, yet it’s remarkably easy to make at home. For anyone who loves the combination of chicken and bacon, this is a recipe that you should not miss. Serve with yellow Persian Rice for a fun, flavorful, and delicious meal.
How to Make Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
You don’t need to be a culinary expert to create this delicious dish at home. It’s simple, straightforward, and yet delivers outstanding results that will impress your friends and family. Check it out!
- Step One: The first step is to gather your ingredients. Begin by combining the brown sugar, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Step Two: Next, coat the chicken breasts in the brown sugar mixture, ensuring they’re thoroughly covered.
- Step Three: Once coated, wrap each chicken breast with two slices of bacon. Try to ensure the ends of the bacon slices are tucked underneath the chicken to prevent them from unraveling during cooking.
- Step Four: Place the bacon-wrapped chicken into a baking sheet with sides that are at least 2 inches high.
- Step Five: Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar mixture over the bacon-wrapped chicken in the baking pan.
- Step Six: Bake the chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s thoroughly cooked and the bacon is browned. Be mindful to avoid burning the brown sugar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for this recipe, boneless and skinless chicken breasts are recommended. They cook evenly and are easy to eat once wrapped in bacon.
Brown sugar is recommended because it caramelizes and coats the chicken better, adding to the overall flavor. However, in a pinch, you could substitute with granulated white sugar.
If the bacon isn’t crispy after 30 minutes, you can put the dish under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Watch closely to ensure it doesn’t burn.
The chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.
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Key Ingredients in Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
This recipe is a wonderful combination of a few impactful ingredients. Each one brings something unique to the table, culminating in a dish that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
- Brown Sugar: The brown sugar provides a wonderful sweetness to the dish, which contrasts beautifully with the savory elements. Its molasses content gives it a rich, deep flavor that white sugar cannot replicate.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a potent and aromatic punch to the dish, balancing out the sweetness of the brown sugar. Its unique, pungent flavor permeates the chicken during cooking, making it a vital ingredient in this recipe.
- Bacon: The bacon provides a deliciously smoky and savory element to the dish. It also keeps the chicken moist and tender while it cooks. Opt for thick-cut bacon if possible, as it will hold up better during cooking.
- Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts are used for their mild flavor and tenderness. They absorb the flavors of the bacon, brown sugar, and garlic beautifully, resulting in a savory, sweet, and utterly delicious dish.
Air Fryer Method for Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
While this recipe calls for baking, you can also cook this dish using an air fryer for a potentially crispier result. We don’t use a Dutch oven with a lid because it will steam the bacon which then won’t get crispy.
- Follow the recipe steps up to placing the bacon-wrapped chicken in the baking pan.
- Instead of placing them in a baking pan, arrange the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. Remember, air fryers can vary, so monitor them closely.
Can Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Be Made Ahead of Time?
This recipe is fantastic for preparation ahead of time. You can wrap the chicken in the bacon and marinate it in the brown sugar mixture, then store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. When you’re ready to cook, simply preheat the oven and follow the recipe’s baking instructions.
It’s worth noting, however, that once cooked, this dish is best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the oven or microwave until heated through. Add a little water to the dish when reheating to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Substitutions in Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Brown Sugar: If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, you can use white sugar with a little bit of molasses added. Alternatively, coconut sugar could work as a healthier option.
- Garlic: If fresh garlic isn’t available, garlic powder can be used. Just remember, the flavor won’t be as strong as fresh garlic.
- Bacon: Turkey bacon can be used as a leaner option compared to regular pork bacon, but it might not provide the same level of richness.
- Chicken Breasts: While chicken breasts are ideal, you could also use chicken thighs. Just adjust the cooking time as they may require a bit longer to cook thoroughly.
Variations on Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
While the original recipe is delicious as it is, there are plenty of ways to add your own personal touch for a delicious chicken dinner.
- Spicy Version: Add a teaspoon of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mix.
- Herby Version: Try adding some dried or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the mix. Italian seasoning is also a good option for extra flavor.
- Cheesy Version: After the chicken is cooked, sprinkle some grated cheese on top, then return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How to Serve Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
This chicken dish is quite versatile when it comes to serving options. It pairs well with a variety of sides and complements several different cuisines. Top with chopped green onions as a colorful garnish. Here are a few ideas:
- Serve with Veggies: A simple side of Roasted Vegetables or a fresh salad would balance the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken. Try the Bacon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts.
- Serve with Rice: The rich flavors of this dish would be beautifully balanced by serving it with plain or Buttery Garlic Quinoa.
- Serve with Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, Potato Wedges, or a fancy Potatoes Au Gratin would all work well for a delicious dinner.
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How to Store Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Serve: After cooking, the chicken shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Store: Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best consumed within 3-4 days.
- Freeze: While you can freeze the cooked chicken, the texture of the bacon may change upon thawing and reheating. It’s best to freeze the marinated, bacon-wrapped chicken before cooking, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on medium heat in the oven, air fryer, or toaster oven for 7-10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup brown sugar , packed
- 3 tablespoons garlic , minced
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon course ground black pepper
- 6 chicken breasts , boneless, skinless (4-5 ounces each)
- 12 slices bacon
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper and mix until combined.
- Coat the chicken in the brown sugar mixture.
- Wrap each piece of chicken with two slices of bacon (aim for the end of the bacon pieces to stay under the chicken to prevent unwrapping while cooking).
- Place into your baking pan (with at least 2 inch high sides).
- Top with the remaining brown sugar mixture.
- Cook at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and browned.
- Careful to not let the brown sugar burn and blacken.
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Notes
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Photos used in a previous version of this post.
I’m cooking it now and I add smoked paprika to the mix. It smell so good can’t wait to eat it
Do you think it would be okay to use the precooked bacon that you generally microwave or would that burn easily since it’s so thin?
I haven’t tested it but my gut is telling me that it wouldn’t work. Sorry
Can I just say that this recipe is something that could be a fusion between dinner and dessert, Sabrina? It is magical, really! The younguns and the elderlies love it when we made it this weekend for a family gathering. It is just the right amount of sweetness; and the chicken and bacon combo is amazing! Kudos!
Thanks Elizabeth!
Making this brown sugar garlic bacon wrapped chicken tonight for my wife
I hope you guys enjoy it!
Thank you! My family has 21 food allergies and I have struggled to make a meal everyone can enjoy , that is both flavorful, appealing and different than our staple meals. This was easy, quick and I was able to use our applegate turkey bacon, our safe Brown sugar and other ingredients… it was a FANTASTIC HIT the whole family enjoyed!!!!! Served with steamed rice, waterchestnut and pea pods, that I then sauteed in some of the juice, like a stir fry kind of, as a side, was awesome! Thank you again!
So happy to have been a help!
Can make this with bone in chicken? Thanks!
Yes 🙂
This is so good, and was so easy to make! I’m a busy mom of three under four… this is going on my weeknight dinners rotation!!! Thank you!!
Yay!! So glad you all loved it!
Way under cooked. Had to cook it for another 30 min just to make sure it was,cooked,all,the way thru. Other than doubling the cook time, it tasted great!
So I was looking in my freezer what to make for dinner and I had 3 chicken breasts just sitting in my freezer so I went on Google and searched for chicken recipes and I clicked on this recipe bacon brown sugar garlic chicken and it looked and sounded delicious and I did exactly what the directions said to do and I added 5 more minutes because the bacon was a little bit pink and when it was done, omg it was the best dinner I have ever made! I will definitely be making this more often and my fiancé said it was the best dinner I made.
Glad to help you with the “what’s for dinner” question! So happy you all enjoyed it!
Hi this dish looks delicious!!!
Im trying it out right now. Not sure if you’ll be available and see my comment but I’m having a little trouble, I’ve had the chicken and all in the oven at 375 for a little over 30 min and it’s not cooked yet. It’s hot in the oven but it looks like it might take an hour or a little longer. Not sure why
Did I miss something?
I’m not sure why it would’ve taken so long. The only things that could’ve caused it would be if the chicken wasnt completely thawed or maybe your oven doesn’t run as hot as mine. I hope it turned out ok.
I made this…and it’s quite tasty! The brown sugar crisps nicely on the bacon for a sweet edge to the contrasting salty bacon. All this keeps the chicken super tender on the inside, and the savory flavors shine through in the chicken. I would make it again, but I’d use thinner cut bacon. The thick slices didn’t cook at quite the same rate as the chicken. Thinner would be perfect.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
I have now made this for these second time and the first time I tried it it turned out amazingly but it didn’t have enough flavor there for me so I’m trying it with some Cayenne pepper to adda little kick to it hope it’s good again!
You can definitely customize this to your liking. So glad you enjoy it!
how long would you recommend cooking this for if you’re making one chicken breast?
For just one chicken breast you’ll want to reduce the cook time in half. I would also recommend making it in a smaller dish, like a loaf pan, so the liquid stay around the breast and keeps it moist while cooking. Enjoy!
About to make this and im super excited. But how do i keep the brown sugar from burning and blacking?
Make sure to check it around the 20-25 minute marker and you should catch it at the right time as to not blacken. 🙂
Absolutely amazing!!! I used three chicken breasts cut in half – for me, this yielded 6 breasts that are around 4-5 oz, which is what the recipe states. I never use anything other than garlic powder because I’m lazy and it’s always on hand (I apologize to all the real chefs using fresh garlic. I truly admire your work ethic. (Not joking, you’re the real MVP’s)). So, I used 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, & 1 tsp red pepper flakes (I love spicy food, however, even my additions weren’t spicy, so even if you kinda like spicy food, you will be fine). The chicken was done at around 25 mins. I did broil the chicken about 2 mins on each side to crisp the bacon, so it’s still done in about 30 mins. SOOOOOOOO FREAKING GOOD!!!! I’ve made it twice now and I’m excited to make it again!!! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Awesome!! I’m so glad you loved it! Thanks for thhe 5 stars!
The best meal I’ve made in a long time. In a separate pot I made a brown sugar butter glaze anf used as a dipping sauce which really completed it.
That does sounds amazing!
What if you don’t have brown sugar and you use white sugar
I would add some molasses to the sugar if you have it too.
Um, I can’t see anywhere on this recipe. Do you cook the bacon first? I can’t find that anywhere in the comments or in the recipe.
No the bacon is added to the chicken raw. Hope you enjoy it!
What type of pan would you suggest to bake in? A metal one or glass? Thank you!
I use metal, but either should work well. Some people have said adding a metal rack under the chicken helps too, so if you have a pan that will fit a small metal rack that may be the best option.
Are you kidding me! This is the yummiest recipe. My family just went nuts over it. No left overs and everyone wanted more. Thank you for sharing!
So glad your family enjoyed it!
My bacon didn’t turn out crispy like the photo, what could I do to make it more crispy in the future?
My bacon didn’t turn out crispy like the photo, what could I do to make it more crispy in the future?
You can always pop it under the broiler for a few seconds but make sure to watch it, you don’t want it to burn. Hope this helps!
OMGEEEEEEE it’s so easy to prep and it smells amazing and tastes wonderful!!! So glad I came across your recipe!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Yay!! You’re welcome!
I made this recipe tonight and the flavors were delicious! This is a keeper. I doubled the recipe and did not have enough cloves. I used 3 garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and it worked out great!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the 5 star rating!!
Was very tasty, I added a siracha brown sugar glaze on it just to give it a kick. And had to cook it longer to make sure bacon and chicken were both fine.
I made this today. Used two large boneless skinless breasts with fresh garlic. I mixed 1/2 the garlic with the sugar and spooned then patted it onto my paper towel dried chicken breasts, I laid cut bacon strips across the top and sprinkle the remaining minced garlic on top. Waiting for end results!
It was delicious! I fed 4 picky eaters who loved it too! I didn’t wrap the bacon around the breast. I sliced the bacon in half and laid two pieces on the breast then covered it with leftover sugar. I also broiled it for about 3 minutes at the end t crisp it up. Yummmm
Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it!
OMG this was amazing! My bacon was a little limp, but next time i think i’ll try putting it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp it up. Thanks for the recipe!
Yes, that would definitely help for next time. So glad you enjoyed it!
This looks amazing! Has anyone used turkey bacon in place of pork bacon? Or made it without the bacon all together?
I have a slow cooker recipe without using bacon. Here’s the link. https://dinnerthendessert.com/slow-cooker-brown-sugar-garlic-chicken/
Super good! Huge hit!
*fix for the bacon being soggy on the bottom – cook it in a pan for a few minutes after it’s done in the oven
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
This recipe was very simple, very easy to prepare and tasted wonderful. Whole family enjoyed it.
This recipe is awesome! We browned the chicken (w/ the bacon) first in a cast iron skillet to crisp up the bacon, then sprinkled the remaining sugar mixture on top, then put it in the oven for 20min. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
This was a big hit with my family tonight. It was quick to prep and went together well with some spinach I picked up from the farmer’s market.
I think we will be having this again soon!
So glad you all enjoyed it! It really is such an easy recipe without losing any of the amazing flavor!
OMG! This is so good I highly recommend this recipe it’s so simple but still delicious!
Thank you so much Annika!
I was wondering if I could use boneless skinless chicken thighs?
You might still want to wrap it in bacon since it’s skinless. Thigh meat does have a higher fat content so you should be good without it but not sure if you want to chance it.
I’m trying this tonight!! Looks amazing!
OMGosh!! Dee-lish! A new favorite. Finger licking good. I am not a dark meat fan so i used wings and breast. Simple and yet oh so good. Thanks, I’ll be back for more great recipes!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
OMG!!! My family (Hubby, myself, son and his g/f) went nuts about this recipe. My son said the sauce was like “crack”. Let me point out that my son is drug free, alcohol free and smoke free. He loves to joke big time….LOL. SO this recipe is a keeper. And I will be subscribing!!!!
Hahaha, I love it!! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know how much you all loved it (especially your son) and making my day 🙂
Just made this. To crisp the bacon, I used skewers to hold the chicken up after it cooked for a bit. I made lemon glazed carrots and garlic n sour cream mashed potatoes.
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the tip!
oh yeahhh!! perfectly browned and not much beats chicken and bacon together,thank you for the idea with chicken. it’s awesome
Haha, totally agree! So glad you enjoyed it!
I made this and it was tasty, but I think a lot of the instructions were way off. At least for me they were. The brown sugar mixture as listed in the recipe did not make nearly enough to cover the four chicken breasts that I used. The fourth breast didn’t get much of the brown sugar coating at all. The bacon never did cook thoroughly at the temperature and length of time recommended in the recipe. I think 375 wasn’t hot enough and 25 to 30 minutes definitely wasn’t long enough. I ended up baking the bacon-wrapped breasts for 55 minutes and my family told me they still felt the bacon was undercooked. The chicken, however, was juicy and delicious & cooked completely. My recipe didn’t come out beautiful like the picture LOL. I will definitely have to tweak this recipe next time.
i am making this today. are the chicken breasts you used sliced in half for thinner ones or just tenderized after cleaning them out of the package?
No need to slice them in halve, as long as they’re not too big. Mine were about 4-5 oz each.
Im going to attempt to make this for dinner for my family. And was wondering did you plate this with any sides?
You can serve with rice or potato wedges and roasted vegetables (both recipes can be found by using the search bar).
This was delicious!!! The flavor was amazing and definitely not like ordinary chicken!
What if you have 9 oz chicken breast
I would recommend cutting them in half to make them smaller. 🙂 I wouldn’t want them to dry out while cooking.
I made this tonight and let me tell y’all, it’s Amazing! I could have eaten the entire dish by myself, I think. I threw in some chopped carrots and sweet potatoes and green onions, right in the same pan. The veggies were perfect choices for the brown sugar and bacon. I’ll be making this often! Thank you for the recipe!
Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed it!
Great taste, easy to make. Will make again and again. Thanks!
Can’t wait to make this tomorrow ?
Absolutely delicious for Valentine’s evening dinner!
Made this tonight for dinner and my husband and I absolutely loved it! Made it almost exactly according to recipe (I substituted fresh garlic with garlic powder, and put it under the broiler for a minute or so after it was cooked to temp. just to crisp bacon a little bit more). It was super easy and delish! As others have said already, this is definitely going in my rotation.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it!