Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines sweet, savory, and smoky elements. Tender chicken thighs are coated in a rich maple garlic sauce, topped with crispy bacon, and baked to juicy perfection. It’s an easy recipe that promises big taste with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 8 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in the maple syrup, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Step 5: In a large baking dish, drizzle the olive oil and place the chicken thighs in a single layer. Pour the maple garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top of the chicken.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a smoky depth, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts, but reduce baking time slightly to prevent drying out.
• Serve this dish with roasted vegetables or a simple green salad to balance the sweetness.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the maple syrup to 1/4 cup.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to preserve moisture. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?

Yes, turkey bacon can be used as a leaner alternative. Keep in mind it may be less crispy and have a different flavor, but it will still complement the dish well.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. This chicken reheats well and can be portioned out with side dishes for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 125 reviews

Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is a savory and sweet oven-baked dish that combines tender boneless chicken thighs with crispy bacon and a rich sauce made from pure maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, and smoked paprika. This meal offers a perfect balance of flavors with a luscious glaze and smoky undertones, making it ideal for a comforting dinner.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

Bacon

• 8 slices of bacon, chopped

Sauce

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Other

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken evenly.
2. Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it is crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.
3. Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with bacon grease and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
4. Make Sauce: Stir in the maple syrup, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika. Bring this sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens, enhancing the flavors.
5. Prepare Baking Dish: Drizzle olive oil into a large baking dish and arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer for even cooking.
6. Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared maple garlic sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful glaze.
7. Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the top of the coated chicken for added texture and smoky flavor.
8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
9. Rest and Garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

• For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they remain juicy and tender during baking.
• Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
• Maple syrup adds sweetness; adjust quantity if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
• Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
• Parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh color contrast and mild flavor.

Keywords: Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken, baked chicken thighs, sweet and savory chicken, bacon chicken recipe, maple syrup chicken, easy dinner