Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken Recipe
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
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)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken evenly.
- 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.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with bacon grease and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
- 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.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Drizzle olive oil into a large baking dish and arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer for even cooking.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared maple garlic sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the top of the coated chicken for added texture and smoky flavor.
- 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).
- 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