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Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken Recipe

4.7 from 145 reviews

Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is a delightful dish featuring juicy boneless chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory maple garlic sauce, topped with crispy bacon for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This oven-baked recipe is easy to prepare and delivers a deliciously glazed chicken with smoky, sweet, and aromatic notes, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Bacon

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

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

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
  2. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet for flavor.
  3. Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to let it burn.
  4. Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the maple syrup, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and the sweet and savory aroma fills your kitchen.
  5. Arrange the Chicken: Drizzle olive oil into a large baking dish and place the chicken thighs in a single layer, spaced evenly. Pour the maple garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated well.
  6. Add the Bacon: Sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the chicken and sauce to add crunch and smoky flavor.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender with a glossy glaze.
  8. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure not to burn the garlic during sautéing as it can develop a bitter flavor.
  • You can add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken’s internal temperature for optimal doneness.
  • Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a lower sodium version, reduce or omit the soy sauce and salt.

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