Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken Recipe
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.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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)
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the Bacon: Sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the chicken and sauce to add crunch and smoky flavor.
- 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.
- 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