Get ready to transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this mouthwatering Bacon Wrapped Rosemary Chicken recipe! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts lovingly embraced by crispy bacon and infused with the aromatic essence of fresh rosemary - a combination that promises to elevate your home cooking from mundane to magnificent. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or simply treat yourself to a restaurant-quality meal, this recipe is your golden ticket to flavor paradise.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Bacon
- Fresh rosemary
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and the bacon becomes crispy.
- Gather all your ingredients: chicken breasts, bacon, fresh rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Take the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better and promotes even cooking.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Rub the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even coverage.
- Take fresh rosemary sprigs and strip the leaves from the stems. You can use whole sprigs if you prefer a stronger flavor, or chop them finely for a more subtle taste.
- Place a generous amount of rosemary on top of each chicken breast, pressing it down gently to help it adhere.
- Wrap each chicken breast with slices of bacon, ensuring that the bacon covers the chicken completely. You can use 2-3 slices of bacon per chicken breast, depending on the size of the breast and your preference.
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish, seam side down to prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking.
- Drizzle a little more olive oil over the top of the bacon-wrapped chicken for added flavor and to help the bacon crisp up in the oven.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.
- Serve the bacon-wrapped rosemary chicken hot, garnished with additional fresh rosemary if desired. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure the best possible flavor absorption and crispy bacon exterior.
- Choose high-quality, thick-cut bacon for the most satisfying crunch and rich flavor.
- Use fresh rosemary if possible - the difference in taste is remarkable compared to dried herbs.
- Don't overcrowd the baking dish, which can prevent the bacon from crisping properly.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to keep the meat juicy and tender.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the bacon before the final minutes of baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 373kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 105mg
