[GUIDE] How Long To Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a delightful dish that perfectly combines the savory goodness of bacon and the tender juiciness of chicken. When cooked in an air fryer, the result is a crispy, flavorful, and healthier version of this classic dish. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, including selecting the right ingredients, preparing the dish, and mastering the cooking process to achieve perfect results every time.

Quick Answer: How Long To Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer

Cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer requires precision to ensure that both the bacon and chicken are cooked to perfection. The recommended cooking time for bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer is approximately 20-25 minutes at a temperature of 375°F (190°C). However, various factors such as the thickness of the chicken and the type of bacon may slightly alter the cooking time. It’s essential to monitor the cooking process and adjust the time accordingly to achieve the desired crispness and doneness.

Choosing Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Selecting the right ingredients is crucial for creating a delicious bacon-wrapped chicken dish. When choosing bacon, opt for thick-cut slices that can withstand the cooking process without becoming overly crispy or burnt. Additionally, consider the flavor profile of the bacon, whether it’s classic hickory-smoked, maple-cured, or peppered bacon, as it will infuse its distinct taste into the chicken.

For the chicken, boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well for bacon-wrapped chicken. Ensure that the chicken pieces are uniform in size to promote even cooking. It’s also important to consider the seasoning or marinade for the chicken, as it can enhance the overall flavor of the dish. Popular options include garlic, paprika, thyme, and onion powder. Moreover, incorporating a filling such as cream cheese, spinach, or cheese adds an extra layer of indulgence to the bacon-wrapped chicken.

Preparing Bacon Wrapped Chicken

The process of preparing bacon-wrapped chicken involves a few essential steps to ensure that the flavors are balanced, the bacon is properly secured, and the chicken remains moist during the cooking process.

Preparing The Chicken

1. Trimming and Tenderizing: Begin by trimming the excess fat from the chicken and using a meat tenderizer to ensure that the chicken pieces are evenly thick, allowing for uniform cooking.

2. Seasoning or Marinating: Season the chicken with your preferred spices or marinate it in a mixture of oil, herbs, and spices for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with flavor.

3. Filling the Chicken (Optional): If desired, create a pocket in the chicken breasts or thighs and fill it with ingredients such as cream cheese, spinach, or cheese, providing a delightful surprise as you bite into the bacon-wrapped chicken.

Wrapping With Bacon

1. Selecting the Bacon: Lay out the bacon slices and carefully choose pieces that are long enough to wrap around the chicken entirely. Thicker bacon works best as it holds its shape well during the cooking process.

2. Wrapping Technique: Wrap each seasoned or marinated chicken piece with a slice of bacon, ensuring that the entire surface of the chicken is covered. Secure the bacon in place with toothpicks to prevent it from unraveling during cooking.

Air Fryer Temperature For Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Setting the correct temperature on your air fryer is crucial to achieving the ideal balance of crispy bacon and succulent chicken. The recommended temperature for cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer is around 375°F (190°C). This temperature allows the bacon to crisp up while ensuring that the chicken cooks through evenly.

Air Fryer Cooking Time For Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Achieving the perfect balance of crispy bacon and tender chicken in an air fryer depends on the cooking time and the thickness of the bacon and chicken. The general guideline for cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer is approximately 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C). However, it’s essential to monitor the cooking progress and adjust the time as needed based on the specific characteristics of your air fryer, as well as the thickness and size of the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces.

Monitoring The Cooking Process

1. Checking for Doneness: After the initial cooking time, carefully check the bacon-wrapped chicken for doneness. The bacon should be crispy and golden brown, while the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked.

2. Flipping the Chicken: Depending on your air fryer model, consider flipping the bacon-wrapped chicken halfway through the cooking process to promote even browning and crispiness on all sides.

3. Adjusting the Cooking Time: If you find that the bacon needs more time to crisp up without overcooking the chicken, extend the cooking time in increments of 3-4 minutes while keeping a close eye on the progress.

4. Resting Period: Once the bacon-wrapped chicken is cooked to perfection, allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. This step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful final dish.

Cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer presents an exciting opportunity to create a delicious and indulgent dish with a healthier twist. By selecting the right ingredients, preparing the bacon-wrapped chicken with care, and mastering the air fryer cooking process, you can enjoy crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked bacon-wrapped chicken every time. Experiment with different seasonings, fillings, and bacon types to create unique variations of this classic dish, and savor the delightful combination of bacon and chicken in each bite.

How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer

If you’re a fan of crispy bacon and juicy chicken, then bacon wrapped chicken is the perfect combination for you. It’s a delicious and savory dish that can be prepared in many ways, but one of the easiest and quickest methods is using an air fryer. Air fryers are countertop kitchen appliances that use hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil.

Cooking bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer is a simple and straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare this delicious dish:

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
To cook bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• Bacon slices
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Optional seasonings (such as garlic powder, paprika, or herbs)

Step 2: Preparing the Chicken
Before wrapping the chicken with bacon, you need to ensure that the chicken breasts are seasoned and ready to go. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings you desire on both sides of the chicken breasts. This will add extra flavor to your dish.

Step 3: Wrapping the Chicken with Bacon
Take a slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each seasoned chicken breast. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the chicken to retain moisture and impart flavor. You can secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed.

Step 4: Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheating the air fryer is an essential step to ensure even cooking and crispness. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Placing the Bacon Wrapped Chicken in the Air Fryer
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the bacon wrapped chicken in the air fryer basket. Ensure that there is enough space between each piece for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Step 6: Cooking the Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook the bacon wrapped chicken for approximately 15-20 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the desired level of crispness. It’s important to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer, which should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure that it’s fully cooked.

Step 7: Resting and Serving
Once the bacon wrapped chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and ensure tender and juicy results. Serve the bacon wrapped chicken as a main course or alongside your favorite side dishes.

Cooking Time For Frozen Bacon Wrapped Chicken

If you’re using frozen bacon wrapped chicken, the cooking time will need to be adjusted slightly. Here’s how to cook frozen bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Placing the Frozen Bacon Wrapped Chicken in the Air Fryer
Place the frozen bacon wrapped chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation.

Step 3: Adjusting the Cooking Time
Increase the cooking time when cooking frozen bacon wrapped chicken. Cook the frozen chicken for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 4: Resting and Serving
After cooking, let the frozen bacon wrapped chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure juicy and flavorful results.

Adjusting Air Fryer Temperature For Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Air fryers come with adjustable temperature settings, allowing you to customize the cooking temperature based on your preference and the specific recipe. When cooking bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer, the recommended temperature is 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures that the bacon becomes crispy and the chicken cooks thoroughly.

However, you can adjust the temperature slightly if needed. Lowering the temperature to 375°F (190°C) may result in a slightly longer cooking time, but it will help prevent the bacon from burning while still cooking the chicken to perfection.

Conversely, if you’re looking for extra crispy bacon, you can increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C). Just be mindful of the cooking time and monitor the chicken closely to avoid overcooking.

Adjusting Air Fryer Cook Time For Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken

The cooking time for bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the desired level of crispness. Here’s a general guideline for cooking bacon wrapped chicken at a temperature of 400°F (200°C):

• For boneless, skinless chicken breasts wrapped with bacon: Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
• For thicker chicken breasts: Increase the cooking time by a few minutes, ensuring that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• For extra crispy bacon: Increase the cooking time by a few minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken to avoid overcooking.

Remember, these times are estimates, and it’s essential to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.

Cooking Techniques

While the basic method described above is a great way to cook bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer, there are a few variations and techniques you can try to add even more flavor and texture to your dish:

1. Marinating the Chicken
Before wrapping the chicken with bacon, you can marinate the chicken breasts to infuse them with additional flavors. You can use a simple marinade made from ingredients like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight, will result in a more flavorful and tender bacon wrapped chicken.

2. Adding Cheese or Stuffing
For an extra indulgent twist, consider adding cheese or stuffing to your bacon wrapped chicken. After seasoning the chicken breasts, you can stuff them with your favorite ingredients, such as cream cheese, spinach, or even jalapenos. This adds an extra layer of richness and flavor to the dish.

3. Breading the Bacon Wrapped Chicken
If you prefer a crispy outer coating, you can bread the bacon wrapped chicken before air frying. Dip the bacon wrapped chicken in beaten eggs and then coat it with breadcrumbs or panko. This technique will result in a crunchy, golden crust along with the smoky and savory flavors of the bacon.

4. Glazing with Sauce
During the last few minutes of cooking, you can brush the bacon wrapped chicken with your favorite sauce or glaze. Whether you prefer barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or teriyaki glaze, this step will add an extra layer of sweetness and tanginess to your dish.

Cooking bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer is a fantastic way to enjoy a crispy and delicious dish without using excessive oil. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can achieve bacon wrapped chicken that is juicy and flavorful, with perfectly crispy bacon. Remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on the thickness of the chicken and your desired level of crispness. With a little experimentation and creativity, you can customize your bacon wrapped chicken by using different seasonings, marinades, stuffings, or glazes. So, fire up your air fryer and get ready to indulge in a mouthwatering bacon wrapped chicken that will satisfy your cravings.

Undercooking

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a delicious and savory dish that many people love. The combination of juicy chicken and crispy bacon is simply irresistible. If you’re looking to make this dish quickly and easily, the air fryer is the perfect kitchen appliance for you. Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil.

One of the biggest concerns when cooking bacon-wrapped chicken is undercooking. When chicken is not cooked thoroughly, it can pose a health risk due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your bacon-wrapped chicken is cooked all the way through.

To avoid undercooking, make sure to preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for poultry. This can vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so consult the manual for specific instructions. Preheating the air fryer ensures that the chicken starts cooking at the right temperature from the beginning, reducing the risk of undercooking.

When placing the bacon-wrapped chicken in the air fryer, make sure to leave enough space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and ensures even cooking. If the chicken pieces are overcrowded, they may not cook evenly, leading to some pieces being undercooked.

It is also important to note that the size and thickness of the chicken breasts will affect the cooking time. Thicker cuts of chicken will take longer to cook than thinner ones. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the bacon-wrapped chicken is cooked through to the center.

Overcooking

While undercooking bacon-wrapped chicken is a concern, overcooking can also lead to a less-than-perfect result. Overcooked chicken breast can become dry and tough, negating the juicy goodness that bacon wrapping provides. To achieve the perfect balance between crispy bacon and tender chicken, it is essential to avoid overcooking.

One of the advantages of using an air fryer is that it cooks food quickly. However, this also means that you need to keep a close eye on the cooking process to avoid overcooking. Start by setting the air fryer to the recommended cooking time for bacon-wrapped chicken. However, remember that cooking times can vary depending on the specific model and temperature settings.

To prevent overcooking, check the chicken regularly as it cooks. You can gently lift a piece with tongs or a fork to check for doneness. The chicken should be white and firm when cooked through. If using a meat thermometer, ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), which is the safe temperature for poultry.

Checking For Doneness Of Bacon Wrapped Chicken

When cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, it is crucial to check for doneness before serving. There are a few ways to determine if the chicken is cooked through:

1. Visual Check: The chicken should have an opaque white color and the bacon should be crispy. If the chicken is still pink or the bacon is not fully cooked, it needs more time in the air fryer.

2. Touch Check: Gently press the chicken with tongs or a fork. If it feels firm and springs back, it is likely cooked through. If it still feels soft and malleable, it needs more time to cook.

3. Internal Temperature Check: Using a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone. The temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure the chicken is safe to eat.

Remember to check multiple pieces of bacon-wrapped chicken to ensure consistency. The thickest piece of chicken will give you the best indication of whether the entire batch is cooked through.

When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, things may not go quite as planned. If you find yourself with undercooked or overcooked bacon-wrapped chicken, don’t panic. There are ways to salvage the situation:

1. Undercooked Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: If you discover that your chicken is undercooked, simply return it to the air fryer and continue cooking. Make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the extent of the undercooking. Check the chicken regularly until it reaches the desired level of doneness.

2. Overcooked Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: If your chicken is overcooked and has become dry, there are a few techniques to restore moisture. You can brush the chicken with a flavorful sauce or marinade before serving. This will help add moisture and flavor to the meat. Alternatively, you can serve the overcooked chicken with a sauce or gravy to enhance its juiciness and taste.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Adjusting cooking times and temperatures based on your specific air fryer and personal preference may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Tips For Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken In Air Fryer

To ensure the best possible outcome when cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, consider the following tips:

1. Use Thinly Sliced Bacon: A thinner slice of bacon will cook more evenly and become crispy without overcooking the chicken. Thicker bacon can take longer to cook, resulting in overcooked chicken.

2. Secure the Bacon: To prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking, secure it in place using toothpicks. This will ensure that the bacon stays tightly wrapped around the chicken during the air frying process.

3. Marinate the Chicken: Marinating the chicken before wrapping it in bacon adds flavor and moisture to the dish. Consider using a marinade that complements the flavors of bacon and chicken, such as a combination of garlic, herbs, and olive oil.

4. Experiment with Seasonings: Add some extra flavor to your bacon-wrapped chicken by experimenting with different seasonings. Consider using spices like paprika, onion powder, or chili powder. These spices can add depth and complexity to the dish.

5. Use a Cooking Rack or Basket: Placing the bacon-wrapped chicken on a cooking rack or in a basket allows hot air to circulate evenly around the chicken, resulting in a more uniform cook. This helps achieve a crispy bacon exterior and ensures that the chicken is cooked through.

6. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately at the desired temperature, reducing the risk of undercooking. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating your specific air fryer model.

7. Cooking Time Adjustments: Adjust the cooking time of the bacon-wrapped chicken based on the thickness of the chicken breast and bacon slices. Thicker cuts will require longer cooking times, while thinner ones will cook more quickly.

8. Let the Chicken Rest: Allow the cooked bacon-wrapped chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final dish.

Conclusion

Cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer can be a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious and crispy meal. By following these tips and guidelines, you can achieve perfectly cooked bacon-wrapped chicken every time. Remember to keep a close eye on the cooking process, check for doneness using visual cues and a meat thermometer, and make adjustments as needed. With a little practice and experimentation, you’ll soon be able to master the art of cooking bacon-wrapped chicken in your air fryer.

FAQS

What Temperature Should I Set My Air Fryer To When Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken?

The recommended temperature for cooking bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer is 375 degrees Fahrenheit. However, depending on the type and strength of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature up or down by 10-15 degrees.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Bacon Wrapped Chicken In An Air Fryer?

The cooking time for bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and the type of air fryer used. However, on average, it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer.

Can I Put The Bacon Wrapped Chicken Directly On The Air Fryer Basket?

Yes, you can place the bacon wrapped chicken directly on the air fryer basket. However, to ensure it does not stick to the basket, it is recommended to lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray or use a piece of parchment paper in between the chicken and the basket.

Do I Need To Preheat The Air Fryer Before Cooking Bacon Wrapped Chicken?

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer before cooking bacon wrapped chicken. This ensures that the air fryer is at the proper temperature for cooking and will result in evenly cooked chicken.

How Do I Know If My Bacon Wrapped Chicken Is Fully Cooked?

To ensure your bacon wrapped chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can also check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken to make sure it is cooked through and there is no pink remaining.