Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: A Keto Delight?

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a delicious, keto-friendly meal that is surprisingly easy to make. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner or a dinner party, and it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This dish typically consists of chicken breasts or tenders wrapped in bacon and seasoned with a variety of spices. The chicken is usually baked in the oven, and the end result is juicy, tender, and full of flavour.

How to butterfly chicken breasts

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a popular keto dish. To make it, you'll need to wrap chicken tenders in bacon and season them with paprika, chilli powder, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder. But before you wrap the chicken, you might want to butterfly the chicken breasts.

Butterflying is a technique used to make a thick piece of meat thinner, which makes it quicker to cook. It's a simple process that can be done in three steps:

• Place the chicken breast on a clean, meat-only cutting board with the skin side down. Use a sharp, flexible knife (a boning knife is ideal, but a chef's knife will also work) to cut into the middle of the thickest part of the breast. Cut horizontally, almost to the other side, so that the breast opens up like a book.
• Place the butterflied chicken breast inside a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using the smooth side of a meat mallet, pound the meat from the centre out until it is 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, or whatever thickness your recipe calls for.
• Cover the butterflied chicken with cling film and use a rolling pin to create an even thickness. You can now marinate or cook the chicken.

Butterflying your chicken breast will give it a uniform thickness, making it ideal for quick cooking methods like barbecuing, griddling, or pan-frying. It will also allow you to stuff the chicken breast with fillings like basil and tomato, or roll it around a filling to make a chicken roulade.

How to make bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a keto-friendly meal and is perfect for a quick, protein-filled dinner. Here is a recipe for how to make bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 2 x 6-ounce chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin)
• 4 slices of bacon, preferably thin

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
• Clean and dry the chicken breasts.
• Season the chicken breasts with your chosen seasoning, rubbing it evenly on both sides.
• Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon, keeping the ends of the bacon underneath the chicken breast. You can use toothpicks to secure the bacon if needed.
• Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared air fryer basket.
• Air fry the chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
• Turn down the temperature to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Tips:

• Thin slices of bacon work best for even cooking and to prevent the chicken from overcooking.
• You can use toothpicks to secure the bacon to prevent it from unraveling, but remember to remove them before serving.
• To prevent the bacon from sticking to the air fryer basket, you can spray it with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper.

Enjoy your juicy and flavorful bacon-wrapped chicken!

How to store and reheat bacon wrapped chicken

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a delicious meal, but what do you do with the leftovers? Here are some tips on how to store and reheat your bacon-wrapped chicken to keep it tasting great.

Storing Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

Leftover bacon-wrapped chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is important to let the chicken come to room temperature before storing it in the fridge. This will ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat.

You can also freeze bacon-wrapped chicken. Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or tin foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They will last for around 3-4 months in the freezer.

Reheating Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

There are a few different ways to reheat bacon-wrapped chicken:

• Oven: Place the chicken in a baking dish and rewarm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
• Stovetop: Slice the chicken into strips and place them in a pan with a small amount of water or chicken broth. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
• Microwave: While microwaving meat can sometimes make it dry or soggy, you can try reheating your chicken in the microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, stirring halfway through.
• Toaster oven: Reheat the chicken in a toaster oven to avoid the microwave while still getting a quick and easy reheat.

When reheating, it is important not to dry out the chicken. You may also want to crisp up the bacon, so using the oven or broiler can help with this.

Now you can enjoy your delicious bacon-wrapped chicken again and again!

What to serve with bacon wrapped chicken

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to accompany your bacon-wrapped chicken:

Salads

A fresh and crunchy salad can complement the richness of the bacon-wrapped chicken. Try a Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Tomato or a Pesto Potato Salad. If you're feeling creative, you could also make a quinoa chickpea salad or a Caesar shaved Brussels sprouts salad with crispy chickpea croutons.

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a great option to pair with bacon-wrapped chicken. Try asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or cauliflower rice. For a special touch, you could make keto broccoli casserole or crispy zucchini fries.

Starchy Sides

If you're looking for something more filling, mashed potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, or smashed potatoes are a great choice. You could also try almond flour keto biscuits or lemon rice.

Something Sweet

For a touch of sweetness to contrast the savoury bacon, try honey-glazed carrots or a drizzle of maple syrup over the chicken.

Other Ideas

For a complete meal, serve the bacon-wrapped chicken with mac and cheese, or crockpot carrots. Bacon-wrapped chicken also goes well with crispy Brussels sprouts, or for a special treat, try bacon-wrapped asparagus.

With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect side dish (or dishes!) to impress your guests or simply enjoy a delicious meal.

How to make avocado salsa

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a keto-friendly dish that can be served with avocado salsa. Here is a detailed avocado salsa recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients:

• Avocados
• Tomatoes
• Lime juice
• Cilantro or green onions
• Optional: jalapeños, cumin, salt, and pepper to taste

Steps:

• Chop up the tomatoes, green onions or cilantro, and jalapeños (if you want some spice).
• Cut open the avocados, remove the pits, and scoop out the flesh.
• Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
• Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir well to combine.

This avocado salsa is a great dip for tortilla chips, or you can add it to tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and more!

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