Maple Bacon Baked Chicken
This easy Southern dinner features juicy chicken baked with crispy bacon and a sticky maple-Dijon glaze. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 2 lbs)
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for greasing the baking dish and brushing chicken)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Taste and adjust for tanginess or sweetness as desired.
- Brush or spoon half of the maple-mustard glaze over the chicken. Bake for 15 minutes (breasts) or 20 minutes (thighs).
- Remove the dish from the oven. Lay 2 slices of bacon over each piece of chicken, tucking the ends underneath if needed. Brush on the remaining glaze, coating the bacon as well.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F) and the bacon is crisp. For extra-crispy bacon, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve each piece with a spoonful of the sticky glaze from the pan. Enjoy hot!
Notes
For extra-crispy bacon, prebake the slices for 5-7 minutes before adding to the chicken. If the glaze is too runny, spoon it over the chicken again during the last 5 minutes. Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Always check bacon and mustard labels for gluten if needed. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken piece with bacon and glaze
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Protein: 38
Keywords: maple bacon chicken, baked chicken, southern dinner, easy chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, comfort food, family dinner, gluten-free chicken, weeknight meal