Okay, friends, I’ve got a Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe that’s just downright irresistible. Imagine tender chicken breasts marinated in tangy barbecue sauce, then wrapped snugly in smoky bacon, grilled until crispy and juicy—mouthwatering, right? This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer cookout or just craving something special on a weeknight.

What I love most about this Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe is how simple it is yet so packed with flavor. The marinade does the heavy lifting overnight, and the bacon adds that perfect salty crunch that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Seriously, once you try this, it’ll become a staple in your meal rotation.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The sweet and tangy barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon, creating a delicious harmony.
Juicy & Tender: Marinating the chicken overnight keeps it moist and flavorful all the way through.
Simple Prep: Minimal ingredients and easy assembly make this recipe stress-free for home cooks.
Versatile Cooking: Whether you grill it or bake it, this recipe adapts easily to your kitchen setup.

The image shows a close-up of four grilled chicken pieces placed on crumpled white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Each chicken piece has dark brown grill marks and a shiny, reddish-brown sauce glaze that gives them a slightly sticky look. The chicken is garnished with small pieces of fresh green parsley sprinkled unevenly across the pieces. The texture of the chicken looks juicy and slightly charred with a mix of smooth sauce and grill marks visible. The scene is bright and sharp, showing the rich color contrast between the chicken and the green garnish, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe are straightforward but chosen carefully to complement each other. I always opt for a good-quality barbecue sauce with a balance of sweet and smoky notes, and thick-cut bacon so it crisps up nicely without shrinking too much.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to cook evenly and quick to marinate, chicken breasts soak up all the flavors beautifully.
Barbecue sauce: Acts as the marinade and glaze, infusing the chicken with that signature tangy-sweet BBQ flavor.
Bacon slices: Adds smoky richness and a crispy outer layer that keeps the chicken moist inside.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about this Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I like to switch up my barbecue sauce depending on the season or what I have on hand, and sometimes I’ll add a little extra spice to kick it up a notch.

Spicy Twist: I’ve added a sprinkle of cayenne or chipotle powder to the marinade for a smoky heat that my family loves.
Herb Boost: Toss in fresh rosemary or thyme for an earthy aroma that pairs wonderfully with bacon.
Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep this dish paleo and keto-friendly without losing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Start by trimming any excess fat or tendons from your chicken breasts. Then, toss them into a large zippered bag or container with about 1 1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce. Seal it tight and give it a good shake so every piece gets coated. Pop it in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight—I swear, this step makes the chicken juicy and deep with flavor.

Step 2: Wrap in Bacon & Secure

Before you cook, take each marinated chicken breast and wrap it with two slices of bacon. You want the bacon snug but not stretching, so secure it with toothpicks if needed. This holds the bacon in place while cooking and helps lock in moisture. Pro tip: Thick-cut bacon works best here to avoid it overcooking too fast.

Step 3: Grill or Bake Until Perfect

Fire up your grill to medium heat and cook the chicken about 10 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on the bacon—it should crisp up nicely without burning. If you don’t have a grill, no worries: place the wrapped chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, depending on thickness. When the chicken is almost done, brush with the remaining BBQ sauce for that caramelized finish. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temp of 165°F to be safe.

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Pro Tips for Making Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe

Marinate Long Enough: Don’t rush the marinade – overnight is best to really deepen the flavor and tenderize the chicken.
Choose Thick Bacon: Thin bacon can crisp too fast and shrink too much, leaving the chicken exposed.
Use a Thermometer: To avoid drying out the chicken, check for 165°F internal temperature instead of guessing.
Avoid Overcrowding the Grill: Giving each piece space helps ensure even cooking and crispy bacon all around.

How to Serve Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe

A close-up of a thick grilled chicken piece with a golden-brown outer layer and white inside rests on a wooden board lined with parchment paper, showing char marks and a slight glaze. A silver fork pierces the chicken, lifting a smaller slice with crispy edges and a sprinkle of green herbs. Next to the chicken, there is a clear glass cup filled with smooth, dark reddish-brown barbecue sauce with swirls on its surface. The background has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or green onions over the finished chicken—it adds a pop of color and a bright fresh note to balance all that smoky richness. Sometimes, I add a few lemon wedges on the side for a little zesty squeeze that wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

This Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe shines next to classic sides like coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or a light cucumber salad. Mashed potatoes or baked beans also pair nicely if you want something a little heartier. I often throw together a quick mixed green salad to keep the meal balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve arranged the chicken on a big platter surrounded by colorful roasted veggies and garnished with fresh herbs—makes for an impressive family-style presentation. You can even skewer smaller pieces for party appetizers, wrapping bacon around bite-sized chicken chunks and serving with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually pop leftover bacon-wrapped chicken in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen, and it reheats really well without drying out if you take a few precautions.

Freezing

If I want to meal prep, I wrap the cooked chicken tightly in foil and place it in a freezer bag. It holds up great frozen for about 2 months. Just thaw fully in the fridge before reheating to keep that bacon texture as good as possible.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I like to use the oven at 350°F, covered loosely with foil for about 15 minutes. This helps keep the chicken juicy and gives the bacon a chance to crisp back up gently without burning. Microwaving works too if you’re in a hurry, but you might lose some crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great with this Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe. They tend to be more forgiving and juicy, though cooking times might be slightly shorter, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
What’s the best type of barbecue sauce to use?

Choose a barbecue sauce that balances sweetness and tang without being overly spicy unless you want heat. I recommend trying a smoky or hickory-flavored sauce for the best complement to the bacon.
Can I make this recipe without grilling?

Yes! You can bake the bacon-wrapped chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, depending on chicken thickness. Baking makes this recipe accessible year-round, especially if you don’t have a grill.
How do I prevent the bacon from burning before the chicken is cooked through?

Cooking over medium heat and monitoring the chicken carefully helps. You can also start the chicken on the cooler part of the grill or bake it, and toward the end, crank up the heat or broil briefly to crisp the bacon without burning it.
Is this recipe suitable for paleo or gluten-free diets?

Definitely! Just be sure to select barbecue sauce and bacon without added sugars, gluten, or other non-compliant ingredients. This Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe is a great fit for paleo and gluten-free menus when you choose your condiments carefully.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe enough—it’s one of those dishes that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for weekend guests. Every time I serve it, the combination of smoky bacon and tangy BBQ gets rave reviews, and it’s surprisingly simple to pull off even if you’re midweek busy. Give it a go this weekend and let me know how much your family loves it—you’re going to feel like a total kitchen hero!

Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 13 reviews

Author: Sarah
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious bacon wrapped BBQ chicken breasts marinated in tangy barbecue sauce, then grilled to perfection for a juicy and flavorful main course.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken and Marinade

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups barbecue sauce (divided)

Bacon

12 slices bacon

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Instructions

Prep the Chicken: Trim the chicken breasts to remove excess fat and place them in a zippered bag with 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce. Seal the bag tightly to marinate.
Marinate: Refrigerate the sealed bag for 8 hours or overnight to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
Wrap with Bacon: Before grilling, take each piece of chicken out and wrap it with two slices of bacon, securing with toothpicks to hold the bacon in place.
Grill the Chicken: Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on a preheated grill. Cook for about 10 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165º Fahrenheit and the chicken is no longer pink.
Brush with Sauce: During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with the remaining barbecue sauce for extra flavor and glaze.
Serve: Remove the toothpicks and serve the bacon-wrapped BBQ chicken hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

If you prefer not to grill, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the bacon wrapped chicken breasts on it. Bake at 375ºF for 20-30 minutes or until fully cooked.
Ensure the barbecue sauce and bacon you use are free from sugar and gluten if you want to fit paleo, sugar-free, and gluten-free diets.
Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so always check for a 165ºF internal temperature for safety.
Calories and nutrition are estimated based on standard ingredient brands; consult a nutritionist for precise information.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with bacon
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg