Make Delicious Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Mignon for a Special Meal

Chicken filet mignon wrapped in bacon is an elegant and impressive dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. Also called chicken bacon wraps or bacon-wrapped chicken thighs this recipe takes simple ingredients and elevates them for a restaurant-worthy entrée.

The combination of savory bacon and tender, juicy chicken thigh fillets is hard to resist. Baking these bundles neatly wraps the bacon around the chicken, keeping it deliciously juicy while infusing tons of smoky, salty flavor into every bite.

Read on for tips on choosing ingredients, prep work, seasoning, cook times, serving suggestions and more With this complete guide, you’ll be able to make these bacon-wrapped chicken mignon like a pro to wow your guests or savor yourself

Benefits of Making Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Mignon

There are many good reasons to take the time to make this recipe at home

• Elegant presentation with minimal effort
• Cooking protects chicken from drying out
• Infuses chicken with bacon flavor
• Provides a special, impressive meal option
• Easy to double or triple for gatherings or meal prep
• Endless seasoning possibilities to suit preferences
• Kid-friendly version of bacon-wrapped filet mignon
• Impressive enough for date nights or holidays
• Perfect for using up leftovers and pantry staples

You don’t have to be an expert cook to make these chicken wraps successfully. With the right techniques, you can create a dish worthy of fine dining right in your own kitchen.

Tips for Choosing Ingredients

When shopping for ingredients, keep these tips in mind:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless thighs work best. They stay juicier than breasts.

• Bacon: Select thinner slices, regular or center-cut. Thick bacon may not cook through.

• Seasonings: Use dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper or steak seasoning blends.

• Cheese: Shredded parmesan, mozzarella or cheddar add a delicious melting layer.

Take time to gather high-quality ingredients for the very best results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked bacon-wrapped chicken filets:

1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs

Rinse, pat dry and trim any excess fat or sinew from boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.

2. Season the Chicken

Season both sides of chicken thighs with desired dried herbs, spices, salt and pepper.

3. Wrap Thighs with Bacon

Cut bacon strips in half. Wrap one piece around each thigh, overlapping ends slightly.

4. Secure Bacon with Toothpicks

Use toothpicks to hold bacon in place during baking. Insert parallel to bacon.

5. Arrange Wraps on Baking Sheet

Place wrapped thighs seam-side down on foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with more seasoning.

6. Bake Chicken Wraps

Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crispy.

7. Rest, Remove Toothpicks and Serve

Allow to rest 5 minutes before removing toothpicks. Serve chicken bacon wraps warm.

With these simple steps, you’ll get tender chicken and perfectly crisped bacon every time.

Cooking Tips for the Best Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

Use these tips to take your bacon-wrapped chicken from basic to gourmet status:

• Chill wrapped chicken in fridge 30 mins before baking to help bacon stay put.

• Brush wraps with maple syrup, brown sugar or honey for sweetness.

• Add a slice of cheese under bacon for melty goodness.

• Use wider cut chicken breasts and pound thin if thighs unavailable.

• Opt for center-cut bacon for less shrinking during baking.

• Cut bacon lengths to match chicken width to minimize overlap.

• Bake elevated on a wire rack for optimum crispness.

• Turn pans and rotate sheets halfway through baking.

• Check temperature to confirm chicken is cooked through.

• Broil 2-3 minutes at the end to crisp up bacon.

With little tweaks, you can take these chicken bacon wraps to the next level of flavor.

Get Creative with Seasonings and Sauces

Don’t stop at just salt and pepper. Try these flavorful seasoning combinations:

• Mexican: chili powder, cumin, garlic, lime juice

• Italian: basil, oregano, parsley, parmesan

• BBQ: brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion

• Asian: ginger, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce

• Lemon-Herb: lemon zest, rosemary, sage, thyme

• Jerk: allspice, brown sugar, cloves, nutmeg

• Steakhouse: garlic, onion, pepper, Worcestershire sauce

The wrapping keeps chicken ultra-moist so it can stand up to strongly flavored sauces. Toss coated wraps with your favorite barbecue, teriyaki, hoisin, buffalo or other sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking or when serving.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Here are some common issues and easy fixes:

• Bacon isn’t crisp: Blot chicken dry before wrapping, use thinner bacon, broil briefly after baking.

• Chicken is dry: Don’t overcook, check temp with a meat thermometer, tent with foil if needed.

• Bacon won’t stay wrapped: Chill first, use longer bacon, strategic toothpick placement.

• Burned bottoms: Elevate on a rack, rotate pans halfway through cooking.

With a few minor adjustments, you can perfect your bacon-wrapped chicken thighs.

Serving Suggestions

Serve bacon-wrapped chicken in these delicious ways:

• On creamy polenta or mashed potatoes to balance flavors
• Over rice or pasta tossed with veggies
• Added to a salad for protein
• On buns for chicken bacon ranch wraps
• Cut up in eggs for a hearty breakfast skillet
• Diced and mixed into mac and cheese or casserole
• Alongside roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts
• On kabob skewers alternated with veggies

The possibilities are endless! This versatile recipe transitions seamlessly from casual family dinners to fancy dinner parties.

Answers to Common Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to bake bacon-wrapped chicken thighs?

Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes depending on thickness. Check internal temperature.

Can I freeze uncooked bacon-wrapped chicken thighs?

Yes, wrap them well in plastic wrap then foil. Thaw overnight before baking.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover bacon-wrapped chicken?

Place on a sheet pan and reheat at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Is there a way to reduce fat and calories in this recipe?

Opt for center-cut bacon or turkey bacon, trim excess fat from thighs.

Can I cook it entirely on the stovetop in a skillet?

You can pan-fry but it takes more monitoring to prevent burning.

What size chicken thighs work best?

Boneless, skinless thighs between 4-6 ounces are ideal. Pound any larger ones.

How can I make this recipe kid-friendly?

Use less spicy seasoning, serve with dipping sauces, cut in strips.

Getting recipes and tips just right for you and your family is what cooking is all about.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Chicken Mignon at Home

With this complete guide to bacon-wrapped chicken filets, you have all the instructions needed to make this impressive recipe for yourself any night of the week. You’ll be amazed that such little effort yields such flavorful, elegant results.

So grab a pack of bacon and boneless thighs and get ready to become the new star chef of your kitchen! Just follow the simple steps and handy tips outlined above for melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken encased in perfectly crispy, smokey bacon. This will quickly become a go-to dish that you’ll want to share again and again.