Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs

This Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs recipe showcases simply seasoned chicken thighs bundled in bacon and cooked to perfection in the air fryer or Ninja Foodi. The bacon gets crispy, and the chicken stays extra juicy and tender. This easy air fryer chicken recipe pairs well with any side dish!

I think we can all agree that wrapping food in bacon makes just about everything better, and chicken thighs are no exception. This is one of those super simple air fryer bacon wrapped recipes recipes that delivers big on flavor without much work. With just a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you’ll have juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken thighs wrapped in crispy, salty bacon, all thanks to the air fryer!

All you need are chicken thighs, bacon, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. The combination of juicy dark meat and crispy bacon is so good. The best part is that while they’re crisping up in the air fryer, you have just enough time to throw together a quick side dish or two!

If “bacon-wrapped” brought you here, I also have air fryer recipes for bacon-wrapped hot dogs, jalapeno poppers, asparagus, and brussels sprouts you don’t want to miss!

🥓 Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken thighs – Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful thanks to their higher fat content, making them perfect for the air fryer. Boneless, skinless thighs work best here since they cook evenly and wrap easily with the bacon.
• Bacon – Thin-cut bacon works best because it crisps up nicely without overpowering the chicken. If you use thick-cut bacon, it may take longer to cook, so keep an eye on it.
• Seasonings – A mix of salt, pepper, and garlic works well at enhancing all of the natural flavors in the chicken and bacon, but you can also use your favorite seasoning blends!

📖 How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Wrapped With Bacon

1️⃣ Prepare the chicken thighs: Place the chicken thighs on a clean cutting board and trim any excess fat using a sharp knife. Removing extra fat helps the bacon wrap more securely.

2️⃣ Pound to an even thickness: Lay a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap over the thighs and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness.

3️⃣ Season the chicken: Pat each chicken thigh dry on both sides with a paper towel. This removes excess moisture, allowing the seasoning to stick better and helping the bacon crisp up. Sprinkle both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

4️⃣ Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes.

5️⃣ Roll and wrap: Take each chicken thigh and roll it tightly into a log, starting from the smaller end and rolling upwards. Then, wrap a strip of bacon around each piece, slightly overlapping as you go. Make sure the seam side is tucked underneath so the bacon stays secure while cooking. If needed, use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place.

6️⃣ Air fry the bacon-wrapped thighs: Lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Arrange the bacon-wrapped thighs in a single layer, leaving a little space between each for proper air circulation. Set the timer for 20 minutes.

7️⃣ Flip halfway through: After 10 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip each thigh. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.

8️⃣ Serve and enjoy: Once fully cooked, transfer the thighs to a plate and let them rest for a couple of minutes so the natural juices distribute evenly. Serve and enjoy!

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Tips

• Use thin-cut bacon for the best crisp: Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook and may not crisp up as well in the air fryer. Thin-cut bacon wraps more easily around the chicken and crisps up beautifully by the time the thighs are fully cooked.
• If you have time, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking: This helps it cook more evenly and prevents the bacon from shrinking too quickly, which can cause it to unravel.
• Tuck the bacon ends under the chicken or use toothpicks: Keeping the seam side down or securing the bacon with toothpicks keeps everything in place while cooking. Just remember to remove the toothpicks before serving!
• Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning: Excess moisture can make it harder for the seasoning to stick and may cause the bacon to steam instead of crisp. A quick pat-down with paper towels makes a big difference.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: The air fryer works best when hot air can circulate freely around the food. Leaving a little space between each piece helps the bacon crisp up all around.
• Flip with tongs, not a spatula: Tongs give more control when flipping the thighs halfway through cooking. A spatula can knock the bacon loose, making it more likely to unravel.
• Check the internal temperature a few minutes early: Every air fryer is slightly different, so it’s worth checking the chicken at the 18-minute mark. If it’s already at 165°F, it’s ready to come out.
• Rest the chicken for a couple of minutes before serving: This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and flavorful. It also gives the bacon a little extra time to crisp up even more.
• For extra crispiness, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes: If the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like by the end of the cook time, add a couple more minutes. Just keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking the chicken.

🌶 Directions For Stuffed Chicken

Let’s talk STUFFED chicken thighs wrapped in bacon! You can spread a thin layer of one of the “stuffing” options listed below in the center of the pounded chicken thigh before rolling it up and wrapping it in bacon.

• Cream cheese & chives
• Mozzarella & sun-dried tomatoes
• Goat cheese & spinach
• Cheddar & jalapeños
• Garlic butter & fresh herbs
• Pesto & Parmesan
• Ricotta & roasted garlic
• Chorizo & Manchego cheese
• Crumbled sausage & sage
• Ham & Swiss
• Mushroom & cream cheese
• Boursin cheese & spinach

🥗Side Dishes To Go With Bacon Wrapped Chicken

• BBQ Sweet Potato Wedges
• Instant Pot Acorn Squash
• Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
• Cucumber Chickpea Feta Salad
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Buffalo Cauliflower Rice
• Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
• Healthy Coleslaw
• Green Chili Yellow Squash Casserole

🧊 Storing, Freezing & Reheating

Storing: Leftover bacon-wrapped chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: To freeze, wrap each cooked thigh individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: For the best texture, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and the bacon is crispy again. They can also be reheated in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave for a quicker option, though the bacon may not stay as crisp.

❔FAQ

😋 More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Meatballs
• Shake and Bake Chicken
• Hibachi Chicken & Vegetables
• Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken
• Seasoned Steakhouse Wings
• Boneless BBQ Wings
• Homemade Popcorn Chicken