If you think about how easy this Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe is to make, it looks way more impressive than it really is. This one is perfect for a midweek family dinner or for guests when entertaining.
This Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe is so delicious, and I am pleased to report it’s nowhere near as complicated as it looks. Made with succulent chicken breast that cooks wrapped in the delicious salty flavour of the prosciutto ham, while being stuffed with creamy cheese, then complemented with cubed roast potatoes and green beans… oof, it’s just so good.
Now and then it’s nice to have a traditional-style meal with different flavours and ingredients side by side on a plate, rather than the usual one-pot recipes that mix everything together. But serving a meal this way can still be simple and quick. Sure, it’s not a ‘stick everything in the slow cooker’ number, but it’s still ready in about 30-40 minutes and everyone will love it.
What’s great is it’s slightly fancier too, with the Parmentier-style potatoes and bright green beans, not to mention the impressive chicken breasts, so you can easily rustle this up for guests or as an easy alternative to the Sunday roast.
Bacon wrapped chicken is a culinary showstopper that deserves equally impressive side dishes to complete the meal. With the savory smoky bacon complementing the juicy chicken finding sides that enhance these flavors without overpowering them can seem daunting. However, with the right balance of flavors and textures, you can craft a symphony of sides that will make your bacon wrapped chicken shine. In this article, we will explore some of the best options for side dishes to serve with bacon wrapped chicken.
Complementary Flavors and Textures
When choosing side dishes for bacon wrapped chicken, you want to select options that complement the flavors without competing with them The smoky saltiness of the bacon calls for sides that have some natural sweetness as well as a little acidity to balance out the richness Crunchy, crispy sides pair well with the tender juiciness of the chicken.
Some ingredients that pair perfectly include:
- Sweet fruits like apples, berries, stone fruits
- Tangy citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges
- Sharp cheeses like goat, feta, blue
- Crunchy nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans
- Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, dill
- Earthy mushrooms, roasted veggies, fresh greens
Putting together a few of these flavors and textures that go well together will make a well-balanced side dish.
Salads for Freshness
When you serve bacon-wrapped chicken, salads are a great choice. Along with the heavy richness of the chicken and bacon, they add a bright and fresh touch. Some excellent salad options include:
- Spinach salad – Baby spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, and poppyseed dressing
- Waldorf salad – Chopped apples, celery, walnuts, craisins, lemon juice dressing
- Caprese salad – Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, balsamic reduction
- Kale Caesar salad – Shredded kale, parmesan, homemade croutons, Caesar dressing
Salads made with fruits, nuts, and cheeses work particularly well. The sweetness and acidity help cut through the richness.
Roasted Veggies for Depth
Roasted vegetables caramelize and develop deep, sweet flavors that pair impeccably with bacon wrapped chicken. They also provide great textural contrast. Some excellent options include:
- Roasted Brussels sprouts – Halved Brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil, S&P, roasted
- Honey glazed carrots – Carrots roasted with honey, butter, thyme, salt
- Balsamic parsnips – Parsnips roasted with balsamic vinegar and garlic
- Hasselback potatoes – Sliced potatoes baked with olive oil, rosemary, garlic
Aim for a variety of textures – some tender and others crispy from roasting. The natural sugars that develop add sweetness.
Grains for Heartiness
Whole grains are a hearty and filling side dish for bacon-wrapped chicken. They soak up any tasty pan juices and give you fiber to keep you full. Some wholesome options include:
- Quinoa pilaf – Quinoa cooked in chicken broth with sauteed onions, garlic
- Israeli couscous – Cooked couscous tossed with chopped tomato, basil, feta
- Brown rice – Steamed brown rice tossed with sautéed mushrooms and garlic
- Barley risotto – Barley simmered in broth and white wine, finished with Parmesan
Opt for whole grains like quinoa, farro, or barley over white rice or pasta. Their robust texture and flavor stands up well to the chicken and bacon.
Breads for Indulgence
Warm, buttery breads pair decadently with bacon wrapped chicken. They’re perfect for sopping up any pan drippings or sauces. Some absolutely delicious options include:
- Skillet corn bread – Moist, golden corn bread with kernels in the batter
- Rosemary focaccia – Soft, fluffy focaccia drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary
- Cheddar jalapeño biscuits – Flaky, savory biscuits loaded with cheese and jalapeños
- Monkey bread – Pull-apart bread made with rolled balls of dough and cinnamon sugar
The bacon wrapped chicken has plenty of richness on its own, so lighter breads allow the flavors to shine. Corn bread, biscuits, and focaccia absorb sauce beautifully.
Putting it All Together
Pick one or two side dishes that have different tastes, textures, and looks when you’re planning your menu. A healthy meal is a fresh green salad with roasted vegetables or a grain side. You could also serve a spinach salad with warm jalapeño or monkey bread biscuits. Get creative with combinations that suit your tastes.
Pro tip: Allow any roasted vegetable or grain sides to roast in the oven while the bacon wrapped chicken cooks. Simply pop them in when you put the chicken in and time the cooking so everything finishes together.
With the right supporting sides, your bacon wrapped chicken will steal the show. These flavorful, textured, and colorful side dishes elevate the entire meal to new heights. Surround that crispy, juicy chicken with sides that complement it perfectly for a spectacular dining experience.
FAQs about this Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe
Cut a small ‘pocket’ in the thickest part of the breast and stuff in a small spoonful of the cream cheese, being careful not to overfill them. Take your prosciutto and wrap the strips around each piece of chicken. For about 15 minutes, put the potatoes in the oven. Then, add the chicken and put the whole thing back in for 20 minutes.
I know right?! I have another similar recipe here: Parmentier potato recipe.
If you don’t want to use the Italian dry-cured ham for this recipe, you could use streaky bacon instead. Just bear in mind that the prosciutto gives a lovely smoky flavour and is so thin that it wraps easily around the chicken, while having wide strips that help the breast hold its shape better than bacon would.
Make sure you cover it fully in plenty of oil before you start cooking it, but if it starts to burn don’t worry. Just wrap it in tin foil or remove it from the oven early. Sometimes this just depends on the size of the bulbs.
A meat thermometer is the best option for checking the ideal cooked point, but if you don’t have one you can cut through the middle of the breast to check it’s cooked through.
Yes, I used them in this recipe and they turned out great because they didn’t get too dry while cooking.
Here’s a tip – pop the cheese in the freezer for 30 minutes before trying to add it. This makes it firm and really helps to stop it leaking out of the chicken.
Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this Bacon Wrapped Chicken recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ by the recipe. Also, if you want to show me a picture, tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins). I LOVE seeing what you’ve made.
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FAQ
What is a good side dish for chicken wraps?
What goes well with chicken wraps? Chicken wraps are best paired with chips, baked fries or potato wedges, salads like quinoa salads or coleslaw, veggies like sauteed green beans or Brussel sprouts, pasta salads, corn on the cob, or chips and guacamole. What does a chicken burrito contain?.
What are the best sides to serve with chicken?
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What’s a good side dish for stuffed chicken?
Easy Crockpot Green Beans. These Crockpot Green Beans are easy to make and delicious, to boot! . Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Onions. Air Fryer Carrots (Glazed) . Miso Glazed Mushrooms. Creamed Corn. Moroccan Carrot Salad. Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Parmesan & Herbs. Mashed Potato Cakes.