I like to brush the chicken pieces with a tasty sauce of honey and Dijon mustard. The sweet-savory flavor combination is phenomenal! While simply baked chicken breast is a fine everyday choice, and blackened chicken and pizza chicken are very flavorful, wrapping the chicken in bacon elevates it to a whole new level. The bacon adds a delightfully smoky flavor and keeps the chicken juicy. The honey-mustard sauce finishes the dish, creating a delicacy from the simplest ingredients.
Variations
Although Dijon mustard is perfect in this recipe, you can use other types of mustard if you wish. I’ve used spicy mustard a few times and liked it. Maple syrup is a good substitute for honey. I almost always use honey, but I’ve used maple syrup a few times and liked it. Add a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick. My husband loves spicy food, so I sometimes indulge him and add a generous pinch.
More Chicken Recipes
Recipe Card
Dijon mustard: This traditional French mustard is creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard. I highly recommend it in this recipe. Honey: You can use a sugar-free honey substitute (be aware that this product contains xylitol). I tried both, and I prefer real honey in terms of flavor and texture. Chicken breasts: Try to find fairly small ones, weighing 6-7 ounces each, to ensure even cooking. To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Bacon: I use thin-cut slices in this recipe. In my experience, thick-cut pieces don’t work as well.
You start by sprinkling the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, wrap them in bacon slices. Next, brush the chicken pieces with a mixture of Dijon mustard and honey. Roast the chicken in the oven until cooked through, about 20 minutes at 450°F. Let it rest, then brush it with more sauce (which you had previously reserved) and serve. You will need to bake them for longer - for around 25-30 minutes, so cover them loosely with foil after the first 20 minutes to avoid scorching the bacon. Test them with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part to ensure they are fully cooked. It should read 165ºF.
Roasted carrots Microwave sweet potato Mashed pumpkin
Alternatively, I like to serve it with a side dish that I can bake in the same 450°F oven, such as:
Roasted zucchini Roasted peppers Buffalo cauliflower wings Roasted broccoli Roasted yellow squash Roasted eggplant
The bacon will not be as crispy as when freshly cooked. To crisp it up, reheat the leftovers in a 300°F oven until heated through.
