Why You’ll Love This this Guilt-Free Creaminess Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
This bacon-wrapped chicken practically melts in your mouth thanks to that dreamy cream sauce that somehow manages to taste indulgent while keeping things surprisingly light.
You get all the comfort food atmosphere without the heavy, overstuffed feeling that usually comes after devouring something this creamy and bacon-covered.
The magic happens when that herb-infused soup mingles with the sour cream and cream cheese, creating this velvety blanket of flavor that makes even the pickiest eaters forget they’re eating something that won’t completely derail their dinner plans.
Ingredients List
This recipe keeps things beautifully simple with just five ingredients that somehow create pure magic when they come together.
- 10 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices bacon
- 1 (10 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken with herbs soup
- 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
- 1 ounce cream cheese, softened
Ingredient Considerations:
- Choose thick-cut bacon for better wrapping and flavor coverage around each chicken breast
- Look for reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup if you’re watching salt intake, though the herbs add wonderful depth
- Full-fat sour cream works best for that silky sauce texture, but light versions can work in a pinch
- Let that cream cheese sit out for about 30 minutes before cooking so it blends smoothly without lumps
Step by Step Directions
Making this bacon-wrapped chicken is straightforward and delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray the bottom of your baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Wrap each chicken breast completely with one slice of bacon, securing the ends underneath if needed.
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a single layer in your prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and softened cream cheese, stirring until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Pour the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece gets good coverage.
- Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the bacon is crispy.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results:
- Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness rather than relying solely on time.
- If the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- The sauce will bubble and may appear separated during cooking but will come together as it cools.
- After mastering this dish, consider expanding your culinary skills with a premium pasta maker to create fresh accompaniments for your protein dishes.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken options – Thick chicken thighs work too, though they’ll need about 20 extra minutes in the oven, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good thigh
- Herb it up – Fresh thyme or rosemary sprinkled over the top before baking adds that “I totally meant to be this fancy” atmosphere
- Cheese lovers – A handful of shredded cheddar or Swiss mixed into the sauce makes everything more indulgent, because sometimes you just need cheese on your cheese
- Spice things up – A dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or even some paprika in the sauce keeps things interesting without scaring off the kids
Additional Things to Serve With This Dish
This rich, creamy dish practically begs for sides that can soak up all that delicious bacon-infused sauce.
- Rice or noodles – The recipe already mentions these classics, and honestly, they’re perfect for catching every drop of that creamy goodness, whether you go with fluffy white rice, buttery egg noodles, or even some wild rice if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Mashed potatoes – Because when you’ve already committed to comfort food this hard, why not go all the way with some creamy mashed potatoes that’ll make your guests wonder if you’re trying to put them in a food coma.
- Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans add some color to your plate and help you pretend this meal is somewhat balanced, plus the slight char from roasting plays nicely against all that creamy richness.
- Simple green salad – A basic mix of greens with a light vinaigrette cuts through the heaviness and makes you feel like a responsible adult, even though you’re basically eating bacon-wrapped everything.
- Crusty bread – Perfect for sopping up sauce, because leaving any of that creamy mixture behind should probably be illegal in most states.
Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)
Getting this bacon-wrapped beauty just right comes down to a few key moves that’ll save you from any kitchen disasters.
- Don’t skip the cooking spray – Trust me, that creamy sauce will turn into concrete if it sticks to your pan, and nobody wants to spend their evening scraping fossilized dairy products off their good bakeware.
- Wrap the bacon snugly but not too tight – You want it to hug the chicken like a warm blanket, not strangle it like an overzealous python, because bacon that’s too tight will shrink and snap during cooking.
- Place the bacon seam-side down – This keeps everything neat and tidy while the bacon renders its fat and gets crispy, plus it looks way more professional when you’re trying to impress someone.
- Let that cream cheese come to room temperature – Cold cream cheese lumps in your sauce are about as welcome as finding your keys in yesterday’s jeans, so plan ahead and pull it out early.
- Use a meat thermometer – Chicken needs to hit 165°F internally, and guessing games with poultry are never worth the risk, especially when you’ve put this much effort into wrapping everything in bacon.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving – This lets all those juices redistribute instead of running all over your cutting board like they’re late for an appointment.
Nutritional Facts
Each serving of this bacon-wrapped chicken delivers a hearty dose of protein along with some indulgent comfort food calories.
- Calories per serving: Approximately 485 calories (based on 10 servings)
- Protein powerhouse: Each portion packs about 42 grams of protein from the chicken and bacon combo
- Fat content: Around 32 grams of fat per serving, with saturated fat making up roughly 15 grams due to the bacon and creamy sauce
- Carbohydrates: Minimal at just 4 grams per serving, making this naturally low-carb friendly
- Sodium levels: Expect about 890 milligrams per serving, primarily from the bacon and canned soup
- Cholesterol: Approximately 145 milligrams per serving from the chicken, bacon, and dairy components
- Calcium boost: The sour cream and cream cheese contribute about 120 milligrams of calcium per serving
- Iron content: Each serving provides roughly 1.2 milligrams of iron, mainly from the chicken
- Vitamin B12: High levels at approximately 0.8 micrograms per serving, supporting nerve function and energy metabolism
- Phosphorus: About 380 milligrams per serving, important for bone health and energy production
Fun “Did You Know?”
Why do bacon and chicken make such a perfect culinary pair?
I’ll share some fascinating facts that’ll make you appreciate this combo even more.
Bacon’s high fat content naturally bastes chicken during cooking, preventing dryness while infusing smoky flavor.
The Maillard reaction between bacon’s proteins and sugars creates those irresistible caramelized notes we crave.
Historically, wrapping lean meats in fat dates back centuries as a preservation technique called “barding.”
Here’s something cool: bacon shrinks about 30% while cooking, creating a snug embrace around your chicken.
This self-tightening effect seals in juices perfectly, making every bite incredibly tender and flavorful.
