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Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

3.45 from 9 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Chicken stuffs juicy chicken breasts with melted cheddar, wraps them in crispy bacon, and cooks them in the air fryer in under 30 minutes. It's an easy, low-carb dinner with only six ingredients — perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something that feels a little special.

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts,
  • 8 slices bacon, 2–3 slices per chicken breast, depending on size
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese, or cheese of your choice
  • 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary, optional

Instructions

  • Make a pocket. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  • Season and stuff. Season the inside and outside of each breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Tuck a slice of cheddar inside each pocket. Add herbs inside or on top of the cheese if using.
  • Wrap with bacon. Wrap 2–3 slices of bacon around each stuffed breast so it covers most of the chicken and helps seal the pocket. Secure the ends with toothpicks if needed.
  • Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes so the chicken starts cooking immediately.
  • Arrange. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken in the basket in a single layer, not touching, so the air can circulate.
  • Cook. Air fry for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and golden. Time varies with breast size and air fryer model.
  • Check doneness. The chicken is done at an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer. The bacon should be crispy and golden brown.
  • Rest and serve. Remove the chicken, let it rest a few minutes, take out any toothpicks, and serve hot with your favorite sides.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

  • Use thin or medium-cut bacon — thick-cut often won't crisp in the time the chicken needs.
  • Keep the cheese centered in the pocket, away from the edges, to reduce leakage.
  • Don't crowd the basket — cook in batches so every piece crisps instead of steams.
  • Make ahead: assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate wrapped; let sit at room temperature a few minutes before cooking.
  • Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to re-crisp the bacon.
  • Cheese swaps: mozzarella (milder), pepper jack (spicy), or provolone/Gouda (richer melt) all work.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 34gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 1115mgPotassium: 531mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 222IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 1mg