Get ready for a flavor-packed chicken dinner that tastes like you spent hours on it but comes together in under 40 minutes. This Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is juicy, savory, a little sticky-sweet, and absolutely irresistible. It’s the kind of recipe that’ll make your family stop mid-bite to ask, What is this sauce?!
We’re talking tender, pan-seared chicken breasts bathed in a rich maple-garlic glaze and topped with crispy bacon. Yes, crispy bacon on chicken. It’s not only allowed, it’s encouraged.
What Is Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken?
This is a quick skillet chicken recipe that stars a mouthwatering glaze made from pure maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. It’s sweet and tangy, balanced with the salty bite of bacon and that umami hit from garlic. Every bite is loaded with flavor and it all happens in one pan.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made in 30–40 minutes
- One-pan cleanup
- Perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights
- Sweet, savory, garlicky, and smoky
- Family-friendly and gluten-free option included
What Does It Taste Like?
Sweet, sticky, savory, and full of contrast! The sauce is bold and rich with maple and garlic, while the bacon adds that smoky, salty crunch. The chicken stays moist and tender, soaking in all those juicy pan flavors. It’s everything you want in a dinner: satisfying, surprising, and definitely not boring.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- Fresh parsley or green onion, for garnish (optional)
Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
Additions and Substitutions
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs for extra juiciness
- Use turkey bacon for a lighter option
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat
- Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce to make it gluten-free
- Stir in spinach or mushrooms during the final simmer for extra veggies
How to Make Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
- Sear the chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, sear chicken breasts for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Make the glaze: Lower heat and add minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 30 seconds, then stir in maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
- Glaze & combine: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Top & serve: Sprinkle cooked bacon over the chicken. Garnish with parsley or chopped green onions. Serve hot!
What to Serve With It
- Mashed potatoes or garlic butter rice
- Roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette
- Buttery cornbread or dinner rolls
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip searing the chicken it locks in flavor and helps it stay juicy.
- Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best flavor.
- Keep an eye on the garlic it can burn quickly!
- Make extra glaze to spoon over sides like mashed potatoes or rice.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Just adjust cooking time slightly since thighs may take a bit longer.
What if I don’t have maple syrup?
Honey or brown sugar can work in a pinch, but maple gives it that distinct depth.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes it reheats beautifully, and the flavors deepen after a day in the fridge.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not at all! But you can add red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you like a kick.
Conclusion
This Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is pure comfort food magic. Sweet, salty, sticky, garlicky — it hits all the right notes without requiring a ton of time or fancy ingredients. It’s a solid weeknight go-to, but also impressive enough for guests. I promised you versatile, and here’s proof!
Nutrition Information (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 36g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 24g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sodium: 720mg
Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Maple Garlic Bacon Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner juicy chicken breasts cooked in a sweet and savory maple garlic glaze, topped with crispy bacon. It’s rich, flavorful, and done in just over 30 minutes. Serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
– Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Drain excess bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add olive oil if needed.
4. Sear the chicken in the same skillet for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
5. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Stir in maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
7. Return the chicken and bacon to the skillet, spoon sauce over top, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
– For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce ingredients for 30 minutes before cooking.
– Bone-in thighs can be used instead of breasts—just adjust cooking time.
– This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted green beans.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Keywords: maple garlic bacon chicken, maple glazed chicken, skillet chicken dinner, sweet and savory chicken recipe, weeknight chicken dinner
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