Prepare to elevate your comfort food game with this spicy, sweet, and utterly delicious Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake. As Chef Crenn of CrennRecipes.com, I’m here to transform your classic chicken bake into a visually stunning, feel-good creation that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Get ready to experience the perfect blend of heat, sweetness, and savory goodness in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake
This Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake is a true masterpiece of comfort food artistry. Juicy, tender chicken is coated in a mouthwatering glaze of spicy maple and crispy, caramelized bacon, creating a flavor explosion that will leave you craving more. The dish is not only visually stunning, with its beautiful caramelized edges and vibrant colors, but it also delivers a deeply satisfying and comforting experience with every forkful. Prepare to be swept away by the irresistible aroma and the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just the right amount of heat.
Ingredients
This Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake features a simple yet flavorful lineup of ingredients that come together to create a truly gourmet dish. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thick-cut bacon, maple syrup, hot sauce, garlic, onion, and a few essential seasonings. The combination of these ingredients will transform your kitchen into a culinary oasis, filling the air with the enticing scents of comfort and elegance.
- 1.5 lbs (680g) – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 8 oz (225g) – Thick-cut bacon, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup (120ml) – Pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp (30ml) – Hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts — a leaner swap that maintains the dish’s balance.
- Hot Sauce: Milder hot sauce or a reduction in quantity — perfect for adjusting the heat level to your preference.
How to Make Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake
Get ready to transform your kitchen into a culinary haven with this easy-to-follow recipe for Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake.
Step 1 — Prep Work
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it. Slice the bacon into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic. Arrange the chicken thighs in the baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
Step 2 — Main Cooking Process
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour this spicy maple glaze over the chicken, making sure to evenly coat each piece. Top the chicken with the minced garlic and sprinkle the bacon pieces over the top.
Step 3 — Final Steps/Assembly
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy and caramelized. For an extra golden, glistening finish, you can broil the dish for 2-3 minutes toward the end of the cooking time.
Step 4 — Finishing Touches
Once the Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake is out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Optionally, you can garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley or a drizzle of extra maple syrup for an elegant touch.
Chef Tips & Variations
- Serving Suggestion: Serve this Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes or fragrant rice for an even more indulgent experience.
- Fresh Accompaniment: Pair the dish with a crisp, green salad or steamed vegetables to add a touch of freshness and balance the richness.
- Amping up the Heat: For an extra kick of heat, experiment with different types of hot sauce or add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Variation: Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake Stuffed Peppers: Scoop the baked chicken mixture into hollowed-out bell peppers for a visually stunning and portable presentation.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Fluffy mashed potatoes, fragrant rice, or a crisp green salad.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.
Make-Ahead: This dish can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or hosting.
Nutrition Information
This Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake is a nutritious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Each serving provides a good source of protein, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. While the dish does contain some indulgent ingredients like bacon and maple syrup, the portion sizes and overall nutrient profile make it a wholesome and comforting choice for your dinner table.
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 29 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Sodium: 823 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I serve with this Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake?
This Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake pairs beautifully with fluffy mashed potatoes, fragrant rice, or a crisp green salad. The dish’s rich, sweet, and spicy flavors are perfectly complemented by these simple yet delicious sides.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! You can easily substitute the chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This will result in a leaner, slightly drier version of the dish, but the flavors will still be delicious.
How can I adjust the heat level?
To adjust the heat level, you can use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount of hot sauce called for in the recipe. Start with a smaller quantity and taste, then add more if you’d like an extra kick of heat.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, this Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving. Simply assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. This makes it a convenient option for busy weeknights or when hosting guests.
Is this recipe suitable for a crowd?
Absolutely! This recipe can easily be scaled up to serve a larger group. Simply increase the quantities of the ingredients proportionally and bake in a larger baking dish or divide the mixture between multiple dishes. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to impress.
Try These Next
- Maple Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake
- Spicy Maple Bourbon Bacon Burger With Jalapeno Crunch
- Spicy Maple Bacon Pepper Jack Burger Melt
Delicious Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Bake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A delicious and spicy chicken bake featuring crispy bacon and a sweet maple glaze.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
6 slices of bacon
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix maple syrup, hot sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the maple mixture over them.
4. Wrap each chicken breast with bacon slices.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the maple mixture for a few hours before baking.
Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg