I’ve been making this beef bacon wrapped chicken for years, and it never gets old. The combination of tender chicken breast wrapped in crispy beef facon creates this amazing contrast of textures that works every single time. When people ask me for a dish that looks impressive but isn’t complicated, this is what I suggest.
The trick with beef bacon is understanding that it cooks differently than the pork version most people know. Kosher beef bacon needs a bit more time to get properly crispy, but once it does, it has this incredible smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with chicken. I always start by partially cooking the beef bacon first. This prevents the chicken from overcooking while you’re waiting for that perfect crispy exterior.
The Key to Perfect Beef Bacon Wrapping
What I love about this recipe is how forgiving it is. The beef bacon acts like a protective shield around the chicken, keeping it moist even if you accidentally leave it in the oven a few minutes too long. I season the chicken simply with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Nothing fancy, because the beef bacon brings plenty of flavor on its own.
This dish works great for Shabbos dinner when you want something special but not too fussy. I usually serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a simple salad. The leftovers reheat beautifully too, though they rarely last long enough to worry about that. If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double or triple the recipe without changing the cooking method.
When to Serve This Chicken Dish

Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet, gently pound to even 3/4-inch thickness.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Season both sides of chicken breasts with this mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add beef bacon slices and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to crisp but are still pliable. Transfer to paper towels.
- Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of the partially cooked beef bacon, overlapping slightly. Secure with toothpicks.
- Place wrapped chicken breasts in the same skillet, seam side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes until bacon is golden.
- Flip chicken carefully and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before removing toothpicks and slicing to serve.
