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    Home » Keto

    Pan-Fried Chicken In Bacon Grease

    Published: May 23, 2019 Updated: Jun 14, 2022 By: Cassidy Stauffer May contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinnable image of keto chicken and bacon with text

    This easy, one-skillet fried chicken in bacon grease recipe features crispy bacon on top of seasoned, juicy chicken thighs. It's easy and even tastier than traditional keto bacon-wrapped chicken.

    overhead shot of chicken with bacon and asparagus on a plate
    overhead shot of chicken and bacon with asparagus on a plate

    Jump to:
    • 🐖  The bacon
    • 🐓 The chicken thighs
    • Storage instructions
    • 💭 Top tips
    • Looking for more Low-Carb Dinner Recipes?
    • 📖 Recipe

    Don't get me wrong, I love bacon-wrapped chicken and I've made many versions of it numerous times. However, I always have the same problem - getting the bacon super crispy without overcooking the chicken.

    However, in this almost Keto Bacon-Wrapped Chicken recipe, the bacon is super crispy and the chicken is perfectly juicy.

    This is because I cook them separately. First, you fry up the bacon until it's super crispy.

    Then, you fry the chicken in the bacon grease, giving it an irresistible salty, smokey flavor. Then spoon the crispy bacon over the pan-fried chicken!

    This method is easy and infuses so much more flavor than traditional bacon-wrapped chicken.

    If you love bacon, you might want to also check out my Paleo And Low-Carb Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf - it's a family favorite!

    Or if you're looking to roast a whole chicken, I think you'll love this keto roasted chicken with herbed butter jus (sauce)!

    🐖  The bacon

    chopped bacon on teal cutting board
    chopped bacon on a teal cutting board

    Start by cutting some bacon into bite-sized pieces.

    cooked bacon in cast iron skillet
    cooked bacon in a cast-iron skillet

    Heat a medium to large-sized skillet over medium heat. Once hot, separate the bacon pieces and cook in a single layer until crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan or the bacon won't get crispy. Cook in batches if needed.

    Once the bacon is crispy, set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate and temporarily remove the pan from heat. Cover the bacon with foil to keep warm.

    🐓 The chicken thighs

    seasoned chicken thighs on teal cutting board
    seasoned chicken thighs on a teal cutting board

    Mix together some sea salt, onion powder, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl. Then, evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over the thighs.

    💭Tip: While you could technically use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I recommend chicken thighs. They have more flavor and are more tender and juicy.

    Chicken And Bacon In Cast Iron Skillet
    Chicken And Bacon In Cast Iron Skillet

    Pour off all the bacon fat from the pan except around 2 Tbsp. and place back over medium heat.

    Once hot, add the chicken and cook 2 to 4 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan, cook in batches if needed.

    Once it's all cooked, spoon the bacon over the chicken thighs and serve with this roasted asparagus!

    Storage instructions

    • Store: Pan-Fried Chicken in bacon grease is best eaten fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
    • Reheat: This can be reheated in the microwave, or to get crispier bacon, reheat in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. If frozen, thaw before reheating.

    💭 Top tips

    • When cooking the bacon, cook in a single layer and do not overcrowd the pan. If the pan is over-crowded, it will not get crispy. So cook in batches if needed. Also, be sure to cook over medium heat. If the pan is too hot it will burn.
    • I recommend chicken thighs instead of breasts. Chicken thighs have more flavor and are more tender and juicy.

    Looking for more Low-Carb Dinner Recipes?

    I think you'll love these recipes...

    • Pesto Chicken
    • Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs With Avocado Salsa
    • Spaghetti Meat Sauce
    • Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin from Cook What You Love

    And this Keto Air Fryer Beef Jerky from My Life Cookbook and Garlic Butter Chicken from Michigan To The Table look great too!

    If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!

    Craving more? FOLLOW ME on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or E-Mail to find more delicious food!

    📖 Recipe

    overhead shot of keto chicken and bacon with asparagus

    Pan Fried Chicken In Bacon Grease

    In this pan fried chicken in bacon grease the chicken is seasoned and pan-fried, then topped with crispy bacon. It's easy and even tastier than traditional keto bacon-wrapped chicken.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, grain free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8 chicken thighs
    CALORIES :256kcal
    CARBS :1g
    FIBER :1g
    Author: Cassidy Stauffer

    Ingredients

    • 8 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
    • 8 oz. Bacon - preferably nitrate and sugar free (can use more if desired)
    • 1 tsp. Sea Salt
    • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
    • ¼ tsp. Ground Pepper
    • ½ tsp. Paprika
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    Instructions

    • Slice bacon crosswise into 1-inch sections, then separate the bacon pieces so they aren't stuck together.
    • Heat a medium to large sized skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place bacon into the pan in a single layer and cook until the bottom is browned, without touching. Then, stir the bacon and finish cooking until the bacon is crispy. Cook in batches if needed. Once crispy, set aside on paper towel lined plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Temporarily remove pan from heat.
    • In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, onion powder, pepper, and paprika. Evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken thighs.
    • Drain off all but about 2 Tbsp. of the bacon fat and place pan back over medium heat.
    • Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and cooked through. Do not overcrowd pan, cook in batches if needed.
    • Once the chicken is cooked, spoon the bacon over the chicken and serve. Serve with roasted asparagus if desired.

    Add Your Own Notes

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    Notes

    • When cooking the bacon, cook in a single layer and do not overcrowd the pan. If the pan is over-crowded it will not get crispy. So cook in batches if needed. Also, be sure to cook over medium heat. If the pan is too hot it will burn.
    • I recommend chicken thighs instead of breasts. Chicken thighs have more flavor and are more tender and juicy. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1chicken thigh with bacon | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1.1mg

    NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol

    Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.

    Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my

    Keto Resources
    Did You Try This Recipe?Mention @CassidysCraveableCreations so I can take a look!

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    Cassidy is a certified keto and intermittent fasting health coach and a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of her family, she serves up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. She's passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

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    Hi, I'm Cassidy! I'm a certified keto and intermittent fasting coach and am a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of my family, I serve up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. I'm passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

    More about me →

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