Bacon wrapped chicken breasts are a delicious and easy weeknight dinner option. The chicken comes pre-seasoned and wrapped in bacon, ready to pop in the oven or on the grill. But how long should you cook Costco’s bacon wrapped chicken breasts to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat?
Quick Answer: How Long to Cook Costco Bacon Wrapped Chicken
The recommended cooking time for Costco’s bacon wrapped chicken breasts is 35-40 minutes at 400°F. This allows the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, the safe minimum cooking temperature recommended by the USDA. Cooking it any less may lead to undercooked chicken.
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Here are more detailed step-by-step instructions for cooking Costco’s bacon wrapped chicken breasts:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Place the bacon wrapped chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet spaced apart.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the chicken registers 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
As you can see, the total roasting time is only 35-40 minutes at 400°F. This is enough time for the chicken to cook through fully and for the bacon wrap to become crispy.
Why 165°F Internal Temperature?
Cooking the chicken breasts to an internal temperature of 165°F kills any potential bacteria and makes the chicken safe to eat. According to USDA food safety guidelines, 165°F is the safe minimum internal temperature for chicken. Going any lower runs the risk of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella.
Using an instant read meat thermometer is the only way to accurately determine doneness. Appearance and cooking times can be misleading. The thermometer takes the guesswork out of it!
Factors That Affect Cook Time
While 35-40 minutes is the standard roasting time, there are a few factors that can slightly alter the total cook time:
- Oven accuracy – Older ovens may run hot or cold, meaning your real temperature could be higher or lower than what you set it to.
- Chicken size – Larger chicken breasts will take a bit longer than smaller ones.
- Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in will require a slightly longer cook time than boneless.
- Frozen or thawed – Frozen chicken takes 10-15 minutes longer than thawed.
To compensate for any of these factors, always rely on a meat thermometer over the recommended cook time. Check the temperature starting around 30 minutes, and continue roasting until 165°F is reached.
Covered vs Uncovered
You’ll get the best crispy bacon by cooking the chicken uncovered. This allows the top of the bacon to fully render and crisp up. If you cover it, the steam will make the bacon overly soft.
However, if you want to retain maximum moisture in the chicken itself, you can cover it for the first half of cooking, then uncover for the last 10-15 minutes.
Cook on a Rack vs Baking Sheet
Cooking the chicken on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet allows air to fully circulate around the chicken. This prevents the underside from getting soggy or stuck.
If you don’t have a rack, the next best option is to line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil before adding the chicken. The liner keeps the chicken from sticking.
Oven vs Grill
You can also cook bacon wrapped chicken on an outdoor grill! This adds a lovely smoky flavor.
Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F. Place the chicken skin-side down and grill covered for 8-10 minutes per side until 165°F internal temperature.
The bacon holds up well on the grill and provides extra moisture and flavor as it renders.
Microwave
We don’t recommended microwaving the chicken, as it won’t crisp up the bacon. You can microwave it briefly to finish cooking if needed, but for best texture oven roasting or grilling are better options.
Food Safety Tips
When handling and cooking raw chicken, follow these food safety guidelines:
- Wash hands and surfaces after touching raw chicken.
- Don’t wash or rinse raw chicken, which can spread bacteria.
- Use separate plates and utensils for raw chicken.
- Store raw chicken below ready-to-eat foods in the fridge.
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon wrapped chicken breasts pair wonderfully with all sorts of sides and sauces. Here are some delicious serving suggestions:
- Rice pilaf or roasted potatoes
- Sautéed green beans, asparagus or broccoli
- Caesar salad or garden salad
- Honey mustard, bbq sauce or ranch for dipping
Get creative with your favorite seasonings and sauces! The bacon, chicken and side combinations are endless.
Leftover Storage
Like any cooked chicken, leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Store leftovers in an airtight container towards the back of the fridge where it’s coldest. Use within 3-4 days.
The bacon wrap helps seal in moisture and prevents the chicken from drying out too much. But the leftovers may lose some crispiness as the bacon fat resolidifies.
You can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Or microwave in 30 second intervals until hot, checking temperature with a thermometer. Reheated chicken should reach 165°F.
More Recipe Ideas
If you love bacon wrapped chicken, try these other tasty recipes:
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Cut a pocket in chicken breasts and stuff with cheese, spinach and sundried tomatoes before wrapping in bacon.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Stuff chicken with ham and Swiss cheese, coat in breadcrumbs and bake until crispy.
Balsamic Glazed Bacon Chicken
Toss chicken in balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and garlic before baking. The bacon caramelizes in the glaze.
BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken
Coat chicken in bbq sauce and ranch seasoning before wrapping in bacon for a flavorful bake.
Conclusion
Bacon wrapped chicken breasts from Costco just require a quick roast at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let them rest 5 minutes before serving alongside your favorite sides and sauces. Be sure to follow food safety guidelines when handling raw chicken. Leftovers will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat thoroughly before serving again. Enjoy this easy and delicious dinner!