featured 6055 scaled

Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Chicken with Apple BBQ Glaze

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

Bright, savory, and slightly sweet, this slow cooker apple BBQ bacon-wrapped chicken combines tender chicken breasts with smoky bacon and a chunky apple barbecue sauce. It’s a simple dish to assemble in the morning, then leave to cook all day for an easy weeknight dinner or a weekend crowd-pleaser. The crunchy-sweet apples pair beautifully with your favorite BBQ sauce, while the bacon keeps the chicken moist and adds rich flavor.
Course:
Entrée
Cuisine:
American
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 4–6 frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb. bacon
  • 1 1/2 c. BBQ sauce your choice
  • 1/4 c. brown sugar
  • 5 sm. apples peeled and chopped
  • 3 T. lemon juice

Instructions

  • Wrap each chicken breast with 2–3 strips of bacon, securing them as needed so the bacon stays in place during cooking. Arrange the bacon-wrapped breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker. Using frozen chicken helps keep the meat moist and also shortens hands-on prep time.
    Bacon-wrapped chicken arranged in slow cooker
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, chopped apples, and lemon juice until well combined. The apples add texture and subtle sweetness that balances the smoky bacon and tangy sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness or tang by adding more brown sugar or lemon juice if you’d like.
    Apple BBQ sauce mixed in bowl
  • Pour the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped chicken, coating each piece. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is tender. For safety and best results, cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If you prefer crispier bacon, transfer the cooked breasts to a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes, watching closely so the bacon doesn’t burn.
    Cooked bacon-wrapped chicken in sauce

Serving Suggestions

Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, roasted vegetables, or over a bed of rice to soak up the delicious apple BBQ sauce. A crisp green salad or coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.

Tips & Notes

  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce—sweet, smoky, or spicy—to tailor the dish to your taste.
  • If using fresh (thawed) chicken breasts, reduce cook time and check doneness earlier; frozen chicken needs the full time to cook safely.
  • To prevent bacon from unraveling, tuck the ends underneath the chicken or secure with toothpicks (remove before serving).
  • For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken when done and simmer the sauce on the stovetop in a saucepan for 5–10 minutes to reduce.

Variations

  • Swap apples for pears or add diced onions for extra depth.
  • Mix a little Dijon mustard into the BBQ sauce for tangy complexity.
  • Use turkey bacon for a leaner option; cooking time remains similar, though texture differs.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave; if you broiled the bacon for crispness, re-crisp under the broiler for a minute or two before serving. This recipe also freezes well—store portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.