The easiest, moistest, most flavorful chicken ever! This bacon-wrapped pesto chicken is full of flavor and cooks in just 15 minutes under the broiler—perfect for a weeknight meal! 
This bacon-wrapped pesto chicken is a real game changer. Quick to prepare and fast to cook, it delivers great flavor and a moist interior every time.
One of my favorite tools for speedy, flavorful cooking is the broiler. Many home cooks are intimidated by it—and with good reason. The broiler cooks at incredibly high heat and can char food in seconds. But that intense heat is exactly what makes it ideal for quick meals: it caramelizes and crisps while locking in juices, much like a grill.
If the broiler feels scary, think of it as an upside-down grill: the heat comes from above instead of below. With that mindset it becomes a friendly, fast way to cook delicious food.
The best way to cook this Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken
Using the broiler properly gives you juicy, caramelized chicken with lovely browned edges in a fraction of the time of conventional baking. This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook, so it can be on the table in roughly 30 minutes total.
This is a sponsored post for HemisFares™ brand, available exclusively at Kroger family stores. All opinions are honest and my own.
For Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken, jarred pesto is a time-saver
For weeknights, pantry staples that pack big flavor are invaluable. A good jar of basil pesto dresses up chicken, pasta, and vegetables in seconds. I used HemisFares™ Pesto alla Genovese (Basil Pesto, Find #50) for these pinwheel-style chicken rolls, spreading about a tablespoon on each strip before rolling.
I start by pounding boneless, skinless chicken breasts thin and slicing them in half lengthwise so each piece is roughly 1/4-inch thick. Season the strips with salt and pepper, spread on the pesto, then roll each into a pinwheel.
Wrap each pinwheel with a slice of bacon, tucking the end under the roll to secure it. Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, and set them under a high broiler. Cook for about 7 minutes, flip, then broil another 7 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and crisp and the chicken is cooked through.
The pesto keeps the chicken extra moist while adding bright, savory flavor. The bacon crisps up nicely under the broiler, providing a satisfying contrast in texture.
Aren’t they gorgeous? The vibrant green pesto, golden bacon, and juicy chicken make for an appealing plate—and they taste even better than they look.
Why this chicken stays so juicy
The pesto is the secret: it adds fat and flavor that help the chicken stay tender as it cooks quickly under high heat. If you haven’t tried the HemisFares line at your local Kroger store, it’s worth a look—there are plenty of imported pantry items that make fast meals feel special.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
📖 Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar HemisFares basil pesto
- 8 slices bacon
- ½ lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Preheat the broiler on HIGH and position the oven rack about 8–10 inches from the heat source.
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Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness (about ¼ inch) and cut each breast in half lengthwise. Season strips with salt and pepper.
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Spread about 1 tablespoon of pesto over each chicken strip and roll up tightly into a pinwheel.
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Wrap each pinwheel with a single slice of bacon, tucking the end under the roll or securing with a toothpick if necessary.
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Place the wrapped chicken on a lined baking sheet and squeeze fresh lemon juice over each piece.
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Broil for about 7 minutes, flip, then broil an additional 7 minutes or until the bacon is browned and the chicken is cooked through.
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Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition and Food Safety Disclosure