Looking for an easy Christmas dinner without the hassle of roasting a whole turkey? This air fryer bacon wrapped chicken is a delicious festive alternative, filled with creamy Brie, sweet cranberry sauce and homemade sage stuffing.
Wrapped in crispy streaky bacon and cooked until golden, the chicken stays tender and juicy while the filling adds all those comforting Christmas flavours.
Serve with golden roast potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, Brussels sprouts and a generous spoonful of gravy for a lovely festive meal for two.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Christmas: A festive alternative to traditional roast turkey.
- Easy to prepare: Simple ingredients and minimal equipment.
- Delicious filling: Creamy Brie, cranberry sauce and sage stuffing.
- Crispy bacon: The air fryer helps brown the bacon beautifully.
- Ideal for two: No need to prepare a large Christmas roast.
- Easy to customise: Change the cheese, stuffing or side dishes to suit your taste.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 18–25 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Air Fryer Temperature: 190°C
- Course: Main Course, Dinner
- Cuisine: British
- Equipment: Air fryer, frying pan, sharp knife and meat thermometer
Cooking time is an estimate and depends on the thickness of the stuffed chicken breasts and your air fryer model.
Ingredients
For the Bacon Wrapped Chicken
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 180–220g each)
- 6 rashers thin streaky bacon
- 2 tbsp cranberry sauce
- 60g Brie cheese, sliced
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- A small pinch of salt, optional
For the Homemade Sage Stuffing
- 1 thick slice of bread (approximately 50g), made into breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp dried parsley
- 2–3 tbsp chicken stock, if needed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Christmas Dinner Sides
- Air fryer roast potatoes
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Warm chicken gravy
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing
Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the crushed garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the breadcrumbs, dried sage, thyme and parsley.
Mix everything together, adding a little chicken stock if the mixture seems too dry.
Season lightly and set aside to cool before filling the chicken.
Step 2: Butterfly the Chicken Breasts
Place each chicken breast on a chopping board.
Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through the thickest side without cutting all the way through.
Open each breast like a book to create space for the filling.
Alternatively, cut a deep pocket into each breast, keeping the sides intact.
Step 3: Add the Cranberry Sauce
Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce inside each chicken breast.
Leave a small border around the edges to help prevent the filling from escaping during cooking.
Step 4: Add the Stuffing and Brie
Divide the cooled sage stuffing evenly between the chicken breasts.
Add approximately 30g of sliced Brie to each breast.
Fold the chicken closed, keeping the filling tucked inside as neatly as possible.
Step 5: Wrap with Bacon
Lay three rashers of streaky bacon slightly overlapping on a clean chopping board.
Place one stuffed chicken breast on top.
Wrap the bacon tightly around the chicken, tucking the ends underneath.
Repeat with the second chicken breast.
Season lightly with black pepper.
Step 6: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for approximately 3 minutes if recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 7: Air Fry the Stuffed Chicken
Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, seam-side down.
Leave enough space between them for the hot air to circulate.
Cook at 190°C for approximately 18–25 minutes, checking during cooking.
If the bacon is browning too quickly, reduce the temperature slightly.
The chicken is ready only when the thickest part of the meat and the centre of the stuffing reach at least 75°C.
Step 8: Rest and Slice
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the air fryer.
Allow it to rest for approximately 5 minutes before slicing.
This helps retain moisture and makes the stuffed chicken easier to cut.
Step 9: Serve Your Christmas Dinner
Slice each chicken breast into thick pieces.
Arrange on warm plates with roast potatoes, honey-glazed carrots and Brussels sprouts.
Pour over hot gravy and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Choose similar-sized chicken breasts. This helps both portions cook evenly.
Use thin streaky bacon. Thin rashers wrap around the chicken more easily and brown nicely.
Cool the stuffing first. Allowing the stuffing to cool makes the chicken easier to assemble.
Avoid overfilling. Too much Brie or cranberry sauce may leak out during cooking.
Use a meat thermometer. The bacon can become golden before the chicken is cooked through.
Let the chicken rest. Five minutes of resting makes slicing easier.
What to Serve with Christmas Air Fryer Chicken
Crispy Roast Potatoes
Golden potatoes with fluffy centres make a delicious accompaniment to the stuffed chicken.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
Sweet roasted carrots complement the savoury bacon and tangy cranberry sauce.
Brussels Sprouts
Air-fried Brussels sprouts add colour and a lovely roasted flavour to the Christmas plate.
Chicken Gravy
A generous spoonful of warm gravy brings the entire meal together.
Easy Recipe Variations
Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Camembert
Replace the Brie with Camembert for a similarly creamy filling.
Cranberry and Cream Cheese Chicken
Use cream cheese instead of Brie for a milder flavour.
Turkey Breast Version
Try small boneless turkey breast portions instead of chicken, adjusting the cooking time and checking that the meat and stuffing reach 75°C.
Garlic and Herb Stuffed Chicken
Replace the cranberry sauce with a little garlic and herb cream cheese for a less festive variation.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover chicken to cool promptly and refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours.
Eat refrigerated leftovers within 48 hours.
Reheat only once until piping hot throughout, ensuring the centre reaches at least 75°C.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Brie and Cranberry
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (180–220g each)
6 rashers thin streaky bacon
2 tbsp cranberry sauce
60 g Brie cheese, sliced
¼ tsp black pepper
1 pinch salt, optional
1 thick slice bread (approximately 50g), made into breadcrumbs
1 tbsp unsalted butter
½ small onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ tsp dried sage
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried parsley
2–3 tbsp chicken stock, if needed
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Stuffing: Melt the butter in a frying pan. Cook the diced onion for 4–5 minutes until softened, then add the garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the breadcrumbs, sage, thyme and parsley. Add a little chicken stock if needed, season and allow to cool.
2. Butterfly the Chicken: Carefully cut each chicken breast horizontally to open it like a book, without slicing all the way through. Alternatively, create a deep pocket.
3. Add the Filling: Spread 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce inside each chicken breast. Divide the cooled sage stuffing between them and add approximately 30g of sliced Brie to each breast.
4. Close and Wrap: Fold the chicken over the filling. Wrap each breast tightly with 3 rashers of thin streaky bacon, tucking the ends underneath. Season lightly with black pepper.
5. Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for approximately 3 minutes if recommended by the manufacturer.
6. Air Fry: Arrange the wrapped chicken breasts seam-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook at 190°C for approximately 18–25 minutes, checking regularly. Reduce the temperature slightly if the bacon browns too quickly.
7. Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm that the thickest part of the chicken and the centre of the stuffing reach at least 75°C. Continue cooking if needed.
8. Rest and Serve: Rest the cooked chicken for 5 minutes, then slice into thick pieces. Serve with roast potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, Brussels sprouts and warm gravy.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook bacon wrapped chicken in an air fryer?
Yes. An air fryer is a convenient way to cook bacon-wrapped chicken, helping the bacon brown while the chicken cooks inside.
How long does stuffed chicken take in an air fryer?
Medium stuffed chicken breasts may take approximately 18–25 minutes at 190°C. The exact cooking time depends on their size, filling and appliance. Always use a thermometer.
What temperature should stuffed chicken reach?
The thickest part of the chicken and the centre of the stuffing should reach at least 75°C.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the stuffed chicken in advance, keep it covered in the fridge and cook it within the safe storage period of the raw chicken. Keep the filling chilled and avoid leaving the prepared chicken at room temperature.
Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes. Boneless turkey breast portions can work well, although they may need a different cooking time.
Can I make this without cranberry sauce?
Absolutely. Try caramelised onions, garlic cream cheese or a little mustard instead.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas dinner for two?
Yes. It’s a convenient alternative to preparing a whole turkey when cooking for two people.
Final Thoughts
This air fryer bacon wrapped chicken with Brie and cranberry is a delicious way to enjoy classic Christmas flavours without preparing a large roast.
With crispy bacon, tender chicken, creamy cheese and savoury sage stuffing, it makes a lovely centrepiece for a festive dinner for two.
Serve with your favourite Christmas vegetables, crispy potatoes and plenty of gravy for a comforting holiday meal.