Bacon Chicken Bites are a mixture of sweet caramelized brown sugar and the spicy heat of cayenne pepper that round out the savory and sweet tones to perfection! In case you want some more options for delicious appetizers, try my Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs and hot Jalapeno Corn Dip!
Bacon Chicken Bites
The key to mastering this ah-mazing little appetizer is to purchase the appropriate bacon. I know what you are thinking. Isn’t all bacon “appropriate”? Yes, I believe we are on the same page in terms of bacon always being an acceptable food option. However, if you are going to make this particular appetizer, I would strongly suggest getting the best quality bacon you can find. And, stick to thin-cut bacon (not thick-cut). The juices of the chicken and the bacon blend together and amp the spices of these chicken-wrapped bacon bites and take them to a whole new level. And, you can also make these in an air fryer!
Bacon Chicken Bites Ingredients
Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes.
Bacon: As stated above, choose good quality thin-cut bacon for best results.
Brown Sugar: The fat renders from the bacon and seeps into all of the seasonings and naturally carmelizes the brown sugar.
Onion Powder: Make your own onion powder if you don’t have any on hand.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Once you get your bacon slices cut in half and your chicken cut into cubes, it’s easy to get this appetizer made and enjoyed! First, place the half-strips of bacon on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Use about half of the seasoning mixture to sprinkle on the bacon.
Next, wrap each chicken cube in the bacon. Then, season the bites with the remaining seasoning. Bake for 25 minutes; then, flip over the bacon-wrapped chicken bites and cook an additional 10 minutes (or until the bacon is crispy). Serve hot.
Can I Make these Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites in an Air Fryer?
Yes! In fact, when we tested these in the air fryer, they were just as delicious as baking them in the oven. To make them in an air fryer, follow the instructions up to baking them. Spray the basket of your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray, and, working in batches, place the bacon-wrapped bites in a single layer in the basket.
Air fry the bites at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through (after 4-5 minutes). Remove the bites from the air fryer and enjoy!
More Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds
- 1 ½ pounds bacon, thin-cut
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
- Cut each bacon slice in half and place it on the lined baking sheet.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Use about half of the seasoning mixture to season each piece of bacon.
- Wrap each chicken cube with bacon. Season each wrapped piece of the chicken with the remaining seasoning.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Flip over the bites. Bake for another 10 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
Video
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Delicious served with a siracha aioli – I add a little honey to my aioli to balance out the heat
These were delicious. Every time I try to wrap something in bacon, or candy bacon, it takes double the time in the recipe. I couldn’t these crispy. They were delicious though! Does anyone have a tip to candying bacon and getting these crispy?
I’m going to test my oven tomorrow to see if it heats to the correct temperature…
Very yummy! I drained the bacon grease from cookie sheet after 25 minutes so the bacon would get crispier.
Made these chicken bites they were so good put them on the table and they were gone in seconds . So good
How about using BBQ sauce mixed with honey?
Hi I was wondering for the calorie count what is considered a serving?
Does the bacon cook and get crisp? Recipes like this usually require broiler at the end and then sometimes chicken is overcooked… kids won’t eat mushy undercooked bacon….
It does if you do not use thick cut bacon.
Do you think thin sliced pork belly would work for this recipe ? ( trying to watch salt intake)
Sure!
Hey Amanda, can you prepare these bacon chicken bites and keep them overnight in fridge and bake them the next day?
I believe you could. I would make sure they are secure & covered, or wrapped in plastic wrap to keep the meat from drying out.
These are delicious! I sprinkled a little more of the brown sugar mixture on top because I wanted a little more coating. Also I used parchment paper instead of aluminum foil for less stickiness
I’ve tried these using chicken tenders in the oven. Wonderful. Can you tell me if you can prepare in a smokers/grill? Would temp be the same as the oven?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recipe
it does not say the temp. for the oven?
It’s #1 in the directions.
I used foil and they came out perfect!! Super delicious!
I made these today for my book club and they couldn’t get enough of them! I can foresee that I will be making these for every pot luck type of gathering I attend for a long time to come!
Made these when the wife was working late, she loved them and took half into work next day. I couldn’t believe how mush juice can out, had to dump the pan before I turned them. Will definitely do these again.
For a dipping sauce, I think it would be good with a Jack Daniel sauce. They make a teriyaki marinade which can be cooked down. Yummy
Really really over the top delicious! I ve made them 3 times …after the first batch we made them a bit more spicy by adding more cayenne, but everyone absolutely loved them! We kept them hot in a slow cooker…even took them to a pot luck that way….You just try to eat only one….impossible!
The slow did not dry them out?
New to this way of eating. 1 C of brown sugar is a LOT of carbs. What is the kind you used?