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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They were great kids loved!! I used my air fryer and took 14 mins.
I made these the other day. My husband and I loved them. He thought the bacon could of been crispier. I cooked them for the amount of time suggested. My bacon was thin. I was wondering if I could bake them on a rack on top of a cookie sheet pan, so they wouldn’t be sitting in a lot of grease. I also had some chicken left but no bacon so I dredged the chicken in the seasoning and baked them. They were also very good.
Another delicious looking recipe that is choke full of sugar and undiabetic friendly.
OK?
Use Swerve brown sugar or mix a tiny bit of black strap molasses in your favorite sugar substitute & I’ll bet it would work fine. No need to leave a rude comment; just make it work for you!
Thanks for a great appetizer recipe that is EASY to modify for low carb! 😘
Wonder if I could use Lit’L Smokies smoked sausage instead of chicken?
This looks like a great idea the only thing I’d do is grind bacon intomni bits and add to coating to save time
The bacon wrapped chicken bites sound just fantastic. I am salivating just reading the recipe, do not need to taste them to know how good they will be.
In England UK we make some thing similar called pigs in blankets variation being sausage of your choice wrapped in bacon never thought to add spices also. Thank you very much for giving me new inspirations.
Do I need to toothpick them? Otherwise, how do they stay wrapped through dipping and cooking?
You can use a toothpick but we found that it worked out well without one too!
I have made essentially same recipe for several years. Only change is I use chicken tenderloins and wrap in full slice of bacon. Always a request at potlucks.
Easily made, I glazed in bbq
SO YUMMY
Can you make ahead of time. Then bake before guest.
You could, but I would try to keep them warm.
My husband loves it! Thank you fornthe recipe
I’m going to try this but was wondering why not dredge the chicken in the sauces before wrapping them in bacon.
I dipped -the bacon and chicken in melted butter and then dipped it into the mix……awesome result!!
I made theses bacon wrapped chicken bites tonight after seeing the recipes this morning while browsing Pinterest. They were delicious, I used not quite a tablespoon of chilli in mine, but used all the other measures, still had a good bit of heat in them, I used smoked speck around mine, which crisped up beautifully, would be great to take along to share with friends at a BBQ or get together, I used a toothpick to hold them together, makes it easier to eat when hot off the oven tray. Will be making them again very soon. Thanks Amanda for sharing the recipe on Pinterest.
Regards Sandra W
I just made them and it came out wonderful and it taste very good you have to try delicious
Thank you so much for the recipe. My husband loves it.
I made these for the Superbowl this year and they were a huge hit at the party! They were delicious!
Did you use any dipping sauce? We are making this for the super bowl!
We didn’t but you could pair this with a bbq sauce or a ranch dressing and it would be amazing!
Im thinking honey mustard for dipping…or kicken chicken sause..bourbon glaze sause n even jack daniels sause ..all recipes r online..
To the one who’s burned.::try using parchment paper instead of foil
Julie,
Thank you! Without your suggestion tonight would have been an outrageous mess.
I’m making them Sunday ( wish me luck )
Mine carmelized, got black and hard, smoked up my kitchen and set the smoke detectors off!! Not the desired outcome! I went backed and checked and I followed the recipe correctly.
Use parchment paper I assure you it won’t burn
In the oven?
looks good try tomorrow