Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
These bite-sized chicken morsels enveloped in crispy bacon are the epitome of bold flavor—sweet, smoky, savory, and slightly spicy. Perfectly balanced in texture and taste, they make an irresistible appetizer for any gathering.
Pin it to remember it!
Print Recipe
Servings: 55 bites
Ingredients
- Approximately 2 1/4 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1-inch cubes
- About 1 pound of regular-cut bacon strips each sliced into thirds
- 2/3 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of mild American-style chili powder such as McCormick
- A pinch 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or double for increased heat
- Fine salt applied according to taste
- Toothpicks for securing each bite
- Aluminum foil for lining the baking tray
- A rimmed baking sheet
- A wire cooling rack that fits within the sheet pan
- Nonstick spray for coating the rack
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a rimmed baking tray with foil and position a metal rack on top. Thoroughly coat the rack with a layer of nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, blend together the packed brown sugar, chili powder, and cayenne pepper until uniformly combined.
- Lightly season the chicken cubes with salt. Wrap each piece of chicken with a third of a bacon strip, ensuring a snug wrap, and fasten securely using a toothpick.
- Roll each bacon-wrapped chicken piece in the brown sugar and spice mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated.
- Arrange the prepared chicken bites in a single layer on the greased rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the bacon becomes crisp and browned.
- Serve the bites warm immediately after baking.
Notes
For optimal crispiness, always place the bacon-wrapped bites on a wire rack set above the baking sheet. Cooking them directly on the foil-lined tray will cause the bacon to cook in its rendered fat, resulting in a less crispy texture.