Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites are the perfect party dish. It's easy to make with bacon-wrapped chicken, coated with brown sugar and spices, and baked to golden brown.
🐓Ingredients
Chicken—skinless boneless chicken breasts
Bacon—thinner is better
Pantry ingredients—Brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper-optional
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Featured Comment from Jamie: "5 stars—These are so yummy and so easy to make!"
These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon wraps have a skill level of 3/10 (easy)—a great finger food for "bring a dish" or game day parties. It is always the first dish to be finished off at the party. Take copies of the recipe with you.
The chili powder and cumin add spiciness but not much heat. Add the optional cayenne pepper for heat. It is easy to double or triple if needed.
👨🍳How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
Note: Images are for a triple batch. The discussion and recipe are for a single batch.
Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional. In a large mixing bowl, combine ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder, and ½ teaspoon cumin. Mix well.
Clean and trim about 1 ¼ pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx 1-inch cubes.
If using thick-cut bacon, thin the strips of bacon with the back edge of a chef's knife. Cut the bacon slices into half-size pieces.
Cut the bacon in half, roll around the chicken cubes, and secure with a toothpick. This is the point to cover and refrigerate for better timing. You can keep it tightly covered and refrigerated for up to a day.
Prep a sheet pan with aluminum foil and a rack–spray with PAM.
Roll the pieces in the brown sugar mixture. Be sure to pack some in the ends. Place on the rack.
Bake until golden brown and at a 165° internal temperature for about 35 minutes.
Cover with foil on a heavy dish to keep warm until served. See the above discussion about options to stay warm safely.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
Party Recipes
Don't forget to check out other party recipes, like Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings, Lemon Squares, Candied Almonds, Cheesecake Bars, and Candied Bacon.
Check out these other great recipes for BBQ picnics and parties, like baked chicken legs, grilled chicken drumsticks, grilled bone-in or boneless chicken thighs, or burgers on the grill.
How to keep chicken bites warm for serving
Keeping them warm for serving could be a challenge. Electric griddles usually have a warm setting and will work well. I have an old heated serving tray that works.
A large crock pot will work with crumpled-up aluminum foil in the bottom so the bottom layer does not set in drained liquid. Use a low setting.
For food safety, keep the temperature above 140° if they are out for more than 2 hours (they will not last that long at most parties).
Making them ahead of time
Assemble them, but do not coat them with spices or bake. Cover airtight and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Storing leftovers and reheating
Store airtight in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Freeze for 2 months. Freeze on a tray to freeze individually for several hours, then transfer to an airtight container.
To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then in a 350° oven for about 15 minutes.
FAQs
If you use thinner bacon, it is not needed. If you skip it on thicker bacon, it will not cook well.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
📖 Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites—Sweet & Spicy
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Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts - cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 pounds bacon - buy good quality and thinner cut
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional. In a large mixing bowl, combine ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder, and ½ teaspoon cumin. Mix well.
- Clean and trim about 1 ¼ pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx 1-inch cubes.
- If using thick-cut bacon, thin the strips of bacon with the back edge of a chef's knife.
- Cut the bacon in half, roll around the chicken cubes, and secure with a toothpick. This is the point to cover and refrigerate for better timing. You can keep it tightly covered and refrigerated for up to a day.
- Prep a sheet pan with aluminum foil and a rack–spray with PAM.
- Roll the pieces in the brown sugar mixture. Be sure to pack some in the ends. Place on the rack.
- Bake until golden brown and at a 165° internal temperature for about 35 minutes.
- Cover with foil on a heavy dish to keep warm until served.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- If you are using thicker bacon, you will need to flatten it a bit with the flat edge of a knife. Thinner bacon is up to you.
- Chicken thighs work fine or substitute in small sausages or other things.
- The cayenne pepper is optional. It adds some heat.
- It can be made up a day ahead after covering the chicken in bacon but before coating it with sugar and spice mix.
- Serve warm. A griddle or crock pot will work nicely. See the post for discussion about food safety.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
© 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.
Adapted from a Food Network Paula Deen recipe.
Editor note: Originally published June 15, 2012. This recipe has been one of my most pinned recipes on Pinterest and is one of our go-to recipes for gatherings. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Deb says
I made these last night with chicken thighs (because that's all I had), and made these as a main dish. It turned out absolutely amazing!! For those of you wondering if you should add the cumin, YES, add it, it totally makes the dish! I increased the cooking time to about 50-55 minutes. I will definitely be making these again! Thank you for the recipe! :)
Judy says
Hi Dr. Dan, I have a regular convention oven should I add 10 minutes to cooking time? Looks yummy good!
DrDan says
I would probably up the temp to 375 and keep the time about the same.
Dan
nicole says
I followed this recipe to a T and I thought it was pretty bland and the bacon wasn't crispy enough without drying out the chicken. wont make it again.
Jimmy says
Hey, Dr. Dan!
I didn't see any replies regarding maybe cooking these on a bbq grill.
Think it would work?
Going on a vacation where we'll have a gas grill, and hoping to throw them on!
Thanks=
Jimmy
DrDan says
I would worry about grilling. All that sugar will burn quickly before the chicken would cook. If I was to try it, I would try indirect heat at about 400 degrees and some of that no stick grill foil with coat of PAM...just thinking out loud. If you try it please post results.
DrDan
Matt says
Great recipe! I did add a 1/4 t of cayenne pepper and went with 1 1/2 T of chili powder with 1/2 T of Chipotle chili powder. Will definately add this to the rotation.
DrDan says
That sounds great. Never be afraid to change the spicing to match your taste.
Thanks for the note.
DrDan
Tracy says
I have used water chesnuts instead of Chicken and they are DELISH! Cant wait to try this recipe, Bacon seems to make everything good! Wonder if Turkey breasts and Turkey bacon would work, may have to try it!
Karley says
Made this last night for the first time because I wanted to make something with chicken and bacon.
Saw this recipe and I knew I needed to make it. I only had Golden Brown sugar but I really dont think it changed it too much, my Fiance L.O.V.E.D this! I do too! I think I'll add a bit more spice to it as we like stuff with a bit more heat, but I could make this over and over and over again! Im actually making it tonight for a party! Hahah. Thanks for the delicious Recipe!
DrDan says
Karley
Thanks so much for the comment and rating.
DrDan
Katrena Thomas says
I'm wondering if I can make these in advance and freeze them, without the sauce of course. I planning a baby shower for my daughter and I'm looking for things I can prep in advance so I don't have too much prep work to do the day of the shower. Thoughts?
DrDan says
I'm sure it would work. Freeze on a tray then seal well. Apply the sugar and spice after thawing.
DrDan
Barbara Fritsche says
These are awesome and so easy to make. I big hit with everyone. Thanks!!
DrDan says
Thanks for the comment.
DrDan
Mark says
I make these all the time for pot lucks. For the questions of how to keep warm till served? I just simply make these a day or two ahead of the party, keep in the fridge covered, and then load into a big crock pot, take to work and plug in, turn on to low setting and in a couple hours these things are ready to be devoured! I even sprinkle a little more of the spice mix on as I layer them in the pot. Do not try to cook in the crock pot, only use it to warm them up. A rack in the bottom of the pot will help the last few from drowning in the juices and grease. I never have had any left to bring back home!
DrDan says
Great tip on the warmup. Thanks so much for the note and rating.
DrDan
Jamie says
These are so yummy and so easy to make! I add a dash (or two) of cayenne for a little added heat. I think it's important to note that you must use thin sliced bacon - the cheap stuff is the best! If you use thick cut they will be way too hard and chewy.
Rosemary says
My daughter-in-law hates chicken. Can I use boneless turkey breast. Should I season the turkey breast? Please respond need the info today. Thank you
DrDan says
Turkey would be fine... A touch of salt and pepper if you want but no salt if the turkey was injected or brined.
Have a great holiday.
DrDan
AJax says
What kind of dip would you suggest to go along with this?
DrDan says
We are not dippers so I have no inspired answer. They disappear almost immediately without dip and are the first empty plate at parties.
DrDan
cindy says
do you have to put on wire rack or can put right on foil lined baking sheet? Or maybe a baking dish?
DrDan says
The rack will help a lot.The bacon will create fat drainage.The rack will keep them out of that. Not to mention them sticking to the foil or pan.
DrDan
Chris says
Pan lined with foil will make it easier for clean up later.
Mary says
Love that your recipes are simple and that you show the picture of the necessary ingredients grouped together. I remember my mom using Tone's spices but cannot find them at my supermarket. Do you know where I might find these?
Thank you
DrDan says
Hi Mary,
Welcome to the blog.
Those came from Sams Club. So if Sams has Tones spices, then I would expect Walmart to but I don't shop there.
I have also seen them in Hy-Vee stores in Iowa but haven't been back to Iowa in a few years.
I think Penzeys spices are better and cheaper. I travel 40 miles to one a couple of times per year.
Hope that helps.
Dan
Sherly says
Hi, is big T for tablespoon and little t for teaspoon?
or was it a typo and both are tablespoon?
DrDan says
T is tablespoon. t is teaspoon. It an old standard abbreviation. I have it covered in the FAQs. In the first few years of this blog I used them all the time. Anymore I spell them out since it seems to be one of the more frequent questions.
DrDan
Letty says
This sounds delicious!!!!
I like spicy foods but my hubby doesn't. Anyone know what mixture might be good that isn't spicy that I could make for him?
I'll definitely make MINE spicy though :)
DrDan says
The cumin is the "spicy" but it really is not that spicy. Keep everything else the same.
DrDan
Chris says
I tried this recipe tonight. To me it’s amazing. Not spicy at all, but if you like spicy add about 1/4 tspoon of cayenne pepper. That should spice it up. Or your favorite hot spice. PersonLly I like Krystal hot sauce. It’s yummy to me.