Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

I recently found a recipe idea that I had to try.  It is chicken and it’s bacon.  Bacon wrapped chicken bites! Can’t get much better than that. 

My inspiration was from a website called Jocooks.com.  I tried Jo’s recipe just as it was written and found that the taste was right on point but I figured that the flavor could be kicked up a bit.  I tweaked the process and spiced them up a little and I think they turned out a little better.

How to make the bacon wrapped chicken bites

Start with 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, each 6 or 7 ounces.  The key to moist chicken is Brining,  especially when the chicken piece is small and could be over baked.  Use a glass or stainless bowl and add 3 cups of cold water and 3 tablespoons of kosher salt, (use less salt if using table salt).  Stir to dissolve the salt, then soak the breasts for an hour and a half.  This will infuse the chicken with moisture and salt.  Take the chicken out and pat dry with paper towels.  Cut the chicken into pieces that are 3/4 inch to 1 inch square.  Salt and pepper the pieces.

Here’s the chicken which has been cut up into 1 inch cubes and salt and peppered.

Mix 1/3 cup dark brown sugar and 1 tablespoon chili powder, (add 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper for some heat.  Something I’ll do next time I make these). Wrap the chicken in thin sliced bacon, (1/3 of a slab per chicken piece), that you place right in the sugar mixture  This process seemed somewhat tedious at first, but went pretty fast after the first couple pieces.  Try to get quite a bit of the sugar to stick to the bacon.  Set the rolls down on the baking rack with the bacon flap on the bottom.  No need to put toothpicks in it for it stays rolled up when baking.

Make sure you use foil to line the sheet pan because the sugar melts and drips. Cleanup would be something you’d want your spouse to do!  Place the sheet in an unheated oven.  The bacon browns better with a slow increase in temperature.  Turn the oven on 375 degrees and set a timer for 35 minutes.  The Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites will be done after 35 minutes.  Sprinkle some chopped flat leaf parsley on the pieces and serve.

By brining the chicken and starting with a cold oven, the chicken was quite moist and the bacon nicely browned.  

These are the perfect appetizer for a special holiday with family.

And you might like to check out these tasty appetizers:

• Instant Pot Chicken Wings
• Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
• Caribbean Salt Cod Fritters
• Smoked Salmon Dill and Capers
• Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
• 8 Popular Appetizers

BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN BITES

Spicy bacon/chicken appetizer everyone will love.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon wrapped chicken bites

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Brining time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Servings: 24 pieces

Calories: 52kcal

Author: Joe Boyle

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts , 6 ounce ea, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3 tbsp kosher salt
• 3 cups water for brine
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chile powder
• cayenne pepper? 1/8 to 1/4 tsp
• 8 slices thin cut bacon , cut into thirds
• salt and black pepper

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Instructions

• Start with 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, each 6 or 7 ounces. The key to moist chicken is Brining. Use a glass or stainless bowl and add 3 cups of cold water and 3 tablespoons of kosher salt, (use less salt if using table salt). Stir to dissolve the salt, then soak the breasts for an hour and a half.
• Take the chicken out and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into pieces that are 3/4 inch to 1 inch square. Salt and pepper the pieces.
• Mix 1/3 cup dark brown sugar and 1 tablespoon chili powder, (add cayenne pepper for some heat)
• Wrap the chicken in thin sliced bacon, (1/3 of a slab per chicken piece), that you place right in the sugar mixture Try to get quite a bit of the sugar to stick to the bacon.
• Set the rolls down on the baking rack with the bacon flap on the bottom. No need to put toothpicks in it for it stays rolled up when baking. Make sure you use foil to line the sheet pan.
• Place the sheet in an unheated oven. Turn the oven on 375 degrees and set a timer for 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 52kcal