These bacon-wrapped chicken bites are sweet, savory, and so easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re ready in under 45 minutes and perfect for parties or snacking.
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Why You’ll Love Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken
If you’re anything like me, you’re always up for a tasty, meaty appetizer, especially on game days. These little bites deliver juicy chicken wrapped in savory bacon with a caramelized brown sugar coating that gives you that sweet-and-salty vibe everyone loves. They’re the kind of snack that disappears the second they hit the table.
Longtime readers might remember my Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies, which we’re all basically obsessed with around here. These crispy chicken bites are a fun twist on that same idea and just as addictive to munch on. I did a little experimenting to get the balance right, and the key ended up being a quick par-cook of the bacon so you get that perfect crisp without overcooking the chicken. Here's why this recipe is so great:
- Oven-friendly
- Sweet + savory combo
- Crowd-pleasing
- Simple prep
- Great for entertaining
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts- Lean, tender, and easy to work with. Chicken thighs work too, and they stay extra juicy!
- Bacon slices- Regular-cut works best. Turkey bacon can be used, but it won’t crisp quite the same.
- Kosher salt- Helps season the chicken from the inside out. Sea salt works as well.
- Black pepper- Adds a light kick. Feel free to increase for more heat.
- Brown sugar- Light or dark, both work.
How To Make Brown Sugar And Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Step 1- Prep the chicken and bacon
Trim and cut the chicken into uniform 1 inch chunks. Cut bacon strips into thirds.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment or a Silpat to prevent sticking.
Step 2- Season the chicken.
Add your cubed chicken to a bowl and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Toss everything together until each piece is well-coated, then let it marinate for about 20 minutes.
Step 3- Par-cook the bacon.
Arrange the bacon pieces in a single layer on a plate and microwave them for about 60-80 seconds.
Step 4- Wrap the chicken.
Wrap each piece of chicken with a strip of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
Step 5- Coat in more brown sugar.
Place all the wrapped pieces back into the bowl with the remaining brown sugar and gently toss to coat every side.
Step 6- Bake until crisp.
Arrange the bites on your prepared pan, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Bake for 15 minutes. If the bacon needs more crisping, switch the oven to broil for a minute or two.
Step 7- Serve.
Let them cool slightly, then serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, up to a few hours. Just cover and refrigerate.
Ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or even chipotle mayo all pair well.
Yes, you can assemble everything ahead of time, which makes this chicken bites recipe extra convenient when you’re hosting. Just bake right before serving.
Tips For Making Oven Baked Chicken Bites
- Cut the chicken evenly. Aim for 1-inch pieces and keep them as uniform as possible so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Par-cook bacon in the microwave. I cut each slice into thirds and nuked it for 1 minute in batches so as not to overload the plate. Go for a single layer
- Use a rack if you want extra crispness. Setting the bites on a wire rack over the sheet pan allows heat to circulate underneath.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cut the bacon and chicken and keep in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer so the bacon crisps back up.
What To Serve With Baked Chicken Bites
Turn these tasty bites into a full party spread with a mix of sides and sweets. They work perfectly with simple dips, veggie sides, and a fun dessert. Here are my favorite pairings:
Other Chicken Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon, cut into thirds
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into uniform 1 inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, divided
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast chunks into a bowl.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and ⅓ cup brown sugar and toss to fully coat.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fand line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Par-cook the pieces of bacon in the microwave for 1 minute- 1 minute and 20 seconds (this will vary by microwave). Make sure to form a single layer on a plate. I did them in batches.
- Wrap a piece of the cut up bacon around each chicken chunk and secure it with a toothpick.
- Once all chicken chunks are wrapped in bacon, place them all back in the bowl with the other ⅓ cup brown sugar and gently toss to coat each one.
- Spread them on the pan in a single layer but not touching.
- Bake for 15 minutes and if needed, turn up the oven to broil and broil them for a couple minutes to crisp up the bacon.
- Cool for a couple minutes and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Cut the chicken evenly. Aim for 1-inch pieces and keep them as uniform as possible so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Par-cook bacon in the microwave. I cut each slice into thirds and nuked it for 1 minute in batches so as not to overload the plate. Go for a single layer
- Use a rack if you want extra crispness. Setting the bites on a wire rack over the sheet pan allows heat to circulate underneath.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cut the bacon and chicken and keep in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer so the bacon crisps back up.
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