These Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are juicy, smoky, and sweet with a crisp bacon finish. Easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and versatile. Serve with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or any dip you love for a party-perfect dish!
The secret is the brown sugar spice mixture that coats the chicken before wrapping. It creates this amazing sweet and savory glaze as the bacon crisps up in the oven. Perfect for holidays, game day, or any party where you want something that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier to make. They come together in just 45 minutes and disappear from the platter even faster.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon – Use regular cut bacon for the perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness. Avoid thick-cut bacon as it takes longer to cook and by the time it crisps up in the oven, your chicken bites will be overcooked and dry.
- Chicken Breast – Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
- Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
- Paprika – Both regular and smoked paprika work well in this recipe, adding a subtle smoky flavor.
Wrapping Tip
When wrapping the chicken, make sure the bacon ends are tucked underneath to prevent unraveling during baking. Alternatively, you can secure the bacon to the chicken with toothpicks or appetizer picks.
Step-by-Step instructions
These bacon wrapped chicken bites make a great appetizer for any occasion because they are so simple to make. The below photos with matching steps are not meant to be the full instructions, but are there to help you see the recipe made at various stages. Pay special attention to the size of the chicken cubes, how to roll up the chicken bites and the spacing on the baking sheet.
For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken bites up to a day in advance. Wrap the seasoned chicken bites with bacon, place them on the prepared baking sheet or in a casserole dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
These chicken bites pair well with a variety of dipping sauces such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy sriracha mayo.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Expert Tips
Storage instructions
- Storage: Store any leftover bacon-wrapped chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken bites in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through and the bacon is crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until hot. Be sure not to reheat for too long or the chicken will be dry. I do not recommend microwaving leftover chicken bites because the bacon will not be crispy and the chicken will easily dry out.
Serving suggestions
These bacon wrapped chicken bites are perfect on their own, but they really shine as part of a larger appetizer spread. Serve them alongside gluten-free crab rangoons and gluten-free zucchini fritters for a variety of textures and flavors.
For game day parties, pair these with chili cheese dip and tortilla chips to create a hearty spread that keeps everyone satisfied. The combination of crispy bacon bites and warm, cheesy dip is unbeatable.
More gluten-free appetizers to try
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Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Spice Coating:
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Assembly:
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast - cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12 strips (265 g) regular-cut bacon - cut into thirds (about ¾ lb of bacon)
**Use the toggle button above to turn the instruction photos on and off!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast pieces to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated with the brown sugar mixture.
- Cut 12 strips (265 g) regular-cut bacon into thirds so you have 36 pieces. Place a piece of chicken on one end of a bacon strip and roll the bacon around the chicken. Repeat with the remaining chicken and bacon pieces.
- Arrange seam-side down on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each piece. Use two baking sheets if necessary to ensure the chicken bites are not overcrowded on the pan.
- Brush or spoon any remaining spice mixture over the bacon-wrapped pieces.
- Bake 30-35 minutes, switching pan positions halfway through, until bacon is crispy and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free with no special ingredients needed. Always check your spice blends if using pre-mixed seasonings to ensure they’re gluten-free.
- Make Ahead: Wrap and refrigerate assembled bites up to 1 day before baking.
- Bacon Tips: Regular-cut bacon works best; thick-cut takes too long to crisp.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat in 350°F oven 8-10 minutes.
- Extra Crispy Bacon: Use a wire rack on the baking sheet for extra crispiness.
Nutrition
