Prepare to embark on a flavor adventure with these Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites! These juicy, crispy bites are the ultimate fusion of smoky, savory, and sweet, guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and bring joy to any gathering. Get ready to wow your taste buds and impress your guests with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
These Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are a true flavor explosion, combining the cozy comfort of chicken with the irresistible crunch of bacon and the bold punch of a zesty, smoky-sweet BBQ glaze. The result is a delightful appetizer or main dish that’s both indulgent and satisfying. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, a cozy movie night, or a festive gathering, these bites are sure to be the star of the show, leaving your guests craving more of their lush, melty goodness.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for these Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thick-cut bacon, and a homemade BBQ glaze that’s both sweet and spicy. You’ll also need a few pantry staples like brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and your favorite hot sauce to bring the heat.
- 1 lb (450g) – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 12 slices – Thick-cut bacon
- 1/2 cup (100g) – Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp – Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup (60ml) – Soy sauce
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (just adjust the cooking time as needed)
- Hot Sauce: Use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount to suit your spice preference
How to Make Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
Preheat your oven or grill to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each piece of chicken in a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Arrange the bacon-wrapped chicken bites on a baking sheet or grill grate, making sure they’re not touching. Brush the bites generously with the Sweet Heat BBQ glaze, ensuring each one is well coated.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Slice the bacon into 1-inch pieces, ensuring they’re the same size as the chicken for even cooking. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite hot sauce to create the irresistible Sweet Heat BBQ glaze.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your oven or grill to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each piece of chicken in a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Arrange the bacon-wrapped chicken bites on a baking sheet or grill grate, making sure they’re not touching. Brush the bites generously with the Sweet Heat BBQ glaze, ensuring each one is well coated.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Bake or grill the bacon-wrapped chicken bites for 20-25 minutes, flipping and basting with more glaze halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Remove the toothpicks, transfer the bites to a serving platter, and get ready to delight your guests with these golden, juicy, and flavor-packed morsels.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Smoky Twist: For a smokier flavor, try grilling the bacon-wrapped chicken bites over indirect heat or using a smoker.
- Bacon Variations: Experiment with different types of bacon, such as applewood-smoked or maple-cured, to complement the sweet-and-spicy glaze.
- Crowd-Pleasing: If you’re feeding a crowd, consider doubling the recipe and serving these bites as a snack or appetizer.
- Pair with Sides: These bites are also delicious paired with a creamy coleslaw or a fresh, zesty salad for a complete meal.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are best served hot and fresh from the oven or grill. They make a great appetizer or main dish, and can be enjoyed on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to restore their crispy, flavorful exterior.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the bacon-wrapped chicken bites up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate them until ready to bake or grill. Just be sure to brush them with the glaze right before cooking.
Nutrition Information
These Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are a hearty and satisfying dish, providing a balance of protein, healthy fats, and a touch of sweetness. Each serving contains approximately 220 calories, 15 grams of protein, and 12 grams of carbohydrates. The combination of chicken and bacon also provides a good source of iron and B vitamins, making this a nourishing and indulgent treat.
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bites in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the bacon-wrapped chicken bites up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate them until ready to bake or grill. Just be sure to brush them with the glaze right before cooking.
Can I use a different type of meat?
While the bacon-wrapped chicken bites are the star of this recipe, you can certainly experiment with other types of protein, such as shrimp or pork tenderloin. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How can I make these bites extra crispy?
For an even crispier exterior, try broiling the bites for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, or finish them on the grill over high heat. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Can I make these bites in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Air fry the bacon-wrapped chicken bites at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping and basting with the glaze halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
What should I serve with these bites?
These Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites pair beautifully with a variety of sides, such as roasted potatoes, a fresh green salad, or a creamy coleslaw. They also make a great main dish when served with a hearty side like mac and cheese or baked beans.
Try These Next
- smoky bbq bacon wrapped chicken skewers
- smoky bbq bacon wrapped meatloaf
- smoky maple bacon bbq chicken sandwich
Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites are the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors, wrapped in crispy bacon for a bite-sized treat that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 lb bacon, cut in half
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup honey
1–2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
Toothpicks (for securing bacon)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2.
3. In a bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, honey, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
4.
5. Take a piece of chicken and wrap it with a half slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick.
6.
7. Place the wrapped chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8.
9. Brush the chicken bites with the BBQ sauce mixture.
10.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
12.
13. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken pieces in BBQ sauce for a few hours before wrapping.
Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: bacon, chicken, BBQ, appetizer