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The best easy bacon wrapped chicken bites – chicken strips wrapped in thick cut bacon and baked for tons of easy, delicious keto chicken and bacon flavor!
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Table of contents
Easy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Baked bacon-wrapped chicken bites are a delightful appetizer that combines the succulence of chicken with the irresistible crunch of bacon, creating a perfect harmony of flavors in every bite. These bite-sized morsels are oven-baked to perfection, ensuring the bacon is crisp and the chicken remains tender and juicy inside. Ideal for gatherings, these savory treats can be easily customized with various seasonings or glazes, making them a versatile choice for any event. Served alongside an array of dipping sauces, they offer a tantalizing taste experience that’s sure to satisfy both meat lovers and appetizer aficionados alike.
These chicken bites are low carb, packed with flavor, and so easy to make – they make a great appetizer, a tasty snack, or a fun chicken strip alternative that doesn’t add any gluten, sugar, or fried breading. We hope you love these delicious, easy chicken and bacon bites as much as we do!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
First assemble the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts (2) – The chicken breasts are cut into bite-sized pieces, creating tender, juicy centers for each bacon-wrapped bite.
- Bacon (8-10 slices) – Bacon slices are wrapped around each chicken piece, adding rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture.
- Chili powder (1 teaspoons) – Chili powder brings a subtle heat and deep earthy spice to the seasoning blend.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon) – Garlic powder infuses the bites with a savory, aromatic kick that enhances the chicken.
- Celtic sea salt (1 teaspoon) – Celtic sea salt adds a natural mineral-rich saltiness that boosts all the other flavors.
- Fresh cracked black pepper (1 teaspoon) – Fresh cracked black pepper offers bold, sharp heat and complements the bacon’s smokiness.
Once you have assembled the ingredients use this method:
Prep
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and prepare a baking sheet with a metal cooling rack on top. Spray cooling rack with cooking spray. Line bottom of baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Assemble
Cut chicken breasts into thin strips, about 2-3″ long and 1″ thick. In a small bowl, toss chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, sugar (optional, see notes), and chili powder. Cut bacon strips in half, and wrap around seasoned chicken strips. Arrange bacon chicken bites on wire rack and place in oven.
Bake and Enjoy
Bake 15 minutes and flip to other side. Continue to bake until bacon is crispy and chicken has reached 175 degrees internal temperature. If desired, add bacon chicken bites into pan and crisp bacon even more just before serving. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Savory Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Choose the Right Chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, as they’re easier to cut into uniform bite-size pieces, ensuring even cooking.
Cut Evenly: Make sure to cut the chicken into even pieces to promote uniform cooking. Bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch, are ideal.
Select Quality Bacon: Use thin or regular cut bacon for easier wrapping around the chicken bites. Thick-cut bacon can be too bulky and may not cook as evenly.
Secure with Toothpicks: Use toothpicks to secure the bacon ends to the chicken. This helps the bacon stay wrapped during the cooking process.
Season Well: Before wrapping with bacon, season the chicken pieces with your favorite spices or a simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance their flavor.
Pre-Cook Bacon (Optional): For extra crispy bacon, consider partially cooking the bacon slices before wrapping. This can be done in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes.
Use a Wire Rack: Bake the chicken bites on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow air circulation, which helps the bacon become crispy all around.
Avoid Overcrowding: Place the wrapped chicken bites spaced apart on the rack to ensure they cook evenly and the bacon crisps up nicely.
Baste for Extra Flavor: Halfway through baking, you can baste the chicken bites with a mixture of BBQ sauce, honey, or maple syrup for added flavor and a sticky glaze.
Check for Doneness: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy bacon, broil the chicken bites for a couple of minutes at the end of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Let Rest Before Serving: Allow the chicken bites to cool for a few minutes after baking. This makes them easier to handle and lets the flavors meld.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
FAQs
Thin or regular cut bacon is best for wrapping as it cooks evenly and becomes crispy without overwhelming the chicken. Thick-cut bacon can take longer to cook and may result in undercooked chicken.
Yes, chicken thighs can be used and may even add more flavor due to their higher fat content. Just ensure they’re boneless, skinless, and cut into uniform bite-sized pieces.
Secure the bacon around the chicken bites with toothpicks. This helps keep the bacon in place during the cooking process.
Baking the chicken bites on a wire rack allows heat to circulate around the bacon, making it crispier. Additionally, you can broil the bites for the last few minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Absolutely! Season the chicken with your favorite spices before wrapping in bacon for extra flavor. You can also brush the bites with BBQ sauce, honey, or maple syrup in the last few minutes of baking for a glaze.
Yes, you can wrap the chicken in bacon and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Just let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.
What to Enjoy with Bacon Chicken Bites
Try these bacon and chicken bites with my favorite fry sauce and a side of tangy and crunchy coleslaw, classic potato salad, and cornbread.
If you love these bacon wrapped chicken bites, you’ll love these other easy appetizers! Some of my all time favorites like Brown Sugar Scallops, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Keto Ham and Cheese Rolls, Bang Bang Shrimp, and Jalapeno Cheddar Bread!
Click here for our complete appetizer archives.
These are some of my favorite chicken recipes of all time – my classics like baked ranch chicken thighs, the best baked chicken thighs, creamy chicken and mushrooms, lemon chicken, and air fried chicken drumsticks.
You can find our entire keto chicken recipe archives here.
Try these other favorite recipes next:
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Best Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 8-10 slices bacon, sliced in half (for smaller chicken breasts, use 8 slices – for larger use 10.)
- 1 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and prepare a baking sheet with a metal cooling rack on top.
- Spray cooling rack with cooking spray.
- Line bottom of baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cut chicken breasts into thin strips, about 2-3" long and 1" thick.
- In a small bowl, toss chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, sugar (optional, see notes), and chili powder.
- Cut bacon strips in half, and wrap around seasoned chicken strips.
- Arrange bacon chicken bites on wire rack and place in oven.
- Bake 15 minutes and flip to other side.
- Continue to bake until bacon is crispy and chicken has reached 175 degrees internal temperature.
- If desired, add bacon chicken bites into pan and crisp bacon even more just before serving.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How can you go wrong with bacon and chicken? Such a great recipe!