Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

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

• Easy to prepare – Just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time makes these perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute appetizers.
• Naturally gluten-free – Great for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, no special ingredients needed.
• Versatile serving options – Pair with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, sweet and sour sauce, or teriyaki for different flavor profiles.

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.

In a large mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add the cubed chicken pieces to the spice mixture. Toss the chicken in the brown sugar mixture until completely coated. Place a piece of chicken at the top of the bacon piece. Roll the bacon around the chicken. Keep the seam side of the bacon down so that it doesn’t unravel. Place the bacon wrapped chicken pieces onto two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving space in between each one. Brush or dollop the bacon with any remaining brown sugar mixture at the bottom of the bowl. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Can I prepare these bacon-wrapped chicken bites in advance?

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.

What dipping sauces go well with these chicken bites?

These chicken bites pair well with a variety of dipping sauces such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy sriracha mayo.

How do I ensure the chicken is cooked through?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Expert Tips

• Cut chicken uniformly – Use 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Uneven pieces mean some will be overcooked while others stay undercooked.
• Try the wire rack method – Place wrapped bites on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet for extra crispy bacon. The heat circulates better and prevents them from sitting in grease.
• Keep seams down – Place the wrapped bites seam-side down on the baking sheet to prevent them from unraveling during cooking.

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

All Appetizers

• 

  Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks

• 

  Green Onion Dip

• 

  Gluten-Free Wonton Wrappers

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.