Low Carb Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
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Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites are always a hit at parties, but they make a simple, low-carb meal option too. Toss pieces of chicken in a few seasonings and roll them up in bacon strips, then bake until juicy and crispy. And for a simple glaze option, add a sprinkle of brown sugar on top!
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting appetizer recipes, and these chicken bites wrapped in bacon hit all the notes — savory, sweet, salty, smoky, YUM!!
They fly off the plate pretty fast too, so I’m often making a double batch just to keep everyone happy.
The secret to that flavor explosion is a sprinkle of brown sugar on top that melts into an irresistible glaze.
I love bacon wrapped anything — Brussels sprouts, corn on the cob, jalapeno poppers, and even meatloaf!
I mean, bacon just makes everything better… amirite?!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken – I like to use boneless, skinless breasts for this recipe — it’s super easy to get consistently sized pieces, plus a lot more per piece of chicken.
Tenderloins are the next best option since they’re already in easy-to-slice strips.
That said, chicken thighs may be a better choice if you’re eating keto (fewer calories and more fat) so feel free to use those instead. - Bacon – While thick-cut strips are my favorite for breakfast, they’re a lot harder to wrap around other foods… and stay put!
Stick with thinner strips when making chicken bacon wrapped bites. - Seasonings – You know there’s garlic powder, plus salt and pepper, but I like to add a little smoked paprika as well.
It perfectly complements the sweetness of the brown sugar and enhances the savory flavors of both the chicken and bacon.
Feel free to kick things up a notch with some cayenne pepper or chili powder too! - Brown Sugar – This is completely optional but makes a huge difference in flavor.
It melts in the oven with the bacon fat, making a simple, delicious glaze that tastes so good!
For a low carb version of bacon wrapped chicken bites with brown sugar, be sure to use Swerve.
If you don’t have any, you’ll need to skip it — regular brown sugar has a higher carb count.
Tips for Making Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites with Brown Sugar
- Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil.
You’ll already have to spend some time cleaning the wire rack, so you might as well make things a little bit easier.
Cover the sheet pan with foil to catch all the bacon grease drippings, then leave it while the fat cools and solidifies. Once solid, ball it up and toss it in the trash. Easy peasy!
- Cut chicken into evenly sized pieces.
Aim for 1-inch cubes — any bigger and you won’t be able to wrap the bacon all the way around.
Keeping them all the same size also ensures they bake at the same rate and are done at the same time.
You aren’t going to want to check the temperature on every single bite. There’s just too many!
- Get extra crispy results.
I don’t usually find it necessary, but you can partially cook the bacon strips first.
This gives them a head start so you’re guaranteed a crispy exterior without worrying about the meat in the center drying out.
No more than 5-7 minutes though, or they’ll shrink too much and make it harder to wrap around the chicken.
Then when you sprinkle the bacon wrapped chicken bites with brown sugar, it will melt into the bacon fat right away, creating that sticky sweet glaze.
Prep Ahead
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces
- Slice bacon strips into thirds
- Preheat oven to 375°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Wire Rack set inside of a rimmed Baking Sheet
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Mixing Bowl – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Digital Meat Thermometer – Not only will you know when meat is safe to eat, but you can make sure it’s not overcooked and dried out as well.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken bacon wrapped bites make a great keto-friendly appetizer, but they’re just as tasty when served as part of a meal. Pair with a salad or vegetable, some cauliflower rice, or both!
These are delicious with a dipping sauce too — choose from ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or a spicy Sriracha mayo.
Storing and Reheating Chicken Bites Wrapped in Bacon
These are best served fresh when the bacon is hot and crispy. However, you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days if needed.
Reheat bacon wrapped chicken bites in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F, or pop them in the air fryer for a better chance at getting the bacon crispy again!
I don’t recommend using the microwave for these — they’ll likely become tough and dry.
You can also freeze this appetizer for up to 3 months. Flash freeze, store in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, then reheat from frozen.
Add a few minutes to the cooking time to ensure they’re warmed through.
Chicken Bacon Wrapped Bites FAQ
Remove one of the bacon wrapped chicken bites from the baking sheet and slice it in half. If it’s no longer pink in the center, you know the batch is done!
You can also insert a meat thermometer into the center — it should read 165°F when the chicken is fully cooked.
Sure! Leave off the brown sugar for natural savory flavor, or swap it for a sprinkle of parmesan instead.
You could also sneak a small piece of cheese between the chicken and bacon before rolling them up!
Not for this recipe! Place chicken bites wrapped in bacon seam-side down on the baking sheet, and they won’t come unraveled.
As they bake, the bacon will stick to itself and the meat in the center to form a perfectly poppable bite!
Enjoy!
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Low Carb Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 19-20 bacon strips, regular thickness, cut into thirds
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, (use brown sugar swerve for keto), optional
- Garnish: fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare a large baking sheet with a wire rack on top and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Wrap each chicken piece with a slice of bacon. Place the wrapped chicken onto the baking sheet with the seam side down.
- Sprinkle the wrapped chicken pieces with brown sugar (if desired) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F and bacon is crisp.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2024
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This recipe was super easy and so delicious! Perfect for our keto diet.
Hi Skylar!
We’re so glad you enjoyed.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn