These bacon wrapped chicken bites are sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next event. Tender, juicy, a little spicy and dripping with loads of flavor.
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It's summertime and I am all for easy recipes over here. These bacon wrapped chicken bites are so simple to put together for those outdoor gatherings. They can be ready start to finish in under 30 minutes.
I'm using my air fryer which makes it even quicker to get these delicious bite size treats on the table. It's the perfect appliance to make anything bacon wrapped just like my Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies and the Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites.
I guarantee you will just love the crispy bacon that surrounds the mouthwatering juicy chicken coupled with the hints of smoky chipotle flavoring. It's a crowd pleasure for sure but also can be a fantastic afternoon snack. This bacon wrapped chicken recipe is also low-carb and keto friendly so it's great if your trying to be more health conscious this summer.
Ingredients
- Chicken - Breast fillets that are cut into bite size pieces.
- Bacon - Thinly sliced so the chicken bites crisp up and cook evenly.
- Seasonings - Garlic powder, ground oregano, and chipotle pepper are used to create a spicy medley for the bites.
- Olive oil - To drizzle on the chicken.
- Salt and Pepper - Adjust to your preferred taste.
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Let's gather our chicken, bacon and seasonings to make these delicious bite size treats. Then, preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
Pat dry chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Drizzle chicken with olive oil.
Season all sides of chicken with salt, black pepper, oregano, and chipotle.
Wrap each chicken with bacon strips, secure with toothpicks if necessary.
Air fry and set timer for 15 minutes. Flip each bacon wrapped chicken halfway through. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to cool for a minute and transfer to a serving plate or bowl.
Hint: I like to pre-cook the bacon slightly before wrapping it around the chicken. This ensures that the bacon gets crispy without overcooking the chicken.
Variations
Here are a few suggestions on how you can customize this bacon wrapped chicken recipe.
- Make them spicier. If you'd like these chicken bites with a bit more spice, add a slice of jalapeno to the top of the chicken and wrap the bacon around it. You can also add additional spices such as smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Add herbs. In addition to the seasonings, you can add herbs such as basil, rosemary or thyme to change up the flavor profile.
- Add a sauce. Honey, honey mustard, BBQ or maple syrup are great sauces that can be drizzled on top of the bite to enjoy. You could also marinate the chicken beforehand in one of these sauces then cook in the air fryer with the bacon.
- Add cheese. Stuffed cream cheese, cheddar or mozzarella are all options to make these chicken bites cheesy. You can slice open the chicken and place cheese inside.
- Add pineapple. Pineapple and bacon go hand in hand just like in my bacon wrapped pineapple. You can add a slice on top of the chicken then wrap in bacon for a tropical taste with the smoky bacon.
Tips
Top tip: Use thinly sliced bacon. Thick cuts of bacon will not crisp up as nicely and cook evenly so make sure you are using a thinner bacon.
- Secure the bacon with toothpicks. This will help make sure the bacon doesn't fall off the chicken during baking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Place chicken bites with enough space to allow proper air flow. If you are doubling this recipe, you may want to cook them in batches.
- Monitor them as they cook. This recipe was tested on an Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven.
- Adjust air fryer trays. When using two trays, contents in the first tray will cook faster than the second tray. After removing the first tray from the cooking chamber, move the second tray into the middle chamber. After this is done, remove the second tray and return the first tray into the middle chamber. Place the second tray at the bottom of the cooking chamber near the drip pan.
- Flip the bacon wrapped chicken bites half way through cooking. This allows them to cook evenly. Use tongs so you don't burn yourself.
- Let chicken bites rest before serving. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving so the flavors and juices have time to meld together.
Serving suggestions
These tasty chicken bites wrapped in bacon go wonderful with a variety of dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, aioli or BBQ.
If you are looking to add them to a meal these bacon wrapped chicken bites pair so well with salads such as this Sante Fe Salad or this Green Bean Tomato Salad.
If you want to enjoy these bites as an appetizer, they can be served alongside Jalapeno Poppers or these Shrimp Cucumber Bites.Since these bites have a bit of a kick with the chipotle, wash them down with a tall Iced Sweet Blackberry Tea or Blueberry Vodka Lemonade.
Storage
Once the bacon wrapped chicken bites have cooled, place in an airtight container or bag and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
For reheating, place in the air fryer on 370°F. Let heat up for 5-10 minutes or until desired warmth. The air fryer will help the bites maintain crispiness.
FAQs
Thin cut bacon is the best type to use because it allows the chicken and bacon to cook more evenly. In addition, it crisps up better than thicker bacon. As for variety, either pork or turkey bacon is fine to use.
In this recipe, I am using chicken breast fillets, but you can also use tenders or thighs. Thighs will be a bit juicier.
Yes, you can prepare in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until your ready to heat them up.
The thickest part of the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This can be achieved by using a meat thermometer to measure for doneness.
Related Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, give some of these other air fryer appetizer recipes a try.
- Lumpia is a crispy Filipino spring roll that's always a hit.
- Crab melt is so quick to prepare using canned meat.
- Bacon wrapped onion rings are loaded with flavor.
- Air fryer pork belly bites are crisp outside and juicy inside.
- Bacon wrapped shrimp are always a crowd pleaser.
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Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast Bites
Ingredients
- 4 small skinless boneless chicken breast fillets
- 6 slices bacon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground oregano
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoons olive oil use up to 2 tablespoons if needed
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer at 370F (188C). Set at 15 minutes.
- Pat dry chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Each fillet can produce 4 to 5 bite-sized cuts.
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil.
- Season all sides of chicken with salt, black pepper, oregano, and chipotle.
- Wrap each chicken with bacon strips, secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Gently transfer bacon wrapped chicken onto the Air Fryer tray and slowly insert the first tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. Insert the second tray below the first tray.
- Flip each bacon wrapped chicken halfway through.
- Remove bacon wrapped chicken once bacon has been cooked to a crisp and the internal temperature of chicken reached 165 degrees F.
- Allow to cool for a minute and transfer to a serving plate or bowl.
Phenie
If these can be done in the oven, what temp should the oven be set at?
Lisa MarcAurele
I'd do them at 400°F and watch them as the time may need adjustment.