Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites puts boneless skinless, package sliced bacon and firmly packed brown sugar at the center of a chicken recipe and finishes in about 45 minutes, enough for 6 servings or more as an appetizer.

• Yield 6 servings or more as an appetizer
• Ready in 45 minutes
• Prep 20 minutes
• Cook 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds boneless skinless, chicken breasts or chicken tenders
• 16-ounce package sliced bacon (thick cut or regular)
• 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If you have it, place an uncoated metal cooling rack inside a foil-lined large rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat with cooking spray. If not, line a baking pan or broiling pan with foil and lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into large bite-sized pieces. If using chicken tenders, cut them in half (you can fold over the chicken tender pieces when wrapping so they'll be thicker). Place the chicken pieces in a medium bowl and toss with the salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, garlic powder and red pepper. Let it hang out while preparing the rest of the ingredients (you can cover and refrigerate up to a day).
3. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and chili powder together. Cut the entire slab of bacon into thirds.
4. Wrap each chicken piece with small strip of bacon and holding tightly, dredge them in the brown sugar/chili powder mixture. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet (or rack set inside the baking sheet). If the bacon isn’t staying put, you can secure with a toothpick.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through. Flip it once if the chicken is laying directly on the baking sheet. Serve immediately.

Give it a minute off the heat, then serve it while it is still hot.