Chipotle bacon wrapped chicken bites are an easy-to-make appetizer full of sweet and smokey flavor. This crowd pleaser is low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free and perfect for any ketogenic or Paleo gathering.
If you like the combination of sweet and spicy flavors like I do, then this recipe is for you. The original recipe for these chicken bites comes from Paula Deen, and although good, I wanted to spice them up a bit. I wanted more flavor.
When I served these chicken bacon bites to my family, I felt like a star. They absolutely loved them! I served a blue cheese dressing and buttermilk ranch dressing on the side.
I don't often say things like this, but you need this bacon wrapped chicken bites appetizer in your life!
I just can't say enough good things about these savory little morsels. I mean bacon wrapped around chicken with a sweet "brown sugar" coating. It doesn't get better than this. Wait, yes it does...
This appetizer is super easy to make and just takes a few minutes to prepare. And, it's so darn good!
If you have friends or family who follow a low carb, ketogenic, or Paleo lifestyle, they will love you for serving these little guys. Our Paleo friends can enjoy these bacon chicken bites by subbing coconut sugar for my low carb brown sugar alternative. Everyone else can sub regular brown sugar for the low carb sweetener!
RECIPE TALK: I used Oscar Meyer bacon for this recipe because it's thinly cut. I found that any thicker cut bacon just didn't cook all the way through. In any case, putting it under the broiler for a few minutes on each side helped brown the chicken bacon bites. I did not use generic chile powder in this recipe, but rather Pure Ground Chiles which I found in the Mexican Section at the grocery store. It has a pure chile flavor and is free of weird ingredients or hidden sugars. I also used ground Chipotle Chile Pepper which I think was McCormick's brand.
I wanted to make fast work of rolling these Chipotle bacon wrapped chicken bites so I decided on an assembly line procedure. This requires one to have all of the parts ready before beginning; the spice mixture, the sweet & sour sauce, the chicken and bacon cut, and the pan prepared - then I was ready to go.
In truth, I doubled the recipe and used two sheet pans. I actually bought 2 pounds of bacon and 4 large chicken breasts on the bone (family pack) which were on sale at the store. I removed the chicken from the bone and used the tenders in the recipe as well. This quantity made 108 pieces which we snacked on and had for dinner with veggies.
GUESS WHAT??? You do NOT need to stick tooth picks into each and every little chicken bacon bite to get the bacon to stay. It's a time waster!
Just put them seam side down on the pan and they'll be fine. See, I saved you tons of time! You're welcome!
I've brought you several great game-day appetizers this month and am bringing a phenomenal appetizer roundup on Monday. Don't forget to check it out!
Here are the appetizers:
- Feta Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Two-bite Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
- Crispy Almond Sesame Crackers
- Low Carb Artichoke Hummus
- Low Carb Swedish Meatballs
These Chipotle bacon wrapped chicken bites are 1 net carb per serving (5 pieces)
Chipotle Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless-skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
- garlic salt
- pepper
- 1 pound bacon, I used Oscar Meyer because it is thin
Chipotle Chile "Brown Sugar" Seasoning
- ½ cup Low carb brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure ground chiles
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 2 tablespoons low sugar ketchup
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sukrin Fiber Syrup Gold or 1 T honey or 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 and place the rack into the middle position.
- Line a large sheet pan with foil. Place a cooling rack (like for cookies) in the pan. Alternately, use a large broiler pan.
- Mix the ingredients for the Chipotle Chile "Brown Sugar" Seasoning in a small bowl.
- Mix the Sweet & Sour Sauce together in a small bowl.
- Cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces and season liberally with the garlic salt and pepper.
- Cut the whole pack of bacon into thirds. Working with a third of bacon at a time. Take a stack of bacon and put each piece on a cutting board. Then put a piece of chicken at the bottom of each piece of bacon and roll up the chicken in the bacon. Place seam side down and move on to the next piece. When all pieces on the cutting board have been rolled, put them one-by-one into the chipotle chile "brown sugar" seasoning and roll to cover. Place the coated bacon wrapped chicken on the rack seam side down. Repeat the procedure until the bacon has been used up.
- Dip a pastry brush into the Sweet & Sour sauce and dab a little onto each chipotle chicken bacon bite. If you don't have a pastry brush, then spoon a few drops on each piece. Sprinkle any left over "Brown Sugar" mixture on the chicken bacon bites.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, then place under the broiler for 5-7 minutes, turn the bacon chicken bites over and broil for another 5-8 minutes. Makes 50-60 pieces and serves 10 as an appetizer (5 pieces each).
Lesa Cameron
I have made it twice now. We LOVE it! We make it in our air fryer & it's even better. Make it for special occasions! Thanks!!
Diane
Am I missing something, I don’t see ingredients or a link for the sweet and sour sauce. Really want to make these for football game on Sunday...they look fab!
Kim
No, you aren't missing anything, Diane. The recipe just formatted strangely when I changed recipe cards. I fixed it. Enjoy. -Kim
Diane
Am I missing something, I don’t see ingredients or a link for the sweet and sour sauce. Really want to make these for football game on Sunday.
Martha K Rose
Ever try to freeze these and reheat?
Kim
They do freeze well, Martha. I thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave, but they could be reheated in the oven. I have not reheated from frozen. -Kim
Dani
The only Worcestershire sauce that I know of that is gluten free is Lea and Perrins. I thought most others are not gluten free?
Kim
Thanks for sharing this information, Dani. There are also recipes to make homemade Worcestershire sauce. I haven't tried, but my mom has and it was wonderful. -Kim
Lynn
Thank Thank Thank you! This has become a family favorite!
Kim
Oh, great, Lynn. We really like them, too. Thanks for taking the time to let me know your family enjoys the recipe. Have a wonderful weekend. -Kim
Mikell
I don't have Sukrin Gold and need these for tonight. Can I mix the blackstrap Molasses with Swerve?
I love your recipes, Thank you for putting so much work into them! They have been so helpful in my maintaining a low carb lifestyle (health reasons) for a year and keeping my family happy too!
Kim
Sure, Mikell! That would be perfect. Thank you so much for your nice comment. Enjoy your weekend. -Kim
Liz @ Ready to Yumble
Mmmm bacon :) Love the tip to avoid using all those little toothpicks - I'll have to give this a shot!
Kim
Hi Liz. Yeah, all those little toothpicks seriously annoyed me during recipe testing. Don't need 'em, hooray! I hope you like the recipe. Take care. -Kim
nicole (thespicetrain.com)
Nothing can go wrong when there's chipotle, chicken and bacon involved! What a delicious recipe!
Kim
Thank you so much Nicole! You made my day. -Kim