Description
Spicy sweet chicken bites wrapped in crispy bacon elevate game day snacking with irresistible flavor. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer, these morsels deliver a mouthwatering punch that keeps guests coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8–10 slices of bacon, cut in half
Spices and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Glaze (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Instructions
- Transform plump chicken breasts into delectable bite-sized morsels, meticulously trimming and cubing each piece to uniform dimensions.
- Encase each chicken cube with a half slice of bacon, skillfully securing the wrapping with a toothpick to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Craft a zesty seasoning blend by thoroughly mixing brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Generously coat each bacon-wrapped chicken morsel in the spice mixture, ensuring comprehensive and even coverage that will intensify flavor profiles.
- Activate the air fryer and set the temperature to 375°F, allowing the appliance to reach optimal cooking heat for maximum crispiness.
- Strategically arrange the seasoned chicken bites in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote uniform cooking and crisp texture.
- Execute precise cooking by air frying for 12-15 minutes, flipping the bites midway to guarantee balanced crispness and thorough chicken doneness.
- Create a tantalizing glaze by whisking honey or maple syrup with hot sauce, then delicately brush over the chicken during the final two minutes of cooking.
- Once internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F, carefully extract the bites and allow brief resting to stabilize juices.
- Present the succulent bacon-wrapped chicken bites accompanied by complementary dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese for an elevated culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal and minimal cleanup.
- Bacon Selection: Choose thin-cut bacon for quicker and more even cooking, allowing the bacon to crisp perfectly without drying out the chicken.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken reaches 165F internally, ensuring safe consumption while maintaining juicy texture.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to reduce fat content, or use plant-based bacon alternatives for vegetarian guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg