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    🏠Home » Recipes » Appetizer and Party Recipes

    Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

    Jan 27, 2021 · Modified: Apr 14, 2021 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 76 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.22 from 270 votes

    What could go wrong with bacon, sugar, and spices? Cubes of chicken wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin? Great finger food for that "bring a dish" party.

    bacon wrapped chicken on a toothpick
    Chicken Bacon Wrap

    Jump To:
    • 🐓The Chicken
    • 🐖The Bacon
    • 👨‍🍳Spicing
    • ♨️Serving
    • 📖Party Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • 📝Recipe

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    Great finger food for that "bring a dish" party. These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon wraps have a skill level of 3/10 (easy). Plus, it is easy to double or triple if needed.

    Adapted from a Food Network Paula Deen recipe. I looked at it and thought it needed a little cumin and more bacon, so I did a test cooking the day before the big party and taste-tested with my wife. The cumin stayed.

    My Rating

    My rating system. Great 5 out of 5

    Excellent. Always the first dishes to be finished off at the party. Take copies of the recipe with you.

    🐓The Chicken

    I use skinless boneless chicken breasts for this recipe. But chicken thighs would work.

    The chicken should be raw, not precooked. It will fully cook with the bacon. If precooked, it will be way overcooked.

    🐖The Bacon

    The original recipe called for ⅓ pieces of bacon, but ½ pieces were better sticking together, and I like bacon.

    If you are using thicker bacon, you will need to flatten it a bit with the flat edge of a knife. Thinner bacon is up to you.

    👨‍🍳Spicing

    The cumin is optional. It adds only a little heat, but I think it makes these wraps something special. Cumin is always so good with chicken.

    ♨️Serving

    Keeping them warm for serving could be a challenge. Electric griddles usually have a warm setting and will work well.

    A large crock pot will work but put a bunch of wadded up aluminum foil balls in the bottom so the bottom layer does not set in drained liquid. Use a low setting.

    We have a 40-year-old porcelain electric serving tray that we use. I don't believe they make these anymore.

    Food Safety

    Lastly, I'm a chicken about chicken. I checked the internal temps of many pieces, and all were in the 180 range—no food safety issues.

    Serving wise, keep the temperature above 140° if they are out for more than 2 hours (they will not last that long).

    📖Party Recipes

    Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings

    Easy Lemon Bars

    Homemade Candied Nuts

    Cheesecake Bars

    Candied Bacon

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, Appetizer and Party Recipes, Holiday Recipes
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    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    Note: Images are for a triple batch. The discussion and recipe are for a single batch.

    brown sugar with spices

    Preheat oven to 350° convection. In a large mixing bowl, combine ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder, and ½ teaspoon cumin. Mix well.

    pile of chichen breast cut into cubes

    Clean and trim about 1 ¼ pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx 1-inch cubes.

    flattening bacon strip on a black board with a knife

    If using thick bacon, thin out with the back edge of a chef knife.

    plate full of bacon wrapped chicken cubes

    Cut the bacon in half, roll around the chicken cubes, and secure with a toothpick. This is the point to cover and refrigerate for better timing. You can keep tightly covered refrigerated for up to a day.

    spraying rack on foil covered tray with PAM

    Prep baking sheet with aluminum foil and a rack–spray with PAM.

    coating bacon wrapped chicken with spices

    Roll the pieces in the brown sugar mixture. Be sure to pack some in the ends. Place on the rack.

    cooked bacon wrapped chicken still on baking rack

    Bake until golden brown. About 35 minutes for me.

    pile of cooked bacon wrapped chicken on a platter

    Cover with foil on a heavy dish to keep warm until served. See the above discussion about options to keep warm.

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    📝Recipe

    bacon chicken wrapped chicken on a toothpick

    Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    What could go wrong with bacon, sugar, and spices? Cubes of chicken wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin? Great finger food for that "bring a dish" party.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.22 from 270 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 15 servings

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 1 ¼ pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts - cut into 1 inch cubes
    • 1 pounds bacon - varies some by thickness of the bacon
    • ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350° convection. In a large mixing bowl, combine ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder, and ½ teaspoon cumin. Mix well.
      mixing brown sugar with spices in bowl
    • Clean and trim about 1 ¼ pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx 1-inch cubes.
      pile of chichen breast cut into cubes
    • If using thick bacon, thin out with the back edge of a chef knife.
      flattening bacon strip on a black board with a knife
    • Cut the bacon in half, roll around the chicken cubes, and secure with a toothpick. This is the point to cover and refrigerate for better timing. You can keep tightly covered refrigerated for up to a day.
      plate full of bacon wrapped chicken cubes
    • Prep baking sheet with aluminum foil and a rack–spray with PAM.
      spraying rack on foil covered tray with PAM
    • Roll the pieces in the brown sugar mixture. Be sure to pack some in the ends. Place on the rack.
      coating bacon wrapped chicken with spices
    • Bake until golden brown. About 35 minutes for me.
      cooked bacon wrapped chicken still on baking rack
    • Cover with foil on a heavy dish to keep warm until served. See the above discussion about options to keep warm.
      pile of cooked bacon wrapped chicken on a platter
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    Your Own Private Notes

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    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips:

    1. If you are using thicker bacon, you will need to flatten it a bit with the flat edge of a knife. Thinner bacon is up to you.
    2. Chicken thighs work fine or substitute in small sausages or other things.
    3. The cumin is optional. It adds only a little heat but I think makes these wraps something special.
    4. Can be made up a day ahead after covering the chicken in bacon but before coating with sugar and spice mix.
    5. Serve warm. A griddle or crock pot will work nicely.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 226 Calories from Fat 108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12g18%
    Saturated Fat 4g20%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 54mg18%
    Sodium 583mg24%
    Potassium 327mg9%
    Carbohydrates 11g4%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 19g38%
    Vitamin A 340IU7%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 18mg2%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Appetizer
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Editor note: Originally published June 15, 2012. This is my most pinned recipe on Pinterest and is one of our go-to recipes for gatherings. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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    More Appetizer and Party Recipes

    • Easy Oreo Fudge
    • Extra Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
    • Candied Almonds or Other Nuts
    • Spicy Candied Bacon

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    1. Capspups

      June 13, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      4 stars
      This sounds like a good recipe if spices are kicked up. But, as a Latina I’ve got to say there’s NO heat in Cumin. None. I’ll make it using some Ancho Chile and Chipotle Chile powders for kick with cumin for that distinctive Mexican flavor.

      Reply
    2. Judy

      May 23, 2020 at 7:47 pm

      I wonder if the chicken wrapped with bacon could be frozen and thawed later. Then add the spices and cook.

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        May 23, 2020 at 9:05 pm

        Hi Judy,

        Welcome to the blog.

        I have never done it but I see no reason it wouldn't work well. The chicken and bacon will both freeze will.

        Dan

    3. Meg Dolly

      December 31, 2019 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      Hi,
      Is it okay to make this a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake?

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        December 31, 2019 at 10:18 am

        Hi Meg,
        Welcome to the blog.
        That is how I usually do this. I like to serve them shortly after baking but I make a bit of a mess. So I tend to make them in the morning and cook before the party later in the day.
        Dan

    4. Brittany

      December 24, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      I make this, however, I do 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp Mccormick's Brown Sugar Bourbon seasoning. I also add several dashes of crushed red pepper and garlic powder. They have excellent flavor and the right amount of spiciness. I recommend cutting the bacon into thirds au they crisp nicely. I highly recommend trying them this way!

      Reply
    5. TckHutch

      July 13, 2018 at 1:40 pm

      Thank you for sharing this recipe.

      I have 'followed' it with these variations: using only chipolte pepper for a wonderful burn, baking them in a pan allowing them to sizzle in the bacon grease, making them on skewers (like shishkabob) for serving as a main dish. Baking layers of chicken, precooked bacon, spicey sugar when I do not have time to wrap the bits or if I have too many to make. I think all variations of bacon, chicken, sugar, and chipolte will make many tastebuds happy.

      Reply
    6. Packrat

      June 07, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      I make a similar wrap a LOT. To help get the bacon crispy when the chicken is at it's optimal doneness I give the bacon a head start before wrapping. Using thin bacon, cut the pack into thirds or halves. Wrap the third in two paper towels and nuke in the microwave for 55 seconds. If using bacon halves, nuke for 80 seconds. This gives the bacon a head start towards the finish line.

      Reply
    7. Valerie

      February 13, 2017 at 3:46 am

      Hi . I made this yesterday using small sausages instead of chicken. BUT I only used 1 teaspoon of chilli. Here in Kenya (and the UK too) chilli is just about the hottest spice available. Cumin on the other hand is mild. So either you guys have mouths lined with steel or US chilli is something else.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        February 13, 2017 at 8:11 am

        As I get older, I'm more of a wimp when it comes to heat.
        You are definitely correct. In America "chili powder" is a spice mix of ancho chile powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano. There might be a few other spices added.
        Dan

    8. Mary Anne H

      December 11, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      I just made these. They tasted good but not very spicy and the bacon, having cut the strips in half left the bacon in the middle under cooked and chewy. Next time I will add a little more spice maybe some creole seasoning and cut the bacon strips in thirds so the bacon just covers the chicken once so its all crispy.

      Reply
      • Rose Cobb

        December 23, 2018 at 9:11 am

        Don't double roll the bacon I find that solves the uncooked bacon problem

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