Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

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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. 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.

Editor note: Originally published June 15, 2012. Last Updated January 28, 2018. This is my most pinned recipe on Pinterest and is one of our go-to recipes for gatherings. Over the years I have done a few photo re-edits and some typo fixing but not much else. It’s time for a facelift and a dog picture.

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

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

Recipe Notes on Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

I did a triple recipe so the pictures will reflect that. The recipe and discussion are for a single batch recipe.

The original recipe called for 1/3 pieces of bacon, but 1/2 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.

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

Keeping them warm for serving could be a challenge. Electric griddles usually have a warm setting and will work well. We have a 40-year-old porcelain electric serving tray. Or 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.

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 degrees if they are out for more than 2 hours (they will not last that long).

Preheat oven to 350 convection. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Mix well.

Clean and trim about 1 1/4 pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx. 1-inch cubes.

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

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

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

Bake until golden brown. About 35 minutes for me.

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

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Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

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. A skill level of 3/10 (easy). Plus it is easy to double or triple if needed.

CourseAppetizer
CuisineAmerican
KeywordCompany, Party, Special Event

Servings	Prep Time
15 servings	25 minutes

Cook Time

35 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
15 servings	25 minutes

Cook Time

35 minutes

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

CourseAppetizer
CuisineAmerican
KeywordCompany, Party, Special Event

Servings	Prep Time
15 servings	25 minutes

Cook Time

35 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
15 servings	25 minutes

Cook Time

35 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
1 1/2 pounds bacon
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Servings: servings

Units:

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 convection. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Mix well.
Clean and trim about 1 1/4 pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast. Cut into approx. 1-inch cubes.
If using thick bacon, thin out with the back edge of a chef 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.
Prep baking sheet with aluminum foil a rack and spray with PAM.
Roll the pieces in the brown sugar mixture. Be sure to pack some in the ends. Place on the rack.
Bake until golden brown. About 35 minutes for me. Cover with foil on a heavy dish to keep warm until served.

Recipe Notes

See blog post for suggestions on keeping warm for serving.

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All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated. Rating is done by clicking on the stars above.

Last Updated
January 28, 2018

Nutrition Facts

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

Amount Per Serving

Calories 307 Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 20g 31%

Saturated Fat 8g 40%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g

Cholesterol 56mg 19%

Sodium 564mg 24%

Potassium 41mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 12g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 11g

Protein 21g 42%

Vitamin A 11%

Vitamin C 22%

Calcium 1%

Iron 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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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