Are you on the hunt for the perfect bite-sized appetizer or snack? If so, I bet you’ll love my Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. This recipe features juicy, tender chicken seasoned with notes of honey, chipotle peppers, and a proprietary blend of herbs that brings out the meat’s natural goodness. The chicken is then wrapped in crisp bacon, smothered with light brown sugar, and infused with a pop of heat.
The Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites get the perfect kiss of smoke on the Traeger Ironwood XL, where they cook in 1 hour. These little bites of love are the ideal snack for game day or any weekend cookout. With a combination of ease and a short cooking window, you’ll have everyone (literally!) eating out of your hand in no time.
Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites | Heath Riles BBQ
If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I’ll take any opportunity to wrap something in bacon! For example, my Bacon Wrapped Cheese Ravioli and Bacon Wrapped Green Beans have gotten countless five-star reviews! I must say, though, that this recipe for Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites holds a special place in my heart. True magic happens when you combine salty bacon with juicy chicken!
Feel free to make this recipe your own by switching up the seasonings used, type of bacon, and even cut of meat. You can also marinate your chicken overnight or brine it for extra juiciness. Hosting a party? Create a dipping flight by adding bowls of ranch, BBQ sauce, mayo, and honey mustard to a plate. The possibilities are endless.
The Ingredients
Craving a sweet chicken dish with a pop of heat? Here are the ingredients you need to make it happen.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken breast is a budget-friendly cut that makes for a delicious appetizer. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle BBQ Rub. This mouthwatering rub gives you all the flavors of honey with none of the char. It adds a beautiful pop of color to chicken wings, roasts, ribs, and more. Try it, and you’ll see why it’s a must-have for competitors and backyard enthusiasts.
- Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub. I created this rub to have the perfect companion for fried, grilled, and baked chicken. Many of the rubs out there contain fake ingredients that overpower the meat’s natural flavor. This blend of herbs and spices will make chicken, turkey, goose, and pheasant shine.
- Bacon. Any dish that includes bacon is a winner in my book. You can use your favorite bacon, but I chose the cheap brand! That’s the great thing about smoking meat - the most inexpensive cuts are transformed into something gourmet.
- Light brown sugar. I combined light brown sugar with my Chicken Rub for a tasty topping. The brown sugar helps this appetizer caramelize on the pit, giving it a sticky-sweet texture.
- Heath Riles BBQ Honey Habanero BBQ Glaze. My new line of glazes is the perfect way to add shine and zest to chicken, pork butts, and ribs. You can use it alone or add a dash to your BBQ sauce to switch things up.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Pellet grill/smoker. My Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites were smoked on the Traeger Ironwood XL. This pit is a fun model with a pellet sensor and super-smoke button for maximum flavor. But you can enjoy this model even if you’re not tech-savvy. It’s simple to use and fits perfectly on any deck. Traeger is my go-to for quality pits that last. You’ll never regret this investment, especially if you cook for a crowd.
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets. I love Royal Oak because they don’t use fillers, so you get a clean smoke. You can snag a bag at your local big-box store to see for yourself.
The Process for Making Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
You’ll find a detailed tutorial within the recipe card and video. Here’s a brief rundown of how I pulled these Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites together.
- Fire up the pit. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood XL with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 275℉.
- Prep the chicken. My chicken breast came perfectly trimmed, but if yours don’t look as clean, trim them to your liking. I chopped my meat by cutting the chicken in half lengthwise, then creating nugget-sized pieces. I kept my pieces uniform so they cooked evenly.
- Add seasoning. I placed the chopped chicken in a large bowl and seasoned it with Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle BBQ Rub and Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub. I tossed the meat so it was coated evenly, then set it to the side.
- Wrap in bacon. I removed the bacon from its packaging and cut it in thirds. Then, I wrapped each piece of chicken in bacon and skewered it on a toothpick. I like putting 2-3 pieces of chicken on each toothpick, which helps the chicken cook quickly and keeps the bacon in place.
- Add brown sugar. I placed the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub, and 1 tablespoon of Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle BBQ Rub in a small bowl and whisked it to combine. I sprinkled the mixture over the chicken, turning it to ensure each side was coated. I let the meat sweat in for a few minutes before setting it on the grill.
- Smoke and serve. I placed the Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites directly on the Traeger Ironwood XL and let them cook for 45 minutes. At the 45-minute mark, I brushed the meat on both sides with Heath Riles BBQ Maple Honey Habanero BBQ Glaze. I shut the lid to the grill and let the meat cook for 15 more minutes, giving me a total cook time of about 1 hour. The only thing left was to plate the meat and serve it!
The Results
These Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites came off the pit juicy and flavorful. The sweet notes of honey perfectly complemented the bacon, making it the ideal all-American treat.
Serving Suggestions for Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
This recipe is excellent on its own, but you can pair it with my Party Style Wings and Mississippi Sin Dip for a fun smorgasbord.
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites in the fridge for up to five days or freeze them for up to five months.
Equipment and Tools
Traeger Ironwood XL, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, Heath Riles BBQ Heat Resistant Gloves, disposable cutting board, mixing bowls, Victronix knife.
