
A savory-sweet appetizer that’s sure to impress at any gathering or party!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites:
1 lb (450g) chicken breast or tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 slices of bacon, cut in half
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toothpicks (optional, to hold each bite together)
For the Maple Glaze:
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Wrap the Chicken:
Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Wrap each piece of chicken with half a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
Place the wrapped chicken bites on the baking sheet, with the bacon seam-side down to prevent unraveling.
Bake the Chicken Bites:
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the bacon begins to crisp and the chicken is nearly cooked through.
Prepare the Maple Glaze:
While the chicken bakes, combine the maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small saucepan.
Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the glaze slightly thickens (3–4 minutes).
Remove from heat and set aside.
Glaze and Finish Cooking:
Remove the chicken bites from the oven and generously brush each piece with the prepared maple glaze.
Return the chicken bites to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the bacon is fully crisp and the glaze becomes bubbly and caramelized.
Serve Warm:
Allow the chicken bites to cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy these sweet, smoky, and savory bites as an appetizer, party snack, or game-day treat!
Optional Garnishes:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley for color.
Serve with toothpicks or skewers for easy grabbing.
Pro Tips:
For extra crispiness, broil the bites for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking.
Swap maple syrup with honey for a slightly different flavor profile.
Dig in and savor the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors!