Sizzling BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites: The Ultimate Grilling Recipe for Any Occasion
Get ready to ignite your grill and kick off the BBQ season in style with these incredible BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites! Requiring only four key ingredients, this recipe transforms simple chicken and bacon into an explosion of salty, spicy, and smoky flavors. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, looking for a delicious appetizer, or need a satisfying main dish, these bites are guaranteed to be a hit. For an extra touch of creamy indulgence, serve them with a side of cool ranch dressing – a truly heavenly combination!
Why These BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites Will Be Your New Favorite
Imagine tender pieces of succulent white chicken meat, meticulously marinated to absorb layers of vibrant citrus, pungent onion, and aromatic garlic. Now, picture those flavorful chicken chunks generously coated in a rich, spicy BBQ sauce, lovingly wrapped in crispy bacon, and then grilled to perfection. That’s the magic of these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites. They’re more than just a dish; they’re an experience that combines the best of savory, sweet, and spicy notes with an irresistible texture.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort. The marinade ensures every bite of chicken is juicy and flavorful, while the bacon adds a delightful crispness and a salty counterpoint to the sweet and spicy BBQ glaze. Finished with an extra brush of BBQ sauce fresh off the grill, these bites are ready to impress. And because each piece is secured with a toothpick, they are the ideal finger food, making them perfect for mingling at parties and gatherings.
The Secret to Irresistible Flavor: Stubb’s Legendary BBQ
The exceptional flavor of these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites largely comes from the quality ingredients, particularly the legendary products from Stubb’s. We start by marinating the chicken in Stubb’s Chicken Marinade for several hours. This crucial step infuses the chicken with a bright and zesty blend of citrus, onion, and garlic, creating a robust base layer of flavor that stands out beautifully.
Next, the marinated chicken is generously coated in Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce. This isn’t just any BBQ sauce; it’s a carefully crafted blend that brings the heat with habanero, cayenne, and black pepper, perfectly balanced by plenty of smoky notes and a touch of sweetness from molasses and brown sugar. The result is a complex, delicious sauce that truly elevates the dish without overpowering the natural flavors of the chicken and bacon.
Celebrating National BBQ Month with Stubb’s
May is proudly recognized as National BBQ Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by firing up the grill with Stubb’s. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q offers an extensive range of authentic sauces, marinades, and rubs designed to elevate anything you cook on the grill. Their commitment to flavor and quality is evident in every bottle.
What truly sets Stubb’s apart is their dedication to real ingredients. You won’t find artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners in their products. Crucially, they stand firm against using high fructose corn syrup, which is often the primary ingredient in many other national BBQ sauce brands. This commitment ensures a cleaner, more authentic taste that you can truly savor. Stubb’s products are widely available, found in an impressive 85% of grocery stores nationwide, making it easy to bring their legendary flavor into your kitchen.
Unleash Your Inner Grill Master!
Ready to explore more incredible flavors and grilling ideas? Visit the Stubb’s BBQ Website to discover their full range of products and recipes that will make your next cookout unforgettable.
BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites
By Christin Mahrlig
2 hours
10 minutes
2 hours 10 minutes
8 servings
Saved
Pin
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts,, cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
- ½ cup Stubb’s Chicken Marinade
- ½ cup Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce,, plus more for basting
- 1 pound bacon,, each piece cut in half
- Toothpicks, soak them in water for at least 1 hour
- Ranch dressing for serving,, optional
Instructions
-
Place chicken pieces and chicken marinade in a plastic bag. Let marinate in refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
-
Remove chicken from bag and coat each piece with Spicy BBQ Sauce.
-
Wrap a piece of bacon around each chicken piece, securing with a toothpick.
-
Heat grill to medium-high. (Make sure grill is greased well so bacon does not stick.) Grill chicken pieces until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crispy, turning halfway through. Baste with more BBQ sauce just before removing from grill.
-
Serve with Ranch Dressing or more BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
Calories:
409
kcal
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this?
Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media!
Tips for Perfect BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites
- Choose Your Chicken Wisely: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are specified, chicken thighs can also be used for an even juicier bite. Adjust grilling time slightly if using thighs.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Don’t skip the marinating step! Allowing the chicken to soak in Stubb’s Chicken Marinade for the recommended 2-4 hours is key to tender, flavorful results.
- Bacon Thickness Matters: Use regular-cut bacon, not thick-cut, as it wraps more easily and crisps up better on the grill without burning the chicken.
- Soak Your Toothpicks: Soaking wooden toothpicks in water for at least an hour before use prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Preheat and Grease Your Grill: A well-preheated grill (medium-high heat) will give you those perfect grill marks. Greasing the grates prevents the bacon from sticking.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts cook relatively quickly. Grill until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is crispy.
- Basting is Best: The final basting with Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce right before removing from the grill adds a beautiful glaze and an extra punch of flavor.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
While these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites are fantastic on their own, especially dipped in cool and creamy Ranch dressing, they also pair wonderfully with a variety of sides for a complete meal. Consider serving them with classic BBQ accompaniments like coleslaw, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad. For a lighter touch, offer a side of steamed vegetables.
Looking to customize your bites? Here are a few ideas:
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a small slice of pineapple or jalapeño pepper inside the bacon wrap before grilling for a burst of tropical sweetness or extra heat.
- Cheese Lover’s Twist: Include a small cube of sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese within the chicken and bacon for a gooey, flavorful surprise.
- Different Marinades: Experiment with other Stubb’s marinades for a different flavor profile, such as their Pork Marinade for a smoky-sweet depth.
- Oven or Air Fryer: If grilling isn’t an option, these bites can also be baked in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until cooked through and bacon is crispy (approx. 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway), or cooked in an air fryer for similar results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
- Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for an even juicier and richer flavor. Just be sure to cut them into similar 1 ½-inch chunks and adjust grilling time as needed to ensure they are cooked through.
- How long can I marinate the chicken?
- Marinating for 2-4 hours is ideal. While you can marinate for up to 6 hours for deeper flavor, avoid marinating for much longer, as the acid in the marinade can start to break down the chicken’s texture.
- Can I make these ahead of time?
- You can marinate the chicken and even wrap the bacon around the chicken bites a few hours in advance, storing them in the refrigerator. Grill them just before serving for the best taste and texture.
- What if I don’t have a grill?
- No problem! You can bake these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. An air fryer can also yield excellent results; cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
- What other dips would pair well with these bites?
- Besides ranch, a blue cheese dressing, a honey mustard sauce, or even a different Stubb’s BBQ sauce would be delicious. You could also try a cool cucumber dip to contrast the heat.
More Party Foods
If you love these savory bites, you’ll also love our Crock Pot Sweet and Sticky Wings. They’re another effortless crowd-pleaser that brings big flavor with minimal fuss. Watch the video below to see how they are made and get inspired for your next gathering!
Get the full recipe for Crock Pot Sweet and Sticky Wings here!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. We genuinely appreciate the opportunity to share products we love and regularly use in our own kitchen, ensuring quality and delicious results for our readers.