Description
Get ready to experience the ultimate sweet, smoky, and savory flavor explosion with Bacon BBQ Chicken Bombs! These bite-sized morsels are the perfect fusion of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and a tantalizing BBQ glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 2-inch cubes
- Pat dry for optimal seasoning adherence
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 12–16 strips thick-cut bacon, halved lengthwise
- Toothpicks for securing
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- Additional barbecue sauce for dipping
- Extra glaze for final coating
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, thyme, salt, and smoked paprika until they are evenly coated.
2. Wrap each seasoned chicken cube with a strip of bacon. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, garlic, and hot sauce. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze has thickened slightly. Set aside.
4. Preheat your grill, air fryer, or oven to 400°F (200°C). Depending on your cooking method, follow these instructions:
5. Grill: Cook the chicken bombs over indirect heat for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing them with the glaze during the last 10 minutes.
6. Air Fryer: Air fry the chicken bombs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping them halfway through and brushing with the glaze.
7. Oven: Place the chicken bombs on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, glazing them during the final 10 minutes.
8. Brush the Bacon BBQ Chicken Bombs one more time with the glaze just before serving. Garnish them with fresh parsley or chives and serve with extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
Notes
To ensure your Bacon BBQ Chicken Bombs turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:
Choosing the right chicken: While both chicken thighs and breasts work well, thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy, making them the preferred choice for this recipe.
Selecting quality bacon: Opt for thick-cut, high-quality bacon to ensure a crispy, flavorful wrap around the chicken.
Marinating the chicken: For an extra flavor boost, consider marinating the chicken cubes in a mixture of BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic before wrapping them in bacon.
Cooking methods and texture: Grilling the chicken bombs results in a delightfully charred exterior, while the air fryer or oven will produce a slightly crisper bacon wrap. Choose the cooking method that best suits your preferences.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 70