Name: Gluten Free Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Chicken Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless chicken breast (cut into thin strips); salt; pepper; garlic powder; 1 pound bacon (cut slices in half); 1 cup gluten free barbecue sauce

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Gluten free bacon wrapped barbecue chicken is quick and easy and can be made on your grill or in your oven. You’re going to love these fun little bites.

This post today is brought to you by bacon. Yes, that’s right. Slices of juicy bacon wrapped around tender strips of chicken and brushed with mouth-watering barbecue sauce.

Do I really need to tell you how delicious these are?

When my kids asked what was for dinner tonight, I told them chicken wrapped in bacon, and their eyes widened in disbelief as if I had just told them we were having ice cream for dinner.

Yes, everyone loves bacon in my house. Sometimes I’ll even throw bacon into the veggies like Bacon Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Corn And Zucchini Sauté to watch my kids lick their plates clean in seconds.

And if the notion of these bacon-wrapped chicken bites piques your interest, don’t miss my Bacon-wrapped Asparagus!

You can never have enough bacon, am I right?

Is bacon gluten free?

On a hunt to find the uncured bacon to serve up for my family, I discovered Oscar Mayer Selects Smoked Uncured Bacon.

Not only is this brand of bacon gluten free (some brands may contain flavorings or additives with gluten containing ingredients), but also it is free of all preservatives: nitrates and nitrites.

I also like that it is easily available in my local supermarket.

And I haven’t tried it, but they also have a turkey bacon that would work in this recipe if you prefer.

For those of you worried about cross contamination with gluten containing products manufactured on shared equipment, my family also loves Applegate bacon products.

This bacon wrapped chicken was partly inspired by the memory of warm summer evenings when my family ate dinner outside on the backyard patio, bathed in sunlight and feasting on fresh vegetables and chicken grilled on the barbecue.

As much as I love the Christmas season, I very much miss those warm summer evenings.

It snowed the day before Thanksgiving (unusually early for where I live in the Northeast). And since then the weather has progressively gotten colder and colder.

Several nights ago, we lit a fire in the fireplace for the first time this winter.

But this chicken seems to bring a taste of summer back to the table. It’s probably the barbecue sauce that I made sure to brush on oh so generously.

Is there gluten in barbecue sauce?

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On a gluten free diet, you have to be careful to check the label when cooking with barbecue sauce because not all sauces are gluten free friendly.

Not to fear, though. I made sure to hunt down gluten free sauces for you all.

Maybe one of these days I’ll be adventurous enough to try my hand at whipping up a homemade barbecue sauce too.

In the meantime, these products are gluten free. I usually choose between Bone Suckin’ Sauce (I can’t get over that name) or Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce.

They are both free of high fructose corn syrup. I chose Stubb’s this time while making the bacon wrapped chicken: it’s a beautiful blend of vinegar, tomato & black pepper, and not as overpoweringly sweet as most brands.

If you prefer a sweeter sauce, go with the Bone Suckin’ Sauce which is sweetened with honey.

And if you’re following a low carb diet, Primal Kitchen has a tasty sugar free barbecue sauce.

Ready to whip up these irresistible sizzling bacon-wrapped chicken bites? You’ll only need a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients

Bacon: Your favorite bacon. Turkey bacon will work, too, if you prefer a leaner option. Cut the slices in half.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into strips. Chicken tenders will work also.
Spices: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
and your favorite gluten free Barbecue sauce.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

First slice your chicken in strips and season with salt, pepper and garlic.

Then wrap each chicken strip in bacon.

Because I wasn’t about to brave the ice-cold rain to get to my barbecue outside, I cooked these directly in my oven.

I happened to have a metal shelf/rack from my convection Spacemaker oven. I placed it over a pan lined with aluminum foil. You need to make sure to place a rack over a roasting pan in order to catch the drippings.

A rack that fits in a baking sheet like this would work best.

So you can grill them outside adding a delicious smoky flavor to the bites. Just make sure to use indirect heat to prevent flare-ups.

Or place the wrapped chicken on a rack in a pan  and brush the top of each strip with gf barbecue sauce  and bake them in your preheated oven.

Either way cook them for 15 minutes. Then turn them over with tongs, brush with barbecue sauce again and cook for another 15 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Choose from my complete vegetables and salad collection to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal alongside your bacon-wrapped barbecue chicken. For example: this colorful Summer Salad, delicious Cucumber Salad, or refreshing Cole Slaw With Sugar Free Dressing.

Now these bacon-wrapped chicken bites are already living their best life, but dunk them in Peruvian green sauce or a punchy Homemade salsa, and suddenly you’re not just snacking, you’re starting a flavor party.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I prepare these bacon-wrapped chicken bites ahead of time and bake them later? Yes, you can assemble the bites ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake or grill for convenience.

Can I use different sauces for brushing besides barbecue sauce? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite sauces like honey mustard, sugar-free teriyaki from this stir-fry recipe, or buffalo sauce for different flavor variations.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe? Yes, chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How do I store any leftovers? Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.

I probably don’t have to tell you that this chicken was an instant hit. And best of all, it only took ten minutes to prepare and then just thirty minutes in the oven.

Not only is it a fantastic few-ingredient chicken dish for dinner, but it would also make a very nice appetizer recipe at a holiday party. Who could resist that bacon?

More chicken recipes

Keto Chicken Piccata – This buttery and lemony keto chicken piccata is a super low-carb twist on an easy delicious family favorite.

One-Pan Chicken Alfredo – This keto dreamy chicken Alfredo is a nutritious, protein-packed, and delicious one-pan meal.

Grainless Crispy Chicken Nuggets – These nuggets are coated in a spicy batter before frying. And they go from stovetop to your table in 30 minutes flat.

One-Pan Roast Chicken And Potatoes – Tender marinated chicken thighs baked in their own juices on a bed of vegetables, sausage, and potatoes is an easy delicious one-pan meal. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.

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