Chicken breast chunks wrapped with bacon and grilled are a twist on devils on horsebacks appetiser. With pan fried mushrooms, they make an excellent main course.
A different way with chicken
This is the perfect dish to make when you’re bored senseless of cooking chicken in the same old, same old ways. It’s also a frugal recipe: one sizeable chicken breast and a few rashers of bacon will happily feed two; multiply for a bigger crowd accordingly.
It is also a good idea of using the mini fillets (chicken tenders) that are sometimes sold in supermarkets in individual packs.
Other times they get cut off the whole breast if you need a neat fillet for a saltimbocca or chicken milanese. Save them in a food bag in the freezer and after a few milaneses you’ll have another meal coming.
Eat less meat
It is after all the right thing to do, trying to eat less meat. I don’t intend to give up meat altogether as I believe a good diet should be well-balanced and all-inclusive, but I wholeheartedly support cutting down on animal protein.
Less, but good quality. Not every day, but only free range. Make it a treat, sourcing the meat responsibly and supporting local farmers.
That’s much better a policy than stuffing your face with overprocessed vegan junk.
How to make bacon wrapped chicken bites?
It couldn’t be easier. Simply cut the chicken fillet into whatever chunks you like, wrap each piece in streaky bacon, smoked or unsmoked depending on the preference, and secure with a toothpick.
I recommend grilling the chunks for up to 15 minutes, depending on the size, because that way you’re certain the chicken is cooked through. Frying sounds appealing but the bacon might burn before the chicken inside cooks.
How to season the bacon wrapped chicken?
Maple syrup is more versatile than you’d think. Maple with chicken might not sound instantly like a perfect match but combined with bacon, it’s a hit.
But if you like, add a little heat: swap the maple syrup for sweet chilli sauce or sprinkle the chicken with chilli seasoning of your choice before wrapping it in bacon.
How to serve chicken bites?
They are actually a very nice appetiser, a variation on the devils on horsebacks’ theme. If served like this, you might add a simple mayo-sriracha or crème fraiche-herbs dip on the side.
If you want to make them for dinner, according to the ‘eat less meat’ mantra above, I’d suggest serving them with fried mushrooms.
A source of protein, mushrooms are after all the original vegan meat substitute and should really have remained such, instead of being replaced by weird, unsustainable and overprocessed soy derivatives.
Bog standard mushrooms are not very flavoursome but if you press and flatten them whilst cooking in a hot frying pan with a little oil, their flavour will magically intensify. You can use just a pan lid, smaller than your frying pan, to compress them a couple of times while they’re cooking.
More chicken recipes
Talking about chicken chunks we couldn’t omit chicken nuggets, and these are seriously cheesy to boot.
Chicken and vegetable tray bake is perfect for a weeknight and good enough for a supper with friends.
And if you prefer your chicken saucy, here goes creamy chicken with leeks and mushrooms.
More bacon recipes
A less usual combination: spicy bacon with potatoes and cucumber in a warm salad.
Bacon on its own can be a great appetiser, especially when it’s crisp and glazed with brown sugar.
Bacon for breakfast but not as you know it: banana with bacon, with a nod towards Elvis.