Sometimes a spread of sumptuous appetizers can be more enticing than a multi-course meal. If you have a selection of appetizers that cover all the main food groups, ditching an entreé is even easier. For some protein, try making these Bacon-Wrapped Bourbon Chicken Bites. The glaze is a variation of the sauce used in my recipe for bourbon glazed meatballs, so feel free to try Eastside Distilling’s Burnside Bourbon Whiskey, or opt for Dry Fly Distilling’s Bourbon 101. Though young in age, the flavor and character of these bourbons are reminiscent of one of their older relatives. A simple recipe that will leave your party guests hungry for more, these bites are sweet and savory chunks of tender, glazed, bacon-wrapped chicken. Just stick a food pick in them and watch them fly.
Bacon-Wrapped Bourbon Chicken Bites
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 pound regular sliced bacon, cooked in oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees
4 chicken breasts, cut into 1-2 inch chunks
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Crushed red pepper, optional
Oil for pan
Glaze:
¼ cup Dry Fly Distilling Bourbon 101
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a large baking sheet, lay out bacon in one, even layer. Place in middle rack of oven and cook for 20-25 minutes (or until cooked but still chewy).
While the bacon is cooking, prep the chicken and glaze. In a medium bowl, mix chicken, cornstarch, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes together, set aside. In a small saucepan, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and ketchup, until well heated.
In a large saucepan, heat up a small amount of oil. Add chicken and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Add glaze (don’t worry, it will thicken up once it mixes with the cornstarch coated chicken) and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and glaze has thickened.
Remove chicken from heat. Once bacon has finished cooking and both bacon and chicken have cooled to the touch, cut a bacon strips into thirds, wrap a small strip of bacon around a chunk of chicken, and secure with a food pick.
The chicken and bacon will cool as you wrap them, so keep the oven on 350 and reheat for about 10 minutes just before you plan to serve.
If you’re planning on having a larger party, I recommend doubling the recipe. These bites are an instant crowd-pleaser.
