Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites: An Irresistibly Delicious & Easy Recipe

Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a quick and easy weeknight dinner? Look no further than these Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites! This recipe combines the convenience of Costco’s high-quality chicken with the sweet and spicy kick of hot honey and the smoky goodness of bacon. The result is a flavor explosion that will leave everyone wanting more.

This recipe is surprisingly simple to make, and the ingredient list is short and sweet. Plus, you can easily customize it to your liking. Whether you’re a spice enthusiast or prefer a milder flavor, you can adjust the amount of hot honey to perfectly suit your taste buds. Let’s dive into the details!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy and Quick:** Minimal prep time and simple cooking instructions make this a great option for busy weeknights.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** The combination of flavors is universally appealing, making it a hit at parties and gatherings.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the spice level by controlling the amount of hot honey.
* **Convenient:** Uses readily available ingredients, including Costco’s high-quality chicken.
* **Versatile:** Serve as an appetizer, a main course, or a party snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **2 lbs Costco Chicken Breast:** Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes.
* **1 lb Bacon:** Thinly sliced bacon, cut in half (or thirds depending on the length).
* **1/2 cup Hot Honey:** Use your favorite brand of hot honey (Mike’s Hot Honey is a popular choice). You can also make your own (recipe below!).
* **1 tablespoon Olive Oil:** For lightly coating the chicken to help the bacon adhere.
* **1 teaspoon Garlic Powder:** Adds a savory depth to the chicken.
* **1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika:** Enhances the smoky flavor and adds a hint of color.
* **1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper:** Freshly ground black pepper.
* **Optional: Toothpicks:** To secure the bacon to the chicken (recommended).

How to Make Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites: Step-by-Step Instructions

**Preparation (15 minutes):**

1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into roughly 1-inch cubes. Aim for even sizes so they cook uniformly.
2. **Season the Chicken:** In a large bowl, combine the chicken cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. This step is crucial for infusing the chicken with flavor and providing a base for the bacon to grip onto.
3. **Prepare the Bacon:** Cut the bacon slices in half (or thirds if the bacon is particularly long). This ensures the bacon wraps nicely around the chicken without being overly thick or taking too long to cook.
4. **Assemble the Bites:** Wrap each chicken cube with a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if desired (highly recommended to prevent the bacon from unwrapping during cooking). The toothpick also makes for easy serving.
5. **Hot Honey Glaze:** In a small bowl, warm the hot honey slightly (microwave for 10-15 seconds) to make it more pourable. This will help it coat the bacon-wrapped chicken evenly.

**Cooking Instructions (25-30 minutes):**

You have several options for cooking these delicious bites. Here are three popular methods:

**Option 1: Oven Baking**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. **Arrange Bites:** Place the bacon-wrapped chicken bites on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each bite. This ensures even cooking and browning.
3. **Bake:** Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
4. **Glaze with Hot Honey:** During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the bacon-wrapped chicken bites generously with the warm hot honey. This allows the honey to caramelize and create a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze.
5. **Broil (Optional):** For extra crispy bacon, broil the bites for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly under the broiler.

**Option 2: Air Fryer**

1. **Preheat Air Fryer:** Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Some air fryers don’t require preheating, so consult your air fryer’s manual.
2. **Arrange Bites:** Place the bacon-wrapped chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking.
3. **Air Fry:** Air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Flip the bites halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
4. **Glaze with Hot Honey:** During the last 3 minutes of cooking, brush the bacon-wrapped chicken bites with the warm hot honey.

**Option 3: Skillet Cooking**

1. **Heat Skillet:** Heat a large skillet over medium heat. A cast iron skillet works particularly well for achieving crispy bacon.
2. **Cook Bites:** Add the bacon-wrapped chicken bites to the skillet in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Ensure all sides of the bacon get crispy.
3. **Glaze with Hot Honey:** During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, drizzle the hot honey over the bites, turning them to coat evenly. The honey will caramelize quickly, so watch carefully to prevent burning.

**Serving (5 minutes):**

1. **Remove from Heat:** Remove the cooked chicken bites from the oven, air fryer, or skillet.
2. **Rest (Optional):** Let the bites rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.
3. **Remove Toothpicks:** If using toothpicks, remove them before serving (or warn your guests!).
4. **Serve:** Serve the Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites immediately while they are warm and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

These chicken bites are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:

* **Appetizer:** Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at parties, game nights, or holiday gatherings. Arrange them on a platter with a side of ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or more hot honey for dipping.
* **Main Course:** Serve them as a main course with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad. A simple green salad complements the richness of the chicken bites.
* **Snack:** Enjoy them as a quick and satisfying snack any time of day.
* **Taco or Salad Topping:** Chop them up and use them as a topping for tacos or salads for added flavor and protein.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Bites

* **Use High-Quality Bacon:** The quality of the bacon will significantly impact the flavor of the bites. Choose a good quality, thinly sliced bacon for the best results. Thick-cut bacon may not cook through completely in the same amount of time as the chicken.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan/Air Fryer:** Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of allowing it to brown and crisp up. Cook in batches if necessary.
* **Use a Meat Thermometer:** Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you prefer a milder flavor, use less hot honey or mix it with regular honey. If you like it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the hot honey.
* **Secure with Toothpicks:** Using toothpicks to secure the bacon is highly recommended, especially when baking or air frying. This prevents the bacon from unwrapping and ensures it cooks evenly.
* **Pre-cook the Bacon (Optional):** For extra crispy bacon, you can partially cook the bacon before wrapping the chicken. Microwave the bacon for a minute or two, or pan-fry it briefly until it’s slightly cooked but still pliable. This will help it crisp up faster during the final cooking process.
* **Marinate the Chicken (Optional):** For even more flavor, marinate the chicken cubes for 30 minutes to a few hours before wrapping them in bacon. A simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices will enhance the taste of the chicken.
* **Don’t Overcook:** Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Keep a close eye on the bites while they are cooking and remove them from the heat as soon as the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.

Variations

* **Honey Garlic Bacon Wrapped Chicken:** Replace the hot honey with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for an Asian-inspired flavor.
* **Maple Bacon Wrapped Chicken:** Use maple syrup instead of hot honey for a sweet and savory flavor.
* **Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken:** Sprinkle the bacon-wrapped chicken with brown sugar before baking for a caramelized, sweet flavor.
* **Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Chicken:** Marinate the chicken in teriyaki sauce before wrapping it in bacon.
* **BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken:** Brush the bacon-wrapped chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.

Make Your Own Hot Honey

If you don’t have hot honey on hand, you can easily make your own! Here’s a simple recipe:

* **1/2 cup Honey:** Use a good quality honey, preferably raw honey.
* **1-2 tablespoons Chili Flakes:** Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your desired spice level.
* **1 tablespoon Vinegar (Optional):** A splash of apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity and balances the sweetness.

**Instructions:**

1. Combine the honey and chili flakes in a small saucepan.
2. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey is warm and the chili flakes have infused their flavor into the honey (about 5-10 minutes).
3. Stir in the vinegar (if using).
4. Let the hot honey cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the chicken bites in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until heated through. For best results, reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain the crispness of the bacon.
* **Freeze:** You can freeze the cooked chicken bites for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Recipe Card

**Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites**

**Yields:** Approximately 24-30 bites
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 25-30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 2 lbs Costco Chicken Breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 1 lb Bacon, thinly sliced, cut in half
* 1/2 cup Hot Honey
* 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
* 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
* 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
* Toothpicks (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, toss chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
3. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a toothpick (optional).
4. Arrange on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes (oven) or 12-15 minutes (air fryer), or until bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
6. Brush with hot honey during the last 5 minutes of cooking (oven) or 3 minutes (air fryer).
7. Serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites!

Conclusion

These Costco Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites are a winning combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. They’re easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a quick weeknight dinner, or simply craving a delicious snack, this recipe is sure to satisfy. So, grab your ingredients, fire up your oven or air fryer, and get ready to enjoy these irresistible chicken bites!

Enjoy cooking!