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You are here: Home / Recipes / Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon

Appetizers Main Dishes Recipes
Published: February 27, 2020 | Last Updated: January 19, 2021 | Author: Lois

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is ready in 10 minutes! How can you possibly go wrong with a recipe that’s ready fast and tastes amazing? How about we wrap the chicken in bacon and sprinkle a little brown sugar on top?  These are another delicious Air Fryer Appetizer recipe that’s ready FAST!

bacon wrapped chicken breast air fryer

I’ve had my air fryer for almost two years and haven’t really used that much except to make tater tots and mozzarella sticks. Well, that all changed last week when I put together this delicious recipe for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. 

Let me show you how to make another Family Favorite Chicken Recipes that’s perfect for dinner or snacking.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Cooking Tip: Don’t worry if you do not have an air fryer, there are instructions below for baking the chicken in the oven.

You won’t believe how delicious this chicken recipe is. The flavor is so intense and yet the chicken is incredibly tender and juicy. Using the air fryer does not dry chicken out. Which is what I thought would happen. 

This recipe is very similar to my Bacon Wrapped Crock Pot Chicken, only it’s ready fast. The recipe takes about five minutes to assemble and then ten minutes of cooking in the air fryer. You can have dinner or a family snack ready in 15 minutes following this recipe. 

You can serve these homemade dipping sauces alongside the cooked chicken. They’re perfect for dipping! 

air fryer bbq chicken breast with honey mustard dipping sauce

Is air fried chicken healthy?

Cooking anything in the air fryer requires less oil than if you were going to fry foods traditionally, which right away makes the food healthier. Using an air fryer to cook chicken and other foods can help you cut calories by not using the added fat from oil. 

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Affiliate Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, click here.

  • Air fryer – the one I have is listed below. It works great for our family and it doesn’t take up much room on the kitchen counter either..something that’s important to me.
  • Digital Meat Thermometer – I don’t know about you, but I used to “guess” a lot when chicken was cooked completely and most of the time it was overdone. I always, always use this digital meat thermometer to make sure it’s cooked perfect every single time.
  • Silicone basting brush – I like to use a brush with silicone. Makes cleanin up easy too.

This is the Hamiliton Beach Air Fryer that I use and while the basket is not as big as I would like, it works great! 

ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read MeatThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read MeatMore InformationHamilton Beach 2.6 Quart Digital AirHamilton Beach 2.6 Quart Digital AirMore InformationAir Fryer Perfection: From Crispy FriesAir Fryer Perfection: From Crispy FriesMore InformationAir Fryer Cookbook for Beginners: 800Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners: 800More Information

 

Ingredients 

Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – you can use chicken tenders, but all I had in my freezer was chicken breasts. 
  • Sliced bacon
  • Barbecue sauce – your favorite brand. I like this bbq sauce. It’s our favorite brand or try my Homemade Barbecue Sauce that’s made with only three ingredients.
  • Brown sugar – I used light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar if that’s what you have in your pantry. 
  • Salt and pepper to taste – I love using my Homemade Salt, Pepper Garlic seasoning blend. 
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped BBQ Chicken Bites

Directions 

Begin by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into strips. I like to lay my raw chicken and meat on Parchment Baking Sheets to make cleanup easier. It also helps keeps surfaces sanitary and not spread any germs. 

Slice the bacon strips in half. One full slice of bacon was just a bit too big for the chicken strips I cut. Remember, we’re making chicken “bites.” Wrap a half of bacon slice around each piece of chicken and place on a clean plate. 

I have made this recipe two times now and didn’t need toothpicks at all to hold the bacon in place.

Chicken Bites wrapped in sliced bacon

How to Add the Barbecue Sauce

The best way to add the barbecue sauce is to use a pastry brush to cover the surface of the chicken. Turn the chicken over and brush the other side as well with the barbecue sauce. At this point in  preparing the chicken, you can sprinkle with salt and pepper or use my Seasoning Salt Blend. 

Use a pastry brush to add barbecue sauce to the chicken.

Now, add the brown sugar. You don’t really need to add brown sugar if you’re trying to watch your sugar intake, but I think a little sprinkle adds to the flavor. We’re only using 2 tablespoons for the whole recipe. 

Add brown sugar to the top of bacon wrapped barbecue chicken bites

Chicken Bites are ready for the air fryer! 

Chicken Bites wrapped in bacon and brushed with barbecue sauce for Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Airware Reusable Air Fryer LinersAirware Reusable Air Fryer LinersMore InformationAir Fryer Parchment Liner SheetsAir Fryer Parchment Liner SheetsMore InformationNon Stick Parchment Paper, RoundNon Stick Parchment Paper, RoundMore InformationAir Fryer Three Stackable RacksAir Fryer Three Stackable RacksMore Information

 

Air Fryer Baking Instructions

Place the chicken into the air fryer basket that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Close the tray and bake for 5 minutes in the 400 degrees preheated air fryer.

Open the air fryer and flip the chicken pieces. Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for the remaining 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees.

air fryer bacon wrapped chicken with barbecue sauce before cooking.

How do I know when my Chicken is Done?

Make sure you use a Digital Meat Thermometer to accurately test if the chicken is fully cooked. 

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken baked to perfection.

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As you can see from the photo below, the chicken is reading at 168 degrees. It’s cooked perfect! 

bacon wrapped chicken air fryer baked to 168 internal degrees with digital thermometer.

How to cook chicken in the oven

I know some people do not have an air fryer and I wanted to included instructions on how to bake this barbecue chicken wrapped in bacon recipe the traditional way…in the oven:

  • Prepare the chicken as instructed above.
  • Then place the chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray).
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 

Can I cook frozen chicken in air fryer?

I would not recommend cooking this chicken recipe frozen only because you need to increase the time for the chicken and I’m not sure how the bacon will hold up to a longer cooking time. 

However, you can follow another recipe and cook frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins in the air fryer. Cook them for 15 minutes at 360 degrees stopping halfway through to flip the chicken breasts. 

Always use a Digital Meat Thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165 degrees to be safe. 

Did you make this recipe?

Did you try this recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and don’t forget to rate it!

air fryer bbq chicken

Serve these Delicious BBQ Chicken Bite with one of these Yummy Side Dishes: 

  • Twice Baked Potatoes – my son’s favorite potato recipe.
  • Air Fryer Mini Ravioli – these come out so crispy. Taste just like the appetizer you can purchase in restaurants.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes – prep-ahead directions!
  • Air Fryer Wontons – another easy air fryer appetizer recipe.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon

Yield: 2 chicken breasts cut into 14 chicken bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken wrapped in bacon and sweetened with a little sprinkle of brown sugar bakes up fast, and crispy. Perfect for dinner or snacking!

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 7 slices of bacon; sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees while you prepare the chicken.
  2. Prepare the chicken by slicing each chicken breast into 7 even strips, so you have 14 pieces total.
  3. Wrap each piece of chicken with one of the strips of bacon.
  4. Brush the chicken with the barbecue sauce.
  5. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top of the chicken.
  6. Place the chicken into the air fryer basket that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  7. Close the tray and bake for 5 minutes in the 400 degrees preheated air fryer.
  8. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken pieces. Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for the remaining 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees.

Notes

Oven Baking Instructions:

If you do not have an air fryer and would like to try this recipe, here are easy baking instructions for you:

  1. Prepare the chicken as instructed above.
  2. Then place the chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray).
  3. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  •  Parchment Paper Baking Sheets
     Parchment Paper Baking Sheets
  • Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer 
    Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer 
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

© Lois
Cuisine: American / Category: Main Dishes
air fryer bbq chicken breast made with brown sugar and wrapped in bacon.


13 Comments

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois now calls northeastern PA home. You can find her blogging over at Walking on Sunshine where she shares a little of her life, but more importantly what’s for dinner at her house tonight.

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Comments

  1. amy says

    July 6, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    Yum! I needed a new air fryer recipe and these will definately be a hit! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Lois says

      July 12, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Hope you get the air fryer soon! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  2. frannie says

    May 31, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    what are the sauces?

    Reply
    • Lois says

      June 1, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      The sauces are honey mustard and homemade ranch dressing. You can find them here in this post: https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/easy-homemade-pizza-dipping-sauce/

      Reply
  3. Julie Briones says

    May 4, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your bacon-wrapped chicken at Tuesday Turn About… so happy to be featuring you this week (I may have commented already, but got interrupted and I can’t remember… feel free to delete one!)

    Reply
  4. Dale Ann Luzzi says

    March 25, 2020 at 11:24 am

    I don’t have an air fryer. Can I bake them? what temp and how long? Thanks

    Reply
    • Lois says

      March 25, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      Instructions for baking the chicken are now included. Thanks Dale Ann!

      Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      March 25, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      Oven Baking Instructions:

      If you do not have an air fryer and would like to try this recipe, here are easy baking instructions for you:

      Prepare the chicken as instructed above.
      Then place the chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray).
      Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

      Reply
      • Lois says

        March 25, 2020 at 9:47 pm

        Thank you Elizabeth. I did email Dale Ann as well and she has the baking instructions! Hope you enjoy the recipe.

        Reply
  5. Jeremy@ThirstyDaddy says

    March 6, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    That looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Lois says

      March 7, 2020 at 6:52 am

      Thanks Jeremy!

      Reply
  6. Beverly says

    March 5, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    Lois,
    OMG these look so yummy and there is bacon too. What more can you ask.
    Congratulations, you are being featured at happiness Is Homemade! I hope you will stop by.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    Reply
    • Lois says

      March 7, 2020 at 6:53 am

      Thanks for the feature!!!

      Reply

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