Recipes For Bacon Wrapped Appetizers!

You know I have a passion for bacon. I’ve shared one of my favorite appetizers before, the fantastic Bacon Wrapped Date. And  remember that deliciously evil  Bacon candy?

Oooh, that was sooo good!!!

Then it is probably no surprise to you,that I would love these Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos, and…

these tasty Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites.

Both of these appetizers would be perfect for Superbowl or, truth be told, any party! A perfect snack to munch down and chase with an ice cold beer, or in my case, a glass of Gewurztraminer. 

That’s party food to me! In fact I’m making both of these for a Valentine’s Party at work. And my co-worker is making them for a baby shower next month.

Yep, it’s finger lickin party food!

Let’s start with the jalapenos. I use to make them with 3 easy ingredients until I saw how The Pioneer Woman did it. She added goodies to her cream cheese, and brushed a jelly or marmalade on the bacon wrapped jalapeno before baking. Fantastic! That’s my new way too!

Want a tip for easy prep? Use a grapefruit spoon to help clean out the seeds and membranes from the jalapeno. The cutting edge of the spoon works wonders! If you don’t have one, pick one up at a thrift store, or kitchen shop, the next time you run across them. Trust me, you’ll thank me!

Now on to the bacon wrapped Chicken Bites. I saw these over at Mags site, The Other Side of 50. I knew the minute I saw these I would be making them. In fact, I have made them twice, in about a months time. They are just bacon wrapped around a cube of chicken breast. Then you dredge it in spiced up brown sugar and bake. Adding the chili powder to the brown sugar so you get that sweet, spicy, salty thing going on.

I LOVE IT!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

• 20 whole Fresh Jalapenos, 2-3 Inches
• 2 cubes Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (or more) cheddar cheese (optional, but so worth it!)
• Green Onions (optional, or chopped chives would be good here too!) 
• 1 pound Thin(regular) Bacon, Sliced Into Thirds
• 1/4 cup jelly or marmalade (Opional)

Preparation Instructions

Cut jalapenos in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane Mix softened cream cheese, Cheddar, and green onion together. Spread mixture into each jalapeno half. Wrap jalapeno with bacon pieces (1/3 slice). Secure with toothpick through the middle. Brush with melted jelly.

Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  If, after 20 minutes, the bacon doesn’t look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

• 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 pound sliced bacon
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 TBSP chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Stir together brown sugar, chili powder and cayenne pepper,  Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture.  Place chicken bites on a  rack in a broiler pan.

Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.