This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are my own.
My dad used to have season tickets to football games, but the traffic and crowds made him prefer watching on TV. Today our family follows suit — we enjoy “home-gating” for the Big Game. There’s nothing better than settling onto the couch with great snacks and the game on the screen. When the Big Game rolls around I like to prepare a variety of finger foods. One of our favorites combines two classics: chicken and bacon.
These Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips pair crispy, lightly breaded chicken with smoky bacon, then get a brown sugar and chili powder coating for a sweet-heat finish. I serve them with a quick homemade spicy honey mustard dipping sauce that you can easily adjust if you want more heat.
To save time in the kitchen (so you don’t miss any of the game), I use frozen, pre-breaded chicken strips like Tyson® Naturals. They’re convenient and perfect for this recipe. I also use thick-cut Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon for a hearty bite. I pick up both items at Kroger and sometimes have groceries delivered so I can spend more time with family.
Look for specially marked Tyson packages at Kroger — they indicate chicken raised with no antibiotics ever. That label gives me confidence when I choose frozen chicken for quick crowd-pleasing recipes.
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips
These are easy to prepare and great for serving as game-day bites. The steps are straightforward and rely on a few pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1 package Tyson Naturals lightly breaded chicken strips
- 1 package Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Spicy Honey Mustard
- 1/2 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup and to absorb excess grease.
- Wrap each frozen chicken strip with a slice of bacon and place them on the parchment-lined sheet.
- In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar and chili powder.
- Using tongs, gently roll each bacon-wrapped chicken strip in the brown sugar and chili powder mixture to coat evenly.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, flip the strips, then bake another 5–10 minutes until the bacon is cooked and nicely caramelized.
- Let the strips rest 1–2 minutes before serving so they’re easier to handle.
Spicy Honey Mustard
- While the chicken bakes, stir together the mustard, honey, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
- Taste and adjust the cayenne if you want it spicier — I often double it for family members who prefer more heat.
- Serve the warm chicken strips with the spicy honey mustard for dipping.
Tip: keep napkins or wet wipes handy — these are wonderfully sticky and finger-lickin’ good.
Once plated, these Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips make a perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for the Big Game or any casual gathering. They’re quick to assemble, bake up beautifully, and pair perfectly with the sweet-and-spicy mustard.
What’s one of your favorite snacks to make for the Big Game?