Barbecue Chicken Bacon Pickle Bites

Name: Barbecue Chicken Bacon Pickle Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup barbecue sauce; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 6 oz dark soda (like Dr. Pepper or Coke); 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 24 dill pickle slices; 8 slices bacon, cut into thirds; 2 tbsp barbecue rub

Barbecue chicken bacon pickle bites are tender chicken cubes marinated in barbecue sauce, wrapped with dill pickle slices and bacon, then cooked until caramelized. The combination of smoky, sweet, salty, and tangy flavors makes them an addictive appetizer.

🌍American 🏷️Bacon-wrapped 🏷️Chicken bites 🏷️Appetizer 🏷️Barbecue Bbq

🏷️

🏷️Pickle

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headcountrybbqonTikTok

Total

1h 30m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by headcountrybbq

-0:00

headcountrybbqonTikTok

Ingredients

1 cup barbecue sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
1 tsp red pepper flakes
6 oz dark soda (like Dr. Pepper or Coke)
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
24 dill pickle slices
8 slices bacon, cut into thirds
2 tbsp barbecue rub

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, all-purpose seasoning, red pepper flakes, and dark soda. Whisk until well combined to create the marinade.
2
Reserve a portion of the marinade for basting later. Add the cubed chicken to the remaining marinade, mix to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least a few hours.
3
To assemble, take one piece of marinated chicken and one pickle slice and wrap them together with a 1/3 strip of bacon.
4
Place the assembled bites on a wire rack and lightly season all over with your favorite barbecue rub.
5
Place the rack in an oven or on a smoker preheated to 250°F. Cook until the bacon is rendered and almost crispy.
6
Baste each bite with the reserved marinade.
7
Continue to cook for another 20 minutes, or until the glaze has caramelized and the chicken is cooked through.
8
Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly and stay moist inside while the exterior caramelizes.
Marinate the chicken for 30-60 minutes; longer marinating can make it mushy due to the soda and acid.
Wrap each bite tightly with bacon to prevent it from unraveling during cooking; secure with a toothpick if needed.
Cook until bacon is crispy and the chicken reaches 165°F; this ensures both the chicken is safe and the bacon is rendered.

Substitutions

Dill pickle slices → bread-and-butter pickles (adds sweetness, reduces tang)
Dark soda → beef broth or apple cider vinegar (omit if using vinegar; reduce amount)
All-purpose seasoning → garlic powder + onion powder + paprika (use 1 tsp total)
Boneless chicken thighs → boneless chicken breasts (watch closely; may dry out faster)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.

Equipment

grill or grill pan · wooden or metal skewers (if assembling as skewers)

Common Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken thighs stay more moist during cooking. If using breasts, cut them slightly smaller and watch closely to avoid drying out.

Do I need to use dark soda or can I substitute?

Dark soda adds depth to the marinade. You can substitute with cola, root beer, or omit it, but reduce the marinade time to 30 minutes to prevent the chicken from becoming too soft.