Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

When it comes to appetizer preparation, those of you who are in-the-know realize that it's actually much less time consuming to prepare a full meal than to prepare a dozen different appetizers, but because so much of the prep work can be done ahead of time, and because this promotes a much more laid back atmosphere on Christmas day, I have gone the route of appetizers for the past couple of years. (Yes, that was all one sentence.)

This recipe for sweet chicken bacon wraps comes from Paula Deen. It is the second Paula Deen recipe I've blogged about that includes no butter. The first recipe was for her lemonade and how she squeaked by without including butter in that one, I have no idea.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

1 1/4 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4 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 wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar, chili powder and cayenne pepper, if using. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

TIPS: Do yourself a favor and line your pan with aluminum foil. It makes for much easier cleanup. Also, spray the baking rack thoroughly with cooking spray to help with the cleanup as well.