These Ultimate Ranch Bacon Chicken Poppers are an irresistible combo of savory ranch-seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. They’re perfect as a game day snack, party appetizer, or even a fun, easy dinner for the family. Serve them up and watch them disappear – it’s the kind of easy chicken appetizer that both kids and adults will rave about!
If you’re looking for a family-friendly recipe that’s simple to make yet big on flavor, you have to try these cheesy bacon-wrapped chicken bites. Not only are they super easy to whip up (ready in about 30 minutes!), but they’re also a naturally low-carb chicken recipe. The combination of ranch, bacon, and chicken is always a winner – each bite is packed with flavor and guaranteed to satisfy your comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (or finely diced boneless chicken breast)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (dry)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup bread crumbs (use almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb option)
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes (about 12 pieces)
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half (to make 12 strips)
- Optional: Pinch of black pepper or chili powder (if you want a bit of heat)
Makes about 12 poppers. You can easily double the recipe for a larger crowd!
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, and lightly spray it with cooking spray. This will prevent the poppers from sticking.
- Mix the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ranch seasoning mix, beaten egg, and bread crumbs (or almond flour). Mix everything together until well combined. The mixture will be a bit sticky – that’s okay! (Tip: Using clean hands works best for mixing.)
- Shape into Balls: Divide the chicken mixture into 12 equal portions. Take each portion and roll it into a ball about 1½ inches wide. If using cheese, flatten each ball slightly in your hand, press a cube of cheddar into the center, and fold the meat around it, rolling again to seal the cheese inside. You should now have 12 cheese-stuffed chicken meatballs.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each chicken ball with a half slice of bacon. Stretch the bacon around and overlap the ends underneath the ball. If needed, secure the bacon with a toothpick so it stays wrapped during cooking. Place each wrapped popper on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, turning the poppers halfway through the cooking time. Bake until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink in the middle). Optional: For extra crispy bacon, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the poppers cool for a few minutes (the cheese inside will be very hot!). Remove any toothpicks. Serve the ranch bacon chicken poppers warm with your favorite dipping sauce. They’re delicious with ranch dressing, honey mustard, or a spicy mayo on the side. Enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Keto Version: To make these poppers truly keto-friendly, substitute the bread crumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds (this cuts the carbs to a minimum). The recipe is already low-carb and high-protein, so it’s a great low-carb chicken recipe as is!
- Air Fryer Option: You can also cook these in an air fryer for an extra speedy result. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the bacon-wrapped poppers in a single layer and cook for about 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the bacon is crisp and the centers are cooked through. (Every air fryer model is a bit different, so keep an eye on them.)
- Adjust the Spice: If you’d like to kick up the heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder into the chicken mixture. You could even tuck a small slice of jalapeño in with the cheese for jalapeño-popper vibes. On the flip side, if you prefer milder flavors, stick with the ranch seasoning as-is – it provides plenty of zesty, herby flavor without any heat.
- Variations: Get creative with cheese and seasoning! Try pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist, or swap cheddar for mozzarella. You can also use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon if you prefer. This recipe is pretty flexible – feel free to make it your own.
Conclusion
These Ultimate Ranch Bacon Chicken Poppers are sure to become a new favorite in your household. They’re crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor – truly the ultimate bite-sized comfort food. Whether you serve them as a game day snack, a party appetizer, or a fun weeknight dinner, they’ll fit right in and please a crowd.
Give this easy, family-friendly recipe a try and let us know how you liked it! 😊 If you made these poppers, drop a comment below with your thoughts or any tweaks you tried – we love hearing from you. And don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family who love ranch, bacon, and chicken as much as you do. Happy cooking and enjoy your delicious ranch bacon chicken poppers!
