Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites and Really Bad Dog

Someone is rapidly trying to get themselves on Santa's naughty list and it isn't my husband or kids...Princess Brinkley is having a tough go of it lately.

We made the mistake of leaving our home office door open while we were at work...and came home to this.  It was just our spiral notebook...of ALL OUR PASSWORDS!

Then we made the mistake of leaving (what is normally okay to do) the bedroom door open while we were away at work...and now someone no longer has a bed.  Honestly she doesn't' care though because she just sneaks up on my legs in the middle of the night anyway.

Since I have been so busy this week cleaning up messes, decided on our "nosh night" for dinner...which is just a grown up version of adult snacks.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

Courtesy of Paula Deen

1-1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

1 pound package sliced bacon

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 Tbl chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.  Cut each bacon slice into thirds.  Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick.  Stir together brown sugar and chili powder.  Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. 

Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Place chicken wraps on rack in broiler pan.  Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.  

Yes, they were THAT GOOD, unlike my Labrador!

Maple and Rosemary Chicken and Good Fall Books

We are gearing up for our 2nd snowfall of the season and temps are seriously dropping...either that or I am just becoming a bigger whimp each year with the chilly air.  I have been diving into all my recipes for some comforting, warm recipes from my archives and also looking for new ones to try out.

Since I have three more weeks until my car will be ready for pick up, I am still more bus bound that usual, getting to and from work.  No matter though, I have stocked up on my new fall books (and recipes) and ready for some great reading!

This chicken will warm your heart, bones and kitchen!  It is incredibly easy and flavorful all in one beautiful bite.  I made baked sweet potatoes with it, to really drive it home...(by bus of course).

Maple Rosemary Grilled Chicken

Courtesy of Damn Delicious

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce

3 Tbl olive oil, divided

1 shallot, minced

2 Tbl chopped fresh rosemary

1 Tbl freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 Tbl Dijon mustard

3 cloves garlic, minced

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 fresh rosemary sprigs

In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, 2 Tbl olive oil, shallot, rosemary, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and garlic; season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine maple syrup mixture and chicken; marinate for at least 30 minutes to overnight.  turning the bag occasionally.  Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.

Preheat grill to medium high heat.

Brush chicken with remaining 1 Tbl olive oil; season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add chicken to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes.

Serve immediately.  We enjoyed this chicken with a baked sweet potato.  Excellent dinner to get you into the fall mood.

Two Years Ago: Surprise Quiche

Three Years Ago: Cioppino

Four Years Ago: Sweet Shrimp and Spicy Sausage Skewers

Five Years Ago: Pear Tart