Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Bacon wrapped chicken tenders bring together juicy poultry and smoky bacon for a crowd-pleasing main dish. Each tender is coated with a flavorful blend of brown sugar, paprika, onion, and garlic powders then wrapped in bacon and baked until crisp. The simple prep involves mixing the seasonings, seasoning the chicken, and wrapping each piece with bacon before oven roasting. A short broil at the end ensures a caramelized, crispy finish. These chicken tenders can be made ahead, frozen, or easily doubled for gatherings. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious and versatile main course.

I remember the first time I made these my whole kitchen filled with the smell of bacon and paprika and everyone came running to see what was cooking. Now I make them whenever I want something guaranteed to bring everyone to the table.

Ingredients

• Brown sugar: brings a subtle caramelized sweetness to balance the smoky bacon look for deep golden sugar
• Onion powder: creates a savory base always check for fresh vibrant powder
• Garlic powder: adds a punchy flavor and keeps things simple over minced garlic
• Smoked paprika: infuses a real barbecue depth opt for Spanish style if you want extra smokiness
• Salt and pepper: round out the seasoning freshly ground pepper is always best
• Chicken tenders: are quick cooking and juicy look for plump moist pieces
• Bacon strips: crisp up while keeping the chicken moist regular cut bacon works best for even cooking

Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with a cooling rack to allow air flow for crisp bacon

Mix the Seasoning:

In a large bowl stir together brown sugar onion powder garlic powder smoked paprika salt and pepper until no lumps remain

Coat the Chicken:

Place your chicken tenders in the bowl and toss thoroughly so all sides are evenly coated with the spice mix

Wrap the Chicken:

Take a strip of bacon and wrap it snugly around each chicken tender try to slightly overlap so all the chicken is covered

Arrange for Baking:

Lay the wrapped chicken tenders seam side down on the rack in the prepared pan with a little space between each

Bake Until Done:

Put the pan in the oven and bake for about twenty five to thirty minutes until the chicken is just cooked through and the bacon is turning golden

Broil for Crispiness:

Switch the oven to broil move the pan a bit closer to the top and broil each side for two to three minutes watching closely until the bacon crisps as you like

Rest and Serve:

Take the pan out and let the tenders rest for a few minutes before serving to keep them juicy

My favorite part is how the smoked paprika and bacon come together to create a kind of backyard grill aroma even when I am cooking indoors. Last time I served these at a family game night the plate disappeared before anyone could even ask for seconds.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they will stay fresh for up to three days. To reheat the best way is in a hot oven to re crisp the bacon instead of the microwave which can make things soggy. If you want to prep way ahead wrap seasoned chicken tenders and bacon and freeze them raw on a sheet pan then transfer to a freezer bag for a busy night later.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can switch out the chicken tenders for thin slices of boneless chicken breast or even turkey if you have it on hand. Feel free to play with seasoning add a pinch of chili powder for heat or try maple sugar instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness. For a lower sodium version choose reduced sodium bacon or skip the salt in the spice blend.

Serving Suggestions

These are so versatile you can serve them as a main dish with mashed potatoes or a crisp salad or offer them as an appetizer with small forks and lots of different sauces. My family likes honey mustard and barbecue for dipping but ranch or even a bit of spicy sriracha mayonnaise works great too.

These bacon wrapped chicken tenders are an easy crowd pleasing dish that reheats best in a hot oven to keep the bacon crisp.

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I keep the bacon crispy on the chicken tenders?

Baking on a rack allows air circulation which helps the bacon crisp. Finishing with a brief broil adds extra crispiness.

→ Can I use thick-cut bacon for this dish?

Yes, but thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook. Watch closely to avoid undercooked chicken or burnt bacon.

→ Is it possible to prepare these ahead of time?

Absolutely, season and wrap the tenders up to one day before baking. Keep refrigerated until ready to cook.

→ What dipping sauces pair well with these?

Honey mustard, ranch, barbecue, and spicy aioli all complement the smoky, savory flavors nicely.

→ Can these be frozen for later?

Yes, freeze wrapped and cooked tenders. Reheat in the oven to keep bacon crispy and chicken juicy.

→ How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness.