Bacon-wrapped chicken tenders are simple, juicy, and dangerously snackable Here’s a clear, step-by-step recipe with a couple of easy flavor options.
🥓 Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders
🕒 Time
- Prep: 10–15 minutes
- Cook: 25–30 minutes
- Serves: 4 (about 12 tenders)
🧾 Ingredients
- 12 chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)
- 12 slices bacon (thin-cut works best)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- Salt & black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked if you have it)
Optional add-ins
- Brown sugar or honey (sweet version)
- Chili flakes or cayenne (spicy)
- BBQ sauce or maple syrup glaze
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prep
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Line a baking tray with foil and place a rack on top (best for crispy bacon).
Step 2: Season the chicken
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- Lightly coat with olive oil.
- Season with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Step 3: Wrap with bacon
- Wrap one slice of bacon around each chicken tender.
- Start at one end and spiral to the other.
- If bacon is long, cut slices in half.
- Secure with a toothpick if needed.
💡 Thin bacon crisps better; thick-cut stays chewy.
Step 4: Optional flavor boost
- Sweet: Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar
- Spicy: Add chili flakes or cayenne
- BBQ: Brush with a little sauce (do this halfway through baking)
Step 5: Bake
- Place tenders seam-side down on the rack.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Flip and bake another 5–10 minutes, until:
- Bacon is crispy
- Chicken reaches 74°C / 165°F internally
👉 For extra crisp bacon, switch to broil/grill for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Step 6: Rest & serve
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove toothpicks.
- Serve hot.
🍽 Serving ideas
- With honey mustard or ranch
- As party appetizers
- Over a salad
- With mashed potatoes or fries
🔥 Air fryer version (quick!)
- Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 12–15 minutes, turning once.