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Here’s my go-to bacon wrapped chicken tenders recipe, with juicy chicken breast strips wrapped in crispy bacon and seasoned with a blend of simple spices that make every bite fantastic.
These chicken tenders are my kids’ favorite weeknight dinner request. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so quickly from the dinner table. Nothing beats the combination of bacon and chicken, wouldn’t you agree?
Why You’ll Love These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
- Kid-friendly dinner – These chicken tenders are a guaranteed hit with kids – they’re basically an upgraded version of their favorite finger food, wrapped in crispy bacon!
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that you can find at any grocery store, making this an easy recipe to shop for.
- Quick preparation – With just 40-45 minutes from start to finish, these tenders are perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
- Sweet and savory combo – The brown sugar and smoky bacon create an irresistible combination that makes these tenders taste like they came from a restaurant.
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
For this recipe, you can use either pre-cut chicken tenders from the store or make your own by slicing chicken breasts into strips. If you’re starting with chicken breasts, look for ones that are similar in size and cut them into even strips about 1½ inches wide – this helps them cook evenly and wrap more easily with the bacon. Store-bought chicken tenders are totally fine too and will save you some prep time. Just make sure your chicken is fresh and, if it was frozen, that it’s completely thawed before you start wrapping. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to help the spices stick better and ensure the bacon can wrap tightly around each piece.
Options for Substitutions
This recipe is pretty adaptable and here are some helpful swaps you can try:
- Turkey bacon: Regular pork bacon works great here – in fact, it’s the traditional choice. You can also use duck bacon or even prosciutto, though prosciutto will cook faster so keep an eye on it.
- Chicken strips: You can cut chicken breasts into strips yourself, or use chicken thighs cut into similar-sized pieces. Just make sure the pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Brown sugar: Regular white sugar mixed with a touch of maple syrup works well. Coconut sugar is another good option, though it might change the flavor slightly. For a sugar-free version, try monk fruit sweetener or erythritol.
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika will work, but you’ll miss out on that smoky flavor. To make up for it, add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke or chipotle powder.
- Chili powder: You can swap this with paprika plus a pinch of cayenne, or use taco seasoning for a different spin. If you’re not into heat, just use extra smoked paprika instead.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge when making bacon-wrapped chicken tenders is preventing the bacon from becoming soggy – to avoid this, make sure to use a wire rack placed on top of your baking sheet, which allows the excess fat to drip away and helps the bacon crisp up evenly. Another common mistake is wrapping the bacon too loosely around the chicken, which can cause it to unravel during cooking – instead, stretch the bacon slightly as you wrap it and secure each end with a toothpick if needed. To prevent the brown sugar coating from burning, keep a close eye on your tenders during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, and consider lowering the oven temperature if you notice excessive browning. For the juiciest results, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F internally while ensuring you don’t overcook it, as this can make both the chicken and bacon tough and dry.
What to Serve With Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders?
These sweet and savory chicken tenders are super versatile when it comes to side dishes! For a casual weeknight dinner, I like to serve them with a side of roasted sweet potato wedges or regular french fries – the sweetness plays really well with the bacon-wrapped chicken. A simple coleslaw or crisp green salad helps balance out the richness of the dish, while some steamed broccoli or green beans can add a nice pop of color to your plate. If you’re serving these at a party, they’re great with some ranch or honey mustard dipping sauce on the side!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These bacon wrapped chicken tenders stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place them in a single layer if possible, but if you need to stack them, put a piece of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
Freeze: You can freeze these tasty tenders for up to 2 months! Let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. This method prevents them from sticking together, so you can grab just what you need.
Reheat: To warm these up, place them on a baking sheet and heat in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F – this helps keep the bacon nice and crispy! I’d skip the microwave since it can make the bacon a bit soggy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 700-800
- Protein: 70-80 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50 g
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 12 chicken strips
- 12 turkey bacon slices, halved lengthwise
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place a cooling rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet.
This setup will allow the bacon fat to drip down as the tenders bake, resulting in crispier bacon.
Step 2: Season the Chicken Tenders
In a small bowl, mix together paprika, salt, and onion powder.
Sprinkle this seasoning mix over both sides of each chicken tender to ensure they are well flavored.
Step 3: Wrap the Chicken with Bacon
Wrap each seasoned chicken tender with two strips of bacon.
Tuck the ends of the bacon strips in to secure them around the chicken.
This will help keep the bacon in place as it cooks.
Step 4: Coat with Brown Sugar Mixture
In another small bowl, mix the brown sugar and chili powder.
Gently roll each bacon-wrapped chicken tender in this mixture, pressing down lightly to ensure the sugar and spice adhere well to the bacon.
Step 5: Arrange and Bake
Carefully place the coated tenders on the prepared cooling rack, making sure not to overcrowd them.
This will promote even cooking.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink in the center and juices run clear).
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy the tender, flavorful chicken with crispy bacon wrapping.