I made these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders the first time because regular chicken tenders sounded a little boring that day and I had bacon sitting in the fridge that needed to be used. The bacon gets crispy around the edges while the chicken stays juicy inside, and honestly the combination is hard to mess up.
These also look way fancier than the amount of work involved, which I appreciate because sometimes I want something that feels a little different without spending hours cooking. I’ve made these for dinner, game nights, and random weekend lunches when everyone wanted something filling. If you already like recipes like Homemade Chicken Tenders, Pizza Bagels, or Baked Cheesy Quesadilla, these bacon wrapped chicken tenders fit perfectly into that easy comfort food category.
Why You Will Love These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
What I love most about these chicken tenders is how flavorful they are without needing a complicated marinade or sauce. The bacon adds saltiness and keeps the chicken from drying out while baking.
They’re also really easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Once everything is wrapped and seasoned, the oven basically handles the rest.
Another thing I like is that they work for both snacks and full meals. I’ve served these with fries, salad, roasted vegetables, and honestly even inside wraps before.
You can also switch up the seasoning depending on what you like. Sometimes I add paprika for smokiness or a little cayenne when I want extra heat.
What You Will Need For Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
A large baking sheet works best because the bacon crisps better when the chicken tenders have a little space around them.
You’ll also need parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup because bacon always leaves behind extra grease.
A wire rack placed over the baking sheet helps the bacon crisp more evenly underneath, although it’s completely optional.
Toothpicks can help hold the bacon in place while baking if the strips keep unwrapping.
Ingredients Needed
- 1½ pounds chicken tenders
- 10 slices bacon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If using a wire rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and brown sugar.
Rub the chicken tenders lightly with olive oil, then coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon. If needed, secure the ends with toothpicks.
Place the wrapped tenders onto the baking sheet.
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked.
For extra crispy bacon, broil for the last 2 minutes while watching carefully.
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top before serving.
I usually serve these with ranch, honey mustard, or even barbecue sauce depending on the mood that day. They also go really well with Chicken Caesar Salad, Homemade Pizza Rolls, or even Strawberry Lemonade if you want something simple on the side.
Tips For Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Thin bacon works better here because thick-cut bacon sometimes takes longer to crisp before the chicken finishes cooking.
Try not to overlap the tenders too closely on the tray or the bacon stays softer underneath.
If the bacon starts browning too quickly, lower the oven temperature slightly near the end.
Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps the bacon stick better while wrapping.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Description
I made these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders the first time because regular chicken tenders sounded a little boring that day and I had bacon sitting in the fridge that needed to be used. The bacon gets crispy around the edges while the chicken stays juicy inside, and honestly the combination is hard to mess up.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
-
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If using a wire rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
-
Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
-
In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and brown sugar.
-
Rub the chicken tenders lightly with olive oil, then coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.
-
Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon. If needed, secure the ends with toothpicks.
-
Place the wrapped tenders onto the baking sheet.
-
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked.
-
For extra crispy bacon, broil for the last 2 minutes while watching carefully.
-
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top before serving.
-
I usually serve these with ranch, honey mustard, or even barbecue sauce depending on the mood that day. They also go really well with Chicken Caesar Salad, Homemade Pizza Rolls, or even Strawberry Lemonade if you want something simple on the side.
