Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders: A Taste Explosion Awaits!

How Do You Make Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders?

Prepare yourself for a delicious culinary journey with our Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders recipe. Indulge in tender chicken, seasoned to perfection and wrapped in crispy bacon, creating a delightful blend of flavors with every bite.

Learn how to make this delicious masterpiece effortlessly in the oven or air fryer. Perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying a gourmet weeknight dinner, this recipe strikes the ideal balance between simplicity and gourmet appeal.

Join us on a journey where convenience meets indulgence. Each succulent bacon-wrapped bite delivers an explosion of extraordinary flavors. 

Elevate your cooking skills and make a lasting impression with this irresistible recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders!

Bacon-wrapped chicken skewers with vegetables on a grill
Bacon-wrapped chicken skewers with vegetables on a grill

Table of Contents

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders Recipe

Bacon-wrapped chicken tender bites
Bacon-wrapped chicken tender bites

These delicious and crowd-pleasing oven-baked bacon-wrapped chicken tenders are the perfect choice for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or indulging in them as a mouthwatering main dish, they are sure to satisfy your cravings. 

The succulent chicken tenders are expertly wrapped in crispy bacon, which keeps the meat juicy and adds a burst of savory flavor. 

The result is keto-friendly, Paleo, and gluten-free flavorful bacon-wrapped chicken tenders!

Plus, the best part is that they can be prepared and on your table in under 30 minutes, making them a convenient and delectable meal prep option for those busy days.

Ingredients

Cutting chicken breast into strips
Cutting chicken breast into strips

Chicken Tenders: Of course, the key ingredient is chicken. If you have chicken breasts, you can cut them into smaller pieces to make chicken tenders. Both chicken breasts and tenderloin are lean white meat with a mild flavor that complements various cuisines and spices.

Bacon: Choose a bacon brand that is free from added sugar or nitrates. While thin strips are preferable, you can still use thick-cut bacon if that’s what you have. Just remember to extend the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure a crispy finish.

Seasonings: Bacon alone adds flavor and juiciness to the chicken, but for an even more delightful experience, apply a blend of herbs, spices, salt, and pepper to each chicken tender. This will further elevate the taste and make it a truly satisfying treat.

Here are the exact ingredients you will need for this easy recipe:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast (about 16 tenders)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 16 slices sugar-free bacon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place aluminum foil on two rimmed baking pans and put a metal rack on top.

Raw chicken tenders with fresh herbs and spices
Raw chicken tenders with fresh herbs and spices

Put the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme in a large plastic zipper bag. Close the bag and shake well to blend them.

Put each chicken tender in the zipper bag, close it, and shake to coat the chicken with the spice blend. Once coated, wrap it in bacon, making sure to tuck in the ends, then place it on the rack in the prepared pan.

Bake at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes until the bacon turns crispy. If the bacon isn’t crispy enough, you can place each pan under the broiler for another minute or two.

Nutrition

A serving of two chicken tenders contains the following:

  • Calories: 92
  • Carbohydrates: 1.2g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Sugar: 0.1g
  • Fat: 6.3g
  • Protein: 7.3g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg
  • Sodium: 907mg

Tips for Making Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders

If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, make sure to use bacon without added sugar and nitrates. 

For the bacon, you can use either regular or smoked. You can also use turkey bacon.

Uncooked bacon slices on a wooden boar
Uncooked bacon slices on a wooden board

Instead of using strips, you can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before wrapping them in each bacon slice to make perfectly sized bites.

Use rimmed baking sheets lined with foil (not parchment paper) and let the chicken cool for a bit on the rack to allow the bacon grease to drip off.

Variations of Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with spinach and cheese
Bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with spinach and cheese

If you’re not concerned with carb content, you can add brown sugar (or coconut sugar) to the seasoning mix. You can also add maple syrup on top of the bacon-wrapped chicken strips before baking.

Experiment with seasonings! For an extra fiery kick, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the mix. Use your seasoning blend of choice or store-bought BBQ rub, Italian seasoning, or Old Bay.

If you love cheese, you can also add a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top of the chicken before wrapping them in bacon.

You can also make air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken tenderloin at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes.

What to Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Bacon-wrapped chicken with fries and ketchup
Bacon-wrapped chicken with fries and ketchup

These tenders work well as a main dish for a delicious dinner or lunch. Two pieces make for a perfect serving size. Serve them with a side of roasted veggies or a light and healthy salad.

They also make a perfect appetizer or snack for outdoor gatherings like picnics or cookouts alongside bacon-wrapped hotdogs and bratwursts.

The chicken tastes great on its own, but you can add an extra kick if you prefer. Serve it plain or with your favorite dip, like BBQ sauce, ketchup, or cheese sauce.

Honey mustard, blue cheese, or ranch dressing are also excellent choices for dipping bite-size pieces.

How to Store Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheating in the microwave might dry up the chicken, but the bacon could stay juicy. Although, you can still enjoy leftovers in a lettuce wrap or in pasta recipes.

More Healthy Recipes

If you love this recipe, consider the following keto recipes we’ve compiled:

Fried Chicken Thighs

“Marry Me” Chicken

Chicken Pizza Crust 

Grilled Chicken Margherita

Chicken Liver Recipes

Chicken Thigh Recipes

Chicken Leg Quarter Recipes 

If you love bacon, try incorporating it into other favorite dishes like this squash casserole or meatloaf.

For party snacks or appetizers, try this buffalo chicken dip or cold crab dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you meal prep this recipe?

Absolutely! You can conveniently prepare them ahead of time. Simply wrap the chicken in bacon, store it covered in a pan in the fridge, and pop it in the oven when it’s time for dinner. It’s best not to bake the tenders in advance to avoid dryness upon reheating.

How long do you bake chicken tender wrapped in bacon?

The baking time for the chicken depends on two factors: the thickness of the chicken and the oven temperature. For faster cooking, you can use a high temperature, like 450°F, and reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes. However, you may still need to adjust the time slightly based on the thickness.

Seasoned chicken breasts wrapped in bacon
Seasoned chicken breasts wrapped in bacon

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this culinary adventure, your kitchen becomes a stage for a truly spectacular dish: bacon-wrapped chicken tenders that redefine home-cooked perfection. 

Despite its simplicity, this recipe is a symphony of flavors, where each bite celebrates the perfect combination of tender chicken and crispy bacon. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a kitchen beginner, this dish guarantees a dining experience worthy of applause.

Discover the joy of effortlessly creating something extraordinary with our Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders recipe. It’s a culinary masterpiece made easy. Share this delightful taste explosion with loved ones or savor it as your own special treat. 

Cheers to the sizzle, spice, and sheer delight of mastering this recipe. Your kitchen becomes a canvas for flavor, and these bacon-wrapped wonders are your masterpiece. 

Here’s to the unforgettable taste sensation that is Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders!