If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner or appetizer that's packed with flavor, these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders are guaranteed to be a hit. Juicy chicken is coated in a savory blend of spices, wrapped in crispy bacon, and finished with a sweet and smoky brown sugar topping that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks.
Whether you're serving them for game day, a backyard barbecue, or an easy family dinner, these tender chicken bites are simple to make and impossible to resist. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of smoky bacon, juicy chicken, and a touch of sweetness.
Flavor & Texture Highlights
- Juicy, tender chicken wrapped in crispy bacon.
- Sweet and smoky brown sugar glaze.
- Perfect blend of savory herbs and spices.
- Crispy outside with moist, flavorful chicken inside.
- Great as both a main dish and party appetizer.
Jump to Section
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What You'll Need to Make This Recipe
- How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders Step by Step
- Expert Tips
- How to Store and Reheat It
- What to Serve With
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to prepare with everyday ingredients.
- Perfect for parties, holidays, or family dinners.
- Naturally juicy thanks to the bacon wrap.
- Sweet, savory, and slightly smoky in every bite.
- Can be baked or cooked on the grill.
What You'll Need to Make This Recipe
Chicken tenders cook quickly and stay wonderfully juicy, making them the perfect choice for wrapping with bacon. Thin-cut bacon crisps up beautifully while helping keep the chicken moist.
A flavorful seasoning blend of onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper gives the chicken plenty of savory flavor before it's wrapped.
Brown sugar combined with chili powder creates a lightly sweet, smoky coating that caramelizes during cooking, adding a delicious finish to every tender.
The exact ingredient measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat the Oven or Grill
Preheat your oven or grill to 350°F (175°C). If baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack over the pan for crispier bacon.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, whisk together the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the chicken tenders, rubbing it gently into all sides.
Step 3: Wrap with Bacon
Wrap one slice of bacon around each chicken tender, slightly overlapping as you go. Secure the ends with toothpicks if needed to keep the bacon in place during cooking.
Step 4: Add the Sweet Coating
In another bowl, combine the brown sugar and chili powder. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over each bacon-wrapped tender, gently pressing it onto the bacon.
Step 5: Bake or Grill
Arrange the chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet or grill. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Allow the chicken tenders to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps every bite tender and flavorful.
Expert Tips
- Use thin-cut bacon so it crisps at the same rate as the chicken cooks.
- Secure the bacon with toothpicks if necessary.
- For extra crispy bacon, broil the tenders for the last 2 to 3 minutes.
- Don't overcook the chicken—165°F is the perfect internal temperature.
- Line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
How to Store and Reheat It
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warmed through and the bacon becomes crispy again. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated directly from thawed.
What to Serve With
- Roasted potatoes
- Macaroni and cheese
- Coleslaw
- Grilled corn
- Garden salad
- Steamed green beans
- Ranch or barbecue dipping sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes. Simply cut boneless chicken breasts into strips that are similar in size to chicken tenders.
Can I make these on the grill?
Absolutely. Grill them over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the bacon-wrapped tenders several hours ahead, refrigerate, then add the brown sugar mixture just before cooking.
How do I know when they're fully cooked?
The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F and the bacon is crisp and browned.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10 chicken tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders (about 10 pieces)
- 10 slices bacon
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or grill to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the chicken tenders evenly with the spice mixture.
- Wrap each chicken tender with one slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Combine the brown sugar and chili powder in another bowl.
- Sprinkle and gently press the brown sugar mixture over each bacon-wrapped tender.
- Bake or grill for about 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy bacon, broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve with ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce for dipping.
- Thin-cut bacon produces the crispiest results.
Final Thoughts
These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, smoky, and juicy. They're simple enough for a weeknight meal yet impressive enough to serve at parties or family gatherings. Once you take that first crispy, flavorful bite, you'll understand why this recipe is always a crowd favorite.