Description
Enjoy these crispy bacon-wrapped chicken tenders, seasoned to perfection and baked until golden. They make a delicious appetizer or main dish that’s sure to impress at any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 8 slices of bacon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse the chicken tenders under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken tenders, rubbing it in for better flavor absorption.
- Drizzle honey over the seasoned chicken if desired and toss to coat.
- Cut the bacon slices in half to create 16 pieces.
- In a skillet over medium heat, lightly cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes on each side until partially cooked.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease.
- Take one chicken tender and place a half slice of bacon at one end. Wrap the bacon around the chicken, overlapping slightly.
- Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary and place the wrapped tenders seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the wrapped chicken tenders.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- If the bacon isn’t browning, switch to broil for the last 5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the chicken tenders rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Remove toothpicks if used.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with parsley if desired.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken tenders in the seasoning mix for a few hours before wrapping them in bacon.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices or sauces to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes