Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into a mouthwatering feast that will have everyone begging for seconds! These Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Chicken Tenders are the perfect combination of crispy, juicy, and irresistibly saucy - a guaranteed showstopper that bridges the gap between gourmet cooking and classic comfort food. Whether you're hosting a game day party, family dinner, or just craving something absolutely delicious, this recipe promises to elevate your culinary game with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 8 strips bacon
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to allow excess grease to drip during cooking.
- Pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels to ensure the bacon adheres properly. Season both sides of the chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
- Wrap each chicken tender completely with a strip of bacon, stretching the bacon slightly to cover the entire tender. Secure the bacon ends underneath the tender to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders on the wire rack, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking and crispy bacon.
- Brush each bacon-wrapped tender generously with barbecue sauce, covering the entire surface. Reserve some sauce for additional glazing during cooking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is crisp and golden brown.
- Halfway through cooking, remove the tenders and brush with additional barbecue sauce for extra flavor and caramelization.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the tenders rest for 3-5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot, with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Tips
- Pat the chicken tenders completely dry before wrapping - this ensures the bacon adheres perfectly and gets wonderfully crisp.
- Use a wire rack when baking to allow excess grease to drip and promote even, crispy cooking.
- Stretch the bacon slightly when wrapping to ensure complete coverage of the chicken tender.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give each tender enough space for the bacon to crisp up evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For extra caramelization, brush with barbecue sauce multiple times during cooking.
- Let the tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness.
- Choose a high-quality barbecue sauce for the most robust flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 318kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 36g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 100mg
