Brown sugarfor sprinkling (optional for a sweet and savory flavor)
Your favorite barbecue saucefor serving
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top. The rack helps the bacon to cook evenly without getting soggy from sitting in its own grease.
Prepare the Chicken:
Rinse the chicken tenders and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
Wrap the Chicken:
Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon. Start at one end and wrap the bacon around the tender, slightly overlapping as you go. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary. For added sweetness, you can sprinkle a little brown sugar over the bacon-wrapped tenders.
Arrange on Baking Sheet:
Place the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders on the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet. This setup allows air to circulate around the tenders, making the bacon crispy all around.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, you can broil the tenders for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
Serve:
Let the chicken tenders cool slightly before serving. Serve them with your favorite barbecue sauce for dipping.