Looking for a tasty and easy dinner recipe? Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders are a perfect choice! Air frying these delicious morsels makes them even faster and easier to prepare.
The crispy bacon wrapping creates a flavorful crust that practically melts in your mouth. Ready in just 15 minutes, these air fryer chicken tenders are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Enjoy!
Not only are these chicken tenders delicious, but they’re incredibly easy to make! All you need to do is wrap each chicken tender in bacon, season well, and then air fry until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
Serve alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal. Add a dollop of your favorite dipping sauce for an extra boost of flavor. These air fryer chicken tenders are sure to be a hit at any party or gathering!
If you love these, then you’ll really love Air Fryer Chicken Quarters! Anything chicken that’s air fried is a big hit around this house.
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Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this delicious recipe. Gather these ingredients and get ready to enjoy this savory meal with your family in no time at all.
- chicken tenderloins – or boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips.
- smoked paprika – smoked paprika adds a rich flavor to this delicious recipe.
- garlic powder – You can never go wrong with garlic!
- bacon – Pick up a package of your favorite bacon, i don’t recommend using center cut, because it’s too short.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
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Mix together the dry seasonings. And, then sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken.
Wrap the chicken strips with the bacon, then season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt & pepper.
Air fry the chicken tenders in the preheated 390 degree air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Make sure the internal temperatures of the chicken is 165 degrees.
Hint: I used an oven style air fryer to make these, however the basket style will work just as well, you will just need to make them in several batches. Make sure you don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket.
Variations
Give your air fryer chicken tenders a flavor boost with these three easy variations!
- BBQ variation: add a few tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce to the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken tenders.
- Cajun variation: sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper over the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken tenders.
- Buffalo variation: brush buffalo sauce over the wrapped chicken tenders before air frying. Serve with celery and ranch dressing for a classic buffalo wings experience!
I also really love this Butter Pecan Maple Bacon Cupcakes option as a dessert. Everything bacon!
Equipment
Here is a quick list of the kitchen tools that you need to make this delicious recipe.
- small bowl
- air fryer
Storage
Leftovers – Place any leftover tenders in an airtight container or wrap them in aluminum foil.
Reheating – Place leftover chicken tenders onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
Freezing – Wrap cooled chicken tenders in a double layer of aluminum foil or in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw the frozen chicken tenders overnight in the refrigerator and follow the traditional air fryer instructions.
Pro Tips
- Cut the chicken into even-sized pieces to ensure they all cook evenly at the same time.
- Use a marinade made with olive oil, garlic, and other herbs for extra flavor.
- To make the chicken even crispier, by lightly brush each piece with vegetable oil before placing it in the air fryer.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Chicken tenders typically take about 8-10 minutes to cook in an air fryer. To ensure they are cooked through, you should check the internal temperature of each piece using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for chicken tenders to be safely consumed.
Bacon-wrapped chicken can take about 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer. To ensure the chicken is cooked through, you should use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for it to be safe to consume.
If your chicken tenders are soggy from the air fryer, it likely means they were cooked for too long at too high a temperature. Try lowering the cooking temperature and/or reducing the cooking time for crispier results. Try waiting about 5 minutes after cooking before removing your chicken tenders from the air fryer to allow them to crisp up further.
Related Recipes
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Serve With
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders recipe:
- Crack Green Beans
- Slow Cooker Hashbrown Casserole
- Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
- Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese
Recipe Card
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- small bowl
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces bacon uncooked
Instructions
- Mix together the dry seasonings. Sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken.
- Wrap chicken tenders in bacon, folding over any skinny ends of the chicken to cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Prepare the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the chicken tenders, in batches if needed, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes turning the tender once to cook evenly. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and allow to rest for 10 minutes prior to serving.
- Serve with assorted dipping sauces, if desired.
Notes
- Cut the chicken into even-sized pieces to ensure they all cook evenly at the same time.
- Use a marinade made with olive oil, garlic, and other herbs for extra flavor.
- To make the chicken even crispier, by lightly brush each piece with vegetable oil before placing it in the air fryer.