Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce: A Flavor Sensation

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey with our irresistible Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders, perfectly paired with a vibrant Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. This dish masterfully balances smoky, spicy, and sweet notes, creating an unforgettable experience that’s equally at home as a sophisticated appetizer or a satisfying main course.

This recipe has consistently delighted countless palates, earning rave reviews from family, friends, and even clients. As one happy cook exclaimed, “I have made this numerous times for my husband and friends and EVERY TIME I get raves!” Its popularity is no surprise; the combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a dynamic sauce is simply captivating.

Why These Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders Are an Absolute Must-Try

Everything tastes better with bacon, and chicken tenders are no exception! These succulent strips of chicken are practically begging to be embraced by a crisp, smoky slice of bacon. The beauty of chicken tenders lies in their ideal size; a single strip of bacon wraps perfectly around each one, ensuring even cooking and a delightful crunch in just about 10 minutes in a non-stick skillet.

This dish stands out not only for its incredible flavor but also for its versatility and relative ease of preparation. Whether you’re planning a casual gathering, a special dinner, or simply looking for an exciting weeknight meal, these bacon-wrapped delights fit the bill. The harmonious blend of savory bacon, juicy chicken, and the unique sweet-spicy kick of the raspberry chipotle sauce creates a complex yet approachable dish that will impress everyone.

The Secret to Perfectly Tender Chicken: Tendon Removal

Before you embark on wrapping your chicken, there’s a small but crucial step that elevates the texture of your chicken tenders: removing the tendon. While it might seem like a minor detail, taking a moment to address this ensures a consistently smooth, tender bite without any chewy surprises. Trust us, it’s a small effort for a significant improvement in your dining experience.

How to Effortlessly Remove Tendons from Chicken Tenders:

The simplest and most effective method I’ve discovered for removing the tendon without compromising the delicate chicken tender involves a pair of kitchen shears. This technique allows for precision and minimizes waste.

• Begin by holding the very tip of the visible tendon firmly with one hand.
• With your other hand, carefully open your kitchen shears.
• Gently run the open blades of the scissors along the tendon, snipping as you go, until you reach the point where the tendon completely detaches from the chicken tender.
• Voila! Your chicken tender is now perfectly prepped for cooking.

Crafting the Perfect Bacon Wrap

While the thought of extra bacon might be tempting, I’ve found that one slice of bacon per chicken tender provides the optimal balance. Using two slices can sometimes overpower the subtle flavor of the chicken, making the dish feel overly rich. A single strip allows the chicken to shine through while still delivering that irresistible crispy, smoky bacon goodness.

The wrapping technique is straightforward: simply encase each seasoned chicken tender in a single strip of bacon. When placing them in the skillet, start with the bacon seam-side down. This trick helps to “seal” the bacon onto the chicken as it cooks, preventing it from unraveling and ensuring a beautiful, consistent wrap.

The Star Sauce: Raspberry Chipotle

The exceptional Raspberry Chipotle Sauce is truly what elevates this dish from delicious to divine. Its unique flavor profile is a symphony of sweet, tart raspberries, smoky chipotle peppers, and a hint of piquant adobo sauce, all brought together with a touch of balsamic vinegar and sweetness. It’s a complex sauce that’s surprisingly easy to make and utterly addictive.

For the raspberries, I’ve been fortunate enough to use the bounty from my amazing 89-year-old father’s raspberry bushes, which yield some of the most beautiful and flavorful raspberries imaginable. We happily receive an abundance each year, often freezing some for later use.

If you don’t have a personal raspberry supplier like I do, fret not! Frozen raspberries from your local grocery store work beautifully for this sauce. Alternatively, you can even use good quality raspberry preserves, though you’ll want to adjust the added sugar in the recipe to account for the preserves’ inherent sweetness. The goal is to achieve a balanced flavor that complements the smoky chicken without being overly sugary.

Adapting for Dietary Needs

For those following a Paleo diet, this recipe is easily adaptable. Simply substitute honey or maple syrup for the granulated sugar in the Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. This modification allows you to enjoy the same incredible flavors while adhering to your dietary preferences, proving that delicious and wholesome can indeed go hand-in-hand.

More Irresistible Easy Chicken Recipes to Explore!

If you’re a fan of flavorful and fuss-free chicken dishes, you’re in the right place! Here are a few more fantastic recipes from my kitchen that are sure to become new family favorites:

• Pesto and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Roma Tomatoes
• Chicken with Romesco Sauce and Saffron Cauliflower Rice
• Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri
• Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet
• Korean Braised Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Scallopini with Roasted Vegetable Ratatouille
• Almond-Crusted Chicken Tenders

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4.75 from 4 votes

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

By Carol | From A Chef’s Kitchen

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce are smoky and spicy with the right amount of sweetness. They make a great appetizer or entree.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 2

Equipment

• Kitchen Shears
• Nonstick Skillet
• Saucepan
• Breville Immersion Blender
• Oxo Sieve

Ingredients

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (approximately 1/2 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 bag (12-ounce) frozen raspberries
• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar, or as needed (use honey for Paleo)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Tenders

• 1 package (8-ounce) chicken tenders
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices bacon, or 1 per tender

Instructions

Sauce

1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add the finely chopped red onion, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Incorporate the remaining sauce ingredients (chicken broth, frozen raspberries, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, balsamic vinegar, and sugar) and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, or until it has thickened and reduced in volume by about one-third. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly.
4. Carefully transfer the cooled sauce to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. For an extra refined texture, strain the pureed sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on any solids to extract maximum flavor. Set the finished sauce aside to serve with the chicken tenders.

Tenders

1. Begin by patting the chicken tenders dry. Season them lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that bacon is salty, so you may wish to go easy on the salt for the chicken.
2. Take one slice of bacon and firmly wrap it around each prepared chicken tender. Ensure the bacon is snug.
3. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders in the pan, ensuring the loose end of the bacon strip is facing down. This helps to ‘seal’ the bacon and prevent it from unwrapping during cooking. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
4. Brown the chicken tenders well on all sides, turning them periodically, until the bacon is beautifully crisp and golden, and the chicken is cooked through. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). This usually takes about 10-12 minutes total cooking time, depending on thickness.

Notes

PRO TIP: Tendon Removal

The easiest way to remove the tendon without damaging the delicate chicken tender is using kitchen shears:

• Hold the tip of the tendon with one hand.
• Run open scissors along the tendon down to where it ends, snipping as you go.

MAKE AHEAD:

• The Raspberry Chipotle Sauce can be prepared 2-3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

FREEZER-FRIENDLY:

• Both the cooked chicken tenders and the sauce can be frozen separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
• To reheat the tenders, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them in the oven until heated through and crisp.
• The sauce can be thawed in the refrigerator and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1
Calories: 657kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 22g
Cholesterol: 65mg
Sodium: 2003mg
Fiber: 12g
Sugar: 40g

Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.

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