Name: Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken tenders; 8 slices bacon; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; salt and pepper (to taste)

Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a dangerously delicious combination of sweet and savory, with a hint of smokiness. Wrapped in bacon, slathered with brown sugar, garlic and paprika, they yield a succulent, caramelized exterior wrapped around a juicy chicken filling. No matter if you serve them as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, these tenders are bound to please everyone at the table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Savory and Sweet Mix: The mix of salty bacon and sweet brown sugar means these chicken tenders are bursting with flavor.

Minimal Ingredients: You need just six simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have at home.

Simple: This is a dish everyone knows how to make — few steps, no complicated techniques.

Versatile Dish: These tenders are a delicious appetizer, party snack, or even a main dish when served with your favorite sides.

Key Ingredients:

Chicken Tenders: If you don’t have chicken tenders, you could use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into strips. Bone-in thighs can be used as well for a juicier result.

Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is perfect if you’re looking for a heartier bite, but it’ll take a little longer to crisp up than the regular stuff. You can also opt for turkey bacon, for a lighter alternative.

Brown Sugar: You can use We plan to do scout brown sugar both light and dark sugar will work for this recipe Dark brown sugar will lend a deeper molasses flavor.

Seasonings: You can adjust the seasonings. Use cayenne if you want a little heat, or substitute the paprika for smoked paprika for extra smokiness.

Full ingredient list with amounts and directions are at the bottom in the recipe card

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Season the Chicken:

Grab your chicken tenders and season them all over with:

Garlic powder

Paprika

Salt

Pepper

Be sure each chicken tender gets thoroughly coated with the seasoning blend.

Wrap with Bacon:

Using one piece of bacon, wrap it around each seasoned piece of chicken tender.

If needed, use toothpicks to hold the ends of the bacon in place so that the bacon doesn’t come undone while it bakes.

Step 2: Add the Sweet Touch

Coat with Brown Sugar:

Evenly coat the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders with brown sugar.

Sprinkle the sugar on top and press gently so it sticks to the bacon. This will impart the chicken with a very flavorful caramelized crust as it bakes.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Bake:

Using parchment paper or a silicone mat line a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

Arrange the bacon-wrapped tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each tender to cook evenly.

Roast until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C)), 25 to 30 minutes in the hot oven.

Rest and Serve:

Take the chicken tenders out of the oven and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes. The rest time gives the juices time to redistribute so every bite is moist and delicious.

Dig in to the magical combination of crisp bacon + juicy chicken with a sweet caramelised twist!

Serving Suggestions:

Bacon Brown Sugar Tenders: These bacon brown sugar chicken tenders are very versatile and can be served in so many ways! Here are a few ideas:

Appetizer: Serve them as a finger food at parties, with toothpicks for ease of snacking.

Main Dish: Serve the tenders with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or roasted vegetables for a filling meal.

Salad Topper: Slice the tenders and use as a topping on a fresh green salad for a hearty, flavor-dense lunch.

Dipping Sauces: Accompany your crispy strips with a variety of dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, honey mustard, or sweet chili sauce to balance the sweet and savory notes.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

Refrigerate: Place cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Pop them in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to crisp them up again, or microwave if you’re in a hurry (just know the bacon might not hold on to its crispiness as well).

Freeze: You can freeze cooked tenders by wrapping them tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then putting them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make Ahead: For a time saver, you can prepare the bacon-wrapped tenders and coat them in brown sugar in advance. Keep them in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before you bake.

Recipe Variations:

Spicy-Sweet Tenders: Stir a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes into the brown sugar for a spicy-sweet kick that’s for hot-heads.

Herb-Infused Tenders: Add Italian seasoning or rosemary to the seasoning mix for a more herbaceous flavor that complements the bacon nicely.

Maple glaze: For a take on the classic, use maple syrup instead of the brown sugar. Halfway through baking, drizzle the syrup over the tenders for a sweet, sticky glaze that goes perfectly with crispy bacon.

Conclusion:

These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders will be a guaranteed hit whether you serve them as a snack for a party, at dinner for family, or no meal at all, just finger licking good. The burst of flavor from the sweet caramelized brown sugar, combined with the savory bacon and juicy chicken creates an explosion of flavor in your mouth with every bite. And they’re so easy to customize with different seasonings and dips to suit your preferences!