Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are irresistibly delicious, combining the savory flavor of bacon with the sweetness of brown sugar for a mouthwatering dish.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1½ lbs chicken tenders
8 slices bacon, cut in half
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack.
Make the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
Pat the chicken tenders dry. Brush each tender lightly with melted butter, then coat generously with the brown sugar seasoning.
Wrap each chicken tender with half a slice of bacon, tucking the ends underneath or securing with a toothpick if needed.
Arrange the wrapped tenders on the wire rack without letting them touch.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the bacon is browned and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Brush the tenders with honey during the final 3–5 minutes of baking.
For extra caramelization, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully because the brown sugar can burn quickly.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For an even stronger caramelized crust, sprinkle a small amount of the remaining brown sugar mixture over the bacon during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serve with ranch, honey mustard, or a creamy BBQ dipping sauce.