Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders

Bacon brown sugar chicken tenders are sweet, savory, and irresistibly crispy! Juicy chicken tenders wrapped in smoky bacon, coated in a caramelized brown sugar glaze, make this dish perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course. It’s an easy recipe that’s guaranteed to be a crowd favorite!

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders
8-10 slices bacon (thin-cut for easier wrapping)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
Season the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken tenders dry and season lightly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Wrap the Chicken:
- Wrap each chicken tender tightly with a slice of bacon. If needed, secure the bacon with a toothpick.
Coat with Brown Sugar:
- Place the brown sugar on a plate. Roll each bacon-wrapped chicken tender in the brown sugar, pressing gently to coat evenly.
Bake:
- Arrange the chicken tenders on the prepared wire rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the bacon is crispy.
Serve:
- Let the chicken cool slightly before serving. Serve as is or with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or honey mustard.

Tips for Perfect Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders

Use Thin Bacon: Thin-cut bacon cooks faster and crisps up better.
Control Sweetness: Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste or add a pinch of cayenne for a sweet-and-spicy kick.
Wire Rack Method: Baking on a rack allows the bacon to crisp evenly and keeps the chicken from sitting in grease.
Make It Bite-Sized: Cut chicken tenders in half before wrapping for appetizer-sized portions.