Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders (Print View)
Crispy bacon-wrapped chicken with caramelized brown sugar coating for irresistible sweet and savory flavor.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 lb chicken tenders
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Coating
04 - 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Bacon
08 - 8 slices bacon, cut in half
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set a wire rack on top.
02 - Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
03 - In a shallow bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
04 - Wrap each chicken tender with a half-slice of bacon, overlapping slightly. Secure with a toothpick if necessary.
05 - Roll each bacon-wrapped chicken tender in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently to coat all sides.
06 - Arrange the tenders on the wire rack, spacing them out to allow air circulation.
07 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks if used.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of crispy bacon and caramelized brown sugar creates this incredible sweet smoky flavor that somehow feels fancy while being incredibly simple to make
- Everything cooks on one sheet pan with minimal prep, making it perfect for those weeknights when you want something special but dont have hours to spend in the kitchen
02 -
- If the sugar starts burning too quickly before the chicken is done tent some foil over the top for the last few minutes of cooking
- Using a wire rack is nonnegotiable if you want that all-over crispy texture instead of soggy bottoms from sitting in rendered bacon fat
03 -
- Line that baking sheet with parchment paper even if you use a wire rack the sugar will drip and caramelize on the pan making cleanup a nightmare without it
- If you want extra caramelization pop them under the broiler for the last minute or two but stand there watching the whole time because sugar goes from perfect to burned in seconds