Description
Discover the perfect combination of crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tender chicken in our Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders recipe. A crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients List
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 12–16 chicken tenders
- 1 lb thin-cut bacon
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Prepare the Brown Sugar Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Wrap the Chicken Tenders:
- Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon, ensuring the bacon covers the chicken evenly. Secure the ends with a toothpick if needed.
- Coat the Tenders in Brown Sugar:
- Roll each bacon-wrapped chicken tender in the brown sugar mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the sugar adheres well to the bacon.
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet:
- Place the coated chicken tenders on the wire rack, leaving some space between each one to allow for even cooking.
- Bake the Tenders:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. If the bacon starts to brown too quickly, cover the tenders with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them as a main dish, appetizer, or snack!
Notes
Additional Tips and Notes
- Crispy Bacon: To ensure the bacon gets crispy without overcooking the chicken, consider partially cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken tenders. This gives the bacon a head start and ensures it crisps up nicely in the oven.
- Customizable Spice Mix: Experiment with the brown sugar mixture by adding different spices, such as cayenne pepper for a kick of heat or ground ginger for a warm, spicy flavor.
- Presentation: For a nice presentation, garnish the finished dish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. This adds color and freshness to the rich dish.