Description
This Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders recipe features tender chicken wrapped in crispy bacon and coated with a sweet and savory brown sugar spice mix. Baked to perfection and finished under the broiler for extra crispiness, these flavorful tenders make a perfect appetizer or main dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Bacon
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 8 slices of bacon
Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the chicken tenders evenly.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup easier after cooking.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a uniform seasoning mixture.
- Wrap Chicken: Wrap each chicken tender tightly with one slice of bacon. Secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed to keep it in place during cooking.
- Coat with Sugar Mixture: Dredge each bacon-wrapped tender in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently so the seasoning adheres well to the bacon surface.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart so they do not touch for even cooking and crisping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy bacon, turn the oven broiler on for the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking, but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and remove any toothpicks before serving.
Notes
- Use toothpicks carefully and remove them before serving to avoid choking hazards.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- For a lower sugar option, reduce the brown sugar quantity or use a sugar substitute cautiously as it may affect caramelization.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch or honey mustard for extra flavor.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the baking sheet to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
