Go Back
–+ servings
Plated bacon-wrapped chicken tenders glazed with brown sugar sauce, garnished with parsley, and served with a fresh green side salad.

Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders

These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders combine savory bacon with sweet brown sugar and a perfect balance of spices. The result is crispy, tender, and irresistibly delicious chicken tenders, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Foundation:
  • 1 lb Chicken tender - Use fresh tenders for best results
  • 8 slices Thin-sliced bacon - Wraps around each chicken tender
  • ½ cup Light brown sugar - Sweetness and caramelization for the chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika - Adds depth and smokiness
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder - For savory flavor
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper - Adds a mild heat
  • ½ teaspoon Fine sea salt - To balance sweetness and savory flavors
For Flavor Boosters:
  • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper - Adds heat optional
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder - Adds spice and flavor
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - Adds a tangy flavor
  • 1-2 sprigs Fresh Thyme - For fresh herbal notes
For Optional Extras:
  • 2 tablespoon Maple syrup - For extra sweetness optional
  • 2 tablespoon Apple juice - Adds fruitiness optional
  • 2 tablespoon Cream cheese - For a creamy filling optional

Equipment

  • 1 Rimmed Baking Sheet (For catching drips and even cooking)
  • 1 wire cooling rack (For crisping the bacon-wrapped tenders)
  • 1 Parchment paper (For easy cleanup and preventing sticking))
  • 1 Small mixing bowl (For mixing the brown sugar and spices)
  • 1 Pastry brush (For coating the chicken with brown sugar)

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels, mix brown sugar with spices, line baking sheet with parchment and place a wire rack on top, preheat oven to 425°F.
    Breaded chicken tenders baked to a golden crisp, placed on a parchment-lined wire rack over a baking sheet.
  2. Season each chicken tender with spice mixture, wrap with bacon, roll in remaining sugar mixture, and place on wire rack seam-side down.
    Freshly baked bacon-wrapped chicken tenders resting on a cooling rack, glistening with brown sugar glaze and sprinkled with pepper.
  3. Bake for 18-22 minutes until bacon is crispy and chicken reaches 165°F. Don't flip, tent with foil if needed.
    Bacon-wrapped chicken tenders baking in the oven on a foil-lined tray, with a golden brown crust and caramelized edges.
  4. Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with optional maple syrup or apple juice glaze.
    Plated bacon-wrapped chicken tenders glazed with brown sugar sauce, garnished with parsley, and served with a fresh green side salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tendersCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!