Description
Sizzling bacon brown sugar chicken tenders deliver a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy, caramelized edges and juicy meat make this dish an irresistible crowd-pleaser you won’t be able to stop eating.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein:
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 6 slices bacon
Seasoning and Sweet Components:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Coating and Preparation:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- In a shallow dish, whisk the egg thoroughly, creating a smooth binding agent for the coating.
- Mix flour, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in another bowl, creating a seasoned dry mixture for the chicken tenders.
- Dredge each chicken tender through the egg wash, then coat completely in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even and thorough coverage.
- Wrap each flour-coated chicken tender with a slice of bacon, spiraling it around to create a delicious protein-packed exterior.
- Combine brown sugar and dijon mustard in a small bowl, whisking until a glossy, uniform glaze forms.
- Arrange bacon-wrapped chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each piece for even cooking.
- Brush the brown sugar-dijon glaze generously over each tender, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor development.
- Drizzle olive oil over the tenders to help promote crispy browning and enhance overall texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon turns crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful chicken tenders.
Notes
- Ensure bacon is thinly sliced to guarantee crispy, even cooking around the chicken tenders.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature precisely, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour to accommodate dietary restrictions while keeping the recipe’s delicious profile.
- Consider adding a dash of smoked paprika to the flour mixture for an extra layer of depth and complexity in flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg