Description
Sizzling bacon brown sugar chicken tenders bring a perfect balance of sweet and savory to your dinner table. Crispy, caramelized edges and juicy meat make this dish an irresistible crowd-pleaser you’ll want to add to your weekly menu.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Bacon and Sugar Coating
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Finishing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup and non-stick cooking.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to ensure crispy coating adhesion, then season evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Finely chop bacon into small, uniform pieces to create a consistent crispy texture throughout the coating.
- In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, creating a rich, aromatic seasoning blend.
- Roll each chicken tender thoroughly in the brown sugar spice mixture, pressing gently to help the coating adhere completely.
- Sprinkle the chopped bacon pieces over the coated chicken tenders, gently pressing to embed the bacon into the sugar coating.
- Arrange the prepared chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching for even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and coating to set.
- Drizzle with olive oil and honey for added shine and sweetness, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately while crispy and warm, enjoying the caramelized bacon-sugar crust and juicy chicken underneath.
Notes
- Pat chicken tenders completely dry to guarantee a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in maximum flavor and prevents soggy coating.
- Use thick-cut bacon for more robust crunch and deeper smoky notes that complement the sweet brown sugar glaze perfectly.
- Adjust brown sugar ratio for different dietary needs: reduce sugar for low-carb version or replace with monk fruit sweetener for keto-friendly alternative.
- Let chicken rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each tender remains incredibly moist and tender without losing precious flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg