Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375° F.
Season the Chicken:
Grab your chicken tenders and season with all over:
Garlic powder
Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Make sure that each chicken tender is completely coated with the seasoning.
Wrap with Bacon:
Take one slice of bacon and wrap it around each seasoned chicken tender.
If the ends of the bacon wont stay in place, use toothpicks to hold them in place until after they bake.
Step 2: Add the Sweet Touch
Coat with Brown Sugar:
Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders.
I sprinkle the sugar on the slices and gently press so it adheres to the bacon. This will provide the chicken with a really tasty caramelized crust when the chicken is baked.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake:
Using parchment paper or a silicone mat line a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
Arrange the bacon-wrapped tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each tender to cook evenly.
Roast until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C)), 25 to 30 minutes in the hot oven.
Rest and Serve:
Take chicken tenders out of the oven and let rest about 5 minutes. This brief wait gives the juices time to redistribute evenly, so every bite is juicy, tender and bursting with flavor.
Now, it’s time to dig in! Enjoy this sweet caramel chicken, including salty bacon which adds to each delicious bite. What are dipped pretzels if not a precursor to sweetness?
Serving Suggestions:
Bacon Brown Sugar Tenders: These bacon brown sugar chicken tenders are super versatile — you can serve them soooo many different ways! Here are a few ideas:
Appetizer: Were you to offer these as finger food at parties, you could even provide toothpicks for handy snacking.
Main Dish: Pair the tenders with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or roasted vegetables for a hearty meal.
Salad Topper: Cut the tenders and use them as a topping in a fresh green salad for a hearty, flavor-dense lunch.
Dipping Sauces: Serve your crispy strips alongside a selection of dipping sauces, like ranch dressing, honey mustard, or sweet chili sauce, to complement the sweet and savory flavors.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerate: Place cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Pop them in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to crisp them up again, or microwave if you’re in a hurry (just know the bacon might not hold on to its crispiness as well).
Freeze: You can freeze cooked tenders by wrapping them tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then putting them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make Ahead: For a time saver, you can prepare the bacon-wrapped tenders and coat them in brown sugar in advance. Keep them in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before you bake.
Recipe Variations:
Spicy-Sweet Tenders: Stir a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes into the brown sugar for a spicy-sweet kick that’s for hot-heads.
Herb-Infused Tenders: Add Italian seasoning or rosemary to the seasoning mix for a more herbaceous flavor that complements the bacon nicely.
Maple glaze: For a take on the classic, use maple syrup instead of the brown sugar. Halfway through baking, drizzle the syrup over the tenders for a sweet, sticky glaze that goes perfectly with crispy bacon.
Conclusion:
These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders will be a guaranteed hit whether you serve them as a snack for a party, at dinner for family, or no meal at all, just finger licking good. The burst of flavor from the sweet caramelized brown sugar, combined with the savory bacon and juicy chicken creates an explosion of flavor in your mouth with every bite. And they’re so easy to customize with different seasonings and dips to suit your preferences!
