Crispy Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Juicy chicken tenders are wrapped in smoky bacon, coated with a caramelized brown sugar and spice crust, and baked until irresistibly crispy. This easy, crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, parties, or whenever you need a sweet and savory dinner win.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (about 12 pieces) boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 12 slices regular-cut bacon
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or onion powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Set a wire rack on top if you have one.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until evenly blended.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- Wrap each chicken tender with one slice of bacon, spiraling to cover the whole piece. Tuck the ends underneath and place seam-side down on the prepared rack or tray.
- Generously sprinkle the brown sugar spice mix over the top and sides of each bacon-wrapped tender, gently pressing it on so it sticks. Use all the mixture.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the bacon is deep golden and crispy. If using thick-cut bacon, bake an extra 5 minutes if needed.
- Optional: For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the tenders rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the coating to firm up.
Notes
For best results, use regular-cut bacon for optimal crispiness. Dry chicken well before wrapping. If you don’t have a wire rack, flip tenders halfway through baking. For a gluten-free version, check all labels. Leftovers keep well and can be reheated in the oven or air fryer. Try with honey mustard or ranch for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 540
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Protein: 23
Keywords: bacon chicken tenders, brown sugar chicken, easy dinner, kid friendly, party appetizer, sweet and savory, oven baked chicken, gluten free option