Crispy Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Juicy chicken tenders wrapped in thick-cut bacon, coated with caramelized brown sugar and spices, then baked until crispy and golden. This easy, crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 10–12 slices thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top if using.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and chili powder. If using panko, toss it with the sugar mixture.
- Wrap each chicken tender snugly with a slice of bacon, spiraling and overlapping slightly. Trim bacon if needed.
- Roll each bacon-wrapped tender in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently so it sticks. Place on the prepared rack or sheet.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until bacon is crispy and sugar is melted into a glaze. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
- Optional: In the last 5 minutes, drizzle with honey or maple syrup for extra shine and stickiness. Bake until bubbling.
- Remove tenders to a plate and let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy bacon, use thick-cut and bake on a wire rack. Flip tenders halfway for even cooking. If bacon isn’t crisping, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit panko. Let tenders rest before serving to set the glaze and keep juices inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 chicken tend
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Protein: 22
Keywords: bacon chicken tenders, brown sugar chicken, easy family dinner, crispy chicken, oven baked chicken, kid friendly, party appetizer, comfort food