Sugar Chicken Tenders with Bacon Recipe
Sugar Chicken Tenders are juicy chicken strips wrapped in crispy bacon and coated with a sweet and smoky brown sugar glaze. Baked to perfection, this dish blends savory spices with the caramelized sweetness of brown sugar and bacon, making it an irresistible appetizer or main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings (1 chicken tender per serving) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Bacon
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8–10 pieces) (Use chicken breast strips if tenders unavailable.)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (Use thin cut bacon for crispness; turkey bacon works for lighter version.)
Seasonings & Sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (Light brown sugar for caramel notes; dark brown sugar for deeper molasses flavor.)
- 1 tsp paprika (Adds warm color and mild smokiness.)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (Subtle garlic aroma without using fresh garlic.)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (Enhances layered savory flavor.)
- 1/2 tsp salt (Balances sweetness and seasons the chicken.)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (Mild peppery heat contrasts the sweet glaze.)
Other
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing) (Use a light coating so bacon crisping isn’t impeded.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with foil and apply cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Season chicken: Lay out the chicken tenders and season evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Then toss the tenders with brown sugar until each piece is evenly coated for that perfect sweet-savory flavor.
- Wrap with bacon: Wrap each seasoned chicken tender with one slice of bacon (either cooked or partially cooked). Place each bacon-wrapped tender seam side down in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is crisp. For extra caramelization and crispiness, optionally broil the tenders for 2–3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them rest for 2–3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve warm to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use thin-cut bacon for a crispier texture, or turkey bacon for a lighter version.
- Light or dark brown sugar can be used depending on preference for caramel or molasses flavor notes.
- Partially cooking the bacon before wrapping helps ensure it crisps fully during baking.
- Broiling at the end is optional but enhances caramelization and crispy edges.
- Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Resting the meat post-baking keeps it juicy and tender.
Keywords: sugar chicken tenders, bacon wrapped chicken, sweet and smoky chicken, baked chicken tenders, brown sugar chicken, easy chicken recipe, appetizer chicken
