Crispy Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe – Savory & Sweet!

Have you ever craved a bacon brown sugar chicken tenders dish that surprises your palate?

Crispy edges meet sweet and savory notes in this unexpected culinary creation.

Salt and sugar dance together, creating a mouthwatering glaze that clings perfectly to tender chicken strips.

Thick-cut bacon brings a smoky dimension that elevates these simple tenders into something extraordinary.

Nobody expects such a simple combination to deliver such complex flavors.

Each bite promises a delightful contrast between caramelized sweetness and rich meat textures.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next gathering or weeknight dinner adventure.

Great Pairings for These Flavor-Packed Tenders

• Slice fresh cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Whisk together lime juice, honey, and a touch of olive oil for a zesty, crunchy side that cuts through the rich sweetness of the bacon chicken tenders.
• Blend Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic powder, and a splash of buttermilk. The cool, tangy sauce provides a refreshing contrast to the caramelized brown sugar coating.
• Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale with malty undertones. The beer's crisp bitterness complements the sweet and smoky chicken tenders, creating a balanced flavor experience.
• Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, and smoked paprika. Bake until crispy edges form, offering a complementary sweet and savory side that mirrors the chicken's flavor profile.

Ways to Mix Up the Sweet-Savory Game

• Low-Carb Swap: Replace brown sugar with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, using almond flour instead of traditional coating for a keto-friendly version.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the brown sugar mixture for those who love extra heat, creating a bold and zesty flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to coat chicken tenders, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil when searing chicken, making the recipe suitable for dairy-free diets while maintaining rich flavors.

Why Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Hit Every Note

• Delivers mouth-watering flavors kids and adults will absolutely love, creating instant mealtime excitement with sweet and savory combinations.
• Prep and cook time totals just 30-40 minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is tight and hunger strikes.
• Easily adaptable for different occasions like game day appetizers, casual family meals, or party snacks that impress without complex cooking techniques.
• Requires basic pantry staples and minimal cooking skills, allowing even beginner home cooks to create restaurant-quality chicken tenders with minimal effort.

All the Ingredients for Sweet & Savory Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Tenders: Lean protein that serves as the primary ingredient, tender and quick-cooking cut perfect for this recipe.
• Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and crispy texture, best when thick-cut and high-quality.

• Brown Sugar, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Create a sweet and savory coating that caramelizes beautifully during baking, offers depth of flavor and balanced taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of chicken, choose fine-grain sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for best results.
• Olive Oil or Butter: Provides fat for searing chicken and prevents sticking, helps create golden-brown exterior.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents chicken from sticking to baking sheet.

How to Bake or Air-Fry These Addictive Tenders

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375F (190C). This hot zone will transform your chicken into a golden, caramelized delight.

Step 2: Crisp and Crumble Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a skillet until it reaches maximum crunchiness. Chop into tiny pieces that’ll add explosive flavor and texture to your chicken.

Step 3: Whip Up Flavor Explosion

• Brown sugar
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Crumbled bacon pieces

Stir until every ingredient dances together in perfect harmony.

Step 4: Prep the Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper on chicken tenders. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until it develops a gorgeous golden crust.

Step 5: Lavish with Coating

Generously massage the bacon-sugar mixture onto each chicken tender. Ensure every inch is covered in this sweet and savory armor.

Step 6: Bake to Caramelized Perfection

Spread chicken tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for a beautiful caramelized exterior and fully cooked interior.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Let chicken rest briefly. Plate with roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad. Watch mouths water as you present this flavor-packed dish.

Tips to Get the Bacon and Glazed

• Crisp Bacon Perfectly: Ensure bacon is extra crispy before chopping to maximize crunch and flavor intensity in the coating.
• Balance Sweet and Savory: Adjust brown sugar quantity to control sweetness level, preventing the dish from becoming too sugary or overwhelmingly rich.
• Prevent Burning Technique: Cover chicken with aluminum foil halfway through baking if the brown sugar coating starts browning too quickly to avoid charring.
• Moisture Retention Hack: Briefly pat chicken tenders dry before seasoning to help the coating adhere better and create a more consistent caramelized exterior.
• Alternative Protein Options: Substitute chicken tenders with turkey strips or plant-based protein for dietary preferences while maintaining similar cooking techniques.

Storing Chicken Tenders Without Losing Crunch

• Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual tenders in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain best quality and flavor.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place tenders on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Heat tenders on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even warming and prevent overcooking.

Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent bacon brown sugar chicken tenders blend sweet and savory flavors in one irresistible dish. Crispy bacon wraps tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering meal that delivers maximum satisfaction in every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) chicken tenders (about 8–10 pieces)
• 8–10 slices bacon

Seasonings and Flavoring:

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375F (190C), preparing a baking surface for the culinary transformation about to unfold.
2. Render the bacon until crisp and golden, then meticulously chop into fine, crunchy fragments that will provide textural complexity to the dish.
3. Craft a flavor-packed coating by blending brown sugar with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, creating a harmonious dry mixture that will caramelize beautifully.
4. Incorporate the finely chopped bacon pieces into the sugar spice blend, ensuring an even distribution of smoky and sweet elements.
5. Season chicken tenders with a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper, awakening their natural flavors.
6. Sear the seasoned tenders in a hot skillet with olive oil, developing a rich golden exterior that seals in moisture and creates a beautiful color.
7. Generously enrobe each tender with the bacon-studded sugar mixture, pressing gently to ensure maximum adherence and flavor penetration.
8. Transfer the lavishly coated tenders to a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing precise heat distribution during the final cooking stage.
9. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching as the coating transforms into a glistening, caramelized crust while the chicken reaches perfect doneness.
10. Allow the tenders to rest briefly, letting the juices redistribute and the coating set, before serving alongside complementary side dishes that highlight their sweet and savory profile.

Notes

• Maximize bacon crispiness by cooking it slowly over medium-low heat to prevent burning and ensure an even, crunchy texture.
• Opt for thick-cut bacon to provide more substantial crumbles and intensify the smoky flavor throughout the chicken tenders.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee food safety without overcooking.
• Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a lower glycemic index option that maintains the delightful caramelized coating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 509
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg