Craving something comforting, a little fancy, and super simple to make? These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders hit all the right notes. Imagine tender strips of chicken wrapped in smoky bacon, coated with a golden layer of sweet and savory brown sugar, then roasted until perfectly caramelized.
This dish brings bold flavor with minimal effort, making it a top pick for busy weeknights, family get-togethers, or game-day snacks. With just a few everyday ingredients and an oven doing most of the work, you’re minutes away from a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe brings together the perfect combo of salty, sweet, and smoky in every bite. It looks and tastes fancy but takes just minutes to throw together.
Plus, the bacon keeps the chicken tender and juicy while adding irresistible flavor.
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Equipment Needed: Oven, baking dish or sheet pan, mixing bowl, knife, cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 strips of bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that oven nice and hot so your chicken cooks evenly and your bacon crisps perfectly.
- Slice each chicken breast into 4 long, even strips. This gives you 8 tenders—just the right size for wrapping and snacking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken strips in this mixture so they’re well coated.
- Wrap each chicken strip in a slice of bacon, making sure the bacon overlaps slightly and hugs the chicken snugly. Lay them seam-side down in a baking dish or on a lined sheet pan.
- Sprinkle any leftover brown sugar mixture over the top of the wrapped tenders for extra caramelized goodness.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through. If you’d like, you can broil them for 1–2 minutes at the end to get that bacon extra crispy.
Variations to Try
Feeling spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the brown sugar mix. Want a touch of tang? Brush the wrapped tenders with a little Dijon mustard before baking. For a more herbaceous kick, try adding dried thyme or rosemary to the seasoning.
Pro Tips
- Use thin-cut bacon so it cooks through and crisps up in the same time it takes for the chicken to cook.
- Place a wire rack over your baking sheet to let the fat drip away and the bacon crisp up all around.
- For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in a splash of soy sauce or apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes before coating it in the sugar mix.
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 strips of bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that oven nice and hot so your chicken cooks evenly and your bacon crisps perfectly.
- Slice each chicken breast into 4 long, even strips. This gives you 8 tenders—just the right size for wrapping and snacking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken strips in this mixture so they’re well coated.
- Wrap each chicken strip in a slice of bacon, making sure the bacon overlaps slightly and hugs the chicken snugly. Lay them seam-side down in a baking dish or on a lined sheet pan.
- Sprinkle any leftover brown sugar mixture over the top of the wrapped tenders for extra caramelized goodness.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through. If you’d like, you can broil them for 1–2 minutes at the end to get that bacon extra crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
