Sure! Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a delicious combination of savory and sweet flavors with a crispy, caramelized coating. Here’s a recipe you can follow to make these tasty chicken tenders at home:
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8-10 pieces)
- 8 slices of bacon (or enough to wrap each chicken tender)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (or regular mustard if you prefer)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
- Wooden toothpicks (for securing the bacon, optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season them with a little salt and pepper.
- Prepare the Bacon: If you’re using thick-cut bacon, you may want to partially cook it in a skillet over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, just to render some of the fat and make it a bit more pliable. It should still be flexible but not fully crispy.
- Make the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Wrap the Chicken: Lay a slice of bacon flat on a cutting board. Place a chicken tender at one end of the bacon slice and roll it up tightly. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if needed. Repeat with the remaining chicken tenders.
- Coat the Chicken: Brush or spoon the brown sugar glaze generously over each wrapped chicken tender.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or line it with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). If the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like, you can turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the toothpicks (if used) and let the tenders rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them hot as an appetizer or main dish!
Tips:
- For Extra Crispiness: You can sprinkle a bit of additional brown sugar on top of the bacon before baking for extra caramelization.
- Serving Suggestions: These tenders go great with a side of dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.
Enjoy your delicious Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders!