Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a mouthwatering combination of savory bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tender chicken. The chicken tenders are wrapped in crispy bacon, coated in a sweet and savory glaze, and baked to perfection. It’s a fantastic dish for a weeknight dinner, party appetizer, or any time you want something indulgent and flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8-10 tenders, depending on size)
- 12 slices bacon (preferably thick-cut)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, depending on your bacon’s saltiness)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the pan)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Bacon and Chicken Tenders:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lay the bacon slices out on a cutting board. You’ll need one slice of bacon for each chicken tender. If your bacon is very long, you can cut it in half to make it more manageable.
- Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon, securing the bacon around the chicken. You can overlap the ends of the bacon slightly to ensure it stays in place while cooking.
2. Make the Brown Sugar Glaze:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This glaze will give the bacon and chicken a wonderful sweet and savory flavor.
3. Coat the Chicken:
- Place the wrapped chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking rack.
- Brush the prepared brown sugar glaze generously over the top of the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders. Make sure to coat each piece well with the glaze.
4. Bake the Chicken:
- Bake the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders 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).
- Halfway through the cooking time, you can brush on more of the glaze if desired for extra sweetness and flavor.
5. Serve:
- Once the chicken tenders are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips and Variations:
- Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or drizzle some hot sauce over the chicken before baking.
- Oven Rack: For crispier bacon, place the chicken tenders on a baking rack set over the baking sheet. This allows air circulation around the bacon, which helps it crisp up more evenly.
- Sweet Glaze: You can increase the sweetness by adding honey or maple syrup to the glaze if you like things on the sweeter side.
- Side Pairings: These tenders go great with sides like roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, or rice pilaf. They also make an excellent addition to a salad for a complete meal.
This Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders recipe is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, making it an irresistible dish for chicken lovers. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious, sure to impress family and friends alike! Enjoy!
