Description
Sweet, salty, and irresistibly crispy — these bacon-wrapped chicken tenders are perfect for dinner, appetizers, or game day snacking.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
-
1 lb (450 g) chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
-
8–10 slices of bacon
-
½ cup brown sugar
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
Optional: pinch of cayenne for a sweet-spicy kick
-
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
-
Pat chicken dry and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper (add cayenne if using).
2. Wrap with Bacon
-
Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of bacon, stretching slightly for a snug fit.
-
Roll the bacon-wrapped tenders in brown sugar, pressing lightly so it sticks.
3. Bake
-
Place tenders seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway for even cooking.
-
Optional: broil 1–2 minutes at the end for extra crispy caramelized bacon — watch closely to prevent burning.
4. Serve
-
Drizzle caramelized pan juices over the tenders.
-
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
-
Thin-cut bacon crisps more evenly.
-
Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; it prevents crispiness.
-
Brown sugar can burn if broiled too long — monitor closely.
-
Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.