Hey there!
These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are sweet, savory, sticky, and a little smoky—and they are so dang good. You wrap chicken in bacon, roll it in brown sugar with a few spices, then bake it until crispy and caramelized. It’s one of those no-fuss, flavor-packed recipes that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did.
🧂 What You’ll Need
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders
- 8–10 slices of bacon (cut in half if long)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or parchment paper
💛 Why I Love This Recipe
I made these for a weekend hangout once, and they were gone so fast I had to make another batch the next day. The bacon gets crispy and sweet, the chicken stays juicy, and the sugar caramelizes into the most amazing sticky coating. It’s simple, but it tastes like something you’d get at a BBQ joint.
- Minimal ingredients, huge flavor
- Crispy, sticky, sweet-and-smoky goodness
- No marinating or fancy prep
- Works as dinner, a party snack, or meal prep
- Totally addictive (don’t say I didn’t warn you)
🍽️ Servings + Time
- Serves: 4
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
📊 Macros (Per serving – approx.)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 24g
🔬 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Bacon naturally shrinks and crisps as it cooks, sealing in moisture and flavor. The sugar melts and caramelizes, coating everything in a sweet glaze. Paprika and garlic balance the sweetness and bring out the smoky, savory side of the bacon. The contrast of crispy and juicy makes each bite so satisfying.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Bacon too thick: Thick-cut won’t crisp properly—use regular sliced bacon.
- Sugar burning: Make sure to line your pan and don’t over-bake.
- Overcrowding: Give the tenders space so the bacon can crisp evenly.
- Skipping parchment: The sugar will stick hard to bare pans—trust me, line it.
🍴 What to Serve With
- Mashed sweet potatoes or roasted carrots
- Coleslaw or a simple garden salad
- Mac and cheese (yes, please)
- Rice or cornbread
- Ranch or honey mustard for dipping
🔧 Tools You’ll Need
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or foil
- Tongs
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
🔁 Substitutions + Variations
- Brown sugar: Try coconut sugar or maple sugar
- Spices: Add cayenne for a spicy kick
- Turkey bacon: Works too, but won’t crisp as much
- Chicken thighs: Slice into strips and prep the same way
⏱ Make-Ahead Tips
- Assemble tenders and refrigerate (uncooked) up to 24 hours ahead
- Cooked tenders reheat great in the oven or air fryer
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 days
👨🍳 How to Make Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil.
Step 2: Season the Sugar Mix
In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Wrap the Chicken
Wrap each of the chicken tenders (1½ lbs) with 1 slice of bacon (or half a slice if long), overlapping slightly as you go.
Step 4: Coat in Brown Sugar Mix
Gently roll each bacon-wrapped tender in the sugar mixture, pressing lightly so it sticks. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake
Bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until bacon is crispy and sugar is caramelized. Watch closely in the last 5 minutes to avoid burning.
Step 6: Serve
Let rest for 5 minutes so the sugar sets. Serve warm with your favorite sauce.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven or air fryer at 375°F for 8–10 minutes
- Avoid microwaving—they’ll go soggy and lose the crisp
❓ FAQ
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! Cook at 390°F for about 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway.
Do I need to secure the bacon with toothpicks?
Not unless it unravels. Wrapping snugly usually does the trick.
Can I use thick-cut bacon?
I don’t recommend it—it takes longer to cook and doesn’t crisp up as well.
What dipping sauces work best?
Ranch, honey mustard, spicy mayo, or a tangy BBQ sauce all pair great.
🥓 That’s a Wrap!
These Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are sweet, salty, smoky perfection. They’re easy to make, insanely delicious, and honestly kind of impossible to stop eating. Whether you serve them as a meal, an appetizer, or a snack—you’re gonna want to make these again and again.
Let me know how yours turned out or what you dipped ’em in! 💬🔥🍗
Happy cooking!