Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are the ultimate sweet-and-savory appetizer with just five simple ingredients and big, bold flavor in every bite. Perfect for game days or easy entertaining.
Juicy chicken wrapped in crispy bacon gets a caramelized brown sugar coating, creating an irresistible snack that vanishes fast. You’ll want to make a double batch—they go quickly!
Sweet & Savory Must-Haves for Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
- Chicken breasts – Lean, tender, and mild in flavor, they soak up the sweet and salty glaze perfectly.
- Bacon strips – Crisps up beautifully while locking in juiciness and adding rich, smoky flavor.
- Brown sugar – The key to the sticky caramelized coating, balancing out the saltiness with a deep molasses sweetness.
- Kosher salt – Enhances every layer of flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Black pepper – Adds just a hint of heat to balance the sweetness and bring out the bacon’s savoriness.
How to Make These Sticky Bacon-Wrapped Bites
Start by slicing the chicken into long tenders, then toss them in a brown sugar mix until coated. Wrap each piece snugly with bacon and lay them in your baking dish.
Sprinkle over the leftover sugar mix for extra caramelization. Bake until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through—about 20–25 minutes at 375°F.
Crispy Tips & Flavor Twists
To ensure crisp bacon, avoid overcrowding your baking dish—space allows air to circulate and the sugar to caramelize, not steam. If you love extra crunch, place a wire rack over your baking sheet to lift the tenders as they bake.
Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sugar mix for a sweet-heat kick, or brush the bacon with a hint of maple syrup before baking for extra depth. These are also fantastic glazed with a dab of barbecue sauce during the last few minutes in the oven.
Keeping Leftovers Tasty (If You Have Any!)
Store leftover tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back their crispiness—microwaving will soften the bacon.
To freeze, let them cool completely, wrap individually in foil, and store in a zip-top bag. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 strips bacon
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Set your oven to preheat at 375°F.
- Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into four slender strips.
- Combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Toss the chicken strips thoroughly in the brown sugar mixture to ensure an even coating.
- Wrap each sugared chicken tender with a slice of bacon and place into a baking dish.
- Distribute any remaining brown sugar mixture over the bacon-wrapped chicken.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crisp and the chicken is fully cooked through.
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