Bacon brown sugar chicken tenders are sweet, smoky, a little spicy, and made for game day! Juicy chicken gets wrapped in bacon, coated in brown sugar, and baked until caramelized. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce for an easy appetizer everyone will grab.
Why They’re Perfect for Game Day
- Grab-and-Go App: No forks or plates needed. Just grab a tender and dig in!
- Sweet and Smoky: Brown sugar, bacon, and a little cayenne give every bite big flavor.
- Easy to Make: You only need a few simple ingredients, and the oven does most of the work.
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Ingredients
- Bacon: Regular bacon works best because it gets crisp as the chicken cooks. If you use thick-cut bacon, add 5–10 minutes to the bake time.
- Spice Level: Add more or less cayenne pepper to make them as spicy as you like.
- Extra Sweetness: Brush on a little maple syrup near the end of baking for extra sweetness and shine.
- Easy Cleanup: Line your baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick spray.
How to Make Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
This brown sugar chicken tenders recipe are so easy to add to your game day spread. Serve them hot with ranch, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. And if you have leftovers, they’re hearty enough to turn into dinner with a simple side or salad.
- Mix: Preheat the oven to 400ºF, then spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl.
- Wrap the Chicken: Lightly coat each chicken tender in the brown sugar mixture, then wrap each one with a strip of bacon.
- Add More Sugar: Place the wrapped tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar mixture over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Get Crispier Bacon: Set the tenders on a lightly greased cooling rack over the baking sheet. The air can circulate underneath, helping the bacon crisp on all sides. Keep an eye on them since they may cook a little faster.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Prep: Coat and wrap the chicken as directed above.
- Cook: Place the tenders in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Check: Cook until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches 165°F.
Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
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Equipment
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9 x 13-inch baking dish or baking sheet
Ingredients
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 8 slices bacon
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less for preferred heat level
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
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Combine ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper together in a medium bowl.
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Lightly coat each of the 8 boneless, skinless chicken tenders in the sugar mixture before wrapping each chicken tender with one of the 8 slices bacon.
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Place the wrapped chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet and top with the remaining sugar mixture.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Microwave 20–30 seconds until warmed through, or bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, or air fry at 360°F for 4–5 minutes, until the bacon is crisp.
- Freezer: Cool completely, freeze tenders on a parchment-lined sheet pan for 2 hours (until solid), then transfer to a freezer bag/container for up to 3 months.
- From Frozen: Air fry at 360°F for 10–12 minutes or bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F and the bacon is crisp.
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container. Note: the brown sugar will weep the longer it sits.
Nutrition
More Game Day Favorites
Building your game day spread? Add a few more easy appetizers so everyone has something to snack on while they watch the game.
