Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken tenders (about 10–12 tenders)
12 slices of bacon (thin-cut works best)
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional for a tangy twist)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (for greasing)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toothpicks (optional, for securing bacon)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, and lightly grease with olive oil or melted butter.
Prepare the brown sugar glaze: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir until it forms a thick paste.
Wrap the chicken tenders: Take each chicken tender and coat it evenly with the brown sugar mixture, making sure the whole surface is covered.
Wrap with bacon: Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each chicken tender. You may need to use a toothpick to secure the bacon if it doesn’t stay in place.
Place on the baking sheet: Arrange the bacon-wrapped chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching each other. This helps the bacon crisp up on all sides.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is crispy. If you want extra crispy bacon, you can broil the tenders for 1-2 minutes at the end.