Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders
- 8-10 slices of bacon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. This helps the bacon cook evenly and allows the excess fat to drip off.
- Prepare Brown Sugar Mixture: In a shallow bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Wrap Chicken Tenders: Take each chicken tender and wrap it with a slice of bacon. Make sure to start at one end and wrap it tightly so that the bacon covers the entire tender.
- Coat with Brown Sugar Mixture: Roll each bacon-wrapped chicken tender in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently so the mixture adheres to the bacon. Ensure each tender is well-coated.
- Arrange on Rack: Place the coated chicken tenders on the wire rack over the baking sheet. Make sure they are evenly spaced and not touching each other.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. You may need to turn the tenders halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the chicken tenders to cool for a few minutes on the wire rack before serving. This will help the brown sugar coating set and make them easier to handle.
Tips:
- For extra crispy bacon, you can broil the tenders for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Enjoy your delicious Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders!