My mom always believed bacon could fix anything including a boring dinner. These Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders started as one of her quick “make it work” meals. She’d crisp up bacon, toss chicken in brown sugar, and somehow, it always turned into something sticky, savory, and sweet.
Years later, I added a smoky twist and baked them to perfection. They’re now our go-to for family dinners that feel a little extra. Pair them with cheesy garlic chicken wraps or a fresh cucumber salad when you want bold, crowd-pleasing flavor without a lot of fuss.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe Guide
Ingredients Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cook the bacon
In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet and discard the rest.
Step 3: Season the chicken
In a bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Pat the chicken tenders dry, rub with olive oil, and coat evenly with the spice blend.
Step 4: Sear the chicken
Using the bacon fat, sear chicken tenders in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized. Don’t crowd the pan.
Step 5: Bake to finish
Transfer the chicken to your prepared rack. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top and bake for 15–20 minutes, until sticky and cooked through.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Top with chopped chives and serve hot. A little drizzle of honey or your favorite dipping sauce makes it even better.
What Makes This Chicken So Addictive
Some dishes just know how to steal the show. These Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are sweet, salty, sticky, and impossible to stop eating once they hit the table.
Sticky-sweet meets smoky heat
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
The brown sugar melts down into a glossy glaze while the bacon crisps up on top. Add smoked paprika and a hint of cayenne, and you’ve got bold flavor in every bite. If you enjoy the kick of bacon butter chicken skillet, this delivers with even less effort.
Texture that holds up
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
Pan-searing locks in that juicy center, while the oven crisps the edges just right. Sprinkle on chives or dip in ranch—it’s comfort food with a little swagger. Try it alongside pineapple-glazed wings for a full sweet-and-savory lineup.
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Variations
Quick Ingredient Swaps
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
- No chicken tenders? Use chicken thighs or breast strips.
- Out of brown sugar? Try honey or maple syrup.
- No bacon? Turkey bacon works too.
Simple Add-Ons
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
- Add sliced jalapeños for heat.
- Toss in crushed pecans for crunch.
- Drizzle with hot honey or BBQ glaze.
These Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are easy to tweak based on what’s in your fridge. Use what you have it always works.
Serving and Storing Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
How to Serve It
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
These chicken tenders shine with simple sides try roasted veggies or a fresh salad. When we want extra comfort, we plate them with cheesy lasagna baked potatoes or a creamy pasta dish.
How to Store It
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders:
Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best texture.
For more recipes follow me in pinterest and Facebook
People Also Ask
What does putting brown sugar on bacon do?
It caramelizes the bacon as it cooks, adding a sweet, sticky glaze with crisp edges.
What does brown sugar do to chicken?
It helps create a golden crust while balancing out spices with a touch of sweetness.
What to soak chicken tenders in before cooking?
For extra tenderness, you can soak them in buttermilk or a simple saltwater brine for 30 minutes.
How to crisp up soggy chicken tenders?
Place them on a wire rack and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes to restore the crisp.
Conclusion
These Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders check every box crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or showing off at a potluck, they’re guaranteed to impress. And the best part? You don’t need hours in the kitchen to get that sticky, smoky finish.
Just a skillet, a sheet pan, and a few pantry staples. Keep this recipe close it’s the kind that turns one-time meals into traditions.
Print
Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders Recipe Guide
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Sweet, smoky, and sticky chicken tenders coated in a brown sugar spice rub, seared in bacon fat, and baked to crispy perfection.
Ingredients
1½ lbs chicken tenders
8 slices bacon, chopped
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack with cooking spray.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
3. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Pat chicken dry, rub with olive oil, and coat with the spice blend.
4. In the reserved bacon fat, sear chicken tenders for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Work in batches if needed.
5. Place seared tenders on the prepared rack. Sprinkle cooked bacon over the top and bake for 15–20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and glazed.
6. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve hot, optionally with a drizzle of honey or dipping sauce.
Notes
For a spicier kick, double the cayenne.
Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tenders
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Caramelized Bacon and Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders, bacon brown sugar chicken, sweet and savory chicken
