Description
These Turkey Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a perfect combination of sweet and smoky flavors wrapped around tender chicken. Coated with a flavorful brown sugar and spice rub, then glazed with a tangy Dijon mustard and brown sugar mixture, these tenders are baked to crispy perfection. Ideal as a main dish or served sliced in salads or wraps, they’re simple to prepare yet impressive enough for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8–10 pieces)
Wrapping & Seasoning
- 8 slices turkey bacon (or regular bacon, if preferred)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Glaze & Finishing
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- additional brown sugar for glaze (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional, such as thyme or rosemary)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Optionally, place a wire rack on top of the sheet for extra crispiness.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning blend evenly onto the chicken tenders to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Wrap Chicken with Turkey Bacon: Take each seasoned chicken tender and wrap it completely with one slice of turkey bacon. Overlap the bacon slightly for secure wrapping; if necessary, use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place carefully.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together Dijon mustard and additional brown sugar in a small bowl to make a sweet and tangy glaze that complements the bacon and chicken.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the bacon-wrapped tenders with olive oil to promote crisping during baking.
- Bake the Tenders: Place the wrapped tenders on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through if using thick bacon, until bacon is crispy and internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Glaze and Final Bake: Remove the tenders from the oven and brush each with the prepared brown sugar mustard glaze. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze, making it sticky and flavorful.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve hot with sides like fries, roasted vegetables, salads, or incorporate into wraps.
Notes
- Use regular bacon instead of turkey bacon if preferred for a richer flavor.
- To ensure even cooking, particularly if the bacon slices are thick, flipping halfway through baking helps crisp both sides.
- Internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Glaze can be adjusted to taste by adding more or less brown sugar depending on desired sweetness.
- To avoid toothpicks poking through chicken too far, wrap tightly and use sparingly.
- Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ for added flavor.
