Description
Turkey Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken wrapped in smoky turkey bacon, coated with a flavorful brown sugar spice mix, and baked to perfection. This simple 7-step recipe yields crispy, juicy tenders that are perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken tenders
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional
- 8 slices turkey bacon
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels thoroughly to help the seasoning stick better.
- Make Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, mixing until evenly blended.
- Wrap Chicken: Wrap each chicken tender with a slice of turkey bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed to hold the bacon in place during cooking.
- Coat with Seasoning: Roll each bacon-wrapped tender in the brown sugar seasoning mixture, ensuring it is well coated on all sides.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the seasoned tenders spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow even cooking and crisping.
- Bake: Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil, then bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure chicken tenders are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Using turkey bacon reduces fat content compared to regular bacon, making this recipe lighter.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the tenders for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serving suggestion: pair with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- To make this recipe gluten free, verify that all seasonings and bacon are gluten free.
