Turkey Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders

When you’re craving something that’s just the right amount of sweet, salty, and smoky, these Turkey Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are the answer. This is one of those recipes that feels like a cheat meal but is surprisingly simple and leaner than you’d think—thanks to the use of turkey bacon instead of traditional pork. It’s got that classic comfort food vibe with a slightly healthier twist, and trust me, the flavor combo is out of this world.

These tenders are always a hit whether I’m whipping them up for a weeknight dinner or serving them at a game-day gathering. They’re sticky, golden, and caramelized on the outside, juicy on the inside, and have this amazing smoky-sweet finish that keeps people coming back for seconds (and thirds). Best part? You only need a handful of ingredients, and everything comes together in under an hour from start to finish.

I first made these on a whim one Friday night when we had a few friends over and nothing but a pack of chicken tenders, some turkey bacon, and brown sugar in the fridge. I threw them together, not expecting much, and they ended up stealing the show. Since then, they’ve been part of our regular rotation—and now, they just might become part of yours too.

Let’s get started with the prep so you can see just how easy (and delicious) these are.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound chicken tenders

• 10 to 12 slices of turkey bacon

• ⅓ cup light brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• Nonstick spray or parchment paper for baking

The smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky depth, which really complements the turkey bacon. And while the brown sugar adds sweetness, it also helps the bacon get beautifully caramelized in the oven. Simple ingredients, but they pack a punch.

STEP 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). I like to line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, but you can also use a light coating of nonstick spray if that’s what you have on hand. Either works just fine—the goal is to prevent the sugar from sticking and burning onto your pan.

STEP 2: Mix the Seasoned Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, combine:

• ⅓ cup light brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

This little blend is where the magic starts. The brown sugar melts into a sticky glaze while the paprika and black pepper balance it out with a little warmth and depth. If you like things spicy, go ahead and add a pinch of cayenne here—you’ll get a subtle heat that sneaks up perfectly.

STEP 3: Wrap the Chicken in Turkey Bacon

Now, take your chicken tenders and wrap each one in a slice of turkey bacon. Make sure you overlap the bacon slightly as you wrap so that it stays secure while baking. If your bacon slices are a bit long, you can trim them or just tuck the extra underneath the tender when placing it on the baking sheet.

Thinner-cut turkey bacon works best here because it crisps up nicely in the oven. If you’re using a thicker cut, you may want to increase the baking time slightly or finish under the broiler for an extra minute or two.

STEP 4: Roll in the Brown Sugar Mixture

Once your tenders are wrapped, gently roll each one in the brown sugar mixture. Press lightly so the sugar sticks to the bacon, creating a nice even coating. You don’t want to cake it on too thick—just enough to form a light crust that’ll melt and caramelize as it bakes.

Place the tenders seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet, giving them a bit of space so they don’t steam each other. They need room to crisp up and brown.

Now that you’ve wrapped and coated those juicy chicken tenders, it’s time to bring everything together with a good bake. This is where the magic really happens—the brown sugar melts down, the turkey bacon crisps up, and the whole thing turns into a beautifully glazed, sticky-sweet treat with just the right amount of smoky flavor.

And don’t worry if this is your first time working with turkey bacon in a recipe like this. I’ll walk you through exactly how to bake them to perfection and offer a few helpful tips to make sure they come out just right, every single time.

STEP 5: Bake to Crispy, Caramelized Perfection

Once your oven is fully preheated to 375°F (190°C), place the tray of wrapped chicken tenders on the middle rack.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping each tender about halfway through the cooking time. Flipping is important here—it helps the bacon cook evenly and gives both sides a chance to crisp up and caramelize.

After about 25 minutes, check to see if the bacon is nice and crispy and the sugar has formed that delicious golden-brown glaze. If things are looking good but you want a little extra crisp, don’t be afraid to broil them for 1 to 2 minutes at the end. Just keep a close eye—sugar can go from golden to burnt pretty fast under the broiler.

Once baked, let the tenders rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the glaze set and makes them easier to handle without losing any of that sticky coating.

Tips for Getting the Best Texture and Flavor

These turkey bacon brown sugar chicken tenders are super easy to make, but a few quick tips can make them even better:

• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give each tender enough space to allow the heat to circulate and help the bacon crisp up. If you’re doubling the batch, use two baking sheets or bake in batches.

• Thinner turkey bacon works best. It crisps up better and wraps more easily around the chicken. If you only have thick-cut, just know it might need a couple of extra minutes in the oven or a quick broil to finish.

• Use parchment for easier cleanup. The sugar glaze can get sticky, and parchment helps prevent it from burning onto your pan.

• Resting is key. Even just 5 minutes of resting helps the glaze firm up so you’re not dealing with messy, falling-apart tenders.

Serving Suggestions

These tenders are super versatile, so whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, part of a dinner plate, or setting out a party platter, you’ve got options. Here are a few ways we love to enjoy them:

• As an appetizer: Arrange them on a platter with a trio of dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or a creamy sriracha mayo.

• Over a salad: Slice them up and serve on top of a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the sweetness.

• With sides: Pair with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or even mac and cheese for a comfort food-style dinner.

• In a wrap: Chop them up and tuck into a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of dressing for a quick lunch idea.

Variations to Try

This recipe is already a winner as-is, but if you’re feeling a little adventurous or want to switch things up, here are some fun variations:

• Make it spicy: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder to the brown sugar mix for a spicier version.

• Use maple syrup: Before baking, drizzle a little maple syrup over each tender for an extra layer of sweetness and shine.

• Add garlic powder: For a savory kick, mix in ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the brown sugar coating.

• Try it with pork bacon: If you’re not worried about keeping things lighter, traditional pork bacon will give you a richer, saltier flavor and gets super crispy.