Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders in the air fryer offer a quick, modern way to enjoy the restaurant’s signature sweet and tangy poultry without firing up a grill. Ideally the air fryer basket should be preheated for five minutes to ensure the chicken sears immediately upon contact, locking in the flavorful juices from the honey and lime marinade.
Jump to RecipeCracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
How To Make Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
- Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the zesty Italian dressing, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, and black pepper until the honey is fully incorporated.
- Marinate the Poultry: Place the chicken tenderloins into a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and massage it gently to coat the chicken; refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though 2 hours is preferable for maximum flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run for 5 minutes.
- Arrange the Tenders: Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the excess liquid drip off. Place the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation.
- Air Fry: Cook the chicken for 5 minutes. Open the basket, flip each tenderloin using tongs, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Check Internal Temp: The chicken is done when it is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Remove the tenders from the basket and let them rest on a plate for 3 minutes before serving to keep them succulent.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: Air fryers rely on rapid air circulation to cook and brown the meat. If the tenders are overlapping, they will steam rather than sear, and you won’t get that iconic caramelized Cracker Barrel finish.
- Sugar Management: Because the marinade contains honey, it can brown very quickly. If you notice the chicken getting dark too fast, lower the temperature to 375°F for the final 2 minutes of cooking.
- Patting Dry (Optional): If you want a more “grilled” look, lightly pat the chicken with a paper towel after marinating but before air frying to remove excess moisture; the sugars that have soaked into the meat will still caramelize beautifully.
- Fresh Lime: Always use fresh lime juice rather than the bottled variety; the natural acidity is much more effective at tenderizing the chicken fibers.
What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders
Air fryer chicken tender accompaniments are traditional Southern sides that create a wholesome and satisfying “country-store” meal. Ideally the green beans should be slow-cooked with a piece of salt pork or bacon to provide a smoky, savory balance to the citrus-glazed chicken.
- Country-style green beans and carrots
- A side of fried apples or apple sauce
- Thick-cut steak fries or tater tots
- Buttermilk biscuits with apple butter
How To Store Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders
- Refrigerate: Store leftover tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To keep them from getting rubbery, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Freeze: You can freeze these cooked tenders for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the air fryer to restore the texture.
Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 275 kcal (per serving)
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 4 servings.
FAQs
Yes, but you should thaw them completely before marinating. Marinating frozen meat prevents the flavors from penetrating the protein effectively.
Rubbery chicken in an air fryer is often caused by overcooking. Because air fryers are so efficient, tenders can go from perfect to overdone in just 60 seconds. Use a meat thermometer to pull them out exactly at 165°F.
Absolutely. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks, marinate as directed, and air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes275
kcalA fast and healthy air-fried copycat version of the famous honey-lime marinated Cracker Barrel chicken.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp lime juice
Garlic powder and black pepper
Directions
- Whisk together dressing, honey, lime, and spices.
- Marinate chicken in the mixture for 1 to 2 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place tenders in a single layer in the basket.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for 3 to 5 more minutes.
- Rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For an extra flavor boost, brush a little fresh honey and lime juice over the tenders immediately after they come out of the air fryer.
- Ensure you use “Zesty” Italian dressing for the best acidic punch.
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free.
