Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Oven Recipe is a popular copycat dish that replicates the signature sweet and tangy glaze found at the famous Southern restaurant chain. Ideally the chicken should be marinated for at least one hour in the refrigerator to allow the honey and lime juices to fully tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
Jump to RecipeCracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Oven 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 salt (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
How To Make Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Oven Recipe
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl or a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag, whisk together the Italian dressing, honey, and lime juice until the honey is completely dissolved.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken tenderloins to the mixture, ensuring every piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange the Tenders: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Place the tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake: Place the chicken in the center of the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, use tongs to flip the tenders to ensure they brown evenly on both sides.
- Check for Doneness: The tenders are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the glaze has become slightly sticky and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Recipe Tips
- Tenderloin Selection: Use actual chicken tenderloins rather than sliced chicken breast for the most authentic texture; tenderloins are naturally more succulent and stay moist during the high-heat bake.
- Marination Time: While one hour is the minimum, marinating for up to 4 hours will result in an even more pronounced flavor. However, do not exceed 6 hours, as the acidity in the dressing and lime can begin to break down the meat too much.
- The “Zesty” Choice: Ensure you use “Zesty” Italian dressing rather than “Creamy” Italian. The oil and vinegar base of the zesty version is what creates that thin, flavorful glaze characteristic of the restaurant.
- Higher Heat: If you prefer a more charred look, you can turn on the broiler for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them, as the honey in the marinade can burn quickly.
What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders
Side dishes for these copycat tenders often include comforting Southern staples that mirror the authentic country store experience. Ideally the hashbrown casserole should be baked until the cheese is bubbling and golden-brown to provide a rich, creamy companion to the citrus-marinated chicken.
- Cracker Barrel style Hashbrown Casserole
- Country-style green beans with bacon
- Warm buttermilk biscuits with honey or jam
- Creamy coleslaw or a fresh garden salad
How To Store Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders
- Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To maintain the texture, reheat the tenders in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or in an air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes. Using a microwave is faster but may make the chicken slightly rubbery.
- Freeze: You can freeze the cooked tenders for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Oven Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 285 kcal (per serving)
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 9g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 4 servings.
FAQs
Yes. Place the marinated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through until they reach 165°F internally.
If you don’t have lime, lemon juice is a suitable alternative. It provides the necessary acidity to balance the honey, though the flavor profile will shift slightly from the original recipe.
Dry chicken is usually the result of overcooking. Because tenderloins are thin, they cook very quickly. Start checking the internal temperature at the 12-minute mark to avoid drying them out.
Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders Oven Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes15
minutes285
kcalA healthy, oven-baked copycat version of the famous Cracker Barrel grilled chicken tenders with a sweet and tangy glaze.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Whisk together Italian dressing, honey, and lime juice.
- Marinate chicken in the mixture for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a baking sheet.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free if using a GF-certified Italian dressing.
- For a spicy version, add a half teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- If you don’t have tenderloins, slice chicken breasts into 1-inch thick strips.
