This Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade is a zesty and sweet recipe, which uses Italian dressing and fresh lime juice. It’s the secret to juicy restaurant-style chicken, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeCracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients
- 1 cup Zesty Italian Dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp pure honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil (optional, helps coating)
How To Make Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade
- Combine the liquids: In a medium mixing bowl or a large glass measuring cup, pour in the Zesty Italian dressing. Add the pure honey, fresh lime juice, and olive oil (if using).
- Add the seasoning: Sprinkle in the garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk the mixture vigorously until the honey is completely dissolved and the marinade is smooth.
- Prepare the chicken: Place your chicken (tenders, breasts, or thighs) into a large gallon-sized zip-top bag. Using a fork, lightly prick the chicken a few times to help the marinade penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Marinate: Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly. Massage the bag to ensure every piece of chicken is coated.
- Chill: Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, but ideally up to 4 hours. Do not exceed 24 hours, or the texture of the chicken may become mushy due to the vinegar in the dressing.
Recipe Tips
- The “Zesty” factor: Ensure you buy “Zesty” Italian dressing rather than “Creamy” or standard Italian. The “Zesty” variety has more spices and vinegar, which mimics the Cracker Barrel flavor profile best.
- Why use lime: The lime juice adds a fresh acidity that cuts through the oil in the dressing and brightens the flavor, making it taste freshly prepared rather than bottled.
- Safety first: Never reuse marinade that has touched raw chicken as a sauce. If you want a sauce to drizzle over the cooked meat, set aside a small portion of the marinade before adding the raw chicken.
- Tenderizing: The vinegar in the Italian dressing acts as a natural tenderizer, breaking down protein fibers. This is why it works so well for leaner cuts like chicken tenders.
What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade
Chicken marinated in this blend is versatile and pairs with many sides.
- Grilled Vegetables: Zucchini and peppers cooked alongside the chicken.
- Garden Salad: Slice the chicken and serve over greens.
- Macaroni and Cheese: The classic restaurant pairing.
- Corn on the Cob: A perfect summer BBQ side.
How To Store Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade
- Refrigerate: If you have mixed the marinade but haven’t added chicken yet, it can be stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: You can freeze chicken in the marinade. Place raw chicken and marinade in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. As it thaws in the fridge, it will marinate simultaneously.
Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 60kcal
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturates: 0.5g
- Sugar: 3g
- Salt: 0.3g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving of marinade absorbed (approx. 2 tbsp).
FAQs
Yes, lemon juice works as a substitute, but lime provides that specific slightly tropical, zesty note that aligns closer to the Cracker Barrel “Grilled Tenders” taste.
Most Italian dressings are gluten-free, but you must check the label to be sure. The honey, lime, and spices are naturally gluten-free.
This recipe makes enough marinade for approximately 2 lbs of chicken (about 4 breasts or 10-12 tenders).
Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes60
kcalA simple yet effective 4-ingredient marinade using Italian dressing, honey, and lime that replicates the smoky, tangy flavor of Cracker Barrel’s grilled chicken.
Ingredients
1 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
Directions
- Whisk Italian dressing, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, and pepper in a bowl.
- Place raw chicken in a zip-top bag.
- Pour marinade over chicken and seal bag.
- Massage to coat and refrigerate for 1–4 hours.
- Remove chicken from bag and discard used marinade.
- Grill or pan-sear chicken as desired.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least one hour allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, but avoid marinating for more than 24 hours as the acid can break down the meat too much.
- Pricking the chicken breasts with a fork before adding the liquid helps the marinade seep into the center of the meat for better flavor distribution.This marinade also works excellently on pork chops or shrimp, though shrimp only need to marinate for about 15 mi.
