Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe

Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe is a Southern-style American main dish featuring chicken breast tenders soaked in a tangy marinade. The honey and lime juice combine with bottled Italian dressing to create a charred, sticky glaze on the grill.

I’ve tried a few versions of Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders and this one is the one I keep going back to because the marinade balance is spot on. If you do nothing else, let the meat soak for at least an hour. That’s the difference between a dry piece of poultry and something that stays juicy under high heat.

The lime juice is doing more work than you’d think here. Without it, the honey can make the surface too sweet and prone to scorching before the middle is ready. I first made these for a weekend barbecue and they were gone before the burgers were even off the coals.

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Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients

• 500g (1lb) chicken breast tenders
• 125ml (4fl oz) Italian dressing
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe

1. Mix the marinade: Whisk the Italian dressing, lime juice, and honey in a small jug or bowl until the honey fully dissolves. Make sure the liquid is uniform so the sweetness doesn’t clump on one piece of meat.
2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken tenders into a large glass bowl or sealable bag and pour the mixture over the top. Turn the pieces until they are fully submerged, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
3. Prepare the heat: Set your grill or a heavy griddle pan over a medium-high heat until it reaches 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6). Lightly oil the bars or the pan surface to prevent the honey in the marinade from sticking.
4. Cook the chicken: Lift the tenders from the liquid and shake off any excess before placing them on the hot surface. Cook for 5 minutes on the first side without moving them to ensure dark grill marks form.
5. Flip and finish: Turn the chicken over and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the meat feels firm and the internal temperature hits 75°C (165°F). Check that the juices run clear when you pierce the thickest part with a skewer.

Recipe Tips

• Dry the meat. Shake off as much excess marinade as possible before the chicken hits the heat. Too much oil causes flare-ups on the grill, while too much sugar makes the outside go black before the middle is safe to eat.
• Keep them cold. Leave the chicken in the fridge until the very second you are ready to cook. Cold meat holds its shape better on the grill bars and prevents the thin tenders from overcooking too quickly.
• Space them out. Leave at least 2cm (1 inch) between each tender on the griddle pan or grill. If you crowd the pan, the temperature drops and the chicken will steam in its own juices instead of searing.
• Use fresh lime. Stick to fresh lime juice rather than the bottled concentrate. The fresh acidity cuts through the fat of the Italian dressing far more effectively and helps tenderise the fibres.
• Make ahead. You can start the marinating process up to 24 hours in advance. Store the bag in the bottom of the fridge and give it a shake occasionally to keep the flavours moving.

What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders

These tenders go well with classic Southern sides like creamy mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. You can also serve them over a crisp green salad with extra honey mustard dressing or alongside some golden corn on the cob.

How To Store Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders

• Fridge: Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to three days. Make sure the meat has cooled completely before you seal the lid to prevent it from becoming soggy.
• Reheat: Warm the tenders in a pan over a medium heat with a splash of water to keep them moist. Avoid the microwave if possible as it toughens the chicken, but if you must use it, heat in 30-second bursts.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooked and cooled tenders tightly in clingfilm and place them in a freezer bag for up to two months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge before reheating through to the centre.

Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 480mg

Estimated. May vary based on ingredients and cooking methods.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Cracker Barrel Egg In a Basket Recipe
• Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie Recipe
• Cracker Barrel French Toast Recipe