This Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken is a tangy and glazed recipe, which uses zesty Italian dressing and sweet honey. It’s a flavorful grilled dinner, ready in about 30 minutes (plus marinating).
Jump to RecipeCracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Zesty Italian Dressing (store-bought, e.g., Kraft Zesty Italian)
- 2 tbsp pure honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (approx. ½ lime)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for the grill)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How To Make Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken
- Prep the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about ¾ inch) using a meat mallet. This ensures they cook evenly on the grill without drying out. Prick the chicken all over with a fork to help the marinade penetrate.
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the Zesty Italian dressing, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the honey is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Marinate: Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or a shallow glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. (Reserve about ¼ cup of the marinade in a separate small bowl for basting later—do not let this touch the raw meat). Seal the bag and massage to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat (approx. 375°F to 400°F). Brush the grates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the bag and shake off excess marinade. Place the chicken on the hot grill. Cook for 5–6 minutes on the first side until nice char marks appear.
- Flip and baste: Flip the chicken over. Brush the cooked side generously with the reserved (clean) marinade. Cook for another 5–7 minutes on the second side.
- Final glaze: In the last minute of cooking, brush the second side with the remaining reserved marinade and flip once more just to set the glaze (about 30 seconds). The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer to a platter. Let it rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Recipe Tips
- The “Sweet” Factor: Standard Italian dressing can be quite acidic. The addition of honey and lime juice creates that specific “Cracker Barrel” flavor profile that is both savory and slightly sweet.
- Pricking the meat: Since chicken breasts are thicker than tenders, pricking them with a fork is essential for the marinade to flavor the center of the meat, not just the outside.
- Basting safety: Never baste cooked chicken with the marinade that raw chicken has been soaking in. Always set aside fresh marinade at the beginning, or boil the used marinade for 5 minutes to kill bacteria before using it as a glaze.
- Don’t burn it: The honey in the marinade can char quickly. Keep the grill heat at medium-high, not blazing high, to prevent the chicken from turning black before it cooks through.
What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken
This versatile chicken goes well with almost any side.
- Steamed Broccoli: A healthy, simple pairing.
- Baked Potato: Loaded with sour cream and cheese.
- Macaroni and Cheese: The classic restaurant side.
- House Salad: Slice the chicken and serve it over greens.
How To Store Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken breasts for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Slice the cold chicken for salads, or reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water.
Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 310kcal
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturates: 2g
- Sugar: 10g
- Salt: 1.1g
Nutrition information is estimated per breast.
FAQs
Can I bake this instead?
Yes. Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes. It won’t have the smoky grill flavor, but it will be juicy.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs are excellent with this marinade and are more forgiving if overcooked.
Is this gluten-free?
? Most Italian dressings are gluten-free, but always check the label. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Cracker Barrel Sweet Italian Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
10
minutesCooking time
15
minutesCalories
310
kcalJuicy grilled chicken breasts glazed with a copycat “Sweet Italian” marinade made from zesty dressing, honey, and fresh lime juice.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
1 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp pepper
Directions
- Pound chicken to even thickness and prick with a fork.
- Whisk dressing, honey, lime, and spices.
- Reserve ¼ cup marinade; pour rest over chicken.
- Marinate in fridge for 1–4 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Grill chicken 5–6 minutes per side.
- Baste with reserved marinade during last minute.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Reserving fresh marinade before adding the raw chicken is the safe way to create a glaze; brushing it on at the end adds a fresh burst of tangy sweetness that cooking burns off.
- Using “Zesty” Italian dressing rather than “Creamy” or “Robust” is important as it has the right balance of vinegar and spices to tenderize the meat effectively.
- Pricking the chicken breasts ensures the flavors penetrate deep into the meat fibers, preventing the common issue of grilled chicken being flavorful on the outside but bland on the inside.
