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This copycat recipe is not just easy; it’s downright delicious. With only 4 simple ingredients, you can recreate the Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders in a snap!
Today, I’m super excited to share a recipe that’s sure to bring some Cracker Barrel magic right into your kitchen. I’m talking about those irresistible Grilled Chicken Tenders that we all love so much.
HERE IS WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING:
“This was easy and quick and the chicken was tender and had a nice flavor. I don’t keep limes around so I used lemon. I messed up and used a cast iron skillet which afterwards I had to soak and scrub for two days ha. Def use a non stick heavy skillet. Good recipe, thanks for sharing!” – Lois
I’ve always been a huge fan of Cracker Barrel. There’s something about the combination of shopping and good food that just wins my heart every time.
Lily absolutely loves going to Cracker Barrel, for that very reason. She has to look through the whole shop before we can sit down and have a meal. It’s so fun!
And let’s talk about those chicken tenders—they are always so moist and flavorful! After trying this recipe at home, I was amazed at how dead on to the original it is.
Now, these chicken tenders have become a regular dish in our meal rotation. Plus, they’re super easy to make and light on calories—perfect for when we’re trying to eat healthily!
I’m always so impressed at how well the Italian dressing melds with the chicken. It’s really a combination that was meant to be.
So, let’s dive into why these Grilled Chicken Tenders are a must-try and how you can whip up this delicious meal in no time!
Some of our other favorite chicken recipes we have on our site include: Best Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Recipe, Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe with Tzatziki, and Creamy One Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Simple Ingredients: Only 4 ingredients needed, making it incredibly easy to prepare. You can’t go wrong when you’ve got a short list of ingredients like that!
- Quick Cooking Time: Ready in just a few minutes, perfect for a fast and delicious meal. I love making it on nights when I know we won’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
- Close to the Original: Tastes almost just like the Cracker Barrel original, satisfying your cravings at home. Try it and you’ll know for yourself!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Chicken tenderloins
- Italian dressing
- Fresh lime juice
- Honey
HOW TO MAKE GRILLED CHICKEN TENDERS:
- Mix the dressing, lime juice, and honey together in a small bowl.
- Place the marinade in a zip lock bag with the chicken and make sure all the chicken is coated. Place this in the fridge to marinade for an hour; if you marinade longer, the chicken might start cooking due to the lime juice, so keep an eye on it!
- In a large skillet over medium heat, spray the skillet with cooking spray. Add the chicken to the pan, let the excess marinade drip off and discard.
- Let the tenders brown on all sides until cooked through, about 8 minutes total or until the internal temperature is 165°F. Serve with your favorite sides or with a salad, and enjoy immediately!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE CHICKEN BREAST?
Absolutely! You can easily adapt this easy copycat recipe by slicing the chicken breast into chicken strips.
These strips will marinate and cook just as deliciously as the tenderloins.
Follow the same steps with your marinated chicken strips, and you’ll have a tasty dish in no time.
Alternatively, you can do the same with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
WHAT TO SERVE THESE WITH?
These copycat tenders, a favorite menu item, pair wonderfully with a variety of sides.
You might try them with a simple side salad, some freshly steamed green beans, or roasted sweet potatoes.
Each of these sides complements the tenderloin pieces beautifully, making for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
DO I NEED A GRILL?
No need for a grill for this great recipe.
You can perfectly cook these in a large non-stick skillet on the stovetop.
The large skillet ensures even cooking and easy flipping of the chicken tenderloins recipe, giving you that golden brown perfection without the need for an outdoor grill.
ANY ADDITIONS?
If you’re feeling adventurous, try out a few of these ideas. It’ll change the flavor, but it sure will be tasty!
- Lemon pepper: Shake a little on the sides of the chicken while grilling for a zesty twist.
- Hot sauce: Add a splash of your favorite spicy marinade if you like a kick in your chicken recipe.
- Italian seasoning: Sprinkle a pinch on top for even more herb flavor (especially if you love that Italian dressing vibe).
- Honey mustard: Serve on the side as your favorite dipping sauce for that sweet-and-tangy taste.
- Avocado oil drizzle: If you prefer something other than olive oil, a light drizzle of avocado oil can add richness.
- Favorite BBQ sauce: Once you pull the chicken off the gas grill or grill pan (if using), brush on barbecue sauce for a sweet, sticky finish.
- Black pepper grind: Amp up the heat by adding fresh pepper during the cooking process.
- Caesar salad bed: Turn these chicken fingers into a salad topper—just slice and pile them onto crisp romaine.
- Extra lemon juice: Squeeze more lemon at the end for a bright pop of flavor your whole family will love.
- Side of the chicken with fresh herbs: Toss in fresh basil or parsley for a little color and aroma.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
There aren’t too many ingredients to swap, but here are a few to try!
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of tenderloins—just pound them with a meat mallet for uniform thickness and adjust cook time.
- Low carb marinade by using a sugar-free sweetener in place of honey if you’re watching carbs.
- Greek salad style topping: Sub in Greek dressing and a pinch of oregano if you don’t have Italian.
- Leftover chicken reheat: If you’re short on fresh tenderloins, leftover tenders cut into strips can work in a pinch—just warm gently on low heat.
- Spicy marinade upgrade: Replace part of the lime juice with hot sauce if you want your marinade to have more kick.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap the chicken tenders in plastic wrap (to prevent that freezer burn that we all hate) and store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Marinate the chicken for one hour for the best flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking for juicier tenders.
- Cook on medium heat for a perfect golden brown finish.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating for better flavor absorption.
These Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders are not just easy to make; they’re absolutely delicious.
Whether you’re cooking for the family, prepping for a weeknight dinner, or just craving some good home cooking, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
It brings the beloved Cracker Barrel taste right to your kitchen table, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds.
So, give these grilled chicken tenders a try and enjoy the taste of one of your favorite restaurants in the comfort of your own home!
If you’ve tried these GRILLED CHICKEN TENDERS, let me know how they turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Copycat Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Italian dressing
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 Pound chicken tenderloins
Instructions
- Mix the dressing, lime juice, and honey together in a small bowl.1/2 Cup Italian dressing, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- Place the marinade in a zip lock bag with the chicken and make sure all the chicken is coated. Place this in the fridge to marinade for an hour; if you marinade longer, the chicken might start cooking due to the lime juice, so keep an eye on it!1 Pound chicken tenderloins
- In a large skillet over medium heat, spray the skillet with cooking spray. Add the chicken to the pan, let the excess marinade drip off and discard.
- Let the tenders brown on all sides until cooked through, about 8 minutes total or until the internal temperature is 165°F. Serve with your favorite sides or with a salad, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for one hour for the best flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking for juicier tenders.
- Cook on medium heat for a perfect golden brown finish.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating for better flavor absorption.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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I used the KRAFT brand, thanks for asking!
What kind of Italian dressing did you use? There are so many of them
The grilled chicken tenderloin is what I order just about every single time we go to Cracker Barrel so I am very excited to try this recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Oh these look so yummylicious! Adding to the list of recipes to try! 🙂
Your Chicken recipe looks delicious, I love the idea of lime and honey flavor, Yum! I would love to invite you to share your recipe at my linky party, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up. 🙂 http://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up-2.html
Looks simple, yet delicious!
Again, thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Lime juice really kicks up the flavor on this chicken. Thanks for bringing it to foodie friday.
Hi! I am hosting my first ever Cunning Ladies’ Friday Party in my blog. I would love for you to join us and add this beautiful post there. Love your pictures and this post! http://easytocookmeals.com/cunning-ladies-friday-party/
Yummy! Can’t wait to try this out!
lOOKS EXCELLENT! THERE ARE So many ways to cook chicken and youhave made it look easy! with these great recipes Thanks Maria your co host from Craft Frenzy Friday
Yum! Both chicken recipes look great! Just pinned both to try. Thanks for sharing 🙂
One of my favorites we make this regularly!
Hubby eats these there all the time! Our very favorite though, is the sliced sugar cured ham — it’s literally the only food my daughter can eat there (she’s allergic to all foods except pork and strawberries) – they can just toss it on a plate, nuke it, and she can eat with no reactions. CB is our go-to restaurant – I think we’ve been to just about every one along I-95 between NJ and Florida!
I normally make my own, but for this particular recipe I used store bought, super easy.
Yum! Looks delicious! Love chicken marinated in Italian dressing…do you make your own for this, or use store bought?