Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders (Copycat Recipe!)
These juicy, zesty chicken tenderloins are a speedy air-fryer copycat of the famous Cracker Barrel grilled tenders—bright with lime, a touch of honey, and pantry spices. Dinner, done fast!
- Total Time45 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Marinade
- 1/4 cup Zesty Italian dressing
- 1 tbsp golden honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
Instructions
- Create the Flavor-Packed Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken tenderloins in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over, coat well, then seal/cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). If your unit lacks preheat, run it empty at 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
- Arrange in the Basket: Let excess marinade drip off; place tenderloins in a single layer in the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- Cook to Perfection: Air-fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the thickest piece reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest & Serve: Transfer to a plate and rest a few minutes so juices redistribute. Enjoy!
Notes
For deeper flavor, marinate up to 4 hours, but avoid longer or the lime juice can affect texture. Don’t overcrowd the basket for best browning. A quick rest after cooking keeps tenders juicy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 26
- Cholesterol: 85
